AT&S to expand investment in China

HONG KONG - Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG has seen great business opportunities in the Chinese market and will expand its investment in China as the country is increasingly focusing on the high-end technology products, Andreas Gerstenmayer, CEO of the Europe's largest printed circuit boards maker said here on Wednesday.

Gerstenmayer said in a press meeting that "With high levels of education, a skilled workforce and a supportive business environment, we see a great opportunity to continue our investment program into China as the country becomes increasingly focused on the manufacture and production of high-end technology products."

He said AT&S is Austria's biggest investor in China, with over $750 million invested in the region to date, adding that the investment tie is still expanding.

Gerstenmayer expects China to become the key revenue and margin driver for AT&S as a result of its continued investment into the country.

Founded in 1987, AT&S is one of the market leaders in the high-end PCB technology, with its products mainly used for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet personal computers. It hires over 7,500 people globally, with more than 4,500 working in China.

The company currently runs six factories worldwide, including one in Shanghai. The seventh plant, which is still under construction, was set up in Chongqing last year, and is expected to put into operation in 2013.

The Austria Trade Commissioner of the Advantage Austria Christian Schierer, who was also presented at the press conference, said that the relationship between China and Austria is "striking", with the bilateral trades between the two countries tripled in the last decade.

Schierer said there are currently about 620 Austrian firms run in China, and those companies are capable and trusted to cater for the rising demand in China as the country is shifting to focus on high-end and high-value products.