Ron DeFeo, Terex chairman and CEO, left, and Tim Ford, president of Terex AWP, attended the grand opening ceremony of the company’s new factory in Changzhou, China.

The new Changzhou plant will produce the Genie S-3200 and S-3800 telescopic booms particularly for the Chinese shipbuilding market as well as the S-100, S-105, S-120 and S-125 “Super Booms.”

Terex Aerial Work Platforms held its official grand opening of its plant in Changzhou, China, in a business park near Shanghai. Drummers and dragon dancers entertained the visitors at the ceremony attended by chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo.

The new Terex facility, built to serve as the product development, parts distribution and service center for China, is about 260,000 square feet and is part of Terex AWP’s global expansion plan to produce local products for local markets. The facility includes a large factory and showroom to display finished products as well as a training area for customers, dealers and employees. The site is large enough to possibly be used in the future to manufacture other Terex products as well.

“This is an exciting achievement for the company as it marks the first ground-up launch of a Terex AWP factory,” said Tim Ford, president of Terex AWP. “Our North American team members worked hand-in-hand with our new Changzhou team members to create a world-class manufacturing facility.”

Terex AWP is manufacturing the Genie S-3200 and S-3800 telescopic booms particularly for the Chinese shipbuilding market as well as the S-100, S-105, S-120 and S-125 “Super Booms.” The company plans four more product lines specifically for the Asian market to be manufactured in China.

“We need to provide superior products, designed and produced locally, to meet local demand and specifications,” said XS Koo, vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific, Terex AWP. “Manufacturing in China shortens lead times and frees up capacity in other locations, making it a more effective and efficient process. This is particularly important for China as it becomes a major player in the aerial work platform category. It’s a market in the making.”

Terex AWP opened a sales and distribution office in China 12 years ago for its Genie products.