The globalization of the manufacturing world continued in August, with some key announcements of plant openings in China and Japan.

Cutting tool maker Kennametal announced the opening of its new plant in Tianjin, China, on August 11. The news came less than a year after the company first announced groundbreaking for the operation.

Located in the Tianjin Economic Development Area, the manufacturing facility will employ 200 people and is aimed at supporting Kennametal's growing business in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has sales offices and logistics support in 10 countries across Asia Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and India.

“The size and importance of this rapidly expanding market demands that we enhance our presence,” said Kennametal president and CEO Carlos Cardoso.

Rexnord Corp., a manufacturer of power transmission products, announced the opening of its third China plant in August, as well. The company purchased an existing plant for $6.2 million.

And finally, Tokyo-based bearings maker NSK announced that it will begin construction on a new manufacturing facility in Fujisawa City, Japan.

The facility will produce bearings for industrial machinery applications, such as steel equipment, machine tools and construction. Once completed, the plant is expected to increase the manufacturing volume from $500 million to $700 million in two years.

The plant is expected to open in January 2008 and will employ more than 100 people.

“This expansion is a critical component of NSK's ability to meet the growing demands of customers around the world and support our strategic efforts here in the United States,” said Tom Rouse, president of NSK in the United States. NSK's U.S. headquarters is in Ann Arbor, Mich.