German auto lock maker building new plant in Changshu

With annual production capacity of 10 million latch systems, the plant will start operating before the end of 2008, says Kiekert spokesman Sven van Zoest.

The plant will have a workforce of more than 1,000 by 2011. Total investment will reach 20 million euros (216.7 million yuan), van Zoest says.

The Changshu plant will become Kiekert's first wholly owned subsidiary in China. At present, Kiekert also operates a joint venture latch manufacturing plant in Zhengzhou, the capital of China's northern Henan province.

Set up in March 2005 as a 25-75 joint venture between Kiekert and Henan Xing Guang Automobile Door Lock Co., Henan Kiekert Xingguang Locking Systems Co. has annual production capacity of 5 million latches.

Headquartered in Heiligenhaus, Germany, Kiekert operates other production facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic, the United States and Mexico.

Kiekert controls more than 16 percent of the global market for side door latches. The company posted more than 500 million euros (5.4 billion yuan) in sales in 2007.