18.10.2011

Linamar to expand in China

Skyjack owner Canadian based automotive group Linamar has said that it is planning to open two new production facilities in China over the next two to three years. It is possible that one of these might also produce Skyjack products, if local or regional market demand warranted it.

Linamar opened its first facility in China in 2009 but has said that further additions could come as part of its plans to expand overseas production and reduce its reliance on the North American auto industry.

Around 30 percent of its revenues are curently generated by its international operations. The news also comes as unemployment in its home town of Guelph Ontario fell to around 4.5 percent this month, making it tougher to find the required skills locally.

Skyjack already has a sales and support team on the ground in China and is looking to expand its operations there as the local market starts to take powered access seriously. Any local production would also be encouraged as regional markets are persuaded that the quality of access products coming out of China are at sufficiently high levels to switch sourcing from US and European plants.