LGMG begins drive into Europe

China-based construction giant LGMG is planning major expansion of its access division globally, with its sights set on Europe, followed by a move into North America.

The company, which had a RMB20 billion ($3 billion) sales revenue in its last financial year, already has joint ventures with Volvo and Sandvik and told AI it was very likely it would seek a similar international arrangement with an existing access-related producer.

“Europe is a very important market. How we approach the market in Europe, we are still deciding. It is most likely we will find a partner like Sandvik or Volvo,” a company spokesman told AI.

At APEX Asia, the company is launching a new slab scissor aimed at Europe and is hoping to find rental companies in Europe willing to test the unit when it has passed its CE certification. The 6.6m working height AS0507N electric scissor is compact at 1.5m long and has a weight of 1 tonne.

LGMG already produces a series of slab scissors based on the lean manufacturing inspired by Volvo and is set to produce 4,000 units this year, which it is selling through its existing network of distributors in China, some of which have set up MEWP rental divisions. It is also working on 10m and 12m working height rough terrain scissors, and is working on a new boom - a 20m working height telescopic rough terrain diesel.

The company said it is looking to set up parts distribution in Europe as well as extensive service, and is considering setting up an R&D centre in Europe for which it will employ locally-based experienced engineers. The products will then be manufactured in its Jinan, China, plant.

Read more about this story and others from APEX Asia in the November/December issue of Access International, to be published soon.