Manufacturing facility opens in China

A new facility has been set up to supply a growing Chinese market in need of explosion proof safety solutions.

Pyroban officially opened the doors to it's new manufacturing facility in China on 18th October 2006.

The new facility has been set up to supply a growing Chinese market in need of explosion proof safety solutions.

Pyroban is the leading provider of explosion protection solutions for fork lift trucks and diesel engines in Europe, supplying a wide range of industries that handle flammable material.

The company's solutions remove the sources of ignition found on industrial equipment used in areas where there may be flammable gas, vapour or dust, thus preventing major industrial explosions.

Pyroban's new state of the art facility is located in the world class Suzhou Industrial Park, and is poised to provide explosion protection safety solutions for foreign and Chinese brands of materials handling equipment.

The facility is 1300m2 with an initial capacity to meet the demands of the Chinese market.

Already, there are a number of skilled and trained employees at the site and this is expected to increase once the company is in full production.

Suzhou, about 130km outside of Shanghai has a well educated and experienced population with no fewer than 14 universities and thousands of domestic and foreign businesses operating in the region.

Alan Winn, the General Manager of Pyroban (Suzhou) Safety Systems Company explains: "All of our employees have been selected from the local region of Suzhou, except for myself and the Engineering Manager who are English".

"The Engineering Manager has the responsibility for training to ensure that the quality standards at Pyroban China are consistent to Pyroban's strict manufacturing standards in Europe".

Pyroban was first introduced to China over 20 years ago via Beijing Material Handling Institution to assist key Chinese Fork truck manufacturers to produce Explosion Protection safety products.

Today as the Chinese economy booms, the need for explosion protection solutions has increased and it is no longer viable to continue to supply the market from Europe.

Regulations for explosion protection safety products differ throughout the world.

China has its own statutory regulations, GB19854-2005: "General rules of explosion-proof techniques of industrial trucks for explosive atmospheres".

These regulations generally follow European standards EN1755:2000 with some significant local changes.

Winn explains: "The Pyroban China factory will make the explosion-proof conversions according to local standards".

"The products will be of the same Pyroban quality found in Europe but the design and specification may have some differences".

"We will also be supporting the markets in much the same way as in Europe".

Winn continues: "Our move into China is necessary in order to support the Chinese market in the future, not to export to Europe".

"Pyroban's market in China is growing rapidly and the business model has to support it".

One week before its official opening, Pyroban China exhibited at Cemat in Shanghai, the largest exhibition for materials handling and logistics in China.

Pyroban presented three fork lift trucks on the stand, a Jungheinrich pallet truck, a Hyster diesel truck and a Heli diesel truck that had been converted at the new facility, all ready for operation in the Chinese domestic market.

Winn commented on the show: "Cemat was an excellent platform in which to speak directly to the market and show our support on a local basis".

"There was tremendous interest in the company and for our solutions from both end users and fork truck manufacturers and dealers".

On 18th October 2006 the new facility was officially opened with a traditional Chinese grand ceremony.

Brian Tyrer, CEO for the Pyroban Group and Ian Ratcliff, Managing Director of Pyroban joined a selection of VIP guests from Sipac, China Construction Machinery Association, CNEX, CQST, Industrial Vehicles Safety Standards Committee, some of the market leading fork truck manufacturers and the press.

Lined with red carpet, decoration and a presentation stage, the new factory was transformed for the occasion.

Fireworks started the event with an introduction of the VIP guests followed by a series of speeches.

A traditional dragon dance followed representing prosperity and longevity, at the end of which Brian Tyrer, CEO of Pyroban Group and Barry Yang, Deputy Director of Sipac painted the eyes of the dragon, symbolising good luck.

The event finished with a ribbon cutting ceremony, more fireworks, food and traditional music in the true spirit of Chinese culture.

Winn concludes: "The traditional ceremony marks the beginning of Pyroban China and is an important part of showing our commitment to the local cultures and needs".

"Pyroban China is now fully operational and we hope to develop a business that is successful, building long term relationships with companies operating in a successful Chinese economy".

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