Asia is one of the world´s most dynamic regions for electronics, industrial manufacturing, and becoming an incubator for innovative technologies. For Kurtz Ersa, it is also where our Global Footprint strategy turns into daily reality: being close to customers, producing locally to the same standards as in Germany, and scaling quickly when markets accelerate. A key milestone in this journey is the opening of the new factory extension at Kurtz Zhuhai Manufacturing (KZM) in 2026.
A brief look back - then focus on today
Our presence in Asia has grown step by step: from Kurtz Ersa Asia in Hong Kong (1987), to the start of Kurtz machine manufacturing in Zhuhai (Project “Rice Grain”, 2004), followed by Ersa reflow production in China (2013). Continuous growth already made an extension of production capacity necessary in 2019. Each mentioned milestone, aside the incorporation of entities in Shanghai, Vietnam and Singapore served one purpose: strengthening customer proximity and delivery capability in a fast-moving region.
Glimpse into today: a milestone you can walk through
In May 2026, we welcomed sales partners from across Asia for the Asia Sales Meeting. Alongside market updates and strategic alignment, one moment stood out: the visit to our new KZM factory extension. For many visitors, this was where strategy became tangible. The group gained first-hand insights into our ongoing growth in Asia and what it means operationally: more space, more capacity, and more flexibility. The new 4 storied production building left a strong impression because it clearly demonstrates Kurtz Ersa´s long-term commitment to the region – and to the customers we serve there.
In his keynote address for the sales meeting, Bernd Schenker, CEO Asia, described the current geopolitical environment as volatile and uncertain – marked by global political tensions, wars, a faltering global economy, and economic risks such as high oil prices and the resulting inflation. His central question resonated with everyone: How can this be reconciled with the unprecedented boom in our business – and how long will it last?
His answer was clear: Kurtz Ersa is involved in all major growth trends and innovative technologies areas, such as AI, big cloud network, e-mobility, new energy, smart batteries, and the emerging field of humanoid robots. With our wide range of high-performance electronic production equipment and our global footprint we are unique and offer our customer the perfect combination of innovative technology, excellent service, and competitive prices.
What the new extension delivers
The new KZM extension is a direct response to the current high demand on Kurtz Ersa machines, driven especially by world-class customers. We had to ramp up faster than anticipated, but the KZM team made the impossible possible and delivered: within only 4 months, the team in Zhuhai doubled in size and output. With the extension, KZM can now produce over 140 machines per month.
The growth strategy in Asia will still continue. The next steps for further extensions of the output capacity are already ongoing. In parallel we will also significantly increase the engineering, software, and application team. This strengthens what matters most to customers: reliable delivery capability, shorter lead times, greater flexibility, and an even stronger platform for service and application support. A special thank you to all Kurtz Ersa colleagues across departments and continents who made this milestone possible.
