Harderwijk, The Netherlands – With the appointment of Zhanqi Guo, PhD, as business development manager China, AWL makes a significant step forward in extending its business to the East.
95% of AWL's annual turnover stems from the European market, and most of that is automotive driven. However, China is, and remains, a growth market, where more and more car manufacturers build production facilities. The local car manufacturers are also developing at a fast pace. The need for AWL to pursue the Chinese market is therefore increasing rapidly.
After intensive research, AWL decided to open a small operation in China, which should be up and running by the end of 2012. Mr. Guo has been given the task of realizing this and setting up a office in the Shanghai region. He will also be responsible for recruiting several Chinese engineers with the objective of providing training and technical support to AWL's customers.
Guo has a long history of building bridges between East and West. Over the last decade, he has worked at the University of Delft as an Assistant Professor for international research projects. In this role, he has developed the relationship between Dutch and Chinese universities. He has a business degree in mechanical engineering and ample experience in business, among other qualifications.
The focus for AWL in China will be on laser welding. AWL has extensive knowledge of this fast-growing technology. As the market in China is growing rapidly, partly because of the global platform approach of many car manufacturets, the demand for laser applications is expected to follow, providing a great opportunity for AWL.
In rising to the challenge, AWL takes the next step in setting up its business beyond the borders of Europe.
"Going to China was not an easy decision. We had to take all sorts of elements into account. But now we know for certain, and with the appointment of Mr. Guo, we are confident this venture will be a success," says Brand van 't Hof, technical director, AWL-Techniek.
Setting up a business in China completes the global partnership program AWL set up in 2010. With partners in Europe, North America and soon China, AWL can support its customers in both hemispheres.
For more information about the development of AWL in China, please contact Zhanqi Guo at ph +31 (0)341 411 811 or e-mail [email protected]
