The Atlas Copco Group (based in Stockholm) the world-leading manufacturer of compressor and construction machinery for mining, announced on November 18 that it began construction of a new compressor assembly factory, a test lab and a center for research and development in Wuxi of Jiangsu Province, China in order to meet the growing demand for compressors from the Asian markets with an investment amounting to about 1.8 billion yen. The new factory is planned to be operational in July, 2012.

Located about 10 kilometers from the current Atlas Copco Wuxi Factory, the new factory will be constructed with a scale occupying a land surface of 45 000 square meters, aiming for an enhanced base of production in Asia. It follows that the new factory and the upgrade of existing facilities will allow for increased production of portable compressors, industrial oil-free air compressors for the semiconductor and food industries as well as compressor elements like parts for compression. Their enhancement of production is mainly emphasized upon air compressors, but the plan for compressor elements is intended to cover an increased production of products for both air and gas.