Bekaert Opens Asia R&D Centre

On April 20 Bekaert open its first research and development centre outside of Belgium. The Asia Research and Development Center in China’s Jiangsu Province is intended to strengthen the company’s “commitment to develop and supply innovative products to Asian customers while enhancing its technological leadership in the region.”

The new research and development centre employs 250 researchers and laboratory technicians. Bekaert states it is equipped to provide fast and adequate support to its customers and operations in a wide range of activities, among which laboratory services for material analysis, prototype development and production, and specific R&D. The centre’s opening, says Bekaert, demonstrates the company’s long-term strategy of sustainable profitable growth by staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

The opening ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Wang Xi’nan, mayor of Jiangyin city. He highly appreciated Bekaert’s efforts and contributions to Jiangyin and Wuxi city’s economic and social development over the years. “We are glad to see Jiangyin becoming the home of Bekaert’s new R&D centre, next to the company’s largest production platform in China,” said Wang Xi’nan, mayor of Jiangyin city, where the centre is located. “We are looking forward to its great achievements in innovation and its contribution to China’s transformation from manufacturing leadership into a knowledge economy.”