Shangli launched its H series in 2013

Chinese manufacturer Shangli appears to have halted business operations.

Industry sources have told Forkliftaction News that Shangli's factory has closed and that an official bankruptcy announcement is expected soon.

It is understood that Shanghai Shangli Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (SAL Group) was badly affected by slowing export sales and loss of marketshare in the domestic market.

Shangli's website appears to be offline, but according to listings on other sites, the company has distributors in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australia, where a distributor was appointed just over a year ago.

Shangli Forklifts Australia Pty Ltd was named as the exclusive Australian distributor last April, but could not be contacted by Forkliftaction News.

The last time Shangli was covered in Forkliftaction News was in May 2010, when the company reported 43% growth in exports although it stressed that orders had not returned to pre-GFC levels.

According to its online profile, the Shangli group was involved in materials handling products, gear pumps and construction and engineering machinery.

Its forklift range included IC, battery powered, dual fuel and LPG forklifts "with German technology".