Liuzhou, China-headquartered LiuGong recently announced completion of its acquisition of Portsmouth, England-based Construction Plant & Machinery Sales (Southeast) Limited (CPMS), who now serve as LiuGong’s dealer for the UK. In completing the purchase of CPMS, LiuGong established its first international retail operation. The new entity, LiuGong Machinery (UK) Ltd., is trading as LiuGong Direct (UK) and is now a wholly-owned foreign entity of LiuGong.
Taking place during continuing Brexit [Britain’s departure from the EU] negotiations and the uncertainty surrounding its conclusion, LiuGong says its investment underscores its commitment to the UK and to the construction equipment industry.
CPMS has laid a strong foundation for LiuGong and made an impact not only in the traditional earthmoving sector but also in demolition, recycling, and plant rental sectors in what is one of Europe`s largest construction equipment markets.
“The UK is an essential market for us and we have an outstanding management team in place at LiuGong Direct (UK) who are true retail professionals. With this new venture, we will broaden the national coverage, invest in people, processes, and facilities. The first highlight in our new chapter is Plantworx 2019. This week, we are looking forward to gaining feedback from customers about our products and support. Listening to our customers help us shape our future products and services,” said Howard Dale, chairman of LiuGong Europe.
During the 11-13 June Plantworx 2019 event, LiuGong is showcasing a seven-machine line up of tough equipment designed for the world’s harshest conditions. The 915E, 924E, 928E, 933E crawler excavators, already proven in the UK, team up with three new models. The 877H wheel loader, 950E 30-meter high-reach demolition excavator and the 909ECR mini excavator; all demonstrate LiuGong`s collaboration with customers to deliver machines with features tailored for mining, aggregates, demolition, material handling, utilities, landscaping and road & highway.
LiuGong Direct (UK) has five-branches located in Portsmouth, Kent, Cambridge, London & Manchester and plans to open two new branches in Birmingham & Bristol to strengthen nationwide coverage. Further investments are underway to increase capacity at its spare parts distribution center in Portsmouth. Now a member of much larger group, for customers, this means greater financial stability, direct support from the manufacturer, a broader range of machines to fulfill their needs — all leading to enhanced residual values for machines.
Steven Ford, operations director of LiuGong Machinery (UK) Ltd., said: “We have had a great response from our customers as to LiuGong`s investment here in the UK and we are confident that the backing of the manufacturer in retail distribution will mean we can meet and exceed customers’ expectations. LiuGong’s product evolution has been exponential in the last 10-years. In 2018 alone, LiuGong invested more than US$83 million into its R&D program. Many of the product design concepts originate here in the UK at LiuGong’s Industrial design center, located in Stoke. The quality of our products, together with our industrial design, is now globally recognised.
“With production of seven excavator and wheeled loader models in its plant in Poland, LiuGong can supply more machines at shorter delivery times with a long-term approach to manufacturing in Europe and with our new direct retail operation in the UK, we will continue to deliver high-quality products designed to benefit our customers.”
