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MHI to Establish Forklift Truck Manufacture Company in China
To Realize Globally Optimized Production and Procurement Structure
In Response to New Business Environment
To Realize Globally Optimized Production and Procurement Structure
In Response to New Business Environment
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Tokyo, November 26, 2008 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will establish a forklift truck manufacture company in Dalian, in China's Liaoning Province, tentatively named MHI Forklift (Dalian) Co., Ltd. With the establishment of its own cost-competitive manufacturing plant in China, now home to the world's largest market for engine-powered forklift trucks, MHI looks to conduct vigorous business closely adapted to the local market while simultaneously avoiding foreign exchange risks. MHI also aims for the new company to function in the future as a forklift truck supply base to newly emerging markets such as Russia, in addition to the Chinese market. The new company is slated to begin production by the end of 2009.
The new company will manufacture MHI's newest model forklift trucks with handling capacities between 1 and 3 tons. Initially core components will be provided from Japan and the new firm will produce major welded components. Since many Japanese affiliate companies, which are capable of manufacturing high-quality parts, operate in and around Dalian, the company will procure other sheet metal parts locally. The parts procured in China will not only be supplied to the new company in Dalian; plans also call for parts provision to other MHI forklift truck manufacturing plants located outside of China. Once business has gotten on track, the company will gradually increase its production models and also mull market expansion to Russia, other CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) member countries and Southeast Asia.
Today the Chinese market for engine-powered forklift trucks has grown into the world's largest, surpassing the North American market and accounting for a 22% global share. While overall demand has slowed due to the recent financial crisis, the Russian market, in addition to the Chinese market, are basically in a long-term increasing trend. These favorable prospects spurred MHI’s decision to add a new company in Dalian to its previously existing three major forklift truck production bases: General Machinery & Special Vehicle Headquarters in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan; Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) in Houston, Texas; and Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe B.V. in Almere, the Netherlands. With its four bases in place, MHI will move forward in establishing a global production and procurement structure for forklift trucks fully optimized to today’s new business environment.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.