Gerber Opens Cutter Assembly Plant in China

Tolland, Conn.–based Gerber Technology is stepping up a program to build cutting room equipment in China. The company recently opened a cutter assembly center in Shanghai with partner Shanghai Machine Tool Works Ltd.

The center’s workers will assemble fabric cutters at the plant using Gerber designs originated in the United States. The first product being built at the facility is the Gerbercutter XLc7000. The unit is designed for apparel manufacturers in growth markets that are looking for low cost of ownership. Gerber officials said the XLc7000 cuts up to 7 centimeters of compressed material, accommodating a variety of fabric types, and material widths up to 2 meters.

“Our efforts have provided very good conditions for a smooth start to production and reaffirms our commitment to Chinese manufacturers as they strive to meet the demands of the growing domestic and export markets,” said James S. Arthurs, chairman of Gerber Technology and Asia-Pacific president of Gerber Scientific Inc., Gerber’s parent company.

Arthurs said it took three years to plan the center. The company did beta testing with five customers over the past nine months. —Robert McAllister