As a component supplier, we take the responsibility to protect the knowhow of our customers very seriously – regardless of whether they are Liebherr OEMs or external customers.

– Pietro Iemmi,
Managing Director, Liebherr-Components AG

Liebherr-Components specialises in the development, design, production and reconditioning of high-performance components for mechanical, hydraulic and electrical drive and control technology. On the sidelines of bauma China, Pietro Iemmi speaks to B2B Purchase and reveals that the company is establishing first contacts in India. Excerpts:

What is the main objective of your participation at bauma China?
The main objective of the participation of Liebherr Components is to make people aware of the components offerings that Liebherr has. We intend to increase sales to external customers and therefore have to actively market our products. Our second purpose behind participation at the show is mainly meant to create new contacts, but also to keep up already existing contacts. In our booth, we exhibit hydraulic components, gearboxes and common rail systems which reflect our sales focus in the Chinese market.

So far, our sales subsidiaries have been established in China, North America and also in Russia. More subsidiaries will follow as we are also actively looking into other markets.

Will these components also be focused to India?
We don’t have a subsidiary there yet. But as India is one of the fastest growing markets in construction industry, we observe that market closely and are already establishing first contacts.

The components that you offer are exclusively for your equipment or they are also available for any equipment of the same range?
We are open to discussions with any OEM even to those who manufacture similar products of Liebherr machinery companies. Apart from crane and construction machine manufacturers, our target groups include mining equipment OEMs, maritime applications, wind turbine manufacturers, vehicle and agricultural technology and all kinds of special machinery producers.

As a component supplier, Liebherr possesses a great deal of application expertise. In addition to a standard range of products, we supply a large number of unique customised special solutions which can be implemented quickly and flexibly by our business units. There is no other company which offers such a wide range of components extending from diesel engines through to gearboxes.

At Liebherr, all important components for both the diesel-hydraulic and the diesel-electric drivetrain are available from a single source. Customers can expect high-performance products with superior quality that is based on 60 years of experience in developing and producing components. Based on our past experience, we definitely have great opportunities to become established on the market alongside more well-known manufacturers.

What kind of components you offer for various types of equipment globally?
Our comprehensive product portfolio includes 16 product lines, which are consolidated in 14 business areas. Specifically, these are: Diesel and gas engines, injection systems, axial piston pumps and motors, hydraulic cylinders, large diameter bearings, drives, electric machines, switchgears, electronic and power electronic components as well as software for the industry and also for the aviation sector. In the future, large diesel engines will also be part of our product portfolio. We have defined the after-market and remanufacturing areas as additional business areas.

As a component supplier, we take the responsibility to protect the knowhow of our customers very seriously regardless of whether they are Liebherr OEMs or external customers. We don’t use our application knowhow to provide every customer with the same solution, but we strive to find his ideal solution for his specific requirements.

I am sure that the Liebherr OEMs will continue to develop and improve their products to ensure their competitiveness through differentiation. They will go on in driving us to provide them with even better component solutions.

What size of business you do in a year?
Unfortunately, we do not officially state the sales of the components division in the annual report of the Liebherr Group. But to give you an idea, the eight components production companies make a yearly turnover of over one billion Euros and employ more than 3,200 people.

Are you considering bC India for your participation?
We are looking closely at the Indian market and therefore we certainly do consider participating at bC India. This year Liebherr will only participate with its machinery divisions. Maybe we will exhibit in two years in 2016 or at Excon in 2015.