"Robots can do almost everything," said Jan Lindmark, president of ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd, a branch of the world's leading power and automation company.

ABB invented the world's first electric robot controlled by microcomputer in 1974. Twenty years later, it introduced the technology into China. Since then, the company has been experiencing rapid development in the country.

"The industry grows very fast in China," Lindmark said. "We have enjoyed strong growth over the past few years. We expect more this year."

According to Lindmark, enterprises in China are paying more and more attention to the use of robots in the manufacturing process.

"Before, we thought that the inexpensive labor in the country might be a disadvantage for our development," he said. "However, we are glad to see that more and more enterprises here are realizing the importance of quality control.

"Compared with manual work, robots' work secures quality," he added.

Six leading car manufacturers in the country, including Volkswagen, General Motors and Honda are all using robots provided by ABB. Some promising domestic enterprises, such as BYD and Foxconn Electronics, are also the company's main customers.

Currently, the company controls about 30 to 35 percent of the country's robotics market.

"I'm proud of all the successful movements we have made here," Lindmark said. "I have never experienced such great achievements elsewhere in my 21 years' working for ABB."

Lindmark says ABB's localization strategy in China is one of the main reasons for its success in the country.

Currently, the company has more than 6,500 employees all over the country, among whom only about 120 are from foreign countries.

Take the Shanghai engineering company in Pudong for example. Only about 10 employees at the facility are expatriates, including Lindmark himself.

"We have very intelligent and skilled staff here," he said. "I'm always trying to organize the company as a family. I feel the responsibility to take care of it and bring it up."

He added that he does not feel alienated in the city at all.

The native of Sweden worked in South Korea from 1995 to 1998. According to him, China is a more open nationality compared with its Korean neighbors.

"Life here is very convenient," he said. "For example, we have a large scale of choices in Western food, wine and Western-style restaurants, which are less available in Seoul. I am enjoying my stay here very much, so is my family."

The Pudong resident also thinks highly of the changes in his living environment.

"When I first arrived in the city in 2002, there were few high buildings or compounds near my house. Now there are many. It's my honor to have witnessed the fantastic development," he said. "It is just so amazing that I don't think I can ever experience the same in any other places around the world."

(Shanghai Daily April 12, 2004)