China Direct

CBI Member Co Visteon driving growth in China auto market

 

[Image courtesy of www.visteon.com]

CBI member Visteon and Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd. (HASCO) recently announced that their Chinese joint venture, Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd. (YFV),  and Visteon signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to combine the majority of Visteon's global interiors business with YFV.

Definitive agreements for the proposed sale, which would be subject to regulatory and other approvals, are targeted to be signed in early 2012.

The transaction would deepen the strategic partnership between Visteon and China-based HASCO and significantly enhance their joint venture's global manufacturing and engineering footprint. If completed, the transaction will result in a global interiors company within YFV with estimated annual revenue of around $4 billion.

Donald J. Stebbins, Visteon Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and president, said, "Visteon is very pleased that the signing of the MOU takes our longstanding joint venture with HASCO and SAIC into a global partnership fully enabled to support our key customers around the world."

Ma Zhengang, Yanfeng Visteon standing deputy general manager, said, "The signing of this MOU represents an important step toward the fulfillment of our strategy to create a leading global interior company. Our technical and manufacturing footprint will give us unmatched capability to support all our customers in key growth and emerging markets."

Please click here to read the full press release by Visteon.

Date for UK exporters diaries - 29 March 2012 Kunshan Expo

[Image courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk]

The China Chamber of International Commerce and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government will host the China International Import Expo on 29-31 March at the Kunshan Convention & Exhibition Centre in Jiangsu province.

The Expo will feature approximately 50,000 square metres of exhibition space. Conferences during the Expo will include an international summit forum, seminars and lectures, and new product recommendation which will give exhibitors the opportunity to introduce their products and services to Chinese importers and end users.

The Expo will primarily exhibit products and technologies in the following sectors: machinery & equipment, information technology, environmentally-friendly products, new materials, & other high-tech products, and brand consumer goods.

Please click here for full details on the Expo. If you have any other queries please contact the UKTI team in Shanghai here.

UK Co Pinsent Masons in Hong Kong Noble listing

 

 
[Image courtesy of www.pinsentmasons.com]

CBI member Pinsent Masons recently announced that it had advised Quam Capital Limited, the listing sponsor, and the underwriters on the HK$70 million (£5.7 million) placing of shares and listing of Noble House (China) Holdings Limited, the owner and operator of a premium restaurant chain in mainland China, on the Growth Enterprise Market of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Commenting on the deal, Pinsent Masons Corporate Partner Kenneth Chong said, "We are delighted to have assisted Noble House with the IPO. Pinsent Masons has been involved in a growing number of listings in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong market is increasingly receptive to small to mid-sized deals as a result of the challenging economic environment, and I expect that this trend will continue in 2012."

Please click here to read the full press release by Pinsent Masons.

University of Nottingham launches Sino-UK Geospatial Engineering Centre in Beijing

 

 

[Image courtesy of www.nottingham.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Nottingham and the Chinese Academy of Survey and Mapping (CASM), the academic arm of China's National Administration for Survey, Mapping, and Geoinformation (NASG), launched the Sino-UK Geospatial Engineering Centre in Beijing.

With its main site located at the China Surveying and Mapping Innovation Base in Beijing, the centre will develop geospatial information to solve key scientific issues for both countries. The centre will also have a presence at the Nottingham Geospatial Building in the UK.

The centre will promote innovation and technology transfer, leadership training, and staff and student exchange. In addition, it will explore funding opportunities and new project work, and act as a global incubation centre to realise beneficial combinations of R&D, production, and commercialisation.

Professor Chris Rudd, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Knowledge Transfer at The University of Nottingham, said, "The University's relationship with the Chinese Academy of Survey and Mapping (CASM) and the recently re-named National Administration for Survey, Mapping, and Geoinformation (NASG) dates back eight years.

"We have a shared ambition—to create a Sino-UK centre of excellence that will accelerate the delivery of our vision. It represents the collaboration between China and UK in areas of leading research and development. We aim to benefit both parties and strengthen the ties between UK and China's high technology industries."

Please click here to read the full press release by The University of Nottingham.

It's snowing in Hangzhou and Wenzhou - thanks to SAB Miller!

 

[Image courtesy of www.sabmiller.com]

 

CBI member SABMiller recently announced that China Resources Snow Breweries Limited (CR Snow), its joint venture with China Resources Enterprise Limited (CRE), is launching a trial of SABMiller's international premium brand, Miller Genuine Draft, in Zhejiang province.

Following a launch event held in Hangzhou on 16 January, Miller Genuine Draft is now initially available in Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

Ari Mervis, SABMiller's Managing Director, Asia Pacific, said, "This is an exciting opportunity to introduce one of our international brands into the fast-growing premium segment in China in a way which takes advantage of CR Snow's strong market position in the region."

Please click here to read the full press release by SABMiller and here for additional media coverage.

