Focus on Liuzhou's machinery and equipment industry deepening its presence in ASEAN market

At the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, electric product exhibited by LiuGong attracted buyers. (Photo provided by LiuGong)

From September 17 to 21, the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo was held in Nanning. At the booth of Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as LiuGong), electric loaders, excavators, forklifts, and the LiuGong AI Intelligent Diagnosis System—developed with equipment service experience and real-time telematics data—were displayed. Liuzhou-made construction machinery showcased the appeal of "Liuzhou Intelligent Manufacturing", attracting significant attention from buyers.

Reporters learned from LiuGong that from January to August this year, its equipment exports to ASEAN countries exceeded 5,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 45%. The Indonesian market achieved a compound growth rate of over 100%, while sales and revenue in the Malaysian market both saw year-on-year growth exceeding 200%.

Xiang Dongsheng, General Manager of the Asia-Pacific Region at LiuGong International Business Division, stated that the company's strengthened position in the ASEAN market is due to seizing opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative and its consistent, deep-rooted efforts.

As early as 2003, LiuGong entered the ASEAN market, becoming a pioneer in the construction machinery industry for the region. "Currently, we have five overseas subsidiaries in ASEAN, along with training centers, call centers, and regional parts depots." Xiang noted that over 40,000 LiuGong units are actively operating across infrastructure, mining, agriculture, and other sectors in ASEAN countries. LiuGong equipment has also contributed to major projects like the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway.

It is reported that LiuGong's market share has increased further in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and other countries, with its overall construction machinery market share growing by about 18% year on year. Its electric products, introduced to ASEAN three years ago, continue to inject momentum into local green development.

LiuGong's development in ASEAN continues unabated. "This year, LiuGong Finance Indonesia officially commenced operations, and the construction of an Indonesian manufacturing base began. We are gradually building full-value-chain local competitiveness integrating manufacturing, R&D, marketing, after-sales, and financial support to provide customers with one-stop solutions," Xiang said.

Products such as construction machinery, port machinery, mining machinery, and industrial forklifts manufactured in the city continue to be exported. Components like construction machinery cylinders, specialized attachments, and vehicle tail lifts are also well-received in the market. Facing ASEAN, Liuzhou's machinery and equipment industry actively responds to market demand and excels in niche segments.

The roar of machinery accelerates infrastructure projects, showcasing the robust strength of Liuzhou-made equipment. Meanwhile, in the vast fields and palm plantations of Southeast Asia, intelligent agricultural machinery is making a mark, cultivating the ASEAN market and quietly transforming traditional farming practices.

"We address the pain points of low efficiency and high cost in manual palm fruit harvesting by providing intelligent harvesting solutions for tropical crops." Dr. Gao Qiaoming from Guangxi University of Science and Technology, specializing in agricultural mechanization and intelligence, revealed that an intelligent palm fruit picking and transport tractor co-developed by his team, the team of Academician Luo Xiwen from Guangzhou, and local machinery manufacturers, has been operating stably in Indonesia for nine months. Concurrently, his team is undertaking a foreign cooperation project for the Guangxi Department of Science and Technology—building Indonesia's first "Smart Rice Farm".

Building on Liuzhou's strengths in machinery manufacturing, Gao stated that he and his research team will focus on developing highly reliable and adaptable intelligent machinery for tropical crops and for transportation in high-temperature, high-humidity, high-salinity conditions and hilly or island terrains. They aim to systematically introduce new technologies, standards, and achievements to the ASEAN market. "We aim to translate the manufacturing strength of Liuzhou and the intellectual power of its universities into the capability to address practical agricultural challenges in ASEAN countries," Gao said.

The enhanced strength and influence of Liuzhou's machinery and equipment industry in ASEAN owes much to collaborative efforts among industry, university, and research. University-enterprise cooperation has become the "talent key" for the industry to take root in ASEAN. Liuzhou Polytechnic University aligns with LiuGong's internationalization vision. Based on a model of "enterprise equipment + university facilities + joint construction and management", they co-established the "LiuGong-Liuzhou Polytechnic University Global Customer Experience Center" and eight overseas branches, creating a training platform linking domestic and international operations.

Xiang Dongsheng said, "By partnering with Liuzhou Polytechnic University, we have established cooperative ties with institutions like Jakarta State Polytechnic in Indonesia, Panyapiwat Institute of Management in Thailand, and Hanoi College for Electro-Mechanics in Vietnam. This helps cultivate local professionals with engineering machinery knowledge, alleviates technical talent shortages, promotes cultural exchange and skill transfer, and enhances brand recognition for Liuzhou-made machinery locally." University-enterprise cooperation has built a "bridge" for industrial collaboration between Liuzhou and ASEAN countries.

Xiang stated that for the ASEAN market, LiuGong will focus on transforming from product sales to being "value-driven" and "ecosystem-building" to achieve high-quality, sustainable growth.