Fuchs Petrolub SEannounced yesterday the opening of its new lubricants blending plant in Wujiang in Chinas Jiangsu province. The plant has 100,000 metric tons per year production capacity in its first phase, almost double that of the Shanghai plant that it will replace.
Construction began in 2017 with an investment of 46 million (U.S. $51.2 million today), Fuchs stated in yesterdays announcement. According to Fuchs 2017 annual report, the factory would have eight automated filling lines, 31 blenders and 55 tanks.
The high-bay warehouse has a capacity of 12,000 pallets, and the fully-automated plant features the most advanced smart production program and warehousing technology, the company said in yesterdays announcement.
The Wujiang plant can produce automotive oils, industrial oils, metalworking fluids, corrosion preventatives, rolling oils, coating materials and products for the forging industry, Fuchs stated.
China has become one of our most important markets, Stefan Fuchs, chairman of the executive board of Fuchs Petrolub SE, said in a news release. The new Wujiang plant is another important milestone for the future of Fuchs in China. It is also an essential part of our global growth initiative, in which we invest in the replacement, expansion and efficiency of our worldwide infrastructure, which enables Fuchs to grow and become more agile and efficient.
Fuchs China CEO Zhu Qingping said in the news release that its customers are international companies and Chinese corporations, which are increasingly seeking high-quality products and demanding better responsiveness and product management. With our new, improved manufacturing infrastructure, we have a competitive advantage and will better satisfy our customers in the promising China lubricants market.
The company said expansion in phase two is in the development plan, and that it is also significantly expanding its offices and laboratories at its site in Shanghai.