Aug 2020 @AuManufacturing

Hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear is pressing ahead with the construction of its first Chinese manufacturing plant in Chengdu in Sichuan province (pictured).

The $90 million investment was announced in 2017 ‘to facilitate local market growth and provide additional manufacturing support for products in China and emerging markets’, according to the company. It is believed the plant became necessary to satisfy Chinese authorities. Cochlear said in its recent annual report that major construction milestones were completed in June. The finalization of interiors is underway with the plant expected to be commissioned by the end of 2020. “The regulatory approval process is expected to take around two years, with manufacturing to commence once we have received the necessary regulatory approvals.”

Also this year Cochlear opened a new US headquarters in Denver Colorado. The US$20 million facility includes training rooms, a customer experience centre, a fitness centre, and a cafe