Machinery companies report continuing demands for better quality production from better quality machinery in China, Simon Robinson reports.
While there can be doubt about what is happening in different application sectors for polyurethane, this year it was unequivocal at UTECH Asia 2016: when it comes to machinery, there is a flight to quality in China.
The move up the value chain is driven by China’s consumers’ increasingly high quality demands and greater competition.
Per Henning Vaagen of Laader Berg explained: “The market is more oriented to high-quality machinery to compete on quality, yield and competitiveness. More competition within the Chinese foam market means companies need to work on yield as an internal processes. Additionally, they need the highest quality products to attract customers. We are part of our customers’ differentiation strategy.”
“The Chinese market is changing, more and more companies are ready for good equipment,” said Francis Pinckers of Fecken-Kirfel.
“[International] Mattress manufacturers are coming to China and are looking for approved suppliers who want good equipment,” Pinckers said. “There are local cutting equipment suppliers,” he said, “and the quality of the cutting is less good than international suppliers.”
“Our sales are growing in China and automated cutting lines and CNC cutting machines gaining ground”, he said. This is being driven by the need to look at costs and produce consistently good products.
Thomas Gruenwald, area sales manager moulded Flex/interior trim, Krauss Maffei: “we didn’t expect such a good year, automotive is going well.” He said the automotive industry is growing in China and there is growing interest in wide range of products including composites technology.
This was reflected by his colleague Nils Thoenes, area sales manager, Krauss Maffei who confirmed his company has five people in the RTM sales business in China, it’s a good place to expand,” he said.
Back in the world of flexible foam, Hennecke md Rolf Trippler said “We have had a very good year with a lot of projects in all sectors we don’t have any week issues, we see strong growth.
He added that the company’s “J flex machines had “fulfilled expectations since the 2013 launch and they are installed in all parts the world
One machinery component maker who did not wish to be named said: “The China machinery sector is growing, we have a lot of customers in China doing business and that’s where Europe will need to be careful. The quality of machinery is increasing, he said.
