Skip to main content

Chinese firms embrace CONNEXPO-CON/AGG 2017

Chinese construction manufacturers were out in full force at the recent CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2017 in Las Vegas. Nearly 130 original equipment manufacturers and their supply Chinese supply chain component makers were represented – the most at any previous CONEXPO/CONAGG event. OEMs included XCMG, Sany, Zoomlion, Shantui, Sunward, LiuGong and SDLG. Nick Yaksich, senior vice-president of AEM – the US’s Association of Equipment Manufacturers and which organised the event - said the large Chinese contingent
March 21, 2017 Read time: 4 mins
China’s contingent at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017: bottoms up to an improving global economy
Chinese construction manufacturers were out in full force at the recent 3485 CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2017 in Las Vegas.

Nearly 130 original equipment manufacturers and their supply Chinese supply chain component makers were represented – the most at any previous CONEXPO/CONAGG event. OEMs included 2490 XCMG, 1170 Sany, 1175 Zoomlion, 1171 Shantui, 1173 Sunward, 269 LiuGong and 5316 SDLG.   

Nick Yaksich, senior vice-president of AEM – the US’s 1100 Association of Equipment Manufacturers and which organised the event - said the large Chinese contingent at CONEXPO-CONAGG “gives us a deeper understanding” of the dynamics, brands and technologies of Chinese Construction Machinery. “These products have gained a growing international acceptance on performance and quality. I hope this kind of communication can strengthen technological exchanges and cooperation and promote the further development of construction machinery industry,” he said.

Zhang Yujing, president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products – which organised a panel discussion of senior Chinese corporate executives - said China’s representation at the event was crucial at a time of global economic upturn.

“The world economy has emerged from a downward trend lasting several years and stabilised,” he said.  “Conditions are right now for the world’s construction equipment sector to grow again. Drivers for this include US president Donald Trump’s policy of increasing investment in infrastructure. This is a good message for the entire construction machinery industry. Also, China’s Belt and Road initiative is requiring a large amount of construction equipment. China's rapid development has turned it into the world's largest construction machinery market,” said Zhang.

Qi Ju, president of 2735 China Construction Machinery Association, noted that revenues from overseas business and exports make up more than 25% of the Chinese construction machinery industry’s total revenue. He said the Chinese construction machinery industry has gained competitive advantage thanks to “systemised specifications, diversified models, large-scale production and a high standard quality over the past 30 years” and in particular the past decade.

“The whole industry has profound R&D systems at work, complete supply chains and a multitude of testing platforms, all of which ensures that our construction machinery products meet the highest requirements of clients around the world,” said Qi.

“The planning of “one belt one road” has created the historical opportunity for the friendly cooperation and mutual benefit between Chinese construction machinery industry and international partners. I believe our cooperation will bring even greater success.”

Qi’s mention of “One Belt, One Road” is a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century ocean-going Maritime Silk Road. The so-called Belt and Road Initiative is a development strategy and framework proposed by Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping in late 2013. It focuses on connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily between China and the rest of Eurasia.

During the panel discussion in front of international journalists, Wang Min, chairman of XCMG, said Chinese equipment have been learning lessons of how to improve the durability of their products.

The only way to ensure this durability and quality improvement is to maintain a high level of research and development, said Zeng Guang’ an, chairman of Liugong. A strong supply chain is also essential, such as Liugong’s joint venture partnership with engine maker 196 Cummins.

A successful R&D programme will work only if it is focused on the customer’s needs, noted Yu Hongfu, chairman of Sany Heavy Industries. All customers in every corner of the globe must be listened to, he said.

Xiong Yanming, vice-president of Zoomlion, agreed, adding that a lack of investment in R&D will kill off a company’s innovation. It is important to ensure that in today’s age of mergers and acquisitions that R&D does not take a back seat to corporate integration.

Wu Peiguo, chairman of SinoMach Heavy Industry, said the company is aware of the importance of R&D, innovation and listening to the customer as SinoMach integrates its four major brands.

The chairman of Shantui, Zhang Xiuwen, paid respect to 178 Caterpillar which, as a company, has taught Shantui the importance of value-added to its customers. Competing with Caterpillar in the US market has been difficult but progress is being made.

The performance of Chinese construction equipment is now essentially equal to, and even surpasses in some cases, what is normal for the US market, said He Qinghua, chairman of Sunward. However, there are still some gaps in performance so Chinese manufacturers must continue to strive for improvements and innovation.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • LiuGong is pushing hard to boost its profile in North America
    January 6, 2017
    “The theme of the Conexpo booth this year is to introduce LiuGong as a full line OEM Supplier to the North American market. We’ve also introduced our Tier 4 engines on our dozer range, as well as our skid steers and we’ve also announced our entry into the 50tonne excavator market with the 950A,” said Marc Dowdell, president LiuGong Construction Machinery, North America. “The North American market is relatively stable or flat compared to last year, which saw an artificial blip due to the build-up from contra
  • Senior Cat boss on booming emergent market
    March 28, 2014
    Paolo Fellin, vice president of Caterpillar’s Global Construction & Infrastructure Division, has touched on the importance of the new dominance of booming African and other Emergent nation construction markets. Guy Woodford reports For Paolo Fellin, the last 10 years have seen the birth of a new order in world construction equipment sales.
  • Dressta seek greater dealership reach in key emerging markets to boost sales
    October 10, 2013
    Dressta, the LiuGong subsidiary, is striving to increase its dealership reach in key emerging markets such as Central and South America as it aims for higher machine sales. Speaking at a recent Dressta construction machine manufacturing press event at the company’s LiuGong-owned manufacturing plant and headquarters in Stalowa Wola, southern Poland, Dressta CEO Leslaw Holysz said, “We have no [dealership] presence in Mexico and Latin America, except for Panama. Panama is a very good country for us and we
  • Continuing demand for construction machines
    February 21, 2012
    Corporate results from a series of equipment manufacturers for the early part of 2011 all seem to agree that demand for machines continues to improve.