Capacity ramped up at XCMG

On 25 June 2012 XCMG in China launched four new manufacturing bases in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, for all terrain cranes, wheeled loaders, concrete pumps and other concrete machinery.

Combined the RMB 12 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) investment occupies around 2 million square metres. It adds capacity to build another 5,000 large and medium capacity cranes, 40,000 more wheeled loaders, and 20,000 more units of concrete machinery, to its existing capability, XCMG said.

The new all terrain factory is a RMB 5 billion ($ 786 million) investment on an area of 740,000 square metres. Out of this the production buildings cover 250,000 square metres and the outdoor test area is 130,000 square metres. XCMG claims it as "the world's largest and most scientifically configured R&D and manufacturing base for large and medium tonnage cranes."

Flexibility was key in the manufacturing approach where each line can independently produce cranes from 35 to more than 1,000 tonnes capacity. It is designed to allow efficient simultaneous production both of high volume and niche market models.

The new wheeled loader factory cost RMB 3.2 billion ($ 503 million) and occupies 400,000 square metres, 210,000 of which is covered. It is the only one of its kind in China capable of manufacturing 6 thru 12 tonne products, XCMG said, continuing that, "Its launch marks the end of the monopoly in this area by foreign manufacturers."

For concrete pumping machinery the new 470,000 square metre plant cost RMB 2 billion ($ 314 million). It is mainly engaged in research and development and manufacturing of truck- and trailer-mounted concrete pumps, and shot concrete vehicles.

At the new concrete mixing equipment manufacturing plant the R&D and manufacturing of line pumps, concrete mixer trucks, dry-mix mortar trucks, concrete batching plants, and dry-mix mortar batching plants is integrated. The 240,000 square metre site includes 100,000 square metres of workshops. More than RMB 2 billion ($ 314 million) was invested, XCMG said.