Chinese earthmover maker LiuGong Machinery announced plans to acquire HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) Construction Equipment Division and its distribution subsidiary, Dressta Co. The announcement came at a CONEXPO-CON/AGG press conference today, where the company revealed its first backhoe loader to be marketed in North America and a new wheel loader. LiuGong has an ambitious goal to break into the Top 10 construction equipment manufacturers by 2015.
Acquiring the Polish bulldozer and loader manufacturer connects LiuGong to the engineering heritage of International Harvester, whose intellectual property was part of HSW's equipment manufacturing.
"LiuGong has long wanted to control undercarriage technology because of the foundational role it plays in its own bulldozers and excavators," said David Beatenbough, vice president of research and development.
With the addition of HSW's products, which will continue to be marketed under the Dressta brand, LiuGong now fields a complete line of dozers from 74 to 515 hp. And the Dressta 56E wheel loader fills a hole in LiuGong's extensive line.
Arguably most important to fulfilling LiuGong's aspirations, though, are the 35 North American dealers that Dressta adds to the LiuGong network. Since the company established its Houston-area sales operation and parts depot, LiuGong has managed to sign 15 dealers. The combined network could put the company close to a goal of 60 dealers, if the Dressta dealers retain the product line.
