Chinese machinery manufacturer Lovol has been making inroads all over the world with its products available at a more competitive price than many of their big-name competitors, but with the same and often higher quality and reliability. Here we take a close-up look at the origins of the business and how it plans to expand its footprint even bigger in Australia.
The Lovol Heavy Industry Group is a wholly state-owned subsidiary strategic business unit of China-based Weichai Holding Group under Shandong Heavy Industries.
Lovol was established in 1998, and has emerged as a prominent Chinese industrial equipment manufacturer in the same league as XCMG, Sany and LiuGong.
Initially specialising primarily in agricultural machinery, the company has expanded its portfolio to include construction machinery, solidifying its position as a key player in this sectors.
Since its inception, Lovol has experienced rapid growth, evolving from a local manufacturer into a global industry leader.
In 2019, the Weichai Group acquired a 20 per cent stake in Lovol Heavy Industry, further integrating Lovol into a broader industrial ecosystem. By 2021, Weichai Group had fully acquired Lovol.
Weichai has a storied history. Founded in 1946, it is one of the most comprehensive automobile and construction machinery equipment manufacturing groups in China.
The company group has strategically acquired several of the most renown Italian equipment manufacturers, including Arbos tractors, Linde Hydraulics, Boudouin Engines, Ferretti Luxury ships, Fast Gear and HANDE axles enhancing Lovol’s presence in the high quality European manufacturing market and broadening its technological capabilities.
With more than 150,000 employees worldwide, annual sales revenue of more than $80 billion AUD, Weichai owns engine power systems, automobile business, construction machinery, intelligent logistics, agricultural equipment, hydraulics and marine transportation equipment around the world. The subsidiaries cover Europe, North America and Asian regions, with the products exported to more than 110 countries and regions globally.
Lovol’s range of products is impressively wide. They include:
- Agricultural equipment: Tractors ranging from 25 to 600 horsepower, combine harvesters, and various farming implements. The company holds over two-thirds of China’s combine harvester market share, underscoring its dominance in the sector.
- Construction machinery: Excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, bulldozers and dump trucks make up their product range and are designed to meet the rigorous demands of global construction and mining industries with ISO standards used in all items.
Technological advancements
Lovol holds strong to its main priority of ‘highest quality’.
And while the equipment is often higher priced than competing products from China, Lovol is not fazed as it places a strong emphasis on its advanced technological innovation and quality manufacturing, features it knows its customers will value and recognise.
The company has invested heavily in research and development, focusing on intelligent manufacturing, management, and services.
This dedication ensures that Lovol’s products meet international standards and cater to the evolving needs of its global clientele.
An example of Lovol’s innovative drive is the decision to install hydrostatic transmission drive (HST) in many of its wheel loaders.
HST involves the transfer of engine power using hydraulic fluid. A big gain from an HST is the elimination of mechanical items with fixed gear ratios or slipping torque converters, giving operators infinite variable speed control or more direct output control without uncontrolled slippage.
The company operates six manufacturing bases across China, including facilities in Weifang, Harbin, Zhucheng, Qingdao, Linyi, and Tianjin. These state-of-the-art factories are equipped with advanced technologies and adhere to stringent quality control measures, ensuring the production of reliable and efficient machinery.
In its commitment to intelligent manufacturing, Lovol has integrated cutting-edge technologies into its production processes.
The company’s facilities are designed to support the development and manufacturing of high-tech, differentiated products, including pure electric and unmanned vehicles.
The customer is king
At the heart of Lovol’s operations is the core value commitment to customer satisfaction.
The company offers intelligent and efficient product and service solutions, supported by a comprehensive global network.
This network provides timely service and parts support, ensuring that customers worldwide receive consistent and reliable assistance.
Into Australia
Given Lovol’s track record and expansion strategies, it was only a matter of time before it strategically expanded into the Australian market to meet the country’s growing demand for robust and reliable equipment.
This move has been marked by Lovol’s partnership with Queensland-based Equipment Specialists Australia (ESA) in Australia — a company which has sister companies dealing with European trucks — as well as the establishment of Lovol Australia.
