Antolin recently commemorated two decades since the opening of its first Chinese commercial office in Shanghai. The celebration aligns with the company’s commitment to strengthen its foothold in high-potential growth markets, particularly China, as outlined in its recently approved transformation plan, Gear up Our Ambition (GOA).
The townhall meeting took place at the company’s Shanghai offices, and was attended by Ernesto Antolín, Chairman of Antolin, and Cristina Blanco, CEO, together with Jorge Juárez, Group Executive Vice President of Technological Solutions, and Benoit Schlumberger, President of Asia. The 70 employees of the Shanghai office participated in the event while other Antolin teams across China joined online.
The event served as an opportunity to reflect on Antolin’s journey since the opening of its first commercial office in Shanghai in 2003, which marked the group’s entry into the Chinese market. A year later, Antolin established a headliner factory in Jiading district, its first production plant in the country. Since then, the company has experienced continuous growth, becoming one of the largest automotive components manufacturer in the region.
Ernesto Antolín expressed gratitude towards the group’s China team. “We would not have achieved anything without you—almost 4,000 employees whose dedication and professionalism have been instrumental to the company’s success in this country. You, along with other collaborators from Antolin across factories worldwide, are the fundamental pillars of our success. Thank you for these years of commitment and outstanding work,” he said.
Supporting Sales in China
Antolin currently operates three technical-commercial offices in China and more than 25 production plants and just-in-time centers equipped with state-of-the-art technology, exemplifying operational excellence. A cornerstone of the company’s GOA Transformation Plan involves reinforcing its position in high-potential growth markets, specifically in Asia and, notably, in the Chinese market.
To achieve this, Antolin will leverage its strong position within the Chinese market, being one of the few companies with technological capacity to provide a wide range of products and solutions for vehicle interiors. The strategy includes expanding agreements with manufacturers to supply components integrating more electronics, lighting, and HMI systems.
At the recent Shanghai Auto Show, the company showcased its intelligent and integrated solutions to clients. These included the ITACA concept car, the CES 2023 award-winning Vehicle Access System, as well as an innovative Sliding Floor Console and a diverse range of sustainable solutions.