LiuGong Machinery Corp., the leading China-based construction equipment manufacturer, announced it is entering the North American and Western European markets with a new line of forklifts, including diesel, electric and LPG fueled machines.

First to launch will be 11 core forklift models, but more are in development, company executives said.

LiuGong said it has established LiuGong Forklift Americas as a separate subsidiary to properly support the marketing and distribution of the forklift products in the Americas.

In Europe, the forklift business will be managed from LiuGong Europe with its headquarter offices and parts depot in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tier II machines are already sold in Eastern Europe through existing LiuGong construction equipment dealers. Forklifts are currently sold from dealers in Poland, the Baltics, Serbia, Turkey and Hungary.  LiuGong’s LPG and diesel internal combustion models are currently the company’s most popular models in the Eastern European region.

In Western Europe, where specialized lifting and handling outlets are required, LiuGong will also continue to recruit new dealers primarily focused on the material handling industry. Models have been designed to meet the EU emission standards and the cab space ergonomics have been reconfigured to ensure operator comfort and ease of use.  Because of strict emission laws, electric forklifts are in strong demand. LiuGong will be rolling out a series of DC and AC battery operated models there.

LiuGong plans to aggressively pursue the Western European rental market, as many operators prefer to rent rather than buy.

LiuGong previews two of its new machines, the 2030P-D3 and 2050P-D3 -- 3-ton and 5-ton, pneumatic, Tier III diesel machines -- at the Las Vegas ConExpo in March.  LiuGong will unveil the entire line at the CeMAT show in Hanover, Germany in May.  At CeMAT-Germany, LiuGong will have a significant trade show presence and all 10 models on the trade show floor.

“For the last year, we have completed new models to replace older models, and these are specifically tailored for the Western markets. We also have broadened the line by adding more electric truck models, and by updating some of our current production electric trucks,” said David O’Dell, President, LiuGong Forklift Americas.  “We will begin with the 10 most popular selling models and quickly expand from there.”

Trucks for international distribution include class one electric rider trucks ranging from 1.5 to 3 tons with A/C drive and hydraulics all are certified to the strict UL and CE certification. Class five pneumatic tire internal combustion trucks will soon be available up to 16 tons with UL and CE certifications. In addition we are in the process of further expansion of our large capacity IC pneumatic line.

O’Dell said the forklift line follows LiuGong’s over-arching product strategy of making machines easy in every aspect.
 
“We make it easy,” said O’Dell. “LiuGong offers a cost-effective, straightforward design philosophy that eliminates unnecessary complication.   Coupled with proven components from renowned suppliers, these machines are durable, reliable and very affordable.”

He added the operational systems on all LiuGong trucks are easy to maintain and easy to service, making LiuGong tough to beat for lowest cost of operation. Still, LiuGong did not scrimp on operator comfort as the machines are competitive in styling, ergonomics and fit for Western body types.

As in Europe, the rental segment will also be an important target in North America, since simplicity and durability, a core competency for LiuGong machines, are critical for rental.  LiuGong Forklifts work well for dealers who want to provide durable, easy to operate products to their client base.
In addition, O’Dell said, LiuGong is the only China-based manufacturer fully committed to dealer service and after sales support.  This is in step with LiuGong’s construction equipment business, which never sells into a market without the dealer network in place. LiuGong Forklift Americas is currently developing its dealer network for its forklift line in Latin America and will use the same marketing support approach in North America.

“Our rapidly expanding dealer network and regional parts depots in Texas insure that service, training and parts are always at hand, making it easy to support these trucks, shift after shift, year after year,” noted O’Dell.

“When LiuGong makes it easy, we believe our dealers will enjoy long-term customer satisfaction and repeat purchases,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell noted LiuGong is well prepared to meet market demand with two plants that produce more than 14,000 units annually and the capability to produce 30,000. Each plant is ISO 9000 certified, and pursues Six Sigma quality.

LiuGong, headquartered in Liuzhou, China, is the leading China-based machine manufacturer both domestically and abroad offering a full line of construction equipment to the global market. It is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.  

LiuGong offers a full line of machines, including wheel loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, skid steers, forklifts, graders, excavators, rollers, truck mounted and crawler cranes, and pavers. The company has nine subsidiaries, each with a sophisticated parts depot in regions around the world.