The beginning of a New Era - Steelcase Opens New Manufacturing in Dongguan, China
China, March 10, 2010 (Wednesday) - Steelcase, a global office environments company whose architecture, furniture, and technology products help people have a better work experience, is proud to announce the opening of its new factory located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. The new facility represents the consolidation of Steelcase’s Shenzhen and Ultra’s Zhaoqing factory and marks a new era in the company’s operations in the Asia region.
The 27,000 square meter factory is one of Dongguan’s most important foreign-invested projects since the start of the global economic downturn, providing a source of employment and tax revenues. Located in a pastoral setting among a river and mountains, the factory represents thoughtful consideration into the energy efficiency of its production lines and use of resources while providing a comfortable and safe work environment for the facility’s 400 plus employees.
Mark Baker, Senior Vice President, Global Operations Officer, said of the opening, “We’re very glad to see the consolidation of the Shenzhen and Zhaoqing factory proceed so smoothly. This will help us create a better facility that will enable us to meet and exceed international production standards.”
The production lines will comply with Steelcase’s production system of lean cell design, one-piece flow production, material pull system, single-point scheduling, zone teams, among much more. Production will undergo continuous improvement with a series of programs including an employee suggestion avenue. Employee recreational features include a library, karaoke hall, as well as ping pong and pool tables, all of which are surrounded by lush green ivy covered red brick and landscaped vegetation, and a pond.
The Dongguan factory is responsible for the manufacture of Steelcase and Ultra products including system architecture, desks, chairs, and lounges for the market in China as well as the overseas market. Jeff Ge, Director of Greater China Operations, noted, “This is an excellent opportunity to take our work in Greater China to the rest of the world.”
As a market leader, Steelcase is also paving the way in the area of final product sustainability. We’ve invited the Scientific Certification System (SCS) to audit our Dongguan facility in November 2009 to ensure that our products achieve an optimum level of performance in terms of environmental impact with low VOC emissions for each product.
Following the audit, the SCS has found, “It is fitting that Steelcase’s new manufacturing facility in Dongguan is located next to pristine protected forest land; the location reflects Steelcase’s commitment to the environment, while the plant serves as a model for manufacturing sustainability.”
The selection of the Dongguan site was based on a number of criteria, including the area’s solid industrial production foundation and its status as a major hub for commerce, logistics, and transportation. The site is also an hour away from Hong Kong, and is in a community of over 500,000 residents.
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cherry Wan
Steelcase Asia Pacific
T: + 852 2823 5527
E: cherry.wan@steelcase.com
About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc. helps create great experiences - wherever work happens. Our brands offer a comprehensive portfolio of workplace furnishings, products and services, inspired by nearly 100 years of insight gained serving the world's leading organizations. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 650 dealers. We design for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Steelcase is a global, publicly traded company leading our industry with fiscal 2009 revenue of approximately $3.2 billion.