History of XCMG

August 27, 2022

The Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, better known as XCMG, has been Chinese largest manufacturer of construction equipment for over 30 years and is now ranked number three in the world.

As XCMG Mining Equipment in Australia continues to grow, it seemed a good opportunity to show how we’ve evolved from a small ironworks into one of the world’s top 500 brands.

The hard days: 1943 - 1988

1943

In Shandong province, Huaxing Iron Works is the predecessor of XCMG.

1948

Jinan Meifieng Pound Factory was established and would later become Xuzhou Construction Machinery Manufacturing Factory.

1949

Xuzhou Shunhe Auto Repair Shop began and would become Xuzhou Loader Factory.

1957

With the successful production of the first tower crane in China, the Huaxing Iron Works begin their transition into the construction machinery industry.

1960

China’s first 10-tonne steam roller is developed.

1963

China’s first 5-tonne truck crane is developed.

1976

China’s first 16-tonne QY full hydraulic track crane is developed.

1982

The first CA25 full hydraulic, single-cylinder vibratory wheel roller is developed.

Reform and exploration: 1989 - 1998

During this time, XCMG led the way in the construction machinery marketing, with a reformed business model. It was a time of strategic joint ventures and economic growth.  

1989

In March, XCMG Group was formally established. The Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Factory, Xuzhou Loader Factory, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Manufacturing Factory and Xuzhou Construction Machinery Research Institute became the first group company in the Chinese construction industry.

Also, China’s first high-grade pitch paver was developed.

1992

XCMG Group becomes the first company in the Chinese construction industry to export independently. It is also the first (and only) Chinese machinery exhibitor at the Bauma Exhibition in Germany.

1993

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Co., Ltd was established.

1994

XCMG and Caterpillar formed a joint venture: Caterpillar (Xuzhuo) Co., Ltd.

1995

XCMG and Liebherr Group formed a joint venture: Xuzhou Liebherr Concrete Machinery Co., Ltd.

Asia’s largest all-terrain crane (160T) was developed.

1996

XCMG listed on Shenzen Stock Exchange.

Innovative Progress: 1999 – 2008

With strong group leadership, a new chapter begins. The vision is for XCMG to become a world class enterprise. This is a period of consolidation, followed by growth.

1999 – 2000

XCMG continue to reform the business, reducing spending and aligning employment, HR and wages. Other reform measures included debt-to-equity swaps, core business centring and structural optimisation.

The iconic ZL50G was developed – China’s third-generation loader.

2002

With independent intellectual property rights, the QAY25 all-terrain crane was developed.

2003

XCMG becomes the first in China’s construction machinery industry to have more than 10 billion yuan in both operating and sales revenues..

2005

The Carlyle Group acquires a stake in the Xugong Group Construction Machinery Co to help expand the brand internationally. XCMG retain a stake in the business.

2006

In a strategic move for growth in China and internationally, the construction of Chongqing Construction Machinery began.

Transformation and upgrading: 2009 – to now

From the golden decade to the new ear of high-quality development, XCMG look to expand their brand and become a global leader.

2009

XCMG and The Carlyle Group part ways and XCMG begins an independent restructure to realise their overall vision.

2011

The “Hanfeng Plan’ management model is launched with the group having 5 business units.

A local construction equipment manufacturing JV is agreed with the Venezuelan government.

Mergers with AMCA (Netherlands) and Fluitronics (German).

Ranked 5th in the global construction industry.

The ET110 walking excavator wins second prize at the National Science and Technology Progress Award.

2012

XCMG’s four major industrial bases put into full production.

The Jiangsu Xuzhuo Construction Machinery Research Institute was complete.

Construction of a new research and development facility begins in Krefeld Germany.

Acquisitions of leading concrete machinery manufacturer Schwing.

XCA5000, the world’s largest all terrain crane debuts.

The XGC88000 sets a new record for heaviest crawler crane lift with 4500 tonnes in overload tests.

XCMG ranks first in global mobile crane industry.

The world’s largest DE400 mining dumper successfully rolls off the assembly line.

2013

The European Research Centre in Dusseldorf, German was complete and the European Purchasing Centre established.

The world’s first 4,000 tonne crawler crane operated for the first time.

2014

XCMG’s first overseas, wholly-owned subsidiary was complete and put into production in Brazil.

XCMG American Research Centre was established.

2015

XCMG’s new manufacturing base was put into production. The first “Hanvan” heavy truck was rolled off the production line.

Receive the China Corporate Social Responsibility Achievement Award. Receive the Green China Environmental Achievement Award.

2016

XCMG build the first industrial cloud platform and begins sharing with other industrials in China.

Release “Leading Technology and Everlasting Products” at Shanghai Bauma.

2017

President Xi Jinping visits on December 12.

2018

A 700-tonne hydraulic excavator rolls off the production line.

2019

XCA1600 all-terrain crane successfully completes an offshore wind power installation at a height of 140 meters, the world’s highest.

2020

Ranks 4th among the top 50 construction machinery companies in the world.

2021

Sign a partnership with Vale for zero-emission and autonomous equipment.

For nearly 80 years, XCMG have been leading the way in the design, manufacture and distribution of construction and mining equipment.

Let’s see what the next 80 years brings.

 You can read more about our <Mining Equipment> division as well as our development plans for a <greener machinery> and <mine autonomy>.

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