The new factory in Kunshan (Jiangsu/China), around 40 kilometres west of Shanghai, celebrated its official opening on the 5th of August 2013 with a colourful programme and Bavarian beer. Also there: various artists from the Kungu Opera.
Over 300 invited guests had come to congratulate the associate companies Swoboda Kunshan and Hartmann-exact Kunshan on their new building, get a good look at the new Chinese branch and to toast future German achievements "Made in Kunshan“. Honorary guests at the stylish German-Chinese celebration included Peter Pan, deputy director of the Industrial Park (KETD), Stefan Moebs, deputy Consul General of Germany in Shanghai, and shareholders and representatives of the management of Hartmann and Swoboda.
For Hartmann and Swoboda, the opening is like a "Chinese dream“ coming true, as the plans for a plant for both companies had not even been finalised until two years ago: With China and here in particular Kunshan and careful consideration they found the right location in August 2011. They were able to lay the foundation stone six months later on the 5th of December 2011. In December 2012, the first stage of construction was completed and the 6th of January 2013 saw the first employees moving to the new building covering an area of 9,000 square metres. The firsts parts have been produced since March 2012.
There are currently already 50 staff working for Swoboda and Hartmann in Kunshan. And in the true spirit of a family business, their families were of course also invited to the opening. This means that many of the staff were able and quite proud to show their new place of work to their nearest and dearest.
