Taiyuan Heavy Industry Expands Silk Road with Equipment Exports

As global attention focuses on the Belt and Road Initiative, Shanxi's equipment manufacturing sector is making remarkable strides onto the world stage. Taiyuan Heavy Industry Group (TZ), a leading heavy equipment manufacturer based in Shanxi province, is writing a new chapter in global equipment manufacturing through its outstanding practices and innovative achievements.

On September 8, at TZ's Binhai Port in Tianjin, an ocean freighter loaded with 40,000 tons of mechanical equipment, engineering vehicles, and steel products slowly departed for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. This was no isolated incident. In recent years, TZ has actively responded to and implemented the Belt and Road Initiative, evolving from exporting high-end equipment to systematically advancing global industrial layout. The company's brand, services, and technology are reaching increasingly farther, with TZ Binhai Port becoming a crucial gateway for Shanxi equipment to access global markets.

The port's international expansion began in December 2023 when the freighter "Chaoyang" made its first call at TZ Binhai Port, successfully loading nearly 50,000 tons of drilling equipment and various steel products bound for overseas markets. This marked the official opening of a new direct shipping route that has gained popularity for its lower transportation costs, faster delivery efficiency, and shorter shipping times.

"To date, this route has handled 38 voyages, generating 1.98 million tons of additional throughput. It has become a cornerstone of TZ Binhai Port's international business, continuously contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative and international trade," said Liu Taotao, Deputy General Manager of TZ Binhai Port Company.

In its pursuit of high-quality development, TZ has continued to push boundaries in smart manufacturing. Last October, TZ Rail Transit Company was awarded the title of "Lighthouse Factory" - the first in the global rail transportation industry. This world-class facility, the only one of its kind in Shanxi, has set new industry standards through its intelligent production lines, big data-driven precision management, and green sustainable production models. Its high-quality wheel-axle products now serve more than 70 countries and regions worldwide.

The significance of the "Lighthouse Factory" extends beyond productivity improvements—it represents a new manufacturing philosophy. Through digital and intelligent technologies, TZ Rail Transit has achieved refined management and optimization of production processes, enabling better fulfillment of global customers' personalized needs. This smart manufacturing capability forms a key competitive advantage for TZ in international markets.

In March of this year, TZ Rail Transit achieved another milestone by successfully passing the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) Advanced Certification review from customs authorities. This "golden passport" for international trade places TZ among the few rail transit enterprises in China with this qualification, facilitating faster integration into the Belt and Road framework and accelerating product exports.

TZ's international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has flourished with remarkable achievements. In Central Asia, the first WK-10C electric shovel successfully completed trial operations, meeting all performance expectations and laying the foundation for 11 additional multi-model shuttles destined for various mining areas. In Africa, customized bridge cranes for Angola's Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric project—dubbed the "Three Gorges of Africa"—has passed inspection and begun their journey to the construction site. In Indonesia, TZ's TZ60 hydraulic excavators are contributing to the development of new urban areas.

These impressive international accomplishments reflect not only TZ's commitment to technological innovation and product quality but also its strategic wisdom in global market deployment and localized customer service. The company has established service centers worldwide to provide comprehensive technical support and after-sales service, earning trust and recognition from international clients.

In recent years, TZ has intensified its international strategy, achieving continuous breakthroughs in batch sales of various products including truck cranes, crawler cranes, and aerial work platforms. Expanding from single products to complete solutions, TZ's comprehensive equipment portfolio is making an impact across global industries, demonstrating the company's formidable capabilities and potential.

TZ's product line spans multiple sectors including heavy machinery, construction equipment, and rail transit systems, offering diverse options for global customers. The company also actively develops customized products to meet specific client requirements, further enhancing its international competitiveness.

Across the vast landscape of Belt and Road cooperation—from high-end equipment R&D to technological breakthroughs, from overseas market expansion to industrial collaboration—TZ is showcasing the depth and potential of China's equipment manufacturing sector on the global stage. Standing at this new historical juncture, TZ continues to respond to national initiatives, embrace the spirit of the times, and shoulder its responsibilities, contributing substantial strength to higher-quality and higher-level development under the Belt and Road framework.