ZF enters China’s forklift market, launches JV with Anhui Heli Co

ZF is to enter into a joint venture with Chinese company Anhui Heli Co. The company, named ZF-HELI Drivetech (Hefei) Co, will allow ZF access to the Chinese market, the biggest and fastest growing region for forklift trucks. In addition, ZF will strengthen its extensive product portfolio with Anhui Heli products.

China is an important, strategic growth market for ZF Friedrichshafen AG. "With Heli, we have found a partner with an outstanding level of expertise in forklift trucks. This company is the market leader in China and the seventh largest company in the forklift truck segment worldwide. By combining ZF’s products in the premium and high-tech segments with Heli’s cost optimised products we are able to create a systems supplier with a comprehensive product range for hydrodynamic and electrically powered forklift trucks," said Wilhelm Rehm, Member of the Board of Management of ZF and responsible for the Industrial Technology and Commercial Vehicle Technology Divisions.

ZF will deliver its forklift truck products (transmissions and axles) from its Chinese plant in Hangzhou to the joint venture. Heli will also contribute part of its own transmission and axle production.

ZF has 51 percent share ownership in the joint venture. As a result, it can now implement its "best choice" approach both in China and internationally. The company offers customised products in the basic, highline and premium segments.

This joint venture targets Heli as a customer, as the company is currently both a supplier and a customer as well as a manufacturer of complete forklift trucks.