Meech International, specialists in static control, has opened a subsidiary in China in order is to beef up its global presence.

The company has been present in China since 2004, supported by the Processing & Packaging Machinery Association(PPMA) and the China-Britain Business Council.

The decision to set up Meech Static Eliminators (Shanghai) followed increasing sales from China. In the next 12 months the business is set to open further offices in Beijing and Guangzhou.

Chris Francis, chief executive, said that although the manufacturing side of the business will stay in the UK, it was critical to provide the same levels of service to customers in China as well as those at home. 

"China is a very important market for Meech and also many of our cusomers, several of which have set up local manufacturing facilities and sales channels," said Francis.

Now is the time for the pivotal move according to George Ren, general manager of the Shanghai operation. He said: "This is an incredibly exciting time to be expanding in China, where the opportunities are so enormous."

Meech, based in Oxfordshire, produces a range of products relating to air technology, web cleaning systems and static control.