Atlas Copco moves genset centre to Gesan

Atlas Copco Portable Energy is to move its competence centre for portable generators from Antwerp to the Gesan facility in Zaragoza, Spain that it acquired last year.

Nico Delvaux, president of Atlas Copco Construction Technique, speaking at Intermat, said; "We have decided to move our production and competence centre for generators to Zaragoza, which will become our worldwide competence centre for research and development for all our generators."

The Portable Energy division will continue to use three brands for its generators, Atlas Copco, Gesan and Chicago Pneumatic, with different market positioning of each. Gesan is strong in the standby and industrial markets, and will continue to do that, while Chicago Pneumatic will be a more basic range, with less technical features and options.

Genset production will continue to be located at plants worldwide, including Spain, China, North America and Brazil.

Meanwhile, Mr Delvaux said the importance of China as a growing market for Atlas Copco had led to the decision to move the headquarters of the Construction Technique division to Shanghai, China. Mr Delvaux and other head office staff will move to Shanghai this summer.

The company continues to invest in R & D for the Chinese market and Mr Delvaux said the 100-strong R&D team in China would be strengthened by a further 50 people over the next 12 months.