Switzerland's Schindler Group, the world largest escalator manufacturer, recently opened its largest plant in the world in Shanghai to meet China's growing demand for escalators.

The nation's urbanization and infrastructure development has provided great opportunities for the elevator and escalator industry, the company said.

China is now the world's largest manufacturing center for elevators and escalators, with more than 65 percent of global production.

The establishment of the Jiading plant in Shanghai is an important milestone in the history of Schindler Group, said Alfred N. Schindler, chairman of the Board of Directors, who traveled to China for the inauguration ceremony.

He said the new plant represents Schindler's commitment to expanding its scale of investment in China and belief in the long-term development of the company in the market.

The new plant constructed to meet standards in green building has state-of-the-art technology with Schindler's world-class processes for high-quality production.

The 300,000-square-meter facility will house an elevator factory, an R&D center with a test tower, and its new China regional headquarters.

This year marks the 140th anniversary of Schindler and the 34th year of its business in China.

Its projects include many major public transport facilities, commercial complexes and high-rise landmark developments including the China World Trade Center Tower III in Beijing, North Bund White Magnolia Plaza in Shanghai, and China PingAn International Financial Center in Shenzhen, which will be China's tallest building after completion, according to the company.

"With the opening of the new plant, Schindler Group is committed to providing our leading technology and excellent services to the customers in China, and worldwide," said Thomas Oetterli, member of the Schindler Group executive committee responsible for China.

jiajingqi@chinadaily.com.cn