Firm building a solid foundation

Heavy machine producer succeeds in South Africa by setting up subsidiaries, report Xing Zhigang and Li Jiabao from Johannesburg

Taking the road less traveled can not only lead to profits but also help build sustainable relationships, as Shandong Shantui Construction Machinery Import & Export Co Ltd, a Chinese producer specializing in heavy equipment, has discovered in South Africa.

What really makes Shantui different from its global and Chinese peers is its foresight in setting up a network of fully owned subsidiaries in South Africa, rather than dealers.