Area's state-of-the-art manufacturing sector gains favor overseas

Local companies in Hunan province have inspired admiration in visiting foreign reporters with their smart-manufacturing achievements.

"Many Hunan companies are very innovative in terms of high-end equipment, and some of them are even better than those in Europe and the US," said Peter Heinz Tichauer, a reporter at the German magazine China Contact, during his trip to the CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co.

Tichauer was one of 12 reporters from countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road region that made a trip to Hunan province from Oct 16 to 21.

Zhou Qinghe, chairman of the locomotive maker, said one-third of the company's revenue came from projects along the Belt and Road region. The company's locomotives are now sold to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Europe.

Rita Francesca Fatiguso, a reporter from the Italian daily newspaper the Il Sole 24 Ore, has been interested in Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science& Technology Co, as the company has made acquisitions in Italy.

Tao Siyang, a senior manager at Zoomlion, said the company will develop into a multinational with its headquarters in China, and development centers and plants around the world.

Zoomlion has set a goal to increase its revenue from overseas business from current 15 percent to 40 percent of its total in five years.

"Our advantage is no longer our price," Tao said. "We will provide better service based on customer demand so that we can play a role in boosting economic and social development in our destination countries."

Meanwhile, Hunan-based Sany Group is China's largest engineering machinery maker. Despite weakened demand in China last year, Sany saw its overseas business grow 25 percent year-on-year.

Sany President Xiang Wenbo said the company has finished its strategic layout along the Belt and Road regions.

It has set up research and development centers and manufacturing facilities in countries including Turkey, Russia, Belgium, Germany and India.

Farsoon High-Technology Co is forging ahead with its achievements in 3-D printing.

In June, Farsoon made history in China by helping Xiangya Hospital in Changsha conduct a pancreas operation on a 14-year-old patient.

"3-D printing can generate vast value in small volume production," said Farsoon Chairman Xu Xiaoshu.

He said the technology is now widely used in car making, aircraft and space, medical care, small home appliances and creative industries.

Farsoon printers have been sold to North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. It has also set up sales networks in Russia, South Korea and Malaysia.

Russian TV reporter Marina Chayka was satisfied with her flight on an aircraft developed by Sunward Science and Technology.

"The flight was smooth and comfortable. It was awesome," she said.

Xiao Huangxing, Sunward's deputy general manager, said the aircraft maker has accelerated its development in general aviation, with its overseas business growing 50 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2016.

Xiao said the company plans to acquire Canadian aircraft lessor Avmax, the largest of its kind in North America.

(China Daily 11/18/2016 page11)