Watlow has opened a new manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China to serve its customers that currently have a presence there. It will manufacture tubular heaters at this facility, which held a grand opening event on Oct. 30, 2006. St. Louis-based Watlow designs and manufactures heaters, controllers and temperature sensors.
“Watlow built this new facility to support the local market,” said John Gross, Watlow’s director of operations. “Watlow recognizes China as a dominant player in the world market and is committed to serving the region. We feel it is an important step in our customers’ growth of their business in Asia.”
Co-located teams from the U.S. and China worked together to make the grand opening a reality. The event included Watlow customers from China and the U.S., employees from both locations and Watlow’s executive leadership team.
“Employees in both locations have been given the opportunity to travel internationally and be involved in the start up of a new facility,” said Gross. “All of this would not have been possible without the cooperation and dedication of all employees involved.”
Although the facility grand opening was held on Oct. 30, the facility has been functioning for several months. The facility made its first customer delivery on August 25, which was an important step for the facility and the teams.
