Forklift Magazine | The Strongest Voice in Industry Development for 2026: Li Yuzhu, Party Secretary and Chairman of Zibo Huoju Energy Co., Ltd.

　　In 2025, the industrial vehicle industry will see continued deepening of its electrification transition, with the penetration rate of lithium‑ion battery systems steadily rising. Amid a challenging and complex environment and intense market competition, Huoju Energy remains committed to the responsibilities and mission of a central state‑owned enterprise, adhering to a dual‑track strategy that combines lead‑acid and lithium‑ion technologies while driving growth through both domestic and international markets. Through prudent operations and structured transformation, the company is delivering sustained progress in high‑quality development and maintaining its leading position in China’s forklift battery sector.

Zibo Torch Energy Co., Ltd.

Party Secretary