AVIC International Beijing, a Chinese holding company, launched AVIC-SHACMAN Co. Ltd in Kenya, cementing the Chinese company’s heavy-duty trucks firm presence in the local market. This expands local technical capacity by establishing a major truck servicing and maintenance centre while expanding skills transfer efforts.
Speaking during the ceremony at AVIC head office, SHACMAN President Wang Gang said that the company is set to localise its operations in Kenya. “The grand opening of AVIC-SHACMAN is a symbol that the cooperation between the two sides has surpassed general trade. The next step for us is to achieve localisation as soon as possible, transferring production, procurement and other processes to Kenya,” he said.
Kenya’s assembly plant is the third African production plant after South Africa and Ethiopia. The Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Dr Meshack Opwora praised AVIC SHACMAN’s effort to introduce a tech-challenge that has helped many students land internships and further job opportunities at the Chinese company.
“The opening of this company provides a means for contributing to employment creation and alleviating poverty in Kenya. By offering internship and employment to participants of ATC, the company is very instrumental in marketing the importance of TVET in socio-economic development,” Dr Opwora said.
Kenya’s Ministry of Defense is reportedly also a client of the company having purchased 100 military trucks in 2014. AVIC-SHACMAN’s heavy trucks complete the suite of equipment offered by AVIC International Beijing (E.A.), which already distributes light and medium-sized construction vehicles under the brands SHANTUI and JAC.
With more than 80% of its team Kenyan, AVIC-SHACMAN believes that a combination of Kenyan and Chinese talent will ensure the company makes steady gains in the market.
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