Shantui, a multinational construction equipment manufacturer based in Shandong, China, last week claimed that it is now officially the world’s largest maker of bulldozers, and all under its own brand name. Shantui has long been the dominant dozer brand in China, but its aggressive expansion and the growth of its international demand have led to its leading global position.
In 2010, Shantui produced two out of every five crawler-type dozers in the world, more than 10,000 units, the company said. Global production for the same year was 24,600 units. Its nearest rival, Caterpillar, produced 6,400 units, Shantui said. Off-Highway Research, a leading independent construction equipment industry consultancy, compiled the statistics.
“We are pleased to receive independent verification of our success,” said Richard Li, vice president for international. “It is gratifying to see our investments pay off so handsomely, especially in the face of established competitors. Our combination of performance and great value is producing a winning strategy for us globally.”
Shantui produces the majority of components that go into its dozers, even supplying parts to many of its competitors. The company’s line of dozers is highly diversified, with many specifically designed for swamps, deserts, highlands, power plants, forestry and landfill applications.
In 2010, Shantui surpassed U.S. $2 billion in revenue, and in 2011 it started producing the first brand-name dozer made by a Chinese manufacturer to pass European and American emissions and safety standards. In addition to dozers, Shantui produces a highly diversified line of construction, road and cement handling machinery, which includes wheel loaders, road rollers, truck cranes, motor graders, forklifts and excavators.
