Exports drive Chinese telescopic handler production

Only 130 telescopic handlers were sold in China last year, representing 0.01 per cent of total equipment demand. There is no tradition of using this type of equipment in the country and there are no long-standing domestic producers. Materials handling on construction sites is more commonly carried out by low capacity truck cranes.

However, production stood at 2,350 units last year – almost double the number produced in 2022 – spread among 10 indigenous manufacturers. A large proportion of the resulting exports are sold in Russia, following the withdrawal of international OEMs from that market following the invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese production of telehandlers would have been even higher were it not for Sany relocating some production to India and Germany. These machines are targeted more towards the markets in Europe and North America, with Indian production not subject to the same tariffs a Chinese-made machine would be in the US.

Despite the focus on exports, domestic sales of telescopic handlers are expected to grow over the next few years, thanks to greater uptake in niche applications. At present, the main end markets for telehandlers in China include mining, industry and agriculture.  

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