Williams Controls Opens Sales and Manufacturing Operations in China

Williams Controls said this week it has obtained the necessary government approvals to begin manufacturing and sales activities of its wholly owned subsidiary, Williams Controls Asia, in the People's Republic of China. Williams Controls will begin producing products for the Chinese market in March 2005 out of a manufacturing facility located in the Suzhou Industrial Park.

PORTLAND, OR — Williams Controls said this week it has obtained the necessary government approvals to begin manufacturing and sales activities of its wholly owned subsidiary, Williams Controls Asia, in the People’s Republic of China.

Williams Controls will begin producing products for the Chinese market in March 2005 out of a manufacturing facility located in the Suzhou Industrial Park. Established in 1994, Suzhou Industrial Park is one of the fastest growing high-tech industrial areas in China. More than 1,300 international manufacturers are located there. Williams Controls said it selected the Suzhou Industrial Park because of its close proximity to key customers, the established infrastructure and logistics, guaranteed electrical power and the availability of technical personnel. Suzhou is approximately a one hour drive Northwest of Shanghai. Williams Controls has also established a sales office located in Shanghai.

According to President and CEO Patrick Cavanagh, the company’s move into China is driven by a rapidly expanding domestic market for electronic throttle controls and the ability to increase its competitive position worldwide. Recent changes in vehicle emission standards in China are mandating stringent world standard environmental control regulations. This will necessitate conversion to electronic throttle controls for a wide range of vehicles, including heavy truck, transit bus and off-road vehicles.

“With the anticipated move to electronic engine controls within China, this market will likely be larger than the current NAFTA market,” said Cavanaugh. “We are currently supplying Chinese customers from our Portland, Ore., facility, however to compete effectively it is essential that we support this market from operations based in China. Another substantial benefit of establishing operations in China will be the ability to manufacture products and source components to help us maintain our competitiveness in world markets.”

For more information about Williams Controls, go to: www.wmco.com.

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