Tadano of Japan has formed a joint venture with Beijing Jingcheng Construction Machinery Company Ltd (BJCM) to manufacture truck cranes in China.
Construction of a new factory near Beijing International Airport begins this month.
In recent years China has become the world’s biggest market for construction machinery, with consumption rising more than 40% in 2002.
The new firm, BQ-Tadano (Beijing) Crane Company, is capitalised at $20m, with 25% ($5m) coming from Tadano and 75% from Beijing Jingcheng Construction Machinery.
Full production of cranes – Tadano uppers on Chinese carriers – is planned to begin in January 2004 and the workforce is expected to reach 500 by the end of next year.
BQ-Tadano (Beijing) Crane has a build programme of 800 units in 2005, with most intended for sale in China.
In 2002 Tadano sold 55 truck cranes to customers in mainland China, out of total market of 115 units, according to Tadano.
