22.09.2008

Genie breaks ground in China

Genie executives broke ground at laid the corner stone of its new manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China on Saturday. Located a few hours northwest of Shanghai, the facility will manufacture a range of Genie products for the local Asian market.
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The corner stone for Genie's new plant in China

When production begins, sometime next year, the initial focus will be on a line of Genie AWP personnel lifts, but over time a full range of aerial work platform products is expected to be produced at the new plant.

When the facility is ramped up with multiple product lines, it could employ up to 400. In addition to Genie products, the park in Changzhou was chosen for its ability to be enlarged as part of a future Terex Corporation manufacturing campus.

Genie Industries first established a branch office in China 10 years ago, since then aerial work platforms have become more common place in key applications, such as shipyards, airports, hotels and larger industrial plants. Although the market still has a way to go before aerial lifts make it into the mainstream applications.

Tim Ford, president, of Genie/Terex Aerials said: “We are excited to break ground on this new facility with our partners, ATC Projects and the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District Business Park. This endeavour underscores our goal of becoming the most global aerial work platform manufacturer, with local production to meet local needs."

"China represents one of the biggest potential markets for us, and will become one of the largest aerial work platform markets in the world. We know it will happen, and we are positioning ourselves for it.”

Paul Caldarazzo, vice president, Terex AWP added: "This facility is a large step in executing our long-term manufacturing strategy. It will provide products in strong demand within the region using many of the best practices that we have developed in our lean manufacturing implementation over the past decade."