Skyjack Inc., the Guelph, Ontario, Canada-based manufacturer of aerial work platforms, recently obtained its business license to operate in China, new president Steve Shaughnessy told RER at the recent ARA show.

Skyjack’s sales and service operation will initially be based in Wuxi where parent company Linamar already has manufacturing facilities.

“That’s part of our company strategy,” Shaughnessy told RER. “Where possible, when we open up a new facility of any kind, we like to co-locate with other company facilities.”

Shaughnessy said Skyjack already has staff employed in China. “We will be bringing product into China very soon and we will have people there to support it,” he added, saying the company has a business plan for a sales and service operation in China.

Shaughnessy also said Skyjack expects to be in South America and Australia before the year is over as well. The company recently appointed Robin Sosebee director of sales for Latin America.

While Skyjack is expanding its international footprint, Shaughnessy said North America and Europe are still the company’s key markets.

[For the complete interview with Shaughnessy, please scroll down to Interviews or click http://rermag.com/trends_analysis/interviews/shaughnessy-skyjack-roth-interview-022610/index.html.]