KCI Konecranes to expand in China

Reflecting the rapid growth in China, KCI Konecranes will double its manufacturing capacity in Shanghai. The production will be extended to higher lifting capacities.

Since Nov 2002, KCI Konecranes operates a hoist assembly factory in Shanghai, China. The factory has been purpose-built for KCI Konecranes with 4,300 sqm of factory space on a 13,300 sqm land area in Taopu, Putou District at Futurity Island industrial park, Shanghai.

Products manufactured in Shanghai are the CXT standard wire rope hoists and industrial crane components. Now, KCI Konecranes will expand its operations in Shanghai to cover lifting equipment components of higher lifting capacities in the Special Cranes range.  Specifically these products include heavy-duty capacity hoisting trolleys and crane controls for Large EOT cranes and RTG cranes.

The new factory site will be located next to our existing facility in Shanghai. It will add 4,000 sqm in manufacturing floor space. The expansion will initially create jobs for some 100 people. The new facility is expected to be completed by mid 2005.

Included in the expansion plans is also a new Special Cranes assembly site located nearby Bejing in Tianjin.

KCI Konecranes has full operating licensees in China. An expansion of KCI Konecranes manufacturing operations in Shanghai will further strengthen the Group’s position in the hoist and crane market in China.

For further information, please contact:

Stig Gustavson, President and CEO, Phone +358 20 427 2000

KCI Konecranes, headquartered in Hyvinkää, Finland is a world leading Engineering Group specialising in advanced overhead lifting solutions and maintenance services. KCI Konecranes is the world's leading supplier of heavy-duty cranes for process industries. KCI Konecranes is a global supplier of special harbour cranes for bulk materials and containers and a leading provider of shipyard cranes. In 2003, Group sales totalled EUR 665 million with 4350 employees in 34 countries all over the world.