ContiTech Starts New Chinese Production Line

Shanxi-Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Co Ltd has launched a new production line in Changzhi, Shanxi province, China. Gerhard Lerch chairman of ContiTech AG, which has owned Phoenix since the end of 2004, inaugurated the new production facility for heavy-duty conveyor belts. The new line will be used to manufacture heavy-duty steel-cable conveyor belts for surface and underground mining. Belts produced at this facility are capable of satisfying extremely tough quality standards, and especially those required by the numerous coalmines. The belts will also be installed in storage and handling facilities at ports.

Shanxi-Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems is a joint venture set up between Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Asia GmbH, which is now part of ContiTech AG, and its Chinese partners Lu An Mining Group Co Ltd and Jingcheng Anthracite Group Co Ltd. With employees currently numbering 250, Shanxi-Phoenix manufactures not only steel-cable belts but also PVC and multi-ply belts for coal mines, steel mills, cement works and power plants in particular.

ContiTech has been working together with Chinese enterprises on a close partnership basis since 1996. The Fluid Technology unit has facilities in Changchun (ContiTech Grand Ocean) and Shanghai (ContiTech Fluid Shanghai Co., Ltd.) producing hose lines for Volkswagen and other big manufacturers. In Shanghai ContiTech has a site conducting finishing work on printing blankets (ContiTech Printing Blanket Shanghai Ltd) and a representative office there as well. Ninghai is the site of the ContiTech-Jiebao Power Transmission Systems Ltd. joint venture, which makes drive belts, spring strut bearings and gaiter seals. A new plant is currently being built by the ContiTech company Benecke-Kaliko AG together with Changshun International Trading 120 kilometres north-west of Shanghai for the production of PVC foam laminate and leatherette for the Chinese automotive industry starting in 2006.