The Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (ZPMC) will be creating up to 100 new jobs in Hamburg by setting up its European Purchase Center in the Elbe metropolis. ZPMC is the
world’s largest manufacturer of steel structures and container bridges, with the latter holding a global market share of 75 per cent. Out of the company’s annual sales of US$ 1bn, 60 per cent are being generated in Europe. Its products are being used in all major German ports, including Hamburg. In addition, the group has been expanding its business activities to offshore facilities, specialised shipbuilding, and related services.
In the year 2014, the HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation successfully brought a first sales office of ZMPC to Hamburg. There, twelve employees are currently working, i.e. ten Hamburg locals and two Chinese staff. ZMPC’s expansion will be accompanied by the Hamburg Liaison Office in Shanghai and HWF. Hamburg’s First Mayor Olaf Scholz will be among the guests speakers at the official inauguration of the European Purchase Center of the Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (ZPMC).
Lu Jianzhong, President of ZPMC, says: ”Hamburg is not only one of Europe's most important ports and the starting point for the offshore wind energy activities in North Sea and Baltic Sea. The Port of Hamburg is also a very important customer of our company. We generate 60 per cent of our sales in Europe. The expansion of our activities in Europe was thus an obvious step. We chose Hamburg because the majority of our partners is active here."
Dr. Rolf Strittmatter, managing director of HWF, adds: "China is one of the major source markets for international companies setting up a business in Hamburg. Last year alone, 58 companies from China and Hong Kong have been newly entered in the commercial register. Many Chinese companies are currently expanding their presence in Hamburg and create jobs for the citizens of Hamburg. Once again, the strategic role of Hamburg as a base for construction and expansion of the European business of Chinese companies has been confirmed.”
By setting up the European Purchase Center, the company strives to reduce its procurement cost of some double digit-millions in the long-term. ZPMC also has a strategic partnership with China Shipping, one of the Port of Hamburg’s main trade partners. The China Shipping Container Line is one of the leading container shipping companies worldwide and currently placed on sixth position in the Top 100 of operating shipping companies. China Shipping is transporting containers to the Far East, Australia, the U.S., Mexico, South America, North Africa, the Middle East, the Red Sea region, and the Indian subcontinent.
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