Suzhou, China -- October 15, 2012 -- With dancing dragons, Chinese folk music and a little help from nature, Wedge Clamp Systems opened a sparkling new 20,000 sq. ft. collision faility in Suzhou, China. The shop includes a modern reception area, classroom, boardroom and training rooms.

“We first went to China in 2005, but it was difficult to find the right distributors,” says Wedge Clamp president Desmond Chan. “We decided to set up our own office to expand our Asian base.”

Chan approached their customer Craftsman Collision, the largest independently owned collision chain in Canada, about joining forces. After two visits, company owner Bill Hatswell and his team jumped aboard.

“In 1977, we began our mission to overhaul the bodyshop business in Western Canada,” says Hatswell, speaking at their 65 guest ceremony. “Now, 35 years later, we’re embarking on that same mission in China. I’m very optimistic we can succeed here as spectacularly as we have at home.”

Also present were Craftsman's Vice President David Cant and General Manager of Real Estate Greg Hatswell, as well as British Columbia Government Trade Director John McDonald and Wuzhong District Mayor Xu Feng, along with industry representatives. Festivities were temporarily interrupted by a torrential downpour complete with thunder and lightning only to have the clouds part and sun shining again minutes later, which according to Chinese tradition, is a very good harbinger for success.  

For more information, please visit wedgeclamp.com.