Prepress
HP to Strengthen Presence in China with New PC Manufacturing Plant
Friday 10. October 2008 - Pioneering move in West China to accelerate economic development
To strengthen HPs ability to serve the fast-growing Chinese market and accelerate economic development in West China, HP and Chinas Chongqing Municipality today announced plans for an advanced manufacturing complex.
HP, the worlds largest technology company, plans to operate a 20,000-square-meter facility in Chongqing, where it will make state-of-the-art notebook and desktop PCs for customers in the worlds most populous country, according to the terms of a memorandum of understanding with the Chongqing Municipality.
HP is the leading foreign manufacturer of PCs in China.(1)
Manufacturing operations are expected to begin in 2010. When in full operation, the HP-managed plant is expected to have the capacity to meet market demand in Chongqing as well as other parts of China across government, public and retail sectors.
Chongqing leaders and HP share a vision for the potential of the region.
“Our vision of transforming Chongqing into Chinas West IT center requires strong participation from the worlds most innovative and respected companies,” said Wang Hongju, mayor, Chongqing Municipality. “We welcome and support the HP venture, which will accelerate the development and bring new economic opportunity to an area previously untapped.”
“As the worlds leading PC maker, the worlds largest component buyer and a contributor to the Chinese economy since 1981, HP is proud to announce plans to expand our commitment to the Chinese marketplace,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. “We look forward to expanding opportunities for local talent in the heart of China to help us better serve the Chinese market for computing products and services. We thank the Chinese government for this opportunity to forge a closer partnership between Chongqing and HP.”
Chongqing is one of the fastest growing cities in China. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2007, its GDP was $410 billion (RMB) with a growth rate of 15.6 percent over the prior year. The city has 500,000 university students and more than 1,000 research and development institutions. In addition to the educated work force, development conditions offered by the local government made the development attractive to HP.
Todays news follows a joint announcement related to an HP Global Call Center to provide sales-related support for HP products and services and the development of an information-sharing platform for Chongqings University Town that will help reduce redundant IT investments by tertiary institutions.
HP in China – key milestones and facts
HPs presence in China began in 1981 with the opening of the first China HP representative office in Beijing
China Hewlett-Packard was established in 1985
HP is the second-largest PC maker in China, and the leading foreign PC vendor in China, according to IDC
HP does business in more than 680 cities in China
Nearly 7,000 Chinese retail stores carry HP products
HPs Personal Systems Group opened the China Development Center in Shanghai in 2004 to design and manufacture products specifically for the Chinese market, part of the “Designed in Asia for Asia” (DIAFA) program
HP established an HP Labs in China in 2005
HP also has manufacturing operations in Shanghai