Lovol Australia’s product line-up encompasses both agricultural and construction machinery, designed to withstand the developed western world’s high standards.
It includes a variety of machinery such as wheel loaders, excavators, bulldozers along with agriculture tractors and harvesters, and it continues to expand its product range.
The offering includes:
- Excavators: 1.8t mini diggers up to 200t mining excavators and increasing to the largest mining sizes in the future.
- Loaders: 6t to 60t operating weight, from highest mining spec to lower agricultural spec models.
- Electric versions in a range of diggers and loaders, with hydrogen unit additions available too in all the larger sizes.
The models chosen for sale in Australia are generally equipped with many world-renowned brands, such as the likes of Danfoss, Linde, ZF, Meritor, Rexroth, Williams Controls, and Cummins.
It’s a big deal
To effectively serve the Australian market, ESA has been appointed to set up the authorised dealer network across the country to sell and support Lovol, providing essential services, including maintenance and the supply of genuine parts.
This ensures that customers have ready access to support and after-sales services, enhancing the longevity and performance of their machinery.
ESA Operations Manager Lawrence Perkins said the company had already emerged as a leading global equipment brand by combining innovation, quality, and an understanding of industry needs across construction, agriculture, and other heavy-duty sectors.
“Lovol has expanded across Asia, Africa, South America, and now entering Europe, building a reputation as a globally competitive brand in the heavy machinery industry. It’s currently the fastest growing brand in many countries, including Russia and Indonesia,” he said.
“Apart from offering greater choice and innovation, the simple fact of the matter is that the quality of the product is such that it can easily match that of the bigger, more expensive name brands, while also saving some costs due to not having to pay for the excessive overheads.
“We will now set up Lovol dealerships in every city and in the larger towns.
“Businesses who want a high level brand and are interested in joining the Lovol Australia dealer network can contact us for further details.
“We are looking for businesses who want in on this business opportunity as the future looks very bright.
“They must have a suitably located business premises to display machines, along with sales personnel and a workshop.
“These are important prerequisites as excellent aftersales support is a Lovol priority.”
The China syndrome
Lawrence is quick to dispel the stigma attached to the long list of budget earthmoving equipment brands made in China.
While criticism has been justified in a number of cases, Lawrence said much of the country’s higher-end and technologically advanced machines are beginning to make a serious impression.
“The top level of these China-manufactured products are becoming increasingly well- respected and trusted,” he said.
“Some of these are coming out with world- leading features, and built to the highest specification available – from the hydrostatic transmission and differential lock, right through to electric drive.
“While the big name brands are starting to promote electric machines, China was selling these five years ago with hundreds of units used even in the harshest conditions of the Nepal ice- covered rock mountains.
“It’s like Japanese vehicles; when they were first brought in to Australia, the reputation wasn’t good, but now they’re regarded as the best.
“You could say that the time is arriving now where high class equipment from China has caught up and passed some of the big name brands in technology, performance, quality and certainly reliability.”
ESA has always endeavoured to exclusively deal in higher-end machines from Lovol, along with other brands such as Faresin.
“This means we only import machines that we are confident will be suitable for our customers and Australia’s harsh environments,” Lawrence said.
More recently, ESA has been bringing in the highly sophisticated ALFA range by Lovol.
“ALFA sits in the price gap in the market between budget low quality machines that don’t enjoy the level of backup support we offer, and the big name brand machines that are out of many people’s budgets,” Lawrence said.
“Our commitment has always been to provide only the best to our customers. This step ensures that the Lovol ALFA series represents the highest quality at a reasonable price, distinguishing itself from other variants in the market.”
Lovol’s commitment to the Australian market is further evidenced by its active engagement with supporting shows, marketing activity and placing a number of team members from the factory directly at ESA to assist.
For businesses interested in such an opportunity or any sales enquires and further information, you can directly connect with the company for information.
For more information, call 1300 378 478 or check out www.equipmentspecialists.com.au