The German marine equipment supplier Hatlapa is widening its field overseas by expanding its Shanghai operation in China.
Hatlapa Asia Pacific Singapore, the umbrella organisation for all of Hatlapa's Asian branches, was first founded in 1996. The Shanghai office was then registered in 1999, followed by an office in Nanjing in 2007.
"Hatlapa's presence in the Asian market has proven successful since the German manufacturer first decided to get established in China in 1988," said the company in a statement.
"In 2008, the total turnover of Hatlapa Asia Pacific reached US$3.8 million, and it has been increasing since."
The growth of Hatlapa's Shanghai sales office has now led to its registration as an independent company trading under the name of Hatlapa Marine Equipment (Shanghai). In addition to selling marine equipment, the Shanghai branch is now also offering fleet support and procurement services to the Asian ship building industry. "By broadening its scope of activities in Asia, Hatlapa is addressing the growing Chinese market, offering advanced marine equipment and services to the local customers," said the company.