New investment in Trelleborg brakes R&D Centre, Shanghai

Trelleborg has announced its continued investment in the Chinese market with the inauguration of its Shanghai research and development centre, which will offer state-of-the-art technology relating primarily to noise and vibration-damping brake solutions for passenger vehicles, according to a company statement. Trelleborg says that the continued investment in the region is reflective of its long-term strategy to invest in markets with favourable growth potential.

“It is with high confidence in the future that we inaugurate the new R&D centre,” says Jim Law, business area president for Trelleborg Automotive. “The automotive industry is expanding in China and consequently, it is important for Trelleborg to be present where our customers are. Each car model requires a specific solution and the R&D centre enables us to offer customized testing options and consultation for our customers in China.”

At the inauguration, participants included a number of local Chinese customers, Peter Nilsson, president and CEO of Trelleborg and Wang Beijun, president of Xinzhuang Industral Park, in addition to the management of the centre.

“Here, there are more opportunities for our innovative braking shims and there is a strong demand for local support in research and development,” says Law. “The new R&D centre has high-tech equipment that facilitates controlled testing of brake and engine noise. For example, simulation of brake noise can be conducted here under various driving conditions and at temperatures varying from -30° to +45°C. The R&D center also has a laser scanner that facilitates measuring of vibration levels for various engine components.”

Trelleborg currently has six wholly owned production plants in China: two in the Shanghai area, two in the Wuxiom area, one in Qingdau and one in Xingtai. The facilities manufacture products that seal, damp and protect in demanding industrial environments: fender systems for quays, printing blankets for the graphic industry, molding products for various industrial segments, antivibration components for the automotive industry, sealing products, as well as specialty tyres, primarily agricultural. In addition, there are three development units, as well as several markets offices to efficiently cultivate the local markets. The total number of employees within the Trelleborg Group in China is slightly more than 1,700. During 2010, Trelleborg’s net sales in China amounted to nearly SEK 1 billion.