Source:
https://scmp.com/presented/business/topics/germany-country-report/article/1842510/sewing-technology-expert-firms
Business

Sewing technology expert firms up growth plans in Asia

Discovery Reports

Updated: 5:09pm, 23 Mar, 2016

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Dietrich Eickhoff, chairman of the executive board

With a history spanning more than 150 years and a solid track record in the field of industrial sewing equipment, Durkopp Adler has become synonymous with high-performance products and innovative solutions. Seeing Asia's shift towards high-quality equipment and manpower-lean methods to boost productivity, the leading German manufacturer believes the timing is right to strengthen its footprint in the region, particularly in China. 

"We see that Asian businesses are looking for ways to move up the value chain and reduce their dependency on manpower," says Dietrich Eickhoff, chairman of the executive board. "We are the ideal partner for them, offering the right sewing technology for every demand and climate at competitive prices."

A strong brand in Europe and the Americas, Durkopp Adler is renowned for delivering a wide spectrum of hi-tech sewing machines for reliable, high-quality seams. Groundbreaking innovations have accompanied the company from its foundation in 1860. Among these are the first heavy-duty free-arm machine in 1950, the M-Type medium-heavy duty platform in 2005 and the first fully automated robotic sewing machine for complex stitching.

Durkopp Adler machines have found applications in the production of garments and seams in home and car upholstery, shoes and technical textiles. For Asia, the company has developed top-class machines in the medium technology segment to meet cost and performance expectations of local manufacturers.

"We pursue a customer-oriented product development," Eickhoff says. "This has been key to our strong performance in the past five years along with solid backing from our parent company ShangGong."

This year, Durkopp Adler will boost its manufacturing capacity on the mainland and open sales offices in the northeast to supplement current production and marketing operations in Shanghai. Beyond China, the company aims to share its know-how with a broader customer base in Asia, particularly in Indonesia and India, via competent distribution partners who can engage in consultative selling.