Source:
https://scmp.com/article/1725057/lh-lift-eyes-oems-strengthen-foothold-china
Country Reports

LH Lift eyes OEMs to strengthen foothold in China

Discovery Reports

Updated: 5:06pm, 23 Mar, 2016

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Kari Piltonen, managing director

Chinese customers in need of high-quality, European-grade hitches, couplings and linkage systems for tractors have been able to purchase the products locally, thanks to LH Lift's facilities in the region. The Finnish company, already in business for more than 40 years, established its China purchasing office in early 2000 and opened a factory seven years later to produce tractor parts locally. 

LH Lift has grown from initially providing only tractor hitches to offering a range of couplings, rear and front hitches, and three-point linkage systems for farming vehicles. The company has attributed its decades-long success to rigorous research and development (R&D) and dedication to meet the needs of customers. LH Lift has been recognised and awarded for its R&D and high-quality products. 

Development and design have also been keys to LH Lift's success. "Innovation is the most important thing for us," says Kari Piltonen, managing director. 

"Our strength is that our products have been tested and validated by our customers who are original equipment manufacturers (OEM)."

Through the quality and cost effectiveness of its products and after-sales service, LH Lift is hoping to become the top tractor hitch company in Asia-Pacific as demand for agricultural equipment and components grows, especially in China. It is looking to attract more OEM clients such as AGCO, its biggest customer. 

LH Lift is welcoming partners in China to provide local clients with high-quality products without the need for importation. It is actively looking for more export-oriented OEM customers seeking good-quality parts to become more globally competitive. 

The company also recognises the need to attract local investors to expand and open up new opportunities in neighbouring regions. By strengthening its Chinese operations, LH Lift hopes to build a distribution network across Asia for its aftermarket business. 

"The biggest challenge in China is finding suppliers that can provide the required quality at a good cost," Piltonen says. "We eliminate that challenge."