In recent years, international trade protectionism has risen, and countries have set up trade barriers, such as raising tariffs, implementing strict technical standards and certification requirements. Small excavator exporters will face many obstacles if they only rely on the traditional export model. Localised operation allows enterprises to set up local production bases or joint venture factories to achieve localised production and assembly of products, effectively avoiding trade barriers. This not only reduces import tariffs and transport costs, but also shortens the product delivery cycle and responds to market demand in a timely manner. At the same time, the use of local resources and labour, can further reduce production costs, improve the price competitiveness of products, so that enterprises in the fierce international market competition to occupy a more advantageous position.
Perfect after-sales service system is an important guarantee for the export success of small excavators. Under the localised operation mode, the enterprise can set up after-sales service centres and spare parts depots in the target market, recruit and train local service personnel, and provide timely and efficient after-sales repair, maintenance and technical consulting services for customers. When the customer’s small excavator breaks down, it can respond quickly and solve the problem, reducing downtime and ensuring the normal use of the equipment. This kind of after-sales service close to customers helps to establish a good brand image of the enterprise and enhance the brand’s reputation and word-of-mouth effect. Compared with competitors, high-quality after-sales service will become an important differentiation advantage for enterprises to attract customers and consolidate their market position, and further enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the brand in the international market.
Overseas markets are full of uncertainties and risks, such as political unrest, economic fluctuations, exchange rate changes and so on. Small excavator export enterprises can better cope with these risks through localised operations. On the one hand, enterprises can use the resources and channels of local partners to obtain market information and political and economic dynamics in a timely manner, formulate coping strategies in advance, and reduce risk losses. On the other hand, establishing production bases and sales networks in the local area spreads out the enterprise’s operational risks and avoids a significant decline in the enterprise’s overall performance due to fluctuations in a single market. Even in the face of global economic crisis or regional political conflict, the enterprise can rely on the advantages of localised operation to maintain a certain level of production and business activities in the local market, to ensure the sound operation and sustainable development of the enterprise.
The localised operation of small excavator export is of vital significance for enterprises to expand overseas market and enhance competitiveness. It can not only meet the diversified needs of different markets, break through trade barriers, optimise after-sales service, but also promote cultural exchanges and integration, and cope with various risk challenges. In the future development, small excavator export enterprises should actively practice the localised operation strategy, strengthen the in-depth cooperation and interaction with the international market, promote China’s small excavator industry to achieve a higher quality of development on a global scale, and contribute to China’s manufacturing industry’s international journey.