UK Luxury Car Company Jaguar Land Rover roars to record 2011 China growth

 
[Image courtesy of www.jaguarlandrover.com]

CBI member Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) recently announced that it hit a historic milestone in China in 2011, with sales exceeding 42,000 units for the first time in the country, up 61% compared to the previous year. Jaguar's 2011 sales increased by a remarkable 123% over 2010, with 5,976 units sold.

Land Rover delivered 36,087 vehicles in 2011, up an impressive 54%. JLR's outstanding performance in 2011 saw the UK luxury automaker match its 2010 sales in only three quarters, finishing the year with breakthrough growth.

Bob Grace, President of Jaguar Land Rover China, said, "JLR's China strategy and investments have led to breakthrough growth and have established us as one of the leading luxury car manufacturers in this market. Building on our momentum, we will continue to pursue strong and steady growth and fulfill our long-term commitment to China. In this endeavour, we will provide our customers with more value and strive to contribute to an even more prosperous and sustainable auto industry in China."

Please click here to read the full press release by JLR, which highlights the company's tremendous achievements in China in 2011.

2012 China Regional Cities Programme Q1

 

[Image courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk]

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) recently released the dates for the next phase of its Regional Cities Programme in China.

The schedule of the missions is as follows: Zhengzhou and Wuhan (20-22 February 2012), Nantong and Yancheng (27-29 February 2012), Kunming (23-24 February 2012), Chongqing (05-06 March 2012), Hangzhou and Ningbo (07-09 March 2012), and Foshan and Shunde (28-29 March 2012).

These missions will offer an excellent introduction to these cities and the opportunities that they offer.

Participants in the missions will enjoy:

     • Access to high-level officials
     • Business workshops
     • Knowledge about specific opportunities

Please click here for full details on the mission to Nantong and Yancheng and here for the mission to Hangzhou and Ningbo.

CBI Member RICS seeking N Asia Regional Director

 

[Image courtesy of www.rics.org]

CBI member the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (www.rics.org) is seeking a North Asia Regional Director.

Kindly refer to job description, details and contact information below.

Thank you.

China Direct

 

 

North Asia Regional Director – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong

 

The RICS are seeking a Regional Director to be the face of the RICS brand in North Asia; responsible for developing RICS brand as the benchmark Chartered professional qualification for professionals in land, property and construction in the region, and establish the RICS as the leading professional body for the real estate and construction sector, representing public interest.

The role will require the Director to work on achieving recognition of RICS standards by key stakeholders and institutionalization of these standards across the industry by making effective representation to the Government and the industry at large, establishing RICS as the thought leader on key policy issues representing public interest.

 

Please apply with your CV to alexandravere@ruyiconsulting.com

T: +852 2248 3015  

2011 China results put Rolls Royce Motors Cars in the driving seat

 

[Image courtesy of Rolls Royce]

CBI member Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently announced record sales results for 2011, with 3,538 vehicles sold globally during the year, a 31% increase compared to 2010. The impressive figure, led by soaring demand in China, represents the best sales result in the company's 107-year history, breaking the previous record of 3,347 vehicles sold in 1978.

Rolls-Royce reported strong sales growth across the globe, with notable results seen in Asia Pacific (up 47%), North America (up 17%), and the Middle East (up 23%). China and the U.S. were the most significant individual markets for Rolls-Royce. The UK also performed well, with sales up 30% for the year.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, "We had an outstanding year in 2011, and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story. Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West Sussex to meet global demand, and have plans to develop our product range. At the core of this extraordinary success is a dedicated, committed, and, above all, passionate workforce."

Please click here to read the full press release by Rolls-Royce and here and here for additional media coverage.

UK Company Hays wins China HR Award

 

[Image courtesy of www.hays.com]

CBI member Hays recently won two awards recognising its work in China, receiving "Recommended Recruitment Firm of the Year" at the 2011 HRA Awards and "Best Recruitment Firm" at the 2011 China HR Pioneer Awards.

Commenting on the recognition received by Hays at the 2011 China HR Pioneer Awards, Nigel Heap, Managing Director of Hays Asia Pacific, said, "It is a privilege to be recognised as a leader amongst our peers in the industry.

"Our team of recruiting experts are committed to defining and demonstrating best practice in the market to ensure we find the right jobs for the right people and help to transform our clients' businesses.

"We are passionate about people and our business. This award assures our clients they are dealing with a market leader in candidate attraction, care, and management while our candidates can be assured they are dealing with the best."

Commenting on the recognition received by Hays at the 2011 HRA Awards, Mr. Heap said, "We are honoured to receive this award in acknowledgement of the contribution we have made to the recruitment industry in China. We are committed to helping to transform the lives of our candidates by finding them the right job, as well as transforming our clients' businesses by connecting them with the right person. This award acknowledges that we are succeeding in achieving our goal in making a difference to our clients, candidates, and the industry.

"We are grateful to all of those HR professionals in Beijing and across regional China who nominated us. It means we are doing the right job."

Please click here and here to read the full press releases by Hays.