It is my understanding that Zoomlion is or has already put ink to paper on the purchase of CIFA.  My feelings are mixed right now as to weather this is going to be a good or bad for the company here in the U.S. 

With my experience, I feel it could be a good thing if they put an American in charge.  This has proven to be a good thing for both Schwing and Putzmeister.  American leadership has even stepped up the program for Alliance.  I hope ZL takes a hard look at these examples and considers someone who can go after the market. 

I have worked side by side with Mr. Bob Miller, who is the sales manager with CIFA at this time.  I feel he has the background/experience to carry CIFA to The nest level.  Bob Miller has great marketing ideas, strong leadership personality, and the professional attitude needed for a company in this condition. 

Bob Miller knows his stuff and I believe your right about him. I think you are right about having an American in the driver’s seat also. I met a couple of the Zoomlion people. They are very nice people and both spoke very good English. I think we will have two Chinese advertisers on this site very soon.

Yes, Todd, I am sure you will see some more money come your way.  I'm sure the web is going to see an old/new face here.  You and I both know the struggles Bob has been through to get advertising money.  With ownership going from an investment company to a private company he may get some relief.  I must say he is more patient than I am.  Regardless to who ends up running things here, I hope it is an American with American ideas and an understanding of the American market. 

Well we will see what happens. I personally dont think they will sell much unless they have a guy like Tom Anderson or his like at the helm. There is a short list of guys who would do a good job running a new pump manufacturer here in the USA.

I believe it took Schwing three attempts to win over the pumpers in the USA. Putzmeister had to buy the proud Thomsen Company out of the Bank's hands to get their dealer network.

Zoomlion and Sany have not done too much in Australia as yet. Zoomlion have sold some tower booms and stationary trailer models ...... but only after an experienced Aussie pumper sorted out their gear the way the market requires it's gear. The same "dealer" has a 43 metre boom he is putting to work in his own city ..... again to make sure it suits the market. The Chinese will have to have a local fronting the show and/or buy out a well known local manufacturer.

OR Zoomlion may have a plan similar to SANYs. To prove their capabilities by doing whatever is needed to put them in the field. By putting them to work, actually pumping jobs big & small everyday. SANY is building a reputation as we speek. Its my understanding that the Zoomlion/CIFA deal will be final by the 29th of this month. There may also be ZL iron sitting in eastcoast ports already. This may cause a pissing match between SANY & ZL. Since they have been butting heads in their own country for some time. There's no doubt it will happen here aswell. SANY's put their pumps to work through well established pump companies, ZL is coming here via an established manufacturer. It should all be very interesting. So far the SANYs that I've ran here I have no comlaints...so far. They have several safety features that should have been on pumps for some time. They've been listening to the right people, The ones out in the field.

Seems to be some good input on the topic.  I agree with about everything that has been said.  I have heard some of these same stories about Schwing and Putz.  Schwing has done well since they went to American management.  Putz..... Well, they have their way of buying whatever they want. 

The early days with CIFA and Maxon were something else.  After being in the street for a couple of years, I learned that some of the earlier salesmen with the company didn't have very good work ethics.  Some of them are still selling pumps today, but they have worked for about every manufacturer out there.  However, their principals, or should I say the lack of principals hurt the reputation of CIFA in some states.  It has been an upward climb for this company, but there has been some forward movement. 

If Zoomlion will allow for an American to take charge and they give him the support he needs, there is a strong chance they can make it.  I also hope they will keep the quality that is built into these pumps and not change them into something cheap.   There are some improvements that can be made, so I hope that is the direction they go. 

I agree there will probably be a pissing contest between Sany and Zoomlion here in the U.S.  It is possible that Zoomlion may keep both the CIFA and the ZL pumps as separate companies here.  We will have to wait and see.