Keiper presents at Auto Shanghai 2009 Seat supplier strengthens presence in Asia/Pacific Shanghai. Germany-based automotive industry supplier Keiper is emphasizing its stronger strategic focus on Asia with an exhibition stand at Auto Shanghai 2009 from 20 to 28 April. The seating specialist has been supplying customers in China from its plant in Shanghai since 2006. Now the company is planning to expand its scope of products and services in China as well as in the Asia/Pacific region. This will involve a more intensive working relationship with local suppliers.

Within the framework of Germany's joint presence at Auto Shanghai, Keiper is presenting its current product portfolio along with a series of innovations for markets in China and the Asia/Pacific region in the German Pavilion, Hall E5, Stand D073. "As seat specialists, we have a tradition that dates back nearly 90 years. Our company is active worldwide and our many pioneering concepts for vehicle seating have helped us establish a solid reputation as professional, innovative partners for the automotive industry," says Keiper CEO Elmar Deegener. "Our expertise in complete seat system manufacturing enables us as 2nd tier suppliers to fully understand the needs of OEMs and 1st tier suppliers and transform these needs into suitable products."

What does Keiper offer Asian customers today and in the future? Ralf Niezoldt, President, Keiper Asia/Pacific since 1 February 2009, explains: "For one thing, we have experience in Asia. Through our license partners, we have been active for over 30 years in China, Japan and Thailand. Our Taumel 2000® recliner has been on the market in China for 10 years. We exhibited at the trade show in Shanghai for the first time in the mid-nineties. Secondly, we have a full-service site in Shanghai. We opened a subsidiary here in 2005. Production of front and rear seat structures and locking systems for customers in China, Japan, Korea and India was launched in Qingpu, Shanghai in 2006. We are planning to gradually expand our Qingpu site to serve as our headquarters for the entire Asia/Pacific region."

As the world's largest car market, China is gaining strategic importance for the German seat specialists. Keiper has reacted to this situation by creating the new Keiper President Asia/Pacific position and by arranging the company's presence this year at Auto Shanghai. Keiper is not only interested in developing further sales potential in China and Asia. It is also planning to intensify its working relationship with local suppliers. The goal is to have Asian suppliers support Keiper production in China as well as serve the company's global purchasing needs.

Keiper GmbH & Co. KG provides engineering services and specializes in the development and production of vehicle seat structures and components. Based in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the globally active company generated sales totaling €808.6 million in 2008 (2007: €915.6 million). Keiper has a workforce of around 6,000 employees in 10 countries.

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