Damen Marine Components opens new plant in China
Damen Marine Components (DMC) has announced the opening of its brand new facility in Jiangyin, China. Those present at the opening ceremony included CEO of Damen Shipyards Group René Berkvens and General Manager of DMC Jiangyin Aart Vogelaar. Also involved in the ribbon cutting were Consul-General of the Netherlands in Shanghai Anneke Adema, Feng Aidong Member of CPC Jiangyin Municipal Committee, Vice Secretary of Working Committee of Jiangyin National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Vice Director of Administration Committee of Jiangyin National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and Damen shareholder Mr K.J.B. Damen.
DMC began operations in China in 2005 in a facility located in Suzhou. With an increasing need for more production space, and limited expansion possibilities in Suzhou, DMC began the search for a new location over four years ago. Jiangyin was chosen for its strategic position close to customers and the possibility for future expansion.
The new facility has been built from the ground up, with the result being a streamlined and customised state-of-the-art production site. At 11,000 sqm, the Jiangyin production plant is nearly double the size of the Suzhou facility.
DMC Jiangyin will continue to produce high-quality Damen propeller nozzles, rudders, special constructions and winches. It also allows DMC to broaden its portfolio with additional products such as hydraulic winches and thruster tunnels on offer.
The DMC Jiangyin plant is equipped with renewed production systems that include its own spinning systems for propeller nozzles and state-of-the-art grinding and sanding robots.
Employee numbers are expected to grow to 120, and the facility will service Asia, the Middle East and the US west coast.
