Sumitomo (SHI) Demag announces new Managing Director in China

For close to two decades, Mr. Stephan Greif has successfully led the Chinese subsidiary of the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery Group. The impact of Stephan’s contribution, comprising the merger with Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. in March 2008 and the significant expansion of production capabilities in Ningbo in April 2015 have all been critical in cementing the company’s domestic market presence and global reputation as an machinery innovator.

Reflecting on the importance of the Chinese market and the significance of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag being the first European injection moulding machine manufacturer to establish its presence there, CEO Gerd Liebig hails Stephan’s entrepreneurial spirit as being the pillar of the company’s deep rooted success.

Thanking Stephan for his dedication and unwavering alliance to the Group’s global strategy, Gerd comments: "When the Chinese market started to boom during the 1980s, tried and tested machine concepts made in Germany were very sought after, especially by multinational car manufacturers and their suppliers. Opening a production location 21 years ago in Ningbo certainly gave us a head start in the Chinese market.

“It’s testament to this foresight, Stephen’s charismatic actions and the longstanding experienced employees in Ningbo and Shanghai that today we have such as successful standalone operation that is a model of Chinese-German engineering innovation and teamwork”, adds Gerd.

At the start, the company’s production area in Ningbo measured 3,500 m². In 2015, driven by rapidly growing demand for technically advanced injection moulding machines, Ningbo’s production footprint increased more than fivefold. Having realised his ambition, creating a prospering enterprise and paving the way for future growth in China and South East Asia, Stephan hands over the reigns to successor Mr. Pietro Scattarreggia.

For more than 18 years, Mr. Scattarreggia has worked at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH in numerous sales and service management posts. As the former business development director for the company’s electronics and medical segment at the Group’s European headquarters, Mr. Scattarreggia brings a fresh service and consultancy perspective when he relocates to China, effective September 9, 2019.  

Gerd comments: “These are exciting times. Mr. Scattarreggia will continue to follow through with the company’s domestic and global strategy and uphold our position as a prospering Chinese company, balancing deeply rooted traditions while investing in future application engineering consultancy, innovative customer-service and automation concepts to stimulate future economic growth for our customers and local distributors. We all wish the team in China every success.”

Commenting on his new appointment as Managing Director of Demag Plastics Machinery Ningbo Co. Ltd, Mr. Scattarreggia adds: “China is the biggest and most dynamic market for plastic manufacturing in the world. Looking to the future, this market will increasingly demand more reliable high-performance production systems in order to meet the quality expectations of end users. Regionally, we will be particularly focused on supporting manufactures that are driving developments in the fast growing e-mobility, high speed packaging and high end medical segments.”

Returning to Germany, Mr. Greif will continue to consult with Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, sharing his extensive service and sales experiences.

www.sumitomo.com