STATESVILLE, NC -- Laboratory furnishings maker Kewaunee Scientific  (NASDAQ: KEQU) says it plans expansion in the large and growing China research lab market.

Kewaunee is establishing a facility in Suzhou, which will be its headquarters for the country, operating under its subsidiary, Kewaunee Scientific (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

Kewaunee says the Suzhou facility will be staffed and operational in August 2014.

Recently Kewaunee has had big wins in China, including government and private laboratory projects. Most of China's current nuclear power plant test laboratories were provided by Kewaunee, as well as the Beijing Olympics drug testing laboratory.

Kewaunee products are currently sold and distributed in Mainland China through its independent dealer, Beijing Synergy Scientific Co., Ltd. (www.cbjsynergy.com), with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing, and in Hong Kong through its independent dealer, Komrowski Engineering & Trading (HK) Limited (www.komrowskieng.com.hk). When fully implemented, Kewaunee says the strategy will significantly enhance its position in the China marketplace.