NEWS
MOVINGON
Zoomlion opens world’s largest intelligent tower crane factory Z
oomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd., China’s top construction machinery manufacturer, has opened the world’s largest intelligent factory for tower cranes in Changde, China, marking a new milestone for Zoomlion in the realm of intelligent manufacturing. Taking three years to construct and representing 780 million yuan (US$115.4 million) of investment, the factory is the central feature of Zoomlion’s goal to meet Germany’s Industry 4.0 standards. Boasting 12 automatic production lines, over 10,000 sensors, 100 industrial robots, 35 unmanned RGVs and AVGs as well as 16 sets of CNC machining centres, it is the most advanced, efficient and environmentally-friendly intelligent tower crane factory in the world and features integrated IM control, IM production line, intelligent logistics and intelligent sensors. The new factory will allow Zoomlion to reach a new stage in the tower crane industry by integrating talent, capital, technology and information from both upstream and downstream along the industry chain. “We are very excited to begin production at our new cutting edge intelligent factory,” said Zhan Chunxin, Chairman and CEO of Zoomlion. “By leveraging our world-leading technology, along with the resources and support available to us in the Changde region, we will be the undisputed world leader in the construction hosting machinery sector and will endeavour to develop even better quality, more intelligent products.” Visit: www.zoomlion.com
Volkswagen expands its business in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Africa Region, and the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Abebe Abebayehu. Under the terms of the agreement, Volkswagen will focus on four key pillars: the 22 Industry Europe
Relocations and expansions across Europe
Orange inaugurates its new Kanawa submarine cable in Kourou
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he official inauguration of the Kanawa submarine cable has taken place in Kourou. This 1746kmlong cable linking French Guiana and Martinique was financed entirely by Orange. Completed in under two years, this cable will support and anticipate the strong growth in digital uses and improve the quality of the network. Following an internal competition open to all group employees, the cable was named Kanawa in reference to the traditional Amerindian boats that provided a means of exchange between the islands. Now, Kanawa is also a submarine cable that provides a link between French Guiana and the American continent. Visit: www.orange.com
Porsche invests in US start-up
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orsche has invested in start-up ‘Urgent.ly’. The American company sees itself as the leading global platform for mobility and roadside assistance. The US start-up’s platform supports roadside assistance services in North America, Europe
and Asia. Using artificial intelligence and geolocation, Urgent.ly connects drivers, service providers and automotive manufacturers in real time, thus coordinating the best and fastest help in the event of a breakdown. “Urgent.ly is an innovative platform solution which impresses with its speed and transparency. It is also internationally scalable. We are convinced that it can help increase customer satisfaction levels in critical situations,” says Kilian Sauerwald, Director Aftersales Region and Market Development at Porsche. “The team at Urgent.ly sets itself apart due to its well founded expertise within the customer and technology business. This is why we chose a strategic investment.” Visit: www.porsche.de
establishment of a vehicle assembly facility, localisation of automotive components, introduction of mobility concepts such as app-based car sharing and ride hailing as well as the opening of a training centre. As such, Volkswagen will work closely with the Ethiopian higher education and training institutions for skills development and capacity building of local talent.
Schaefer commented: “As one of the fastest growing economies in the continent, Ethiopia is an ideal country to advance our Sub-Saharan Africa development strategy. Additionally, Volkswagen intends on tapping into existing expertise and strategic resources in Ethiopian to help to establish a thriving automotive components industry.” Visit: www.volkswagenag.com
