Bob De Lange, Caterpillar's Group President of Construction Industries, speaks in an interview with Xinhua on May 25, 2017, in Illinois, the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang)
by Xinhua writers Xu Jing, Wang Qiang
CHICAGO, June 14 (Xinhua) -- "We look forward to a long and prosperous future in China," said Caterpillar Group President of Construction Industries Bob De Lange in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
China is "one of our biggest growth markets" outside North America, and "we are making a very strong commitment to China," De Lange said.
Caterpillar's commitment includes developing local leadership, manufacturing base, supply base, and its own business model in China. "We want to be a good local citizen in China, because we are very committed to being a market leader in our equipment in China," he said, adding that Caterpillar supports China and its growth.
De Lange said he was especially optimistic about the Chinese market, explaining that Chinese market, with all the investment in infrastructure and housing, is actually one of the bright spots in the world.
De Lange speaks highly of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, which includes the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
"We are very strong supporters of the Belt and Road initiative," De Lange told Xinhua. "We are aligned in our objectives, the Chinese government and Caterpillar, because it is about building connectivity, improving infrastructure, improving the standards of living of people around the world, exactly what we want to do as well."
He said he believes that caterpillar is very well placed to support the Belt and Road Initiative, "we have ample products around the world, but especially we have very strong dealer network that can help Chinese enterprises as they go there and work on those belt and road initiatives, and to continue to further that collaboration."
A newly assembled large vehicle rolls out of Caterpillar's facility in East Peoria, Illinois, the United States, on May 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang)
Being a global leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives, Caterpillar ranked the 194th on the Global Fortune 500 list in 2016.
Caterpillar clinched its first 3.8-million-dollar worth deal to sell 38 pipe-layers to the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) in 1975. "We initially started with selling products, engines, and machines, and then in the early 1990s, we started manufacturing in China," said De Lange.
Caterpillar has made a long-term commitment to China. It now has more than 10,000 employees in China, and Caterpillar dealers in China have another more than 5,000 employees. The U.S. manufacturing giant has so far opened 28 manufacturing facilities in China, three R&D centers and three logistics centers.
"We're really trying not just to go to China to build equipment but to develop our full business model," De Lange told Xinhua.
He attended the China Development Forum early this year. He told Xinhua that it is very positive for China to go for more sustainable growth that can be maintained in the long term, and to strengthen the image of desiring blue skies, green mountains, and clear water.
"In the short term, it might mean slightly slower growth, but if it means sustainable long-term growth, I think that is positive... we want to make a long-term commitment and have long-term success in China," De Lange said.
Workers assemble large construction vehicles at Caterpillar's facility in East Peoria, Illinois, the United States, on May 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang)
Caterpillar is in favor of constructive relationship between China and the United States, De Lange said, saying it may help create an environment that allows free trade. "What we are advocating together with many other companies is to create an environment of free trade with limited restrictions," which De Lange said he believed is good not only for both U.S. and China, but also for the world.
De Lange said that the best role the global companies can play is to show the importance of free trade, as it can not only improve growth in a country but will also help create global growth and therefore allow all economies in the world to prosper and grow at the same time.
