Lift-maker Kleemann targets China

Kleemann, a Greek-based multinational lift company, is planning a push into China to capture a share of what it views as the vast potential for lift sales arising from the rapid development of the nation's construction and property industries.

"Two-thirds of the world's elevator market are in China. We want to have a presence here," said Nikos Koukoutzos, a general manager of the company.

By the end of this year, Kleemann - one of the biggest lift companies in the world - will begin production at its plant in Kunshan, near Shanghai, which also hosts the mainland operations of industry rivals Thyssen and Kone.

It will also start selling its products in China on a small scale, from a sales office in Shanghai.

Since China is a very competitive market, with many local and international rivals in the sector, Kleemann would not compete on pricing, said Koukoutzos. It would instead target clients that required well-designed and high-quality products.

"For example, we have built a three-storey elevator for a mainland client costing about €30,000 (HK$305,000)," he said.