Signed and sealed – Liebherr to kick off assembly of hydraulic cylinders in China

Liebherr currently manufactures earthmoving machinery and drive components at its Dalian site. With the TÜV certification of the Chinese production site, the Components Division is further expanding its global presence: In the future, hydraulic cylinders for the Chinese market will leave the Dalian plant in addition to drive components. Adding to an automatic washing system, part of this assembly line is also a painting system. Here the hydraulic cylinders can be painted in a suspended state on a conveyor. Another highlight is the assembly stand, which directly integrates final inspection for hydraulic cylinders.

The hydraulic cylinder portfolio for the Chinese market consists of products for a wide variety of stationary and mobile applications, such as plant engineering or construction machinery. Liebherr will also produce cylinders for the rotor blade adjustment of wind turbines on site. The earthmoving product segment is currently producing a well-graded range of crawler excavators and wheel loaders for China and other export markets at the same plant. Assembly will start with hydraulic cylinders of the "standard 380 bar series-production range" for Liebherr crawler excavators from Dalian. In addition, the locally manufactured components will also be used in the wheel loaders produced on site in the future.

Liebherr promotes local value creation

Both European and Chinese customers are increasingly valuing the importance of local supply for their production companies. The company is therefore pursuing a "local for local" approach in two respects. On the one hand, the hydraulic cylinders assembled in Dalian are destined for the Chinese market. On the other, selected, proven local partners supply the mechanically machined individual components for the cylinders. This means that short delivery times can be assured. Those responsible for assembly in Dalian work closely with their colleagues at Liebherr-Components Kirchdorf GmbH. For example, all hydraulic cylinders produced in Dalian are developed in the Iller valley. There, initial sample testing of individual parts also takes place during the production startup.

Part of an internationalisation strategy

Being close to the customer while tapping the full potential are the goals Liebherr is pursuing with the assembly of hydraulic cylinders in China. By producing cylinders in Dalian that were previously exported from the main plant to China, the Components Division will be able to optimally supply other Liebherr companies locally with hydraulic cylinders and grow in the external Chinese market. While doing so, jobs at the Kirchdorf site will be retained. At the same time, additional capacity is being created at the German plant in order to implement current portfolio expansion projects. These include new developments for industrial applications or additional hydraulic components, such as hydraulic power units and piston accumulators.