Shanghai, China — Fresh off the heels of Engel's recent announcement that it has founded a 100%-owned subsidiary in China, the company brought out its top management to talk more about this news at Chinaplas Media Day.  

"We wanted to show you how important this news was and we have brought our top management to show you this new company, Wintec," said Peter Neumann, CEO of Engel.

The Austrian-based injection molding manufacturer said that for the 2013-2014 financial year, it was able to improve its market position in Asia, which climbed to 11%. The increase in turnover was particularly strong in China.

"We expect China to be the biggest market for Engel in the future," Neumann commented.

Engel has had a presence in Asia for quite some time with a plant for large-scale machines located in Shanghai while injection molding machines in the small and medium clamping force segments are built in Korea.

But all attention at the press conference was on the formation of Wintec, which was developed specifically for the commodity market. Wintec will start producing injection molding machines this summer. The new production plant for injection molding machines is located in Changzhou, in the industrial province of Jiangsu. The target market is China, but Engel also expects to serve injection molding customers in Southeast Asia, Korea, Taiwan and India.

"We do expect to sell this machine outside of China," said Christoph Steger, CSO of the Engel Group. "This machine is designed for the needs of commodity molders, especially Asian molders. We will start in China, but already are planning to roll out the machines in surrounding countries of China and finally the whole of Asia."

New t-win machine

At Chinaplas 2014, Wintec (Hall E5, Booth F41) will showcase the new t-win injection molding machine model range. With a focus on maximum productivity, low energy consumption and a compact design, the company believes that Wintec builds premium injection molding machines for the Asian markets at a competitive price with short delivery times. The t-win injection molding machines reportedly achieve a service life of 15 to 20 years. The t-win machines are equipped with servo hydraulics as a factory standard. Other areas that the company touted was operating point optimization and the dual-platen design of the clamping unit, with low moving masses and exposed tie-bars. Linear guiding of the moving mold fixing platen prevents friction and keeps the mold area free from grease, the company said.

The dual-platen clamping unit is developed in Europe. The machines are available in six sizes with clamping forces between 4,000 and 17,500 kN.

"We are entering a segment where we are competing against Asian machines," Neumann said. "And the price value relation has to show the customer that it's worth it to invest in a high technology machine. The add ons, better performance, longer lifetime and better service strategy is behind the Wintec machine."

Dual training in China

This year, Engel has started to employ apprentices in Shanghai and the company is taking its dual training program to China. In the dual training program, apprentices receive practical training at the company's premises and also attend classes at a vocational training school. Completing the course will give them a qualification that is recognized both in China and Europe.