Now with 15 North American dealers and a “strong interest” from other dealers during CONEXPO-CON/AGG, LiuGong North America will continue to build from “a solid platform of parts and service to take care of the product we sell,” says President Curt Unger.

And the company sells a lot of product, currently dividing its line into company and heavy machines. Compact units include a compact wheel loader, three compact excavators, three skid steers and a backhoe. The heavy side includes full size excavators, wheel loaders, and a compactor and motor grader. And the company added dozers to the mix with its just-announced acquisition of Polish-company HSW Dressta, which manufactures the Dresser line of dozers in North America.

LiuGong got another leg up in the North American market when it sealed a financing deal with DLL Finance, now offering financing to both dealers and customers. “Up until March 1, we sold machines cash only,” says Unger, “which made it tough in these times.”

Unger says the company has gotten a number of dealer inquiries during the show, ranging from established dealers looking for alternative products, young entrepreneurs and rental companies. The president sees great potential especially in rental, since it allows customers to try LiuGong products without a full financial commitment. “Our pricing structure gives us the ability to structure discounts for rental companies, governments and end users,” says Unger, who declined to say how much lower the pricing is except it’s “under the competition by a significant amount.”

This is the company’s third trip to the show, and the second as LiuGong North America. “People have told me they are impressed by the amount of improvements we’ve made since 2005,” says Unger, “especially on the number of machines we’re offering, and the fit and finish on our products. What people don’t realize is that we have to meet all the same North American requirements, and that our components mirror those found in most products on this show floor.”