September 08, 2008
Kobe Steel opens new compressor plant in Shanghai
Kobe Steel Ltd announced the opening of the new compressor plant of subsidiary Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing Corporation at Shanghai in China.
Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing relocated its operations to the northern part of Shanghai's Jiading Industrial Zone, about 15 kilometers northwest of its former facility. The new plant continues the manufacturing operations, as well as continues to employ the workers of the previous facility.
In April 2005, Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing began manufacturing standard compressors in the southern part of the Jiading Industrial Zone in northwestern Shanghai. However, Shanghai decided to implement the Jiading New Town Plan, which involved the moving of dozens of Japanese companies in the area. In response to the Chinese government's request to relocate, KCMS moved to the northern part of the district with the guidance and support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai and JETRO Shanghai.
Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing began marketing the energy efficient Kobelion II series of oil flooded standard compressors in 2007 in China first, ahead of the Japanese market. The compressors are noted for having one of the world's highest levels of discharged air volume and energy efficiency. Orders for these compressors have been growing. Users have given high marks to the Kobelion II series and with an expanded number of distributors, orders from Japanese affiliates and local companies in China have risen. With higher sales volume, the Kobelion II series is contributing to higher profits at KCMS.
In comparison to the previous facility, the new plant has a larger floor space, cranes with higher lifting capacity, and a larger power source for trial compressor operation. The new plant is also equipped to manufacture large oil-free screw compressors with motor outputs up to 400 kW.
Name: Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing (Shanghai) Corporation
Location: Jiading Industrial Zone, Shanghai, China
Capital: USD 5 million
Equity share: 75% Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Established: February 2004
Start-up: April 2005
Product: Standard compressors
Chairman: Mr Shuzo Mohri senior officer of Kobe Steel, Ltd. & General Manager, Compressor Division
Employees: 51
