Kobe Welding of Shanghai Co. Ltd. (KWSH), an operating unit of Kobe Steel, Ltd., opened for business on December 3. It supplies welding consumable products and welding robot systems and parts to the Chinese market, and also offers maintenance services.

The parent company is a global supplier of materials (iron and steel, aluminum and copper), machine tools, industrial machinery, and construction machinery, and engineering services, in addition to its welding machinery and consumables. It expects KWSH to strengthen its business and manage training of its local staff to serve the Chinese market better.

Kobe Steel established KWSH in February 2010 and it began business operations in April. Kobe Steel previously supplied welding systems for China’s construction equipment manufacturers, notably robotic systems for welding medium-steel plate. Demand for welding equipment and products from China’s construction sector has been expanding significantly, Kobe Steel noted earlier this year, notably for hydraulic excavators.

Now, it indicates that demand for robotic welding systems is growing from building contractors. “There is a great need for better after-sales services to customers,” according to Kobe. “In the future, demand for construction machinery in China is expected to continue being firm, and customers are requiring better maintenance and an improved parts supply network.”

Kobe added that there is strong demand also for welding consumables for energy-related projects in China, another growth sector.