CASE
Reaching for the skies - XCMG
Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Company （Belong to XCMG ) has seen a remarkable growth the last 20 years, today exporting mobile cranes to 90 countries in the world. Weldox® is the key to success. A mix of Weldox 700/ 900/ 960 and 1100 are used to make gigantic cranes, reaching up to 100 meters up in the sky.
Weldox is a high strength structural steel. This means that lighter and more innovative structures can be built. The consistent properties of Weldox together with its workshop friendliness can offer increased productivity and shorter lead time.
Mr. Shi Xian Xin, Vice General Manager of Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Company has been with the company for more than 20 years. He was first in contact with SSAB in 1988.
- Our partner at the time used SSAB products, and we were impressed by the results, says Mr. Shi. Thanks to the qualities of Weldox high strength steel, we were able to produce machines that could weigh less, but still had excellent performances. Since then, high strength steel has been an important part of our business development. We have gone from producing cranes with a lifting capacity of 50 tons to cranes that can lift ten times more.
- Even though the high strength steel is more expensive, it is worth the extra costs, says Mr. Shi. Because of the values it gives to end customers. The overall economy of XCMG product is better, because of the light weight of the machines. It is also very important that the quality is never a compromise. When using Weldox, we know that every different plate has the same characteristic, which makes it easy to weld. Not to mention that many structures would not be possible to produce without high strength steel.
Today, XCMG machines are used all over the world and also expanding in new areas. Fire fighters rely on the XCMG fire fight trucks onsite. Construction sites require good quality XCMG cranes. The XCMG cranes also played an important role in rescuing the victims of the Sichuan earthquake.
- We learn a lot steel knowledge in cooperation with SSAB, continues Mr. Shi. They helped us develop the knowledge needed to weld and form the steel, and they provided us with know-how. As we continue developing new products and increasing production capacity, we will keep cooperating with SSAB closely.
Mr. Shi has a good experience working with the Swedish experts from SSAB, who he describes as easy going and honest people.
- SSAB knows the market and customer needs. When asked, if he is going to recommend SSAB to others, how he will describe SSAB, Mr. Shi says, I would say that SSAB has rich knowledge of steel products, and the values that Weldox adds to products are very high. Besides, they are easy to cooperate with.
Mr. Shi is very optimistic when looking into the future.
- We will continue to grow and within ten years XCMG will become a real global player in the industry. In brief, we have a great product.
SSAB is a world leader in the supply of high strength steels. SSAB offers products that have been developed in cooperation with customers, with the aim of creating a stronger, lighter and more durable world.
SSAB has 8 700 employees in more than 45 countries, and has production plants in Sweden and the USA. SSAB is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic stock exchange, Stockholm.