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Press Release

2018-Apr-23

ZF Launches Joint Venture with Anhui Heli Co., Ltd.

  • Cooperation supports ZF’s activity in the forklift truck segment; strengthens Heli’s competitiveness in the forklift truck core sector
  • The joint venture gives ZF access to the biggest and fastest growing forklift truck market in the world
  • ZF brings in forklift truck products (transmissions and axles) from its Chinese plant in Hangzhou

Friedrichshafen/Hefei. ZF Friedrichshafen AG entered into a joint venture with Chinese company Anhui Heli Co., Ltd. in February. The company is to be named ZF-HELI Drivetech (Hefei) Co., Ltd. This joint venture will enable ZF to access the Chinese market, the biggest and fastest growing market for forklift trucks. In addition, ZF will strengthen its extensive product portfolio with Anhui Heli products.

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ZF Launches Joint Venture with Anhui Heli Co., Ltd.

China is a strategically significant growth market for ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The ZF Industrial Technology Division and the Material Handling Systems Business Unit will now be able to participate in this growth via a new joint venture with Chinese listed company Anhui Heli Co. Ltd.

"With Heli, we have found a partner with an outstanding level of expertise in forklift trucks. This company is the market leader in China and the seventh largest company in the forklift truck segment worldwide. By combining ZF’s products in the premium and high-tech segments with Heli’s cost optimized products, we are able to become a systems supplier with a comprehensive product range for hydrodynamic and electrically powered forklift trucks," said Wilhelm Rehm, Member of the Board of Management of ZF, who is also responsible for the Industrial Technology and Commercial Vehicle Technology Divisions.

ZF will bring its forklift truck products (transmissions and axles) from its Chinese plant in Hangzhou to the joint venture. Heli will also contribute part of its own transmission and axle production.

ZF holds a 51 percent share ownership in the joint venture. As a result, it can now implement its "best choice" approach both in China and internationally. The company offers products tailored to the customers in the basic, highline and premium segments.

This joint venture targets Heli as a customer, as the company is currently both a supplier and a customer as well as a manufacturer of complete forklift trucks. In addition, ZF will be able to serve customers with these products, both in Asia and worldwide.

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CONTACT

Alexander Eisner

Product Communication/Technical Press

+49 851 494-2175

alexander.eisner@zf.com

Gernot Hein

Head of Communication & Public Affairs / Press Spokesperson, Industrial Technology Division

+49 851 494-2480

gernot.hein@zf.com