China“s growing electronics, energy, automotive and pharmaceutical industries, , are, says German technology company Schott, creating opportunities as it aims to bring its high quality speciality gla…
China“s growing electronics, energy, automotive and pharmaceutical industries, , are, says German technology company Schott, creating opportunities as it aims to bring its high quality speciality glass products to local and multinational manufacturers. China is, in fact, one of Schott“s fastest-growing markets, and is integral to the company“s future growth strategy. “There are a lot of opportunities in China. We see a changing economy and we want to be part of the change,” said Hans-Peter Karpenstein, president and chief executive of Schott Asia. Schott is a 125-year old multinational company, and a sister company of lens maker Carl Zeiss, which develops and manufactures speciality glass, special materials, components and systems for various industries. The company has several business units, with solar being its largest unit, providing innovative solar energy solutions with the full value chain for photovoltaic solar panels. Schott is also a manufacturer of receivers, one of the key components for concentrated solar power plants. The company“s Pharmaceutical Systems unit manufactures high-grade glass, including vials, ampoules and syringes, for the global pharmaceutical industry, while other business units include Home Tech, Flat Glass, Electronic Packaging, Lighting and Imaging, and Advanced Materials. Schott opened a new plant for glass pharmaceutical packaging in Suzhou in 2008, becoming one of the first global manufacturers to have a local production base in China specifically geared to serve local Chinese customers. Schott is also seeking to establish more business and partnerships in China, pursuing business opportunities in the country“s electronics, aviation, vehicle, nuclear and solar energy sectors. . Schott also collaborates closely with universities and institutions such as Zhejiang University, Dalian University, Suzhou University, The Institute of Optics and Mechanics in Chengdu, and the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Mechanics. Schott will also have several of its products on show at the German Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo 2010.