U.S.-based Master Chemical Corp. announced last month the opening of a 20,000-square-foot facility in China where it will manufacture metalworking fluids and recycling systems.
The facility, which is located in Shanghai, cost $2 million and was built in less than a year. In addition to the manufacturing plant, it includes offices and a laboratory that will serve as Masters technical center for Asia operations.
Master, which is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, said it built the facility to take advantage of growing demand in China.
China has been a growing part of our business for about five years, Communications Manager Mark Sherer said, but absolutely there is further potential there. Manufacturing from all over the globe is moving to China.
In addition to its metalworking fluids, sold under the Trim brand name, Master supplies fluid management services and coolant recycling systems. Scherer said demand for services is also growing in China.
As the amount of manufacturing increases, they are giving more attention to its impacts, and the government is adopting more regulations concerning things such as handling and disposal of metalworking fluids, he said.
Master now employs more than 30 people in China, including field representatives.