Siemens' Division Hopes To Triple Production, Double R&D

Setting an ambitious goal of tripling manufacturing production capability and doubling its research and development power within the next three years, Siemens announced the Phase III expansion of its Siemens Numerical Control Ltd., Nanjing. According to a July 7 company statement more than 328 million RMB will be invested in the expansion of the facility from 8,200 square meters to 21,000 square meters.

"Siemens Automation and Drives Group (A&D) in China is a market leader in automation systems, motion controls and large drives, and our operation is highly localized," said Mr. Peter Herweck, executive vice president of Siemens Ltd., China. "About one-third of our sales in China are generated from products manufactured here, and we have a clear strategy to increase this proportion. This applies not only to manufacturing, but to R&D as well."

SNC is a joint venture set up in 1996 between Siemens A&D Group and China Oriental Numerical Control Co, a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corp. Located in Jiangning Economic and Technological Development Zone in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, SNC develops and produces numerical control systems and products for factory automation serving both China and the world markets. Siemens has set up 7 regional offices and 19 operating companies in Jiangsu.

The phase III expansion will build up the number of R&D engineers from the current 65 to 120 within three years. Training and technology transfer are also key objectives of this expansion.