16
C
hinese-made aerial platforms have
yet to make a big impression in North
America. One of the biggest, Dingli, made
a move a few years ago with Orange Machine
in California, but otherwise they have tended to
focus more on developing markets like South
America, Asia and eastern Europe, where the
certification requirements might be less onerous
and where their lower prices are a key benefit.
In fact, it might be that the Chinese products
you have seen have been built by the big
western suppliers – Genie, JLG, Haulotte and
Snorkel are among those to have production
facilities in China, although the focus for these
factories is local Asian and Australian markets.
However, you can be sure that China’s
manufacturers have North America in their
sights, even if they are aware of the challenges
in breaking into a market that has powerful
local suppliers. Some of them might even be at
ConExpo next year, where they will be able to
meet existing South American customers and
prospect for potential dealers in North America.
The four Chinese suppliers profiled here –
Dingli, Mantall, Runshare and Sinoboom – offer
an interesting mix, with Dingli and Sinoboom the
biggest and most established, Mantall next in
line to become a volume player, and Runshare
the new kid on the block. All four are likely to
become global players over the next five years.
Murray Pollok
visited four
Chinese aerial platform
manufacturers in early fall
to get an update on their
activities and to discuss the
Chinese rental market.
AWP
This 6-foot platform
height scissor has
been designed for
a European retail
customer.
Dingli’s new ‘Toucan’-type
platform under development.
DINGLI
The biggest of the Chinese AWP manufacturers, Dingli, continues to invest in its manufacturing
capacity with a third production facility now under construction.
This factory, not far from Dingli’s current head office, will become its main office and assembly
facility when it is completed in the middle of next year (
ALH
visited the new plant under construction
and it is clear that that timescale is realistic).
The 1.6 million-square-foot facility, which will give Dingli at least double its current production
capacity, will allow it to rent its existing factories 1 and 2 to its main seven sub suppliers.
Dingli is also preparing for a significant event in its evolution, with a flotation on the Shenzhen
Stock Exchange now on the cards. The official process was due to begin in August and Shenzhen
was chosen because it is favored for IPOs of small and medium sized companies (Shanghai for
bigger concerns).
Xu Shugen, Dingli’s CEO, says a flotation would raise the company’s profile in China, provide it
with growth funds and give it easier access to resources such as government-owned land.
With the IPO looming, Xu was unwilling to say too much about the company’s current business.
He said the slowdown in China had not had a major impact because 70 percent of its sales were
exported – to markets like Australia, Russia, India and Brazil – and that total sales last year had risen
by 15 percent.
The company was happier to discuss some of its newest ‘small’ products, two of which reflect the
company’s background in warehouse and logistics equipment, and a third that sees it go head to
head with a major western manufacturer in the ‘Toucan’ niche segment.
In the warehouse sector, there is a new combined forklift and stockpicker, with a maximum
platform height of 11 feet, 6 inches working
height platform and separate forks with
carrying capacity of 1,100 pounds. This unit
has been designed for a very large U.S. retailer.
The other warehouse unit is a smaller, 6 feet,
11 inches platform height stockpicker for a
European retail client.
Finally, Dingli is bringing its own ‘Toucan’-
type platform to the market, competing head
on with JLG Industries, who acquired the
Toucan range many years ago. Dingli says the
difference with its model, which will have a
working height in the 33- to 36- foot range –
will be an automatic pothole protection system.
This unit will use an aluminium jib and cage.
In its main access product range, coming
soon – perhaps before the end of this year
- will be a range of 36- to 48-foot battery
powered articulated booms, filling a gap in
its range.
■
ACCESS, LIFT & HANDLERS
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013
INTERVIEWS
A combined 1,100-pound
capacity forklift and
stock picker, destined
for a large U.S. retailer.
