Press
Chinese
Kiln Manufacturer Gears Up for World Sales
Tung-Chung Kiln Mechanical Ltd (TC Kiln) –
one of mainland China’s largest and most
advanced kiln builders – has struck out
into the wider world market and has just established
a joint venture with a company in Europe to promote
increased knowledge and take-up of its comprehensive
range.
 The
european company, Dragon Kilns Ltd, is based in
Stoke-on-Trent in England and is headed by Adam
Slater who brings with him 20 years of experience
in kiln engineering, sales and commissioning in
the ceramic industry. Adam and TC Kiln’s
President, Jung Tang Yeh, set their seal on the
new venture during August 2004. Dragon Kilns will
be involved in all projects outside China and
SE Asia.
TC Kiln was established in Chung Li City, Tao
Yuan, Taiwan back in 1979 and since that time
has manufactured over 800 kilns, making it a major
player in the region. In addition to its 4,000
sq.m. Taiwanese headquarters, it boasts a 4,000
sq.m. manufacturing and office facility in Shanghai
and the main manufacturing plant covering 6,000
sq.m. in Shenzhen in Guangdong Province.
Currently, TC Kiln employs 100 people in Taiwan,
80 in Shanghai and 400 in Shenzhen. This, however,
is all set to change. In a bold move which underscores
its positive attitude to gaining new business
with Dragon, the company is in the process of
building a brand new, second factory in Shenzhen.
This enormous state-of-the-art facility will
cover 30,000 sq.m. and will employ a further 600
people. Its output will be in addition to the
existing Shenzhen factory which continues as before.
Before closing the deal on Dragon, Adam Slater
undertook a study tour of the current facilities
and nearby top name customers. “The size
and complexity of the operation in Shenzhen was
immediately impressive,” he said, “as
was TC Kiln’s approach to modern in-line
manufacturing, quality checks, fabrication expertise
across the board and plenty of evidence of sound
management.”
Talks with Jung Tang Yeh were in-depth and fruitful
and agreement on the formation of Dragon Kilns
became the next logical step.
“One clear expectation of customers approaching
Dragon Kilns is that, given its Chinese origins,
the range of kilns on offer will be cheaper. While
this is true – and I expect main costs to
be at least 25% less – the quality of the
staff and facilities assembled in Shenzhen have
resulted in levels of technology equivalent to
that in Europe, North America and other kiln manufacturing
centres. On top of all this, we are convinced
that there is also the opportunity for much quicker
build, delivery and commissioning.”
Evidence of these capabilities can be seen in
the solid progress behind the TC name. From sales
of 30 kilns in 2002, this year’s total is
expected to top 50 kilns, providing a turnover
of some US$30 million.
Major ceramic manufacturing names, not only in
China but across Asia, have shown their faith
in the company in recent times. These include:
Kasalong (the Thai tableware company based in
Lampang); and Shinepukur Ceramics (the fine bone
china manufacturer in Bangladesh).
Dragon will offer the full range of ceramic kilns
across world markets, including gas, oil and LPG
tunnel and shuttle kilns, modern gas and roller
kilns (which already form 60% of TC’s output
for tableware and tiles), electric belt conveyor
kilns, and both gas and electric test kilns.
“I am confident that we will be able to
breathe new life and a fresh approach into projects
across all continents,” said Adam. “The
fact that the Shenzhen design team alone employs
20 mechanical and 5 electrical design engineers
is indicative of the drive and technological ambition
that already lie behind the Dragon marque.”
 The
ground that Dragon is treading is not cold. TC
Kiln quality is by no means unknown to many of
the leading European and US tabletop brands –
though they may not always be aware of the fact.
However, a good proportion of the ‘western
quality’ ceramic ware that they currently
outsource from Asia is today being fired in TC
kilns.
An idle thought perhaps, but the value now being
offered across the board by Dragon could see some
quality tableware production capacity being reeled
back into some of the old traditional manufacturing
areas.
As Jung Tang Yeh says: “We have long been
recognised as one of the elite kiln builders in
China and her neighbouring states and it is not
before time that we set out our considerable stall
in the international market.
“I was delighted to finalise
our agreement with Adam Slater and I am sure that
with his experience and our superb facilities
in Taiwan and China, Dragon Kilns will bring nothing
but good news for this industry which we all love.
We have both invested for success.”
To obtain the latest brochures and details on
free CD, please contact:
Adam Slater – Director
Dragon Kilns Ltd
43 Parkway, Trentham
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 8AJ
ENGLAND
Tel: +44 (0)1782 643462
Email |
