KUKA lays foundation for future growth in Asia

KUKA has already been engaging in developing robot-based automation solutions in China and the Asian region for the past 12 years. With its new production facility, KUKA is now responding to the constantly growing market trend towards automation solutions in China and Asia. The plant will start operating later next year with about 350 employees manufacturing, marketing and distributing KUKA robots in Asia from the new facility.

Dr Till Reuter, CEO of KUKA said: „KUKA goes where its clients are. Our plant in Shanghai will cater to our strongly growing markets in China and Asia. With this move, KUKA strategically enhances its very good market position in Asia and benefits from the mega-trend towards automation solutions in the emerging markets.”

KUKA robotics sales in China have doubled 

KUKA has more than doubled its year-on-year robot sales in 2011. The Augsburg-based company will now manufacture for the automotive industry and increasingly also for the general industry from its new almost 20,000 square metre plant that benefits from efficient processes and flexible structures.

“KUKA China” was already officially incorporated in 2000. Today, the Chinese arm of the German robotics manufacturer is one of KUKA’s largest subsidiaries globally. Another four KUKA distribution and service subsidiaries have been set up apart from the head office in Shanghai to ensure client proximity in the country that is now the most important trading partner globally not only for KUKA but for the entire German plant and machinery industry alongside the US. China has developed into the robotics market of the future over the past years.

German quality made in China

Already next year, KUKA expects to start producing the KR QUANTEC robot series and the KR C4 universal controllers. The additional assembly capacity of 3,000 robots and controls in the first year is expected to grow to 5,000 units by 2015. Longer term, capacity can still be expanded. The Chinese production of the Augsburg-based company will also meet highest standards since it will fully comply with the German quality requirements - ensuring product excellence and protecting KUKA’s leading position in the Asian market long term.