Smart Overhead Cranes: 10 Units Delivered to Vietnam Factory
First Bulk Export of Smart Overhead Cranes to Southeast Asia — the initial batch of 10 QD type overhead cranes has been delivered and commissioned at a factory in Vietnam. Equipped with intelligent variable-frequency speed control and PLC-based group scheduling technology, this shipment marks Kelude's official entry into the Southeast Asian market with its smart crane product line.
Kelude Heavy Industry has completed its first bulk export of smart overhead cranes to Southeast Asia, with the initial batch of 10 units now delivered to an industrial park in Vietnam. The shipment includes QD type overhead cranes integrated with intelligent control systems, destined for use in material handling and production line support at electronics manufacturing facilities within the park. This delivery represents a significant step forward in the overseas application of domestically manufactured smart cranes, and lays the groundwork for further expansion into Southeast Asian and broader Asia-Pacific markets.
The order was secured through a multi-stage process involving market research, on-site customer visits, technical solution validation, and commercial negotiations. The Vietnamese customer specified clear requirements for lifting capacity, operational precision, and safety performance. Based on the factory's structural layout and production process characteristics, the technical team implemented several custom modifications to the standard QD design, including adapting the end beam length to match the workshop span, optimizing lifting speed to align with workstation cycle times, and configuring the crane travel limit switches for zone-specific operation.
Delivered Products and Technical Specifications
The QD type overhead crane exported in this shipment is the most widely used general-purpose overhead crane, suitable for material handling operations in workshops, warehouses, and other indoor environments.
The initial export batch comprises six QD type cranes with a 20t lifting capacity and four QD type cranes with a 10t lifting capacity, all equipped with the independently developed intelligent control system. Each crane comes standard with variable-frequency speed control drives, overload limiters on the hoisting mechanism, crane travel limit switches, and anti-collision warning devices, fully compliant with Vietnamese industrial safety standards. The control system supports both local and remote operation modes, allowing seamless integration into the existing production management workflows at Vietnamese facilities without requiring additional infrastructure modifications.
To address the high-temperature, high-humidity climate of Southeast Asia, these cranes have been specifically optimized for adaptability and reliability: the electrical system protection rating has been upgraded to IP54, motors feature Class F insulation with moisture-proof treatment, and the steel structure coating follows C3 corrosion protection standards. Key electrical components are selected from wide-temperature-range product lines to ensure continuous stable operation in ambient temperatures between 35°C and 45°C. Before delivery, the technical team completed a 72-hour continuous full-load test run, with all operating parameters meeting design specifications.
The variable-frequency speed control system utilizes Siemens G120 series drives, supporting both V/f control and vector control modes with automatic switching of operating curves based on load characteristics. The hoisting mechanism features dual brake redundancy — one service brake and one safety brake — in compliance with ISO 4301 Crane Design Standard requirements for crane safety devices. The crane travel mechanism employs a geared motor unit (three-in-one) that offers a compact structure and easy maintenance, with overall operating noise controlled within 75dB(A). The control system achieves real-time communication between the PLC and each drive unit via industrial Ethernet, enabling rapid fault diagnosis that pinpoints issues to specific modules and significantly reducing troubleshooting time.
Export Process and Delivery Milestones
The order spanned six months from contract signing to delivery, progressing through six phases: custom design, type testing, third-party inspection, export customs clearance, sea freight, and on-site installation and commissioning in Vietnam. The equipment arrived at Haiphong Port in mid-June, after which the technical team mobilized to complete installation, commissioning, and operator training. All 10 cranes have now passed Vietnam's special equipment safety inspection and are officially in production operation, with customer feedback confirming smooth operation and responsive controls.
The installation and commissioning phase took three weeks, with the technical team executing four work sequences by zone: rail installation, main girder erection, electrical wiring, and no-load coordinated testing. Rail installation was performed in accordance with GB/T 10183 standards, using laser alignment instruments for centerline calibration and span measurement to ensure smooth crane travel without rail gnawing. After completing all electrical wiring, insulation resistance tests and functional verification were conducted, with every safety interlock device individually checked and certified. Operator training was delivered to Vietnamese factory operators and maintenance personnel, covering crane operating procedures, routine inspection routines, and identification of common faults. All trainees passed the practical assessment upon completion of the training program.
The company had previously completed CE Certification for MH type gantry cranes, and this export further validates the adaptability of its products in overseas markets.
The certification work for this export was led by the company's technology center. The products passed the ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding system re-certification audit and obtained the CE Declaration of Conformity. Critical structural component welds underwent 100% non-destructive testing in accordance with GB/T 3323 standards. Vietnam's local special equipment inspection body conducted load tests and safety device verification on the complete machines, with all indicators meeting local standard requirements. This streamlined certification pathway provides a reusable framework for future equipment exports.
Overseas Market Strategy and Expansion Plans
Southeast Asia represents a key growth direction for Chinese lifting equipment exports. Countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are currently in a manufacturing expansion phase, with sustained demand growth for smart overhead cranes across electronics assembly, automotive parts, warehousing, and logistics sectors. Compared to European and American brands, domestically manufactured smart cranes offer significant advantages in cost-effectiveness, lead time, and customization flexibility. Taking the QD type overhead crane delivered in this shipment as an example, for equivalent lifting capacity and span, the lead time for domestic equipment is approximately 40% shorter than European brands, with an overall cost advantage exceeding 30%, along with more responsive technical support.
Local service infrastructure has now been established in Vietnam, including a spare parts warehouse and a dedicated technical support team to ensure lifecycle maintenance responsiveness. The service team maintains resident technical personnel in Vietnam capable of providing on-site technical support services within 24 hours. Concurrently, distributor partnership discussions are underway in Indonesia and Thailand, with plans to complete channel development in at least two Southeast Asian countries within the year.
To further support overseas business growth, the technology center has initiated development of multi-language control interfaces, with English and Vietnamese operating interfaces already completed. Based on target market demand, versions in Thai and Indonesian will be progressively added. On the certification front, in addition to the completed CE Certification, the company is evaluating application pathways for Indonesia's SNI certification and Thailand's TIS certification to address a broader range of Southeast Asian market access requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the product models included in this export shipment?
A: The initial export batch consists of QD type overhead cranes, including six units with a 20t lifting capacity and four units with a 10t lifting capacity. The rated span ranges from 22.5m to 28.5m, with lifting heights covering 9m to 14m. All products come standard with variable-frequency speed control drives and intelligent control systems, and have been adapted with enhanced electrical protection and coating systems for Vietnam's high-temperature, high-humidity environment.
Q: What adaptive improvements were made to the exported cranes?
A: Key improvements include upgrading the electrical protection rating to IP54, Class F motor insulation with moisture-proof treatment, C3 corrosion protection coating on the steel structure, and selection of wide-temperature-range electrical components. The technical team completed a 72-hour full-load test run before delivery, confirming the equipment can operate continuously in ambient temperatures between 35°C and 45°C.
Q: Which certifications were obtained for this export?
A: The product passed the ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding renewal audit and the CE Declaration of Conformity. Critical weld seams underwent 100% Non-destructive testing in accordance with ISO 17636. The local special equipment inspection body in Vietnam completed the full-load test and safety device verification on the finished machine, all with satisfactory results.
Q: What are the next steps for the Southeast Asia market?
A: The local spare parts inventory and technical team in Vietnam are now fully operational. We are currently in distributor negotiations for Indonesia and the Thai Market, with the goal of establishing channel coverage in at least two more Southeast Asian countries within the year, building a sales and service network across the region's key manufacturing hubs.
