At today’s solemn event in Changshu, China, Hidria officially opened its new facility for the production of car technologies. With the first production location in Asia, which will employ 50 people by 2013, Hidria will strengthen its global role and become even more efficient in supporting the needs of our business partners in China, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries. At the moment, Hidria has companies and representative offices in 20 countries all over the world, selling its products in 80 countries. Hidria’s ignition systems are integrated in every eighth car with diesel engine in the world. In the segment of ignition systems for diesel engines, Hidria ranks between the top four global producers and is the first to open its own production facility in the rapidly growing Chinese market, which additionally consolidates its role of one of the leading companies in Asia and the world.

The production of ignition system for diesel engines was launched today in Changshu, around 100 km north-west of Shanghai, which were until now supplied by Hidria for the Asian markets from Slovenia. The new production company in China, managed by Xiaoyuan Zhao, will supply car technologies to international corporations engaging in the production of vehicles or vehicle systems: GreatWall, JMC, Shanghai Automotive, Cummins, Perkins, SAIC and others.

“Hidria’s new production facility in China does not mean that the production of ignition systems was moved; it was expanded, because Hidria’s buyers, large international corporations with production facilities in China and the broader region, expect local suppliers,” underlined Edvard Svetlik, Chairman of Hidria Corporation, at today’s solemn event. “Hidria selected the High-Tech Park in Changshu because of the support and possibility of further expansion of production,” said Boštjan Bratuš, Vice-President of Hidria Management Board, who was in charge of the project of launching new production facilities in Asia. He added that, in terms of logistics, the vicinity of Shanghai, a 16-million economic, financial and communication centre, was also important for selecting the location.

In addition to other distinguished guests and business partners from Asia and Europe, Hidria’s solemn event in China was also attended by: the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Beijing Marija Adanja, the Consul/Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to Beijing Miha Fatur, the Consul for economic affairs at the Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Shanghai Ljubomir Ulaga, MSc., and the director of the High-Tech Park in Changshu WenXian Min. The Ambassador Marija Adanja, who opened the new production facility together with Hidria’s management, emphasised that she was very happy about each new success of Slovene companies in China, particularly companies as successful as Hidria. “Good reputation enjoyed by Hidria in the business circles and broader is the result of excellent attitude the company has been fostering with its partners, employees and buyers,” said the Ambassador, and added: “I am convinced that further development and additional strengthening of Hidria will be profitable for all those participating in this project and will build a new bridge between Slovenia and China.”