Angst+Pfister expands sealing production with new plants in China, Vietnam

Zurich, Switzerland – Swiss elastomer components manufacturer Angst+Pfister Group has expanded its sealings production with two new facilities in China and Vietnam.

ARAP Sealing International, a joint venture with Italian Argomm Group, was officially opened in Changzhou, China on 18 March

The Changzhou facility is intended to expand the supply of ‘sophisticated sealing components’ to Asia and globally.

The location of the Chinese site, said Angst+Pfister, “stood out” due to its proximity to potential customers as well as to Shanghai.

“With its first 30 employees, the company immediately gained important Asian automotive and industrial customers and is already implementing series production for them,” it noted.

In Bien Hoa City, Vietnam, the group’s wholly owned company APVN Sealing was also inaugurated 20 March, in the presence of CEO Christof Domeisen, continued Angst+Pfister's undated statement.

The location of the plant is strategically important for serving customers in southeast Asian countries (ASEAN), the Swiss group stated.

The Vietnamese facility is already in series production for first customers in food industry, according to Angst+Pfister.

At the opening ceremony, Angst+Pfister's chief production officer Eray Ulugül, who leads the two new plants in Asia, said: "Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a very well-educated young generation.

"We want to be there, but we also want to make a contribution. Important plans are being pursued here." 

Over the next five years, Angst+Pfister said it aims to invest more than €10 million in technology and equipment at each site.

The investments will be made in injection moulding, sorting, deburring, surface coating or cutting as well as testing equipment for the sites.

Both facilities have so far achieved their ‘desired ISO’ and automotive industry quality certifications and are currently undergoing customers' standard industry approval procedures.

In addition to the automotive and food industries, the units are currently involved in “a promising number of tenders” from customers in the chemicals, household appliances and industrial-tool sectors.