This 40,000 ft2 site will serve Citadel's current automotive and electrical customers in the northern region outside Shanghai.
"The new Changshu site is a prime opportunity for Citadel to continue our successful partnership with EMEI, provide improved local customer support and response, and expand our engineered composites footprint in China," said Mike Huff, CEO of Citadel. The company's Dongguan facility, located in southern China outside Hong Kong, opened in 1998.
Expanding capabilities
The Changshu site, known locally as BMC Composite Materials (Changshu) Co Ltd, will have 25 employees in place this year. It has begun production of bulk molding compound (BMC), part of Citadel's legacy composites business.
The new plant can expand its manufacturing capabilities to include sheet molding compound (SMC) and thermoplastics to meet future market needs, the company said.
Citadel's Dongguan plant employs 60 and currently manufactures BMC for the appliance, electrical and automotive markets.