China firm to build heavy machinery assembly factory

By Morris Aron

Sany Kenya, the subsidiary of Chinese construction machinery firm Sany Group, plans to set up a training centre, a workshop and assembly factory in Nairobi.

The centre will boost the company’s capacity for support services for heavy duty machinery as demand for the capital goods grows, due to expansive infrastructure activities underway.

Yesterday, the firm opened a warehouse storing heavy machinery spare parts worth Sh12 billion ($1.5 million), as a precursor to the assembly factory that will be built on a 20-acre parcel of land located on the outskirts of Nairobi.

"East African market has a huge potential," said Yang Zhi Hua the vice president of Sany Overseas.

"Our customers are increasing daily, and we are looking at ways to bring services closer to them."

Sany, which was established just over 20 years ago, is one of the world’s biggest construction materials manufacturer, specialising in concrete, road, excavating, pilling driving machinery. The company also manufactures hoisting, port and mining machinery, in addition to wind energy equipments.

The decision by the company to set an assembly plant comes at a time when the country is witnessing numerous road construction activities.

The company will also benefit from planned initiatives to boost housing supply in the country, which will increase demand for both excavating, and concrete making machinery.

Speaking at the function, Roads minister, Franklin Bett, called on financial institutions to partner with construction companies to enable them purchase heavy-duty machinery, and boost infrastructure development in the country.