en.Wedoany.com Reported - Finland's Vahterus, a pioneer in plate-and-shell heat exchanger technology, launched its expansion project for high-end plate-and-shell heat exchangers in Zhangjiagang Economic and Technological Development Zone on July 2. The company held a commissioning ceremony at the base, attended by government officials from Zhangjiagang, Anu Vuorinen, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai, company founder Mauri Kontu, CEO Matti Kontu, and Tracy Hakala, General Manager of Vahterus China.
Public information shows that Vahterus was founded in Finland in 1990, focusing on heat transfer technology R&D and product manufacturing. In 2012, the company established its core Asia-Pacific production base in Zhangjiagang Economic and Technological Development Zone as an industrial platform for the Asia-Pacific market. To meet the growing industrial heat transfer demand in the Asia-Pacific region, the group launched an expansion project for the Zhangjiagang base in 2025.
This expansion adds 6,000 square meters of production and office space. The new factory, designed by architect Linda Bergroth, represents the group's largest overseas expansion project to date. Upon completion, it will boost local production capacity, support team expansion, and enhance delivery capabilities. In the future, the Zhangjiagang plant will gradually evolve into the group's comprehensive Asia-Pacific production base, covering manufacturing, technology R&D, and customer service functions. The expansion project was fully coordinated and implemented by the team led by Tracy Hakala, General Manager of Vahterus China.
At the commissioning ceremony, representatives from various parties delivered speeches. Jiang Peng, member of the Standing Committee of the Zhangjiagang Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of the Economic and Technological Development Zone, and Party Secretary of Yangshe Town, stated that Vahterus has been deeply engaged in its core business since settling in 2012. This expansion is a key move for the company to optimize its global production capacity layout and expand into the high-end market, injecting momentum into the zone's industrial transformation towards high-end, intelligent, and green development. He expressed hope that the company would play a leading role in attracting upstream and downstream projects.
Anu Vuorinen, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai, stated that the expansion of the Zhangjiagang plant is a significant milestone for the company and reflects the economic and trade cooperation between Finland and Jiangsu Province, setting an example for Finnish companies in China. The Consulate General of Finland in Shanghai will continue to support Finnish enterprises in China.
Mauri Kontu, founder of Vahterus, reviewed the company's journey in China. He noted that 14 years ago, the group chose Zhangjiagang due to its industrial base, expertise in pressure vessel manufacturing, and supporting facilities. This expansion was made possible with support from local government departments, and the group will continue to deepen its presence in the Chinese market and increase investment in technological innovation.
According to reports, after this expansion, Vahterus will enhance product delivery efficiency and technical response speed in the Asia-Pacific market, providing plate-and-shell heat exchange products and technical services to customers in the chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors.
