Husky COO discusses new China facility

Husky Injection Molding Systems plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China to meet a growing demand for its beverage packaging and hot runner systems.

Keith Carlton, chief operating officer for Husky, told PlasticsToday that China represents one of Husky's largest and fastest growing markets.

"To be successful, we must follow our customers and ensure we have the capability to deliver where, and when, they need us," he said. "Our investment in Suzhou is a step toward ensuring we are able to meet the growing expectations of customers in this region."

Husky recently signed an investment agreement with the local government in Suzhou to purchase 53,000m² of land in this region. Carlton said the size of the facility is yet to be determined. The site is expected to be fully operational in 2014 and will add to the company's presence in China.

Carlton said that the manufacturing location will further increase local capacity, improve customer support and shorten lead times.

"We selected the Suzhou New District because of its superior geographic location, transportation network, skilled talent pool, as well as world class infrastructure," he said. "It is also a greenfield site that has significant opportunity for growth beyond the existing land area."

Since first establishing a presence in 2004, Husky has more than doubled its footprint in the region and has more than tripled its regional workforce. The Suzhou facility will complement Husky's existing facilities, most notably the Shanghai Technical Center.

Opened as Husky's Asia Pacific headquarters, the Shanghai location has also doubled its footprint since 2004, expanding in 2006 and again in 2009.

It is responsible for a number of activities, including service and sales, development engineering, human resources, finance, machine assembly and hot runner manufacturing, the company stated.

To accommodate growing hot runner business in the region, Husky has also made recent investments in hot runner refurbishing, hot runner manufacturing and mold conversion capacity.

"Asia Pacific is also a growing market for Husky and investing now will ensure we are able to meet the needs of our rapidly growing customer base in this region," Carlton said.

In addition to China, the company also has manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Luxembourg, plus more than 40 service and sales offices, including Technical Centers, supporting customers in over 100 countries. Husky's headquarters and main manufacturing campus is located in Bolton, ON, Canada.