Transformation of China's heavy industry: How LiuGong Group started from scratch
Updated 18:06, 04-Oct-2019
CGTN
05:05

The head office of LiuGong Group is located in Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Founded in 1958, this company has developed at full speed for decades. It is now one of the leading enterprises of China's construction machinery and industrial equipment industries. The achievements of LiuGong Group are inseparable from the conscientious workers.

Sixty years ago, in response to the country's call for industrial construction, a large number of workers were transferred to Guangxi from Shanghai. Yang Guanmiao was one of them. Lack of equipment and technologies, the company was in poor condition. However, Yang and his fellow workers stuck to their positions.

Yang Guanmiao tells the stories of LiuGong Group. /CGTN Photo

Yang Guanmiao tells the stories of LiuGong Group. /CGTN Photo

Living in asphalt felt houses, the workers got used to accomplish arduous tasks with simple equipment. At that time, the industry in Guangxi was still in its infancy. They were not capable of researching or producing large machinery independently. Yang was fully engaged in working and had little time to be with his family.

An old picture of Yang Guanmiao and the wheel loader. /CGTN Photo

An old picture of Yang Guanmiao and the wheel loader. /CGTN Photo

"I came to Liuzhou for the company's industrialization and modernization. And I believed that we could manufacture the best mechanical loaders in China."

The first loader in China, the Z435 wheel loader, was successfully developed by LiuGong Group in 1966. With the endeavors of all staff, after 3,000 hours of testing, it was officially put into production.

Z435 wheel loader is the first loader in China. /CGTN Photo

Z435 wheel loader is the first loader in China. /CGTN Photo

The production of Z435 wheel loaders has dramatically improved the efficiency of China's construction industry, as well as the position of the LiuGong Group in this industry.

With a deep understanding of the global industries, Yang realized that there is still a big gap between China's manufacturing and that of the developed countries. Although he firmly believes that the country's industry has more chances in the future.

Since 1975, LiuGong Group has developed more diversified products. As a senior manager, Yang carried out international cooperation actively. Seeing that the industrial manufacture of his company is getting close to the advanced world level, Yang is proud to be one of the contributors.

A modern workshop of LiuGong Group with advanced facilities. /CGTN Photo

A modern workshop of LiuGong Group with advanced facilities. /CGTN Photo

Now, 82-year-old Yang has already retired. LiuGong Group rose from wasteland to a first-class industrial enterprise in the world. Inspired by him, both Yang's daughter and his grandson started their career at LiuGong Group.

"LiuGong Group is my second home," says Yang. Throughout their career, Yang and his workmates have demonstrated the artisanship of the company.