Shandong Kenstone Heavy Industry’s Mini Excavators Power a Growing Global Market

Source: Qilu Evening News (iqilu.com)

By Gu Xiaoning | Liaocheng, China | Nov 26, 2025

Amid the transformation and upgrading of Liaocheng’s manufacturing sector, Shandong Kenstone Heavy Industry Machinery Co., Ltd. is emerging as a strong force in the global construction equipment market. Guided by its mission to build high-quality excavators for customers worldwide, the company now accounts for 14.9% of China’s total mini excavator exports, marking a notable achievement for Chinese manufacturing on the global stage.

Inside Kenstone’s production facility, robotic arms perform precision welding while AGV vehicles move seamlessly across the workshop floor. Workers carry out final inspections on crawler-wheel excavators destined for Germany. According to the company’s sales director, this proprietary model fills a domestic technology gap, with its hydraulic travel system delivering 30% higher efficiency than conventional designs. Backed by 68 patented core technologies, the product has gained solid traction in high-end European and North American markets.

Founded in 2018, Kenstone reported strong results in 2023, producing more than 20,000 excavators annually and generating RMB 470 million in revenue. Its mini excavators alone represented 14.9% of China’s total export volume. From palm plantations in Southeast Asia and mining sites in Central Asia to agricultural operations across Europe, excavators bearing the “Rhinoceros” name are becoming a new symbol of Chinese-made equipment abroad.

Chief Quality Officer Wang Qinglong recalls the company’s early R&D challenges, when international patent research was costly and inefficient. A turning point came in 2025, when Kenstone’s “Core Technology Patent Navigation for Small and Medium Excavators” project was selected for a provincial-level program. With guidance from market regulation authorities, the company strengthened its intellectual property strategy and now holds 83 patents and has contributed to four national standards, significantly reinforcing its competitive edge.

This confidence is driven by a dual-engine strategy combining digital manufacturing and intelligent management. Kenstone’s digital workshops enable customized production, while 100 flexible production lines support multiple international emission standards simultaneously. An integrated smart management system connects R&D, manufacturing, and after-sales service, allowing the company to fulfill special customization requests from German clients in as little as 15 days. An electric excavator developed for a Dutch customer reduced carbon emissions by 42% compared with the industry average, and green, intelligent products now account for 65% of the company’s overseas orders.

The company’s honors—ranging from National High-Tech Enterprise status and provincial “Specialized and Innovative” recognition to national quality benchmarking awards—reflect its long-term focus on niche markets. Kenstone has participated in drafting seven national and industry standards, and its flagship crawler-wheel excavator has been recognized as a “Shandong Famous Brand” for its reliability. Today, the company operates sales and service networks in over 100 countries.

“Every excavator we export carries three hallmarks of Liaocheng manufacturing: craftsmanship, innovation, and openness,” said the company’s sales director. Looking ahead, Kenstone Heavy Industry is preparing to establish overseas R&D centers and plans to raise the share of high-end products in its exports to 70% within three years, further elevating the global presence of Chinese manufacturing.

Source Attribution (for overseas use)

This article is adapted from an original report by Qilu Evening News via iqilu.com.