The SFS Group is a global player with 140 manufacturing and distribution sites in 35 countries in Asia, Europe and North America. With the acquisition of Unisteel Technology Ltd. in 2012, the precision component specialist became part of the SFS Group. After completion of the expansion, the Nantong site will be SFS Group’s largest site at 170,000 m2.
Customer-centric expansion in Asia
Unisteel, a member of the SFS Group, is taking a strategic leap forward with the expansion of its Nantong (China) factory by a massive 70%. This will allow a greater intensification of in-house production and enables us to supply additional end markets from Asia. Thanks to our focus on local-for-local solutions and Value Engineering, we are taking supply chain management to a new level for maximum customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Unisteel is setting new standards in sustainability and innovation.
Unisteel is an integrated solutions provider of advanced application development and manufacturing solutions for miniature precision components. We offer a range of manufacturing capabilities using advanced technology, including fastening, CNC machining, wire forming, metal stamping, cold forming, plastic injection molding, various surface treatments, and the latest environmentally sustainable pre-applied thread locker.
The site has been undergoing a huge expansion since 2018, allowing the introduction of additional manufacturing technology and production capabilities, and thus serving various additional end markets. The expansion in four phases means that by the beginning of 2025 the site will have grown by a total of 70%. This enables growth beyond the Mobile Devices and Lifestyle Electronics end markets, for which Unisteel manufactures miniature screws, springs, and other precision components. It also creates exciting opportunities in other relevant end markets, such as the Automotive, Medical and Aerospace industries.
Global footprint leading to better supply chains
The expansion enables Unisteel to better serve its customers. How? By enhancing the supply chain and scalability, leading to improved cost efficiency. Additionally, reinforcement of the “local-for-local” strategy further strengthen the SFS Group’s global footprint and presence in Asia. In line with our “local-for-local” strategy, SFS continuously leverages its global business platform; this allows stakeholders to benefit from superior supply reliability thanks to short, robust, environmentally sustainable and traceable supply chains. It also helps us to continuously increase the share of wallet with its customers.
“Unisteel in Nantong is well positioned to provide a “local-for-local” solution in China, thanks to the expanded facility and enhanced capability, aligning well with our sourcing and manufacturing strategy – we grow the business together!”
Value Engineering as a growth driver
Unisteel’s team offers Value Engineering services to its customers by providing design consultation and DFM (design for manufacturing) inputs, starting from early supplier involvement and prototyping to mass production. The company aims to understand the specific requirements of each customer and create effective solutions across the entire value chain through innovation and automated processes. This allows us to create compelling products that add value for our customers. Thanks to technology transfers from SFS in Switzerland and Tegra Medical in the US and Costa Rica, Unisteel also creates value for customers in additional new industries; for example, Medical Devices and Industrial Manufacturing, and the new Greentech industry.
Setting a sustainable standard
Unisteel has a proven track record in the industry and its operational DNA is well demonstrated by its 7C spirit:
- Commitment and passion
- Can-do spirit
- Creative thinking
- Collective effort
- Cost consciousness
- Change and improvement
- Charging speed
This has helped Unisteel to establish a leading position and carve a niche for itself in the industry. In our pursuit of business excellence, we are committed to protect the environment. We strive to reduce our carbon footprint through several sustainable practices, such as the installation of more than 12,000 photovoltaic panels at the manufacturing sites in China and Malaysia. The PV installations at both sites together produce approx. 6,000 MWh of electricity per year, which corresponds to the consumption of around 1,500 households in one year.
