NOMACORC EXPANDS GLOBAL PRESENCE
Opens First Synthetic Wine Closure Facility in China
ZEBULON, N.C., (November 13, 2007) – Nomacorc, the world’s leading producer of alternative wine closures, today announced the opening of a manufacturing facility in Yantai, Shandong, China. Established to focus on China’s domestic wine market, the plant makes Nomacorc the first synthetic closure manufacturer in the country.
“The rapid growth of the wine industry in China has made the timing right for us to establish local operations to support current and future opportunities in the region,” said Lars von Kantzow, president and chief executive officer of Nomacorc.
In 2005, China produced over 420 million liters of still wine, which is expected to grow at 20 percent per year for the next five years. In addition, China is projected to become one of the largest wine consumption markets in the world in the next 10 years.
Through its parent company, Noël Group, Nomacorc first established a business development office in China in 2005. The new plant allows Nomacorc to produce products with custom printing, packaging and delivery to meet the needs of Chinese wineries. The facility includes manufacturing and office space as well as dormitories for employees. Ben Ma, general manager, leads operations in Yantai.
“Nomacorc’s newly created infrastructure, experience and relationships in China enable us to provide quick service to the domestic Chinese winery industry,” said Alex Schroder, vice president of corporate development for Noël Group.
An opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting were held on August 15, 2007, and hosted by Marc Noël, chairman of Noël Group. Local officials, local dignitaries and wine industry experts attended.
“It was a great pleasure to lead the inauguration of the Nomacorc China plant,” said Noël. “I am proud of the excellent work of the China team and look forward to expanding our business in the dynamic Chinese marketplace.”
Yantai is a coastal city located at the northwest corner of Shandong Peninsula between Shanghai and Beijing. Facing South Korea and Japan across the Yellow Sea, Yantai is situated in the central part of China’s wine region and is the most important wine-growing area in China. It is home to over 100 wineries – including some of the largest Chinese wine companies such as Changyu. Yantai produces a total annual volume of more than 220 million liters of wine.
About Nomacorc Nomacorc is the worldwide leader in the growing alternative wine closure category. Dedicated to technological innovation, Nomacorc manufactures its portfolio of products using a patented co-extrusion process. As a result, Nomacorc closures provide consistent, predictable oxygen management and protect against off-flavors due to oxidation, reduction or cork taint. Nomacorc products are available through a vast network of distributors and sales agents on six continents. With more than 400 employees worldwide and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the United States, Belgium and China, Nomacorc currently produces closures at the rate of nearly 2 billion annually. For more information, visit nomacorc.com.
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