Gerber to launch new project in Shanghai

Gerber Technology, a leading provider of sewing automation technology, will launch a cutting system project in Shanghai to expand its business in the Chinese market.

The system, Paragon, will help customers reduce costs when they produce high-quality cut parts, said Mike Elia, president and CEO of Gerber, at the China International Sewing Machinery & Accessories Show which opened at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on Wednesday.

"Paragon customers in the sectors of textile, automobile, furniture and airspace will no longer need to hold on to outdated technology due to fear of retraining experienced operators or spend months training new operators only to lose them in a competitive labor market," Elia said.

He said Gerber designed and engineered Paragon in the US, but it employs a dual hemisphere manufacturing and supply chain strategy to produce Paragon in China as well as in the US.

"Initial production of this system will be in China, for the country is a very important market for Gerber," said Johnny Wang, vice-president and general manager of Gerber Asia Pacific.

China dominates production of the global apparel manufacturing with 35 percent of the world's clothing exports. It also exports 10 percent of the world's furniture worth about $420 billion. In the automotive area, the country became the world's largest new car market two years ago. It is poised this year to produce more cars than Europe for the first time, Wang said.