China seals machinery deal

SDLG Australia retail sales territory manager Bernard Shapland and general manager Kevin Jones. PHOTO: DANELLA BEVIS

Consumers are the likely big winners from an alliance between veteran machinery distributors CJD Equipment and major Chinese manufacturer Shandong Lingong Machinery Company (SDLG).

From next month, CJD will be the sole distributor of SDLG products, with 50 outlets planned across Australia.

Annually, SDLG, a Volvo-owned company, manufactures almost 20,000 wheel loaders and updated models are expected to hit Australian shores soon.

The product has already been in Australia for five years, sold under the local brand name of Ranger Loaders, and is developing a reputation for reliability and productivity.

According to newly-appointed SDLG Australia general manager Kevin Jones, the SDLG is on an "up cycle", meaning consumers will benefit.

"SDLG has spent considerable resources over the last two years that has seen rapid improvement in the reliability of the product," he said.

"We see customers as now having the choice of being able to deal in a premium Chinese-manufactured construction product.

"We would like to think we will be significant players in the Chinese-manufactured industry."

The alliance marks what Mr Jones sees as a revolution in the machinery manufacturing industry.

"We're very confident that China will become significant exporters of the product," he said.

"There has already been quite a transition in Chinese manufacturing. China is trying to become more sophisticated in how they approach their export business."

The first SDLG stock will arrive later this month and a group of agricultural machinery outlets across WA will offer the machinery to the market.

"SDLG Australia and their dealer networks will ensure there are systems in place in parts and service to benefit customers," Mr Jones said.

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