“I’ve lived in Qingdao for a few years now and have everything settled. I feel comfortable with my life here,” David Huemmerich, General Manager of LOGOMAT Automation Systems’ Qingdao plant, said during an interview after attending a research forum with foreign experts in Shandong Province. Having previously headed the U.S. facility for six years, Huemmerich moved to China in 2019.

Ishigami Takeshi, Financial Director at Panasonic Industrial Devices’ subsidiary in Qingdao, echoed this sentiment. Since his arrival in 2023, he has found Qingdao’s environment more appealing compared to cities where he had previously lived and worked.

Coastal city Qingdao boasts a strategic geographic position with a well-developed transportation infrastructure, which includes an airport, port, expressway and subway. The city’s pleasant climate further enhances its appeal for both businesses and residents.

Qingdao’s gross domestic product hit $219.44 billion in 2023, an increase of 5.9 percent compared to 2022. Investment in infrastructure, high-tech industries, strategic emerging industries, and manufacturing increased by 38 percent, 27.6 percent, 24.5 percent, and 10.8 percent, respectively. The city is rapidly advancing in new fields such as genomics, cell technology, networking, artificial intelligence, deep-sea exploration, and aeronautics and astronautics and more.

Huemmerich’s connection to China dates back to 2010 when, as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Applied Sciences in Koblenz, he participated in a student exchange program with Qingdao University of Science and Technology. His six-month stay in Qingdao was transformative, sparking a lifelong interest in the city. After completing his degree, he sought opportunities to return to China but initially began his career in a medium-sized German enterprise before spending nearly six years in the United States managing sales operations.

In 2019, LOGOMAT’s leadership approached Huemmerich with the opportunity to head their China expansion. After careful consideration, Qingdao was selected as the site for the new manufacturing facility due to its strategic location and cost-effectiveness.

Qingdao, situated between Beijing and Shanghai, allows for efficient travel and service access to key customers in northern and eastern China. This central position reduces the time and costs of servicing clients. Additionally, Qingdao offers lower operational costs compared to larger cities like Shanghai or Beijing, making it an attractive location for businesses looking to expand.

While the company remains small compared to industry giants, its presence continues to grow, and its local production capabilities have improved both service quality and delivery times, according to Huemmerich. Looking ahead, he is optimistic about LOGOMAT’s future in China. “We’re here to stay in Qingdao,” Huemmerich affirmed.

Takeshi expressed a preference for Qingdao’s business environment compared to his experiences in Wuxi of Jiangsu Province, Tianjin Municipality and other international cities. During his nearly year-and-a-half stay in Qingdao, he noted how proactive the local government was in supporting businesses.

Ishigami Takeshi, Financial Director at Panasonic Industrial Devices’ subsidiary in Qingdao (WEI YAO)

“Our interactions with the Qingdao local government were more frequent than in other places. Departments responsible for various functions reached out to see if we faced any difficulties in operating or doing business and if we needed any assistance,” he said at another research meeting at Panasonic’s Qingdao facility.

He also praised the city’s livability, noting “the climate is exceptionally pleasant, and everyone is friendly here.”