One year ago the automotive division started a representative and sales office in Shanghai
How time flies: The five-member consulting and sales team of RAPA Automotive has now been active in the People’s Republic of China for one year. From the Shanghai location, under the leadership of Zinan Wang (CEO RAPA China), it establishes contacts with automotive manufacturers, system suppliers and its own potential suppliers in the Asian region with a focus on China. RAPA also plans to open a production facility there in 2023 with around 100 employees. The selection process for the site is already underway.
“Our business in the Far East has started well and we can already say that our commitment there will be a permanent one,” reports Dr. Roman Pausch, CEO of RAPA. Before opening the representative office in Shanghai, the markets and the business culture, including possible pitfalls in China, were analyzed in detail and only then did the company dare to take the step. “From the very beginning, we relied on a local team and the principle “local for local”. In China in particular, people place great value on proximity, familiar contacts and the fastest response times.” RAPA is currently still unknown to potential Asian business partners, he said.
China puts on electric mobility and autonomous driving
The Shanghai office therefore also has the mission of making the RAPA Automotive brand known and paving the way for expansion and the successful launch of the new plant. RAPA identified China as an attractive market at an early stage, not least because electric mobility and autonomous driving are being strongly promoted there by the government.
What is the balance after one year in China? According to Roman Pausch, the first projects have got off to a good start. Customers are major OEMs, and further negotiations with the new providers of electromobility are underway. WheChat, the Chinese equivalent of the U.S. messenger service WhatsApp, has proven itself for marketing activities and customer communication.
Zinan Wang is also satisfied with RAPA’s first year in China: “We are pleased with our initial successes, but there are still major challenges waiting for our team in Shanghai. I therefore wish that we can soon welcome new partners and colleagues to the RAPA family.”
After entering the US market, the China commitment is another milestone in RAPA’s global expansion. The Shanghai location was chosen because the Chinese metropolis is an important financial and commercial center. The office of the RAPA subsidiary is located in the Sunny World Business Center in Hongqiao. The team working there is headed by Zinan Wang: Qi Zhou, Purchase Manager; Liang Zhang, Supply Manager; Liang Huang, Sales Manager and Executive Assistant Yang Chen.
About RAPA Automotive
RAPA Automotive is a wholly owned subsidiary of RAPA Holding and a globally qualified engineering and technology partner as well as system supplier to the automotive industry. Key customers include leading first-tier suppliers and manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar-Land Rover and Tesla. The service portfolio includesvalves and components for the chassis and transmission area as well as mechatronic system developments in the vehicle. RAPA Automotive is the largest and best-selling division of the group, contributing about 90% of sales. In 2020, RAPA generated sales over 170 million euros. The division is managed by Dr. Roman Pausch and Karin Wolf. In addition to its German headquarters in Selb (Bavaria), RAPA is also represented through branches in North America and China. About 900 employees work in the division; worldwide, the medium-sized group with international sales employs nearly 1000 people. For more information, visit www.rapa.com