A Hailiang Group plant [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Hailiang Group, a large private group in Zhejiang which takes non-ferrous metals, real estate, agricultural food, environmental protection, basic education and industrial finance as its business focuses, is looking to expand its businesses in foreign markets, with mergers and acquisitions as its major strategy.

In 2019, Hailiang reached an agreement with Germany-headquartered KME Group, one of the leading players in the European copper and copper alloy semi-finished product industry, to purchase its brass rods and copper tubes business, including four plants in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The acquisition will help increase Hailiang's presence in the European market.

Zhejiang-based company Hailiang acquires KME, one of the leading players in the European copper and copper alloy semi-finished product industry in 2019. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The giant private company left its first footprint abroad 12 years ago when it decided to build a plant in Vietnam. Over the following decade, Hailiang acquired several international industry leaders and gradually formed a global layout for the company's businesses.

Zhejiang's local media reported on April 23 that the US branch of Hailiang plans to invest $156 million in building a new plant for the production of copper tubes in Houston, Texas. The production base, designed to occupy an area of 57 acres, is expected to start construction in April and come into use in 2020. Once completed, around 400 full-time jobs will be created for local residents.

Currently, Hailiang is one of the largest manufacturers of copper products in the world and the largest Chinese exporter of these products. The North American market remains a main sales market and the new plant in Houston is regarded as a great step toward the company's further global expansion.