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Zoomlion develops key strategy for expansion

The implementation of a new strategy looks set to lead to strong development among infrastructure-related industries in export markets for Chinese firms. And as an industry leader in the production of construction machinery, Zoomlion has long been preparing to compete against the major international companies At the bauma China 2014 event in Shanghai, Zoomlion gave an insight into its international ambitions according to the firm. At the show, the senior director in charge of Zoomlion overseas business,
June 10, 2015 Read time: 4 mins
Zoomlion's star crawler crane, the ZCC1100H, has been well received by customers in Singapore
The implementation of a new strategy looks set to lead to strong development among infrastructure-related industries in export markets for Chinese firms. And as an industry leader in the production of construction machinery, Zoomlion has long been preparing to compete against the major international companies

At the 5930 bauma China 2014 event in Shanghai, 1175 Zoomlion gave an insight into its international ambitions according to the firm. At the show, the senior director in charge of Zoomlion overseas business, Zhang Jianguo, stated that Zoomlion was ready for overseas expansion in its role as an upstream infrastructure equipment supplier.

In all the firm displayed 27 flagship products in six main categories, highlighting its strong technological capabilities. Zhang Jianguo stated that its acquisitiions of 2203 CIFA, 7557 M-TEC, and 8075 RAXTAR were of key importance. It also bought out the full range of flat head tower crane technology from 4975 JOST, a sophisticated German specialist in tower cranes. With these moves Zoomlion quickly acquired a sizable share of the world's top construction equipment technology and most experienced R&D personnel. It now has R&D bases in Europe and the Americas and world-class status in technological research and development.

The firm says that the novel dry-mixed mortar and mechanical sand equipment seen at bauma China is a good example of this innovation. This combines the M-tec mixer, measuring systems and mechanical sieving technology. This move gives Zoomlion a strong position in the segment, according to the firm.

Another of the firm’s key developments has been for the ZCC1100H crawler crane, of its H series models. This was designed in response to Zoomlion's global strategy and is configured to suit different regional operating environments based on local conditions. In 2015, Zoomlion will launch a new technical marketing strategy to help boost global sales of crawler crane products.

The ZCC1100H has a maximum lifting capacity of 110tonnes and is said to feature the latest technology and high performance. The crane was designed using customer input so as to make it both practical, easy to use, and capable of meeting user demands. The firm claims that the crane is highly efficient, adaptable and safe in operation, with it now notching up sales outside of China.

The firm’s presence at bauma China 2014 however followed on from its strong showing at the 3485 Conexpo event in the US earlier in the year, as well as at the 5848 CTT show in Russian capital Moscow. At Conexpo the firm scored a significant deal worth $20 million for cranes.

This focus on exports is crucial. In recent years, China's domestic construction machinery industry has been challenged by the effects of rising domestic production and a slowing of infrastructure construction. For Chinese firms, exports have offered enormous prospects. Demand in the global construction machinery market grew in 2014 mainly because of investment growth in Russia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, and other emerging market economies, as well as investment growth in the infrastructure of the African market.

In this context, Zoomlion says it has benefited from strategic location of its overseas bases. The firm now has distribution points in more than 80 countries worldwide. Having divided the world into seven large global regions, Zoomlion has established trade, financing, service and spare parts supply, logistics, banking, and other integrated service platforms in major areas of each region.

This all forms part of a central strategy. Zoomlion chairman Zhan Chunxin has stated that the internationalisation of a business is not only about selling products overseas and building factories overseas, it is also about integrating the global industrial ecosystem and allocating resources on a global scale.

In this respect, Zhang Jianguo said, "The global construction machinery industry is accelerating the consolidation of changes. Zoomlion is currently furthering the concept of development and reinventing the development model while actively seeking new levels of improvement and expanding globalisation. It continues to promote technological innovation, system innovation, and business model innovation.”

Zhang Jianguo also pointed out that Zoomlion's presence in overseas markets will grow fast. Exports account for 10% of business at present but will grow to some 30-40% of turnover within 3-5 years.

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