In South China's Liuzhou ZF and the construction machine manufacturer, LiuGong, are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their co-operation. And marking the occasion with a world first: Company representatives presented the prototype of the AP-3000 construction machine axle – a series which has been specially conceived for use in heavy wheel loaders for the Chinese market. China is one of the most important markets for wheel loaders.
Liuzhou ZF Machinery is a joint venture between ZF and the Chinese company, LiuGong, which is one of the leading construction machine manufacturers in the world. It was back in the 80s that ZF started its activities on the Chinese market with its own sales and service office. The business with Chinese customers was continuously expanded and various joint enterprises founded, including the joint venture with LiuGong. In 1998 large-scale production of transmissions for wheel loaders started in the joint factory in Liuzhou. Since then the factory has developed into a flagship operation in terms of quality standards, production system and working conditions for the 260 employees.
Now ZF Friedrichshafen AG operates 24 production sites with about 7,600 employees in China.
After the excellent success in the field of transmissions, ZF and LiuGong initiated a further joint venture in 2012 for the production of wheel loader axles for the Chinese market. By 2018 more than 30,000 units annually should be rolling off the production line.
The newly created AP-3000 axle series was jointly developed by teams of engineers from both companies working together.
For both business partners innovative product design and the highest quality standards were the main stipulations.
Currently, the prototype is being put through its paces in the test shops in Passau and in field trials in vehicles in LiuGong before large-scale production starts. Further projects and product innovations between the agreement participants, ZF and LiuGong, are also being planned. The economic co-operation between the two companies also highlighted a further German-Chinese link – the twinning of the two cities of Passau and Liuzhou which took place twelve years ago.
