Owens-Illinois, Inc. (NYSE: OI) has officially opened a new mould plant in Tianjin, China, to supply moulds to O-I plants throughout the world.
Located approximately 120 kilometers southeast of the Chinese capital Beijing, the O-I Tianjin Mould Co. Ltd. is one of the largest glass mould manufacturing sites in Asia, employing nearly 300 people. The plant is a joint venture between O-I and partner Yi Qing. O-I has a second mould facility in Manaus, Brazil.
The new factory is more than 35,000 square meters and makes round and shaped moulds and blanks, as well as finish equipment. Each mould can shape more than two million containers.
“China is an important and growing market for O-I. We have every intention of growing our presence in China, and we envision China as one of the pillars of our business going forward,” said O-I Chairman and CEO Al Stroucken. “I am convinced that maintaining our position as the world’s leading glass container supplier will depend on achieving that position here in the Chinese market as well.”
Asia Pacific Region President Greg Ridder said the plant was integral in making O-I’s mould equipment more cost and speed efficient.
“We have invested in a state of the art facility in Tianjin that will deliver operational excellence,” said Ridder. “We are challenging mould producers around the world by moving to another level of competitiveness and cost.”
