Chinese Forklift Maker Takes Aim at UK, Mexico

Detank announced recently that is is building a new manufacturing facility near London and that it is drawing up plans to build another facility in Mexico.

Never heard of them? Maybe that’s because the company has only been around since 2010. Also, it is headquartered in Wuhu, China. Yet the company is making an aggressive push into new markets in order to capture a growing share of the heavy equipment industry, according to a report in the UK-based SHD Logistics.

The company plans to make 1- to 10-ton diesel trucks, 1.5- to 3.5-ton propane-powered trucks, and 1.3- to 2-ton electric vehicles. Each model was designed specifically for UK and North American markets according to European designs. They will all have the same components to simplify maintenance and repairs.

Lash Saranna, who is leading Detank’s drive into the UK, said the Chinese company is poised to take over a large share of the UK forklift marketplace.

“There’s a reason Detank is making so much headway around the world,” said Saranna, who formerly headed up Porche’s UK center. “The quality and price point are incredible. If we can show just a little bit of that to the UK, I guarantee people will take notice.”