Over the past five decades, through thick and thin, our original aspiration remains unwavering. Looking back at the development of the Chinese excavator industry, from its initial exploration to becoming a significant force in the global market, Cummins has always been a reliable power foundation. With technology as the bond and co-construction as the original aspiration, we have marched forward hand in hand with Chinese partners.
Breaking the Deadlock
Breaking the Monopoly on Power Systems through Technology Sharing
In the 1980s, excavators were scarce in China. The national inventory was less than 10,000 units, with 90% imported, and the core power systems were monopolized by a few multinational companies. High costs and long waiting times for spare parts made it difficult to use the machines, which became the norm in the industry. Breaking the deadlock of being strangled by power systems was the common belief of Chinese construction machinery professionals.
Cummins entered China with the concept of technology sharing rather than monopoly,becoming one of the earliest international suppliers to establish a non-road power system manufacturing base in China. With the successive establishment of manufacturing systems in Chongqing, Xiangyang, Beijing, Liuzhou and other places, the joint venture not only became a pioneering example of Sino-foreign joint ventures, but also built a complete chain of "technology development - production practice - talent cultivation". From cylinder block casting technology to fuel system debugging, and even to the ISO quality management system, Cummins engineers personally imparted core technologies and even opened up partial access to its global technology database, helping Chinese OEMs solidify their technological foundation.
Jointly building
From local manufacturing to local R&D
Entering the 21st century, China's excavator industry has embarked on a path of independent innovation. In 2006, Cummins established the East Asia R&D Center - the first R&D center globally where Cummins placed non-road power research on an equal strategic footing with road power research. Over 80% of the engineers are from China, combining global perspectives with local insights.
In the early days of its establishment, the center joined hands with leading Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to conduct pre-research on high-altitude power adaptation, simulating an environment at an altitude of 5,000 meters to optimize the intake system. At the same time, it established a Chinese off-road operating condition database covering more than ten scenarios such as mines, farmlands, and municipal facilities, providing data support for customized development.
Blood-making
Dual accumulation of talent and capabilities
In terms of talent cultivation, Cummins attaches great importance to it. Every year, it selects dozens of Chinese engineers to participate in global projects in the United States and the United Kingdom. Domestically, it implements a "1+1+1" joint training model, through theoretical learning, practical experience in its own factory, and practical experience in OEM partner factories, to cultivate compound talents who understand both engines and complete machine matching.
From introduction and digestion to collaborative innovation, from reliance on foreign aid to independent design - this journey spanning half a century has long transcended the supplier-customer relationship, evolving into a true capacity co-construction. And this is the best illustration of the transformation from "blood transfusion" to "blood production".