The new Konecranes factory in Shanghai.

KCI Konecranes aims to double its Chinese production capacity with a new factory in Shanghai.

At last week's opening celebration for the second Chinese factory, Konecranes president and CEO Pekka Lundmark said the new factory would strengthen the company's position in a fast-growing market.

"We have been growing fast. Local manufacture of components will shorten delivery times in China and provide a competitive manufacturing concept for our global customers," Lundmark said.

Konecranes has operated a hoist assembly factory in Shanghai since November 2002 that produces wire rope hoists and lower lifting capacity cranes' components. The new factory will produce heavy-duty lifting trolleys for special cranes and assemble crane electrics.

Located next to the first factory, in Taopu Putuo District, at Futurity Island industrial park, the new factory houses a state-of-the-art testing facility and has a planned annual capacity of 400 to 500 trolleys. Its key customers are companies operating steel, paper, power and general manufacturing facilities.

As one of the world's leading crane companies, KCI Konecranes was committed to long-term partnerships in China, a company statement said. KCI Konecranes has established three joint ventures and a wide network of partnerships and certified suppliers in China. KCI Konecranes currently employs 360 people in China.