Chu Kai expands to hoist Asia's heavy-lifting industry
Infrastructure and construction projects in the Asia-Pacific are on the upswing, accounting for almost 50 per cent of the global crane consumption value. Demand for cargo cranes in Thailand, in particular, is forecast to grow at least 10 per cent as the country develops into a major regional cargo-distribution hub under the Asean Economic Community. Firmly established to bear the strong demand for heavy-lifting equipment in Thailand and overseas, Chu Kai is poised to transform the challenging industry into a robust sector.
Infrastructure and construction projects in the Asia-Pacific are on the upswing, accounting for almost 50 per cent of the global crane consumption value. Demand for cargo cranes in Thailand, in particular, is forecast to grow at least 10 per cent as the country develops into a major regional cargo-distribution hub under the Asean Economic Community. Firmly established to bear the strong demand for heavy-lifting equipment in Thailand and overseas, Chu Kai is poised to transform the challenging industry into a robust sector.
As one of Thailand's top three heavy-lifting companies, Chu Kai sells, leases and repairs cranes used in the hoisting, installation and assembly of various heavy equipment and objects. The company manages a fleet of 200 mobile cranes for rent and is the only heavy lifter in the country that can hoist an object weighing up to 1,250 tonnes. It also offers repair services, employing around 100 technicians to serve its growing list of customers.
"We provide safety, quality and timely repair services to our customers," says Jiraporn Praerangsri, executive vice-president.
"We are popular in Thailand because our quality is good and our price is very competitive." Chu Kai started as a forklift trading company 25 years ago. Guided by founder Thongchai Praerangsi, it expanded to include cranes and grew its business by focusing on the weight category. Thanks to Praerangsi's vision and entrepreneurial spirit, the decision to expand and focus on lifting capacity opened up opportunities for the company to reach new markets and cement its spot in the Thai heavy-lifting industry.
"We always find a way to do impossible things," says Lert Nitheranont, chief operating officer. "We are focused on technology and we transfer all knowledge to the team. We absorb as much as we can from other advanced countries and build the team to improve our services."
Chu Kai ensures its products and services conform to the latest international safety and procedure standards. The company inspects its cranes every three months based on government policies. A team of British engineering experts manages its fleet of large crane operations - considered a big advantage over other local companies.
As a mark of trust, Zoomlion - one of China's leading manufacturers of high-quality cranes - chose Chu Kai to be its exclusive distributor. Key infrastructure, energy, environment and transport engineering projects worldwide use Zoomlion machines for its advanced technologies and reliable equipment designs.
Replicating its successful collaboration with Zoomlion, Chu Kai is keen on shaping more distribution partnerships to serve the growing demand for other lifting and handling equipment. Next to cranes, the forklift trucks and mobile truck mount crane categories are forecast to reach consumption values of US$16.3 billion and US$9.5 billion, respectively, in the Asia-Pacific.
"We stick to what we are good at," Jiraporn says. "We work honestly and share our expertise to maintain our core business and core customers."
Covering a wide range of industries such as construction, import and export, refinery, power and petrochemical plants, Chu Kai seeks to serve the mining, offshore and marine sectors. It targets international co-operations similar
to its project with an offshore company based in Australia. Chu Kai lifts 300-tonne to 400-tonne equipment models fabricated in Thailand and transports the machines onto ships.
With increased activities in neighbouring countries Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, Chu Kai is forging strategic partnerships with logistics and transport companies to complement its service offerings.
"One of the trends now is going towards lifting and transporting heavier and bigger objects," Lert says. "We're looking at collaborating with companies overseas and possibly pursuing joint partnerships to expand our markets and develop our logistics and transport capabilities."
www.chukai.co.th
