Weir Group, the Glasgow-based global mining and engineering FTSE 100 firm, has officially opened its new foundry in Xuzhou, China.

The new foundry represents a $60 million investment and replaces Weir’s existing foundry close by. 

Part of Weir’s ESCO global network, the foundry expands capacity for the manufacture of ESCO ground engaging tools, or GET, “in line with continued growth opportunities.”

The opening ceremony, hosted by Weir CEO Jon Stanton, was attended by a senior leadership team from Xuzhou Hi-Tech Industry Zone and other members of Weir and its ESCO division from China and across the globe.

Weir has 12,000 employees in over 50 countries and has a presence in every major mining region of the world.

“Occupying a 16.5-acre site in Xuzhou’s High-Tech Industrial Zone, the new foundry features the very latest technology and equipment, incorporating high levels of automation …” said Weir.

“Staying in Xuzhou allows us to capitalise on our culture of continuous improvement and sustainability, resulting in consistently high performance in process control, safety, employee engagement and on time delivery.

“We are pleased to retain our highly skilled and loyal workforce — many of whom have been with us since we began foundry operations in Xuzhou in 2006.

“The new foundry has been designed to produce a wider range of our proprietary GET products, including larger sized components, enabling the manufacture of more product types in a more cost-effective way.

“It expands our foundry capacity in China by over 30% and provides additional flexibility across our global network to best serve our customers around the world.”

Weir CEO Stanton said: “The opening of our new foundry in Xuzhou is a significant strategic milestone for Weir.

“I’d like to congratulate our project team in Xuzhou who have designed and built what we expect to be the safest, most efficient, most sustainable, most advanced foundry within our global network.

“I’d also like to thank our partners throughout the Xuzhou government for their time and experience to help deliver this important project.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to long-term presence and economic contribution in Xuzhou, ensuring Weir drives further efficiency and sustainability in our operations while supporting our continued growth as supplier of premium mining GET technology to customers worldwide.”