Sweden-based engineering group Sandvik's subsidiary Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT), producer of high technology stainless steels, special alloy materials and advanced value-added products, has announced that it is investing in a dedicated service center with its own slitting line in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China, ensuring that delivery times of precision strip to all customers in China can be kept to just one week. The service center is scheduled to open in October 2009, with the main feature of a new slitting line becoming operational in November.
As per the statement released by Sandvik, initially intended to supply strip to customers throughout the Chinese market, the center will offer greater supply flexibility and considerably shorter delivery times, with material finished to size from stock held on site. It will also open up options to supply other Asia-Pacific markets from the first quarter of 2010.
The service center will focus on finishing and delivering precision strip to customers for the manufacture of flapper valves for compressors used in automotive, refrigeration and air conditioning units. It will also supply material to other important market sectors in the region, such as shock absorber manufacturers.
Investment in the new Sandvik service center in Zhenjiang is part of a long-term strategy, designed to extend Sandvik Materials Technology's presence in the Asia-Pacific region.