A fast-emerging leading manufacturer of cargo and dump trucks in Pakistan, JW Forland is a partnership between Pakistan’s JW Group and China’s Foton. A 50-50 joint-venture, JW Forland currently manufactures 4 variants of cargo trucks and a dump truck. In the future, the company intends to launch an even bigger variety of cargo and dump trucks. However, the company has no plans to enter the passenger car segment. Pakistan’s Auto Industry Development Policy 2016-21 has been a game changer in more ways than one. When it was announced in 2016, many had predicted that it would encourage many foreign auto manufacturers to come to Pakistan. This has happened already. However, what many had not foreseen in 2016 was that those who would come to Pakistan would also lead the way for the local auto manufacturers – JW Forland has proven itself to be that leader, at least in the cargo and dump truck segment. JW Forland, in short, has up the ante and its competitors have no choice but to raise their game too. What makes JW Forland, a game changer? JW Forland is not just another auto manufacturer that has been lured by the incentives offered by Pakistan’s Auto Industry Development Policy 2016-21. It is a company which is not unmindful of its social commitments and therefore believes in giving back to the community. Some of the distinctive features of JW Forland are: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities – JW Group President Mr. Shah Faisal Afridi advocates minimum carbon emissions, thus helping turn Pakistan into a greener and cleaner country. True to its words, the company has installed an emission testing facility in Pakistan, the first of its type in the country, which will ensure that JW Forland’s products produce minimum carbon emissions. Even otherwise, to make Pakistan a cleaner country, JW Forland plans on introducing road sweepers and garbage compactors to its line of trucks; their production has already started. In this regard, to raise awareness, the company recently organized an activity named Clean and Green Pakistan at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. Employees took part in this CSR activity very enthusiastically. Encouraged by this event, JW Forland plans to hold many such activities in the future. JW Forland’s corporate social responsibility doesn’t end here. JW Forland, Youth & Education – JW Forland has recently signed an MOU with the University of Central Punjab’s Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program. This will be mutually beneficial for both as the company will get to select from a wide pool of potential candidates against it vacancies. On the other hands, UCP’s EMBA graduates will have an added career option, should they choose to switch from their existing jobs or careers. To further recruit the best and brightest of Pakistan, JW Forland regularly pitches tent at various job fairs where hundreds throng to its booth for information about the company and available job vacancies. At this pace, it will be hard, if not outright impossible, for JW Forland’s competitors to play catch up with the company. JW Forland’s corporate social responsibility does end here either. A Growing JW Forland, a Vibrant Pakistan The company is not just a joint venture between Pakistan’s JW Group and China’s Foton but essentially the further coming closer of Pakistan and China. As the company raises its game with the launch of its every product, it also puts the onus on its competitors to raise their game too. By following in the footsteps of JW Forland, other trucks manufacturers, too, would manufacturer quality trucks, making this automotive segment one of the most advanced, not just in Pakistan but in the rest of the region too. It is therefore often said that JW Forland has been a game changer in Pakistan’s automotive sector.

When Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated JW Forland’s Auto Park vehicle assembly plant, he had hoped that this latest Pak-China joint venture will not only usher an era of economic independence in Pakistan but will also help create more jobs and offer more choices to consumers of commercial vehicles. In a recent development, JW Forland and Peshawar Zalmi have decided to take their business partnership to the next level. JW Forland’s director Abid Saeed and Chairman Peshawar Zalmi Javed Afridi have signed an MOU, making JW Forland the official auto partner of the cricket team. With this, new precedence has been set and one can hope that others will follow in the footsteps of JW Forland. JW Forland sponsored an event on February 4, 2019, which was held at Governor's House, Peshawar. Titled "Peshawar Zalmi's Kit and Anthem Launch Ceremony" this ceremony was attended by a large number of local and foreign civil and military dignitaries, including celebrities. Peshawar Zalmi players were also present. JW Forland's team was also present at the event to highlight the company's products, their variants, prices, and comparisons with local competitors in the market. The main attraction was JW Forland's C311 (Turbo) truck which was adorned with ForlandZalmi logos and cut outs of various Peshawar Zalmi players. Peshawar Zalmi which means Peshawar Youth was established in 2015. The team calls Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium it's home. Peshawar Zalmi is currently captained by the former West Indian cricket captain Darren Sammy. In 2017, the team was worth $1.6 million, making it one of the most valuable PSL franchises. Peshawar Zalmi’s fan base transcends the North West of Pakistan as it enjoys a fervent fan base in the sands of Sindh, plains of Punjab and plateaus of Balochistan. Amongst its millions of fans, Zalmi enlists A-list celebrities with names like Mahira Khan, Humza Ali Abbasi, and Gul Panra, to name just a few. Peshawar Zalmi was the winner of PSL2 and runners up in PSL 3. The team has a long history of philanthropy. The team took the students of Army Public School, Peshawar, to cricket matches after the tragic incident of December 16, 2014. It also participates in other such activities. Zalmi’s auto partner, JW Forland not only provides high-quality trucks to the local Pakistani consumers but also projects Pakistan’s softer image abroad. JW Forland is already fast gaining popularity in the local market with its series of cargo and dump trucks. Efficient and affordable, JW Forland trucks come in a variety of weight categories, catering to a variety of consumer needs.