Haulotte to double China production

Haulotte aims to double production of aerial platforms in 2011 from its new Changzhou facility, which has been operating for little over a year.

The company is making the Optimum 8 scissors and will soon also be producing the Compact 10 and 12 scissors at the plant. Alexandre Saubot, Haulotte chief operating officer, said mid-sized booms were the first likely non-scissor products to be produced in China and that "long term we want much of the range to be built in Asia - and in every region of the world."

"The biggest challenge is to find the right suppliers", he said at the show, "You need to develop the supply chain - since we have been here we have found more and more partners."

Mr Saubot said Haulotte would modify the platforms for Chinese and Asian use, although safety would not be compromised; "We are selling safety. We will not dilute the safety of the machine. It [product modifications for China] will be more about comfort for the user, user friendliness."

During bauma China Haulotte launched three products that are new to Asia. The HA12CJ/CJ+ electric articulating boom, the Compact 14 scissor, which is already available in Europe; and the Star 6 Picking model..