Intelligent production lines of the Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co Ltd. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co Ltd, a leading manufacturer of airport ground support equipment in China, has experienced a surge in overseas orders this year. In the first three quarters alone, the company secured orders worth 820 million yuan ($112 million), representing a 129 percent year-on-year increase.

A key driver behind this growth is Weihai Guangtai's commitment to developing electric ground-based support equipment products, particularly electric tow tractors. It has been investing heavily in research and development in this area since 2009, and after nearly a decade of dedicated efforts, the company launched its first electric tow tractor in 2018.

Building on this success, Weihai Guangtai's engineering team has continued to innovate, mastering advanced technologies such as dual-motor direct drive and vehicle networking. These technological advancements have enabled the company to develop a range of cutting-edge products.

To further accelerate innovation, Weihai Guangtai established the Shandong Province Airport Ground Equipment Technology Innovation Center in collaboration with Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai) in 2021. This center is focused on research and development in intelligent airport ground equipment and intelligent chassis technologies.

Through intensive research and development, Weihai Guangtai has introduced new products almost every year. To date, the company has developed 29 pieces of equipment that fill domestic market gaps and 12 inventions.

As the company continues to expand its global footprint, it is poised to shape the future of airport ground support equipment.