The growth in the Chinese and Asia Pacific beverage markets has stimulated considerable development of the plant over that five year period. Investment has resulted in significant increases in the number of employees, production capacity and improvements in the plant’s overall capabilities.
The specialist global provider of PET solutions for liquid packaging has been operating in China for over 20 years, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. However, 21 March 2013 was the fifth anniversary of the opening of the company’s main Beijing manufacturing plant which now occupies some 40,000 square metres.
Establishing the plant from a greenfield site in 2007 was part of Sidel’s ongoing commitment to providing global experience backed by local sales and service support through proximity to customers.
At the event, President & CEO of Side Mart Tiismann, said: “In 2007, we made the decision to invest in a full manufacturing presence here. In addition, we also committed to listening to and understanding our customers much more. Customer proximity is a fundamental part of our strategy and our increased Beijing presence has helped us get closer to support you. We knew we could not continue to support our customers from afar when they faced challenges that growth brings. We had to be on the ground with you. So we committed to Beijing, to China and to Asia Pacific.”
The beverage industry in China has proved one of the most significant markets in terms of growth. In 2008 – the year the new plant was opened – 51bn packages were sold. By 2012, this reached 74bn, an increase of 45%. This has almost been matched by the performance of the Asia Pacific region as a whole, with its 37% growth over the same period (123bnn soft drinks sold in 2008 and 168bn in 2012), expanding the opportunities for Chinese beverage producers beyond just the domestic market.
The growth in the market has been reflected by the growth in the Beijing plant with some impressive statistics: the number of employees has increased by 112%; the yearly production of blowers by 775%; and the number of Combi systems offering both blowers and fillers by 766%. Plans continue to expand the capabilities of the site. Recent additions include the creation of a training centre, a mold shop and a product care facility, with labellers being added to the Beijing production line in 2014 to ensure all of Sidel’s major equipment is available from the site.
The Beijing facility has also played a central role in helping to fulfil the developing requirements of the region’s biggest beverage brand owners and bottlers, many of whom were in attendance to celebrate the five year anniversary.
One of the major trends in China and in the Asia Pacific region in general has been the increasing demand for sensitive products, including flavoured teas, health drinks and liquid dairy products, a market sector in which Sidel has made significant investment with its solutions for aseptic and hotfill applications. Water and carbonated soft drinks also continue to contribute to growth in the region’s beverage consumption.
Sidel is the exclusive headline sponsor of the Dairy Innovation Awards 2013
Source: Sidel
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