Metso establish joint venture with LiuGong

Companies join forces to develop Chinese track-mounted crushing and screening business

HAVING obtained all necessary approvals from the Chinese authorities, Metso and Guangxi LiuGong Group Co. Ltd have officially established a 50–50 joint venture between the two companies, as announced in 2012. The value of the investment made in the new company has not been disclosed.

Headquartered in Shanghai, LiuGong Metso Construction Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd will combine Metso’s know-how in track-mounted crushing and screening business and technology with LiuGong’s extensive distribution resources and manufacturing capabilities in China.

The initial scope of the joint venture will cover the design and manufacture of localized versions of Metso’s Lokotrack mobile crushers and screens, the first of which is expected to be launched during the first half of 2014. These products will be sold under dual branding LiuGong Metso.

The joint venture will also promote Metso’s global track-mounted crushing and screening equipment in China.

João Ney Colagrossi (pictured), president of Metso Mining and Construction, said: ‘The joint venture enables the capture of a significant market share of the fast-growing mobile crushing and screening market in China. Our target is to build a market-driven technology offering and the joint venture with LiuGong is a major step towards this direction.

‘Together with the acquisitions of the steel foundry in Quzhou City and Shaorui Heavy Industries Ltd, announced last year, the joint venture will significantly strengthen our supply capabilities for mining and construction industries in China.’