Wang Zhizhong, Chairman of Lingong Group: Embarking on a New Journey of Enterprise Internationalization and Building a New Ecology of Construction Machinery with the World
From technology introduction to independent innovation, from market internationalization to enterprise internationalization, Lingong is embarking on a new journey of globalization with a more independent and confident attitude, writing a new narrative of China's high-end manufacturing enterprises going global.
In the golden autumn season, the fragrance of fruits fills the air. On September 27-30, 2025, the 3rd Global Partner Conference of Shandong Lingong, a grand event in the global construction machinery industry, kicked off in Linyi, Shandong.
On the afternoon of September 27th, Wang Zhizhong, Chairman of Lingong Group, gave an interview to the media and responded for the first time to the "breakup" after 19 years of cooperation with Volvo. He systematically elaborated on Lingong Group's new internationalization strategy and analyzed the group's 15th Five Year Plan goals for the first time.
19 year collaboration with Volvo
A profound 'baptism of globalization' and systematic upgrading
Since signing a cooperation agreement with Volvo Construction Equipment in 2006, Lingong has embarked on a profound international cooperation journey. This cooperation not only brings technical and management support to Lingong, but also significantly enhances its international reputation through independent operation and the implementation of a dual brand strategy.
In June 2025, Lingong Group announced the acquisition of 70% equity of Shandong Lingong held by VOLVOCE. As of September 1st, both parties have completed the delivery of ownership.
When asked about the value brought by the 19 year cooperation with Volvo, Chairman Wang Zhizhong admitted that this cooperation is a "profound global baptism and systematic upgrade". Based on the comprehensive digestion and absorption of Volvo's technology and management system, Lingong has carried out comprehensive iteration and upgrading in product technology, and launched an innovative management model of "one whole, two innovations, and three combinations", achieving a leap from introduction, digestion, absorption, and re innovation, building a sound independent research and development system, and combining local reality with international standards to form an operating mechanism with Lingong's characteristics. This cooperation has given Lingong a comparative advantage in competing with major domestic brands.
In terms of production and manufacturing, Lingong has fully introduced and deepened the lean production system. Our factory ranks second in lean production level among Volvo CE's 18 global manufacturing plants, and is the first enterprise in the domestic industry to win the 'European Quality Award'. ”Chairman Wang Zhizhong introduced.
The end of the cooperative relationship is a decision made by both parties through friendly consultation based on the current global market environment and their respective development strategies. Chairman Wang Zhizhong emphasized, "Lingong is fully prepared for this. After separation, our development in the international market will no longer be constrained, and we will be able to respond more flexibly to global customer needs. This is an important milestone in Lingong's development history
Independently going out to sea
From 'Market Internationalization' to 'Corporate Internationalization'
Ending the cooperation means that Lingong will have more autonomy and efficient decision-making space. Chairman Wang Zhizhong stated that Lingong has gained relative advantages in product technology, manufacturing, enterprise management, artificial intelligence, and information technology in the market competition, and also has the strength to compete with international brands on the same stage. Lingong will more resolutely promote "comprehensive internationalization", not only by selling products, but also by comprehensively promoting research and development, marketing, services, accessories, financial management, and other aspects globally.
For the strategic goal of "creating a new Lingong overseas" proposed by Lingong, that is, the overseas business should reach a level comparable to the current domestic business scale. Chairman Wang Zhizhong explained that this requires a fundamental shift from "market internationalization" to "enterprise internationalization".
The new internationalization strategy of Lingong is to comprehensively promote, focus on breakthroughs, and build a new pattern of Lingong's internationalization. Key breakthrough "refers to concentrating advantageous resources, focusing on the global core market, especially in the top 20 countries with 80% market share, implementing an independent accounting platform model, fully authorizing frontline teams, and achieving rapid breakthroughs and demonstration effects; Comprehensive promotion "refers to the comprehensive and in-depth localization operation, including the construction of overseas production bases and subsidiaries, the creation of international financing platforms, the promotion of localization of talents, channels, and services, and the construction of a complete overseas industrial ecosystem.
Billion target
Firm confidence under 'dual wheel drive'
Lingong Group has been strongly shortlisted for the "Top 50 Global Construction Machinery Companies" and has become an outstanding representative of Shandong's "Chain Master" enterprises. Chairman Wang Zhizhong's confidence in the proposed goal of exceeding 100 billion yuan in group revenue by 2030 comes from clear strategic planning and a solid industrial foundation.
One wheel is' consolidating the foundation and exploring new growth points'. Traditional advantageous products such as loaders and excavators from Lingong continue to maintain a leading position in the domestic market, while vigorously expanding strategic emerging product lines such as industrial intelligence, new energy, and high-end large-scale agricultural machinery.
The other wheel is' accelerating globalization and achieving new breakthroughs overseas'. The international market will be the greatest potential for future growth. Our goal is to achieve a significant increase in the proportion of overseas income by 2030, and strive to rebuild a temporary scale in the overseas market
Chairman Wang Zhizhong pointed out that Lingong Group has grown from a single construction machinery manufacturer to a diversified and international industrial group. At present, the group has 83 subsidiaries and 17 member enterprises, forming an enterprise cluster centered on Shandong Lingong, Lingong Heavy Machinery, Lingong Intelligent Science, Lingong New Energy, Lingong Agricultural Machinery, etc. Its business covers 9 major product lines including loaders, excavators, road machinery, mining machinery, high-altitude operation machinery, industrial intelligence, new energy, and agricultural machinery.
Under the unified management of the group, each subsidiary will develop collaboratively in the future, share resources, complement each other's advantages, and work together to become bigger and stronger. The dual wheel drive of domestic and foreign markets, coupled with the collaborative efforts of diversified businesses, will provide solid support for the target of billions
International Talent Strategy
Develop a global team through both internal and external efforts
Talents are the core support for the internationalization of enterprises. Wang Zhizhong introduced that Lingong has implemented a "dual internal and external" strategy in terms of talent: firstly, actively recruiting high-end technical and management talents domestically, providing a good working environment and development platform, respecting and valuing talents; Secondly, we will accelerate the localization process of overseas talents and focus on cross-cultural integration and local team building; The third is to strengthen the systematic training of international talents, and through school enterprise cooperation, overseas training and other methods, build an international team that understands the local area and has global connections.
We plan to have about one-third of the total number of foreign employees in the group by 2030, truly achieving internationalization of the talent structure, "added Chairman Wang Zhizhong.
Win the future with global partners
Lingong has entered a stage of rapid development in the international market. We welcome global partners to take the Lingong Development Express and share the achievements of Lingong's development. Chairman Wang Zhizhong has extended an invitation to global partners.
With the end of cooperation with Volvo, a more independent and international Lingong is making its debut on the world stage. In the context of the globalization and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry, the exploration and practice of Lingong will undoubtedly become an important case in the internationalization process of China's high-end manufacturing enterprises.
Information source: China Industrial News Network
