Genie has held a ceremony to lay the cornerstone to mark the begininng of the extension to its factory in Changzhou, China.

Phase II of the factory will increase its size to 63800 m2. Once completed it will support the local production of more Genie products and enable it to play a greater role in the global manufacturing strategy of Terex. It will also be responsible for the research and development of additional product lines. 

The Genie plant, in Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, was opened in March 2011 and, as well as manufacturing, provides parts delivery and service functions. The first production line in the factory got underway in the same year. During those four years, the plant has maintained a zero accident record, which it said is a core reason for gaining industry trust.

During the cornerstone laying ceremony, Terex chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo congratulated the team via video-link.

Ken Lousberg and the factory’s general manager Clint Weber introduced the plan and provided insights into the new factory before helping to lay the cornerstone with Guoqiang Fang, Changzhou deputy mayor and James Barr, sales and service general manager for Terex (AWP) Greater China Region.

“The expansion of the Terex Changzhou factory means the brand will make more efforts in developing the China market,” said a spokesperson, adding that the expansion cemented the  decision of taking root in China.