CHINESE manufacturer of earthmoving equipment, Shandong Lingong Machinery Company (SDLG), has formally appointed CJD Equipment as the exclusive distributor for SDLG products in Australia and Papua New Guinea, effective March 2010.

CJD Equipment is also the Australian distributor for Volvo Construction Equipment, who are the majority owner of Shandong Lingong Machinery Company. SDLG products will be marketed in Australia through a division of CJD Equipment trading as SDLG Australia. The SDLG product will be distributed in all major capital cities and regional areas throughout Australia through retail outlets to be announced in the coming weeks.

CJD Equipment’s managing director Alan Barnett said that, “The addition of the SDLG wheel loader range and other future products will add significantly to the gross revenue of our company and provide additional opportunities to our employees in the years ahead.” Newly appointed manager, Kevin Jones, is a long time CJD executive and formerly manager of CJD’s John Deere division in WA. Jones will commence immediately, appointing country sub-dealerships to re-sell the SDLG Australia product in agricultural regions across Australia.

In Australia this product has been sold under the local brand name of Ranger Loaders. Jones said this brand has “already developed reputation for reliability and productivity, and SDLG Australia and our sub-dealers are committed to supporting those units already performing out in the field with parts and service support.” Jones also said that the introduction of updated models in early 2010 will see further improvements in comfort, productivity and performance.

“As Shandong Lingong Machinery manufactures nearly 20,000 wheel loaders each year and is recognised as one of China’s leading earthmoving equipment manufacturers, customers can feel confident that SDLG Australia is clearly focused on the development of reliable productive units that will stand the test of time,” said Jones. “The association and involvement of Volvo engineers will only add value to what is already a very good product line.” An agreement signing ceremony was held in November 2009.

CJD Equipment’s chairman, Ron Rafferty said, “This new partnership represents a wonderful opportunity for the two companies to grow the SDLG product in the Australian market and to show the great advances being made by Chinese industries in general, but more particularly Shandong Lingong.”