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has lauded the establishment of 1st ever vehicle manufacturing plant in Pakistan as a result of the Joint Venture (JV) between Chinese company Changsha Foton Vehicle Technology Co. Ltd and JW SEZ Group from Pakistan, while addressing its launch ceremony held at Islamabad on Friday, 30th November, 2018. Also Read: JW Forland is the next big player you don’t know about The government of Pakistan is keen to transfer the technology from China to Pakistan and the launch of JW Forland vehicle manufacturing plant is the first step towards the mission. While addressing at the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Khan said that a total of $900 million were invested in the establishment of the plant that will strengthen the economy as well as generate thousands of jobs in the country. In support of his vision, the government is focusing primarily on encouraging foreign investment and increasing the exports of the country to build a strong economic state. He also told the attendants of the ceremony that various institutes will be established in the country to train the technical staff in order to produce competent and specialized professionals. To manufacture vehicles locally, the new JV will employ 5000 professional from Pakistan and the number will grow to astounding 45,000 employees in the future. JW-FORLAND became the first Pakistani company to have a 50/50 business deal with a leading Chinese company in the auto sector. It is also for the first time in auto sector of Pakistan that due to this agreement the Chinese technology will be transferred to Pakistan that includes specialized parts like transmission, engine etc. While responding to the rupee devaluation issue, he assured that it is a temporary phenomenon as a result of increased demand of dollar and the situation would improve in near future with a number of investors coming to Pakistan. The foreign investment would also help the cause of the current deficit faced by Pakistan that has increased from $2.5 billion in 2013 to an alarming $18.5 billion in 2018. The Prime Minister stressed that the main problem faced by Pakistan has been the commodities purchased from abroad that is far more than our exports. This JV with one of the largest automobile manufacturing companies in the world, the country’s economy will strengthen and reduce the current deficit to a great extent. He also congratulated Afridi Brothers on taking this initiative and bringing the technology of manufacturing vehicles in Pakistan. On this occasion, CEO JW SEZ Group, Mr. Shah Faisal was present along with CEO Haier, Javed Afridi and CEO Alex Xu. The Chinese ambassador Yao Jing, while addressing the ceremony assured that China will always be a partner of Pakistan just like it has been in the past. On this occasion, Mr. Shah Faisal Afridi said, JW Forland is bringing in $350 million worth of investment to the economy. This will be a huge booster for all the stakeholders and the new Government as well. It will also provide confidence to foreign investors who are willing to invest in the Pakistani market. He was further qouted saying, JW Forland Glass Project is worth $350 million alone which our group is leading. It will generate jobs, industrial and economic stability. All major global players in automotive, beverages and various other industries are coming in with massive investment just like us. After receiving Greenfield status, the assembly plant was made in around one and half year. The plant is located over 50-acre land in Lahore and is capable of producing 30,000 units per annum. The initial product line includes Cargo trucks and dump trucks ranging from 1 ton to 7.5 tons loading capacity. What do you think about this recent establishment of the vehicle manufacturing plant in Pakistan? Let us know in the comments section below.

The production of automobile assembly plant of Foton JW Auto Park (Pvt.) Ltd. will be formally launched on Friday, 30th November 2018 and the event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The agreement between Changsha Foton Vehicle Technology Co. Ltd. and JW SEZ Group was signed back in December 2016 in the shape of Foton JW Auto Park (Pvt.) Ltd. With this agreement, Foton JW Auto Park Pvt. became the first Pakistani company to have a 50/50 business deal with a Chinese company in the auto sector. The event will be formally attended by President of Changsha Foton Technology Co. Ltd., Wang Tao and President of Foton JW Auto Park (Pvt.) Ltd. Shah Faisal Afridi along with other officials. The news captured everyone's attention when the invitation sent to PM Imran Khan was accepted by him to attend the launch event. With the launch of this assembly plant, the Chinese technology will be transferred to Pakistan that includes specialized parts like transmission, engine etc. Read More: JW Forland is the next big player you don’t know about Initially, an investment of $150 million has been made by both partners with a 50/50 share. The joint venture established an assembly plant after receiving Greenfield status. The plant capacity, in its initial phase, is producing 30,000 units per annum, which is located over 50-acre land in Lahore. Light and medium commercial cargo and dump trucks, SUVs and minivans are included in the Phase-I product range that provides employment to more than 500 people. According to the sources, both the companies are planning to expand the plant set up in Phase II & III with an investment of $300 million in the auto sector. This joint venture is aiming to expand the plant capacity to 100,000 units per year with 100 acres of land to increase their product range in future as well. The completion of Phase II & III will also result in increased employment of around 3500. The expansion of product range would later include assembling heavy trucks, buses, and various energy vehicles. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has given birth to various joint ventures in the automobile sector, owing to the growth in the economy. In its plans for the next 5 years, Foton JW Auto Park also aims to become the leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in Pakistan. Share your opinion in the comments section below.