Bosch Packaging Technology has plans to invest $23.4 million to build its second production facility in Chengdu, China.  An agreement for the use of a 66,000-sq.-m. site has been signed. "Ten years ago, we started up in China with 14 associates. Since then, our sales have continuously increased,” said Friedbert Klefenz, president of Bosch Packaging Technology. The company currently employs 400 associates in China at its site in Hangzhou.

With its production facility in China, Bosch primarily serves the regional packaging machine market. Mr. Klefenz said, "Considering the enormous growth of the Chinese market, we will use the new location in Chengdu to create additional capacities, as our existing facility in Hangzhou will reach its limit within the next two years.”

Bosch Packaging Technology will start operations in Chengdu at the beginning of 2012 in a leased production facility. Construction on the new plant will begin in 2014. A year later, the first expansion phase will be completed when a building of 13,500 sq. m. of floor space will be ready for occupation. The production area will include 7,200 sq. m. of the total floor space. The site in Chengdu will employ 300 associates. The new facility allows Bosch to serve the Pharma, Food and Confectionery sectors with packaging machines of medium output capacity.