Grand opening: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s new facility in Ningbo to produce machines of higher tons

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag held a ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new factory campus in Ningbo, China and the 25th anniversary of Demag China under the theme “For a Better Future Together” on 13 October.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag held a ceremony to celebrate the opening of new facility and the 25th anniversary of Demag China.

To produce Systec machines with clamping force of 1,500 tons

The 4000-square meter new factory campus not only provides more space for Demag (Ningbo) to manufacture machines, but also widened the production range to produce servo-motor drive Systec machines of higher tons.

Before this, Demag (Ningbo) mainly produced injection molding machines with clamping force less than 1,000 tons. To meet the increasing market demand for precision parts, the new facility will expand the company’s product portfolio to 1,500 tons, shortening the delivery time to customers in China and Asia.

Pietro Scattarreggia, CEO of Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co.,Ltd., stated that the expansion of facility multiples the company’s production capacity, strengthening the products and technological service to local and multi-national companies in China.

Richard Chen (left), the Deputy General Manager, and Pietro Scattarreggia, CEO of Demag (Ningbo) at the ceremony.

He also emphasized that the electrification of China’s automotive industry is increasing. Comfortable and intellectual automotive interior is of high importance to driving experience when driving time is extended with enhanced battery life.

“The accelerating interior integration has become a key factor for the homogenous competition among automotive brands. As a supplier of injection molding solution, Demag has rich experience in producing large interior such as integrated control panel. This factory expansion allows our company to produce large injection molding machines of 1,500 tons and better serve our customers,” he explained.

Small-medium injection molding machine is setting towards the all-electric trend. To follow such a trend, Demag (Ningbo) facility will also produce all-electric injection molding machines, he added.

All-electric machines of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag use original servo motor with high torque, direct drive motor and servo control. They are equipped with intelligent and high-computing servo chips to achieve the shortest response time.

Newly established customer experience center

The expansion of facility also includes a customer experience center in which four injection machines for packaging, medical and automotive solutions are showcased.

With 8 cavities and a cycle time of 5.3 seconds, Systec 450/820-2300 SP is used to produce beverage cup. Clamping force of this machine is 4,500kN, with a maximum injection speed of 420mm/s.

Systec 160/520-600 SP is used to produce bottle cap with two colors. It features 4*12 cavities, a cycle time of 9.2 seconds, clamping force of 1,600kN and a maximum injection speed of 610mm/s.

IntElect 180-560 is used to produce medical sample reaction cup. The machine is of 1*48 cavity, a cycle time of 6.2 seconds and a maximum injection speed of 30mm/s.

IntElect 130-450 is used to produce automotive helical gear with 78 teeth. The machine is with 4 cavities, a cycle time of 46 seconds, clamping force of 1,300kN and a maximum injection speed of 200mm/s. 

10,000 machines locally produced over 25 years

Demag established its first factory in Ningbo, China, in 1998. As the first European injection molding machine brand to enter the Chinese market and set up factories in China, the company has been producing high-performance machines for China and other Asian markets.

“For Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, the important position of the Chinese market is irreplaceable. The Chinese market is not only large in scale, but also the demand for its products and applications changes incredibly fast,” said Gerd Liebig, CEO of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH.

Gerd Liebig, CEO of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH.

“25 years ago, we decided to establish Demag China in Ningbo. Now we have produced and put into use 10,000 injection molding machines in China. The result is the best proof of the correctness of setting up factories in China,” he continued.

Dr. Tetsuya Okamura,  Chairman of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., underlined that the expansion of new factory demonstrated the company’s determination to take root in China and further deepened the company’s market layout in Asia.

This year, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag achieves a steady growth in packaging and automotive sectors. In the interview with Adsale Plastics Network, Pietro Scattarreggia said that the company owns a market share of 90% in high-end plastic packaging market in China. With the accelerating innovation in plastic packaging, more small-medium enterprises will replace and upgrade their equipment in the future, and highly efficient and stable machines from Demag are appealing.

The company is particularly optimistic about the growth potential in e-mobility and medical market as well. “Interior design and ultra-fast charging will be the key factors for automotive brands to achieve breakthrough in competition. Demag has rich experience in molding interior and plastic parts in ultra-fast chargers. Along with the increasing aging population, in vitro diagnostics such as insulin pen for the medical market will also unlock growing potential,” he concluded.

About Sumitomo (SHI) Demag

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag owns a total of four factories in Japan, Germany and China, with more than 3,000 employees. Its product portfolio includes all-electric, hydraulic and hybrid injection molding machines with clamping force of 500-15,000kN. With more than 159,000 machines installed, the company is one of the largest injection molding machine producers in the world.