"In China, for China": DANOBAT Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with FUCHS China
Spain-based Danobatgroup, the market leader in metalwoking, has inaugurated its new Center of Excellence, the world’s sixth largest Xperience Center, in Songjiang District, Shanghai, on May 31, 2023. More than 400 guests, including Pello Rodriguez, CEO of Danobatgroup, Jo Santens, General Manager of Danobatgroup China, Luis Calvo, Consul General of Spain in Shanghai, Mao Yufeng, President of China Machine Tool & Tool Builders’ Association (CMTBA), as well as management of MONDRAGON Corporation, heads of the Government of Songjiang District, Shanghai, business partners, friends from the media and customer representatives, were present at the inauguration. Coinciding with the opening ceremony, Danobatgroup inked a strategic partnership with FUCHS LUBRICANTS (CHINA) LTD. (FUCHS China), marking the beginning of a joint effort by the two companies to chart a new blueprint for development in China.
The strategic partnership between the two companies is rooted in the same strategic idea, as Kris Van Gasse, CTO of FUCHS China, said in an interview: "FUCHS and Danobatgroup have much in common in terms of strategy and philosophy, and the two companies have always believed in a continued focus on the Chinese market."
Taking root in China by deepening localization strategy
FUCHS entered the Chinese market as early as 1988 with the establishment of its first plant in China in Yingkou, Liaoning Province. More than 30 years into its journey of rapid growth, FUCHS China has made a tremendous contribution to the group. In 2019, FUCHS China invested 350 million yuan in a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 smart plant in Suzhou, a strong move to expand its business in the country. By that time, FUCHS China had completed its strategic plan in China, with plants built in the northern and southern parts of the country. Utilizing the strengths of FUCHS Group, FUCHS China caters to the various application needs of customers in the automotive and industrial sectors with excellent R&D capabilities and high-quality products. Meanwhile, the company is accelerating efforts to realize its vision of becoming the preferred supplier of premium lubrication solutions in China through rapid expansion.
Speaking at the inauguration, Pello Rodriguez, CEO of Danobatgroup, remarked: "Since opening our first office in Beijing in 1991, Danobatgroup has been a part of and witnessed the growth and transformation of many Chinese companies, and thanks to China’s thriving manufacturing sector, we have been able to grow and advance along the way as well. Today’s inauguration of the new Shanghai Center of Excellence represents Danobatgroup’s strong commitment to the Chinese market: we will devote more resources to maximize our strengths here and strive to help our local customers leap ahead. We have every confidence that Danobatgroup China has a bright future!"
Driving technological innovation to facilitate partnerships
In 2020, FUCHS Asia Pacific Technology Center was inaugurated at FUCHS China Headquarters in Shanghai, which not only demonstrates FUCHS China’s confidence to continue to invest in R&D and innovation to better serve its local customers, but also reflects FUCHS Group’s determination to build three major strategic technology hubs in Europe, America and Asia respectively. Technology is one of the three factors that sit at the heart of FUCHS Group’s business model, and technology leadership is one of the six pillars that form the base of the FUCHS2025 strategy. We hope to underpin FUCHS’ customer-centered strategy in China and Asia Pacific with our investment in FUCHS Asia Pacific Technology Center. As we continue to strengthen our R&D and innovation capabilities, we will provide strong and effective support to power our regional customers and partners forward.
"The Shanghai Center of Excellence will share resources with FUCHS Group's global R&D platform to create solutions on par with international standards at ‘China speed' and deliver innovative technologies and applications to the industry and global users with a more agile innovation organization and stronger local collaboration, enabling local users to tap into the larger global market," said Jo Santens, General Manager of Danobatgroup China.
Launching the "Glory Box" to build a smart manufacturing ecosystem together
Led by Mao Yufeng, President of CMTBA, representatives from 12 smart manufacturing ecosystem partners, including FUCHS, were invited by Danobatgroup to jointly launch an innovative service program called "Glory Box" at the inauguration. This is Danobatgroup's customized machine tool life cycle service package focused on maximizing the "return on investment" for customers after installing a new machine.
Machining is a systematic manufacturing process in which everything is interconnected, from technology to cutting, from hardware to software. Danobatgroup works with leading brands in various fields of the manufacturing sector to build a manufacturing ecosystem that brings together their strengths to optimize and upgrade across the entire manufacturing industry chain, fully supporting users in improving their productivity and competitiveness.