How Can Chinese Aerial Work Platform Brands Achieve Localization of Core Components?

The core path for Chinese aerial work platform brands to achieve localization of core components is led by OEMs, coordinated by the industrial chain, supported by technological breakthroughs, and driven by both policies and the market. Focusing on five core areas: hydraulics, electronic control, structural materials, chassis & power, sensors and seals, the industry will shift from individual breakthroughs to full-chain independent control.

1. Current Status and Bottlenecks of Core Component Localization

1.1 Areas with Achieved Breakthroughs

• Structural materials: Domestic high-strength steels such as Q960E and LG700QT (yield strength 700–960 MPa) from Baowu, Lianyuan Iron and Steel and other manufacturers have been applied in batches, reducing boom weight by 12%–15%, with a penetration rate of domestic high-strength steel exceeding 68%.
• Insulated booms: Helenzhi has mastered the wet winding process and become the only Chinese enterprise realizing localized production of insulated booms, breaking foreign monopolies.
• Mid-to-low-end hydraulics & electronic control: Load-sensitive hydraulic systems and CAN bus controllers from Hengli Hydraulic, Eddic Precision are close to international levels, with prices 30%–40% lower.
• Intelligent control: AI vision and digital twin systems such as XCMG X-Guard and Zoomlion “Cloud Eye” have obtained international certifications, with response delay reduced to 45 ms.

1.2 Core “Bottlenecks”

• High-end hydraulics: The localization rate of high-pressure piston pumps, electro-hydraulic proportional valves, and servo cylinders (≥21 MPa, service life ≥8000 h) is less than 18%, relying on imports from Bosch Rexroth, Parker, etc.
• Precise electronic control & sensors: The import dependence of high-precision inclination/pressure sensors, high-frequency servo amplifiers, and high-end MCUs exceeds 70%.
• Basic materials & seals: The self-sufficiency rate of high-end bearings (above P5 class), fluororubber/PTFE seals, and special friction pair materials is less than 40%.
• Chassis & power: Special chassis for heavy-duty models, high-pressure common-rail engines, and permanent magnet synchronous motor controllers still rely on imports or joint ventures.

2. Pathways for Localization (Five Core Strategies)

2.1 Led by OEMs: Vertical Integration + Core Component Development Plans

• Strategic focus: XCMG, Zoomlion, Helenzhi and other enterprises implement 3-year/5-year core component localization plans, prioritizing hydraulics, electronic control and materials.
• Independent R&D + mergers & acquisitions: Establish research institutes for core components or acquire high-quality upstream component manufacturers (e.g., Hengli Hydraulic, Eddic Precision) to integrate the “complete machine – component – material” chain.
• Joint definition: OEMs deeply participate in upstream product definition, performance indicators and testing standards, shifting from “integrators” to “technology definers”.

2.2 Industrial Chain Collaboration: Building Innovation Consortia

• Hydraulic systems: OEMs (XCMG, Lingong) + hydraulic manufacturers (Hengli, Eddic) + universities (Zhejiang University, HIT) jointly develop high-pressure piston pumps and electro-hydraulic servo valves, overcoming key technologies of friction pairs, seals and control algorithms.
• Structural materials: OEMs (Zoomlion, XCMG) + steel mills (Baowu, Lianyuan) + material institutes jointly develop ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum alloys and carbon fiber composites, optimizing welding and forming processes.
• Electronic control & sensors: OEMs + chip/sensor enterprises (Phytium, Kylin, Goertek) + software companies develop independent controllers, AI perception systems and digital twin platforms.
• Joint standard development: Lead the formulation of national/industrial standards (e.g., GB/T 39865) to align domestic components with international levels in performance, reliability and interfaces.

2.3 Technological Breakthroughs: Focusing on Basic Technologies and Processes

• Hydraulic technology: Break through four core technologies: friction pair materials for high-pressure piston pumps, high-frequency response of electro-hydraulic proportional valves, nonlinear compensation of servo systems, and long-life seals.
• Electronic control technology: Develop independent ECU/PCU controllers, real-time operating systems, multi-sensor fusion algorithms, fault diagnosis and safety redundancy, realizing full-stack domestic IT adaptation (Phytium + Kylin).
• Materials & processes: Achieve breakthroughs in welding deformation control of ultra-high-strength steel, composite winding/curing, special coatings and lightweight structural design to improve boom fatigue life and low-temperature toughness.
• Intelligence & electrification: Deploy 5G + edge computing, AI vision, digital twin, high-voltage fast charging and permanent magnet synchronous motors, driving component localization through electrification and intelligence.

2.4 Dual Drivers of Market and Policy: Application Promotes Iteration

• Policy support: Access national special programs for localization of high-end equipment basic components, insurance for first-set products, and government procurement preferences, providing subsidies, tax incentives and demonstration applications for domestic core components.
• Market verification: Prioritize domestic core components in key domestic projects, electric power, municipal and emergency fields, and iterate performance and reliability through millions of hours of working condition verification.
• Cost advantage: Domestic components are 30%–40% cheaper than imported ones, improving cost-performance and export competitiveness (e.g., Jiuhe Heavy Industry exports to more than 30 countries).

2.5 Talents and Ecosystem: Consolidating Long-term Capabilities

• Talent introduction and training: Introduce overseas experts in hydraulics, electronic control and materials, and build industrial colleges and joint postgraduate training bases with universities.
• Digital manufacturing: Build smart factories and digital twin production lines to improve consistency and quality stability of precision machining.
• Intellectual property rights: Deploy core patents and software copyrights to build technical barriers and avoid overseas patent risks.

3. Phased Roadmap (2026–2030)

Short-term (1–2 years): Mid-to-high-end Breakthroughs, Higher Self-sufficiency

• Hydraulics: Localization rate of medium-high pressure piston pumps, multi-way valves and counterbalance valves reaches 60%; high-end proportional valves reach 30%.
• Electronic control: Penetration rate of independent controllers and inclination sensors reaches 50%; AI safety systems fully equipped.
• Materials: Domestic high-strength steel and insulating composite materials fully replace mid-to-high-end imported materials.

Medium-term (3–4 years): Core Independence, Ecosystem Construction

• Hydraulics: Localization rate of high-end electro-hydraulic servo systems and high-pressure piston pumps reaches 80%; seals and friction pairs are basically domestic.
• Electronic control: Core chips, sensors and operating systems are localized; intelligent control reaches international first-class level.
• Chassis & power: Special chassis, high-pressure common-rail engines and motor controllers achieve domestic supporting.

Long-term (5+ years): Global Leadership, Full-chain Independence

• 100% localization of core components, with performance and reliability surpassing international brands.
• Establish Chinese standards and solutions, leading global aerial work platform technology and supply chains.

4. Typical Enterprise Practices

• XCMG: Cooperated with Baowu to develop Q960E high-strength steel, independently developed X-Guard 3.0 control system, deeply cooperated with Hengli in hydraulics, with core component localization rate exceeding 85%.
• Zoomlion: Developed LG700QT high-strength steel with Lianyuan Iron and Steel; “Cloud Eye” vision system has a recognition rate of 99.1%, with fully domestic boom materials and electronic control.
• Helenzhi: Mastered wet winding technology for insulated booms, becoming the only domestic enterprise with localized insulated booms and breaking foreign monopoly.
• Jiuhe Heavy Industry: Invests 10% of annual revenue in R&D, with independent electronic control and lightweight booms, realizing domestic substitution for 30–70 m models and exporting globally.