More than 100 kinds of products from Chinese manufacturers are on display at Bauma 2013, said to be the world's largest exhibition for the construction and materials industries, which opened in Munich on April 15.

The seven-day event, held every three years, brings together more than 3,200 vendors from 57 countries and regions the chance to put their wares on show.

A total of 342 Chinese engineering and construction machinery makers are at the event, including Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Development Co and Sany Heavy Industry Co.

China has the highest number of exhibitors after Germany and Italy, says Klaus Dittrith, chairman and CEO of Messe Muenchen International Group, the organizer. Nine years ago only eight Chinese companies took part.

"It indicates that Chinese companies now have great strength and confidence to compete with global giants in the sector," Dittrith says.

XCMG, China's largest construction machinery manufacturer by revenue, says it signed contracts with customers from Turkey and Poland on the first day of the expo.

"The expo will be a good opportunity to showcase our products to the world and gain us wider access to the European market," says Wang Yansong, president of XCMG Import and Export Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the group.

Wang says that despite the global economic slowdown, the company's overseas sales were worth $1.36 billion last year. Sales of its mobile crane and large-tonnage roller rank first globally.

China's largest loader manufacturer and exporter, SDLG, has signed contracts, selling more than 350 loaders, with customers from Russia and eastern Europe at the expo, says Yu Mengsheng, the company's CEO.

The company now exports products to more than 60 countries and regions including Brazil, Russia, the Middle East and South Africa.

"We are now committed to extending our reach in Europe and North America, and our overseas sales should account for 30 percent of the total in three years," Yu says.

Contact the writers through juchuanjiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/19/2013 page19)