ZF Friedrichshafen AG will enter into a joint venture with Chinese company Anhui Heli Co., Ltd. a. The company, named ZF-HELI Drivetech (Hefei) Co., Ltd., will allow ZF access to the Chinese market, the biggest and fastest growing region for forklift trucks. In addition, ZF will strengthen its extensive product portfolio with Anhui Heli products.
China is an important, strategic growth market for ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The ZF Industrial Technology Division and the Material Handling Systems Business Unit will now be able to participate in this growth via this new joint venture with Chinese listed company Anhui Heli Co. Ltd.
"With Heli, we have found a partner with an outstanding level of expertise in forklift trucks. This company is the market leader in China and the seventh largest company in the forklift truck segment worldwide. By combining ZF’s products in the premium and high-tech segments with Heli’s cost optimized products we are able to create a systems supplier with a comprehensive product range for hydrodynamic and electrically powered forklift trucks," says Wilhelm Rehm, Member of the Board of Management of ZF and responsible for the Industrial Technology and Commercial Vehicle Technology Divisions.
ZF will deliver its forklift truck products (transmissions and axles) from its Chinese plant in Hangzhou to the joint venture. Heli will also contribute part of its own transmission and axle production.
ZF has 51% share ownership in the joint venture. As a result, it can now implement its "best choice" approach both in China and internationally. The company offers customized products in the basic, highline and premium segments.
This joint venture targets Heli as a customer, as the company is currently both a supplier and a customer as well as a manufacturer of complete forklift trucks. In addition, ZF will be able to meet customers' wishes with these products, both in Asia and worldwide.
