In the largest dredging company in the world
At the entrance there is a transformer, as high as the workshop. The arms of the human machines consist of tracks, the hands of a steam hammer and a bucket. The colors of the model are striking orange and black as the company for which he advertises. "This is a gift from the local administration," says the manager in charge of the construction equipment manufacturer Sany, Yue Yuan, "because we are the largest taxpayers."
Sany has opened only in February, production in Lingang in Shanghai, after only one year of construction. Nearby there are other sites, but none presented itself as impressive as this: The plant in Lingang is supposedly the largest and most modern excavator factory in the world. The day 2,000 people here more than 50 excavators are finished, each a quarter of an hour. The factories are automated and high squeaky clean, at many stations operate only two employees. Last year I Sany sold around 20,600 of these devices and thus had been the market leader in China, says Yuan Yue. When completed, capacity will be twice as high in Lingang. China, he says in passing, put almost a third of the world market.
In the huge investment has Sany Heavy Machinery 4 billion yuan (507 million euros) invested. And the other parallel to a project which, although much smaller, but well-known: In January, the Chinese bought for 324 million euros, 90 percent of the German concrete pump manufacturer Putzmeister. The outcry in Germany was great, because that was the largest ever Chinese takeover in the country, and then she was also a medium, a Swabian and a world leader!
How liquid and Sany is ambitious, it was shown earlier. In Bedburg near Cologne, the Asians have brought their own production. 600 people wanted to set it here and invest 100 million euros. Even were the record for a Chinese commitment in Germany. These plans must be changed, however, probably because the plant in Bedburg Sany wanted to produce concrete pumps. Now, after we have incorporated the competitors Putzmeister, wants to concentrate production at its headquarters in Aichtal.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, which has led to some concern. It fears that Sany his interest is directed only at Putzmeister and neglects the Cologne area. Supposedly, in Bedburg already degraded sites and abandoned the promised jobs and investment destination. He actually Dongdong, vice president of Sany Heavy Industry and most recently responsible for Bedburg says, at the factory visit in Lingang: "There will certainly be changes to the plan. But if you our total commitment in Germany in view, the effort is much larger than expected. "
Hes still reassuring to hear on chief. Neither the site nor in Bedburg Aichtal layoffs are planned in Stuttgart, said the president and director of Sany Group, Tang Xiuguo, also arrived to present the new excavator factory. Although it could be that there are personnel between the various locations that you waive agency staff or staff announced that on its own. "But we stand by our promise: there will be no staff cuts." As evidence he points to the home country of China where the company had canceled despite the financial crisis, no jobs.
However there to Tang that Sany had to "change the strategic approach in Bedburg." Instead of concrete pumps are there now arise other construction machinery, especially excavating machinery such as excavators. The site remains but of great importance for the development of new markets. "Our concern is to offer products that are made in Germany, but we need Bedburg, "says Tang
The entry at Putzmeister Tang called a great success for both sides. Last month, the Swabian company has earned 5 million euros profit in the entire previous year, there were only 6 million. Also, imagine an ever more personal. According to Tang Sany wants a quick end to the EU debt crisis, sees this but apparently also the possibility of further mergers or acquisitions. You currently lote "possible cooperation with, hidden champions' in Germany," says the president Sany. Admit it yet, no concrete plans for purchase, "but if you can again have a chance like Putzmeister, we use it." With "hidden champions" are meant in leading medium-sized niche markets - just like Putzmeister.
Tang is one of the fathers of Sany Group. In 1986, the graduate engineer and metallurgist founded by Liang Wengen, now the strongman of the group, and two other partners, a factory for welding material. The result was 1989, the Sany Group, which sees itself as a six largest heavy machinery manufacturer in the world. The most important company of the group is the Sany Heavy Industries, which was created in 2003 to go public in Shanghai. She has been planning for some time a listing in Hong Kong, but the step could delay because of the unfavorable market environment, further reveals Tang had last called it, could collect Sany because of the weakness of the market only 2 instead of $ 3.3 billion. Tang says now, it going to less new capital than it is about getting access to a global trading platform. "We have enough money."
However, even in the People's Republic of growth cooled considerably, especially in construction. The Sany gets to feel well. "The first half year was much worse than the year before, the second half of the year but will get better," says group chief Tang That's lament at a high level was 2011, the group employs in 150 countries, 61,000 people, a turnover of 80 , 2 billion yuan. The surplus was 10 billion yuan (1.3 billion €).
Learning from China is learning how to win also. Especially in times of crisis. Especially in Lingang two German experts from Bedburg have arrived here to learn about the future.
