It has signed a joint-venture agreement with automotive moulder

It has signed a joint-venture agreement with automotive moulder

Milacron has established a joint venture to manufacture injection moulding machines in China. The US-based machinery firm has signed an agreement with Jiangnan Mould & Plastic Technology Co, a plastics processing subsidiary of automotive parts moulder Jiangnan Mould Plastics Group Co.

The joint venture will be based in Jiangyin, Jiangsu province and operate under the name Milacron Plastics Machinery (Jiangyin) Co. The venture will lease a 50,000 sq metre facility and employ 50 initially. It will focus on building medium and large tonnage machines. Plans are also underway to increase support for aftermarket service and parts in China.

Milacron chief executive Ron Brown said: “Establishing a manufacturing base in China – to serve China – is essential to providing Milacron technology at more competitive cost to our customers who have established production in this strategic market.”

Milacron vice president of global manufacturing and sourcing Jay Woerner said: “Jiangyin Mould Plastics Group moulds automobile components and was seeking a partner who could help reduce the cost of the company's processing equipment as it expands… we will start off with an immediate market for our injection moulding machines.”

Milacron said it had a proven record of success with its joint venture strategy. Its joint venture in India is now the largest producer of injection moulding machines for the Indian market, the company claimed.