We have positioned our operations in China as one of the cores for further growth of the Minebea Group in the 21st century and thus place a high priority on reinforcing our local capabilities.
We began operating in China in 1994, when we established Minebea Electronics & Hi-Tech Components (Shanghai) Ltd. (MEHC), our first local subsidiary, at the lakeside of Dianshan-hu, which is located on the Western outskirts of Shanghai, and commenced production of our mainstay miniature and small-sized ball bearings and fan motors.
In 2002, we established Shanghai Shunding Technologies Ltd.,in a suburban industrial park south of Shanghai, and have begun production of PC keyboards scince in August 2003.
We have since expanded our presence
significantly. As of March 2008, we have MEHC¡¯s Shanghai
and Xicen plants, and SST, which boast a total combined floor
space of 140,000 square meters, occupy a 540,000-square meter
site and employ approximately 9,000 people. These plants
produce miniature and small-sized ball bearings, fan motors,
integrated-shaft ball bearings, measuring components and PC
keyboards.
Production in China represents approximately 24% of total Group output, the percentage of which has been increasing year by year. The majority of products from our Chinese plants are exported to manufacturers worldwide. With demand for Minebea products in China expected to increase significantly, we will closely monitor local and global market trends and diversity and expand our Chinese production items and capabilities accordingly.
In our Chinese operations, the companies of the Minebea Group will continue to work together in the years ahead to reinforce MEHC¡¯s and SST¡¯s ability to ensure a stable, timely supply of products that truly satisfy customers in an optimum work environment.
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