In order to expand our technical development base in China, we've established the Dalian Alpine Development Center.
At the founding ceremony, Alpine Chairman Kentaro Kutsuzawa said that the new center would "establish a fully integrated production system, incorporating a local R&D and parts procurement system." In a congratulatory message, Mayor Ka of Dalian pointed out that the city is impressed and highly pleased with the total development and production level of Alpine's new facility.
The center will be a hub of product development power and production efficiency for Alpine in the area, and we plan to increase the number of employees from the current 300 to 600 by the year 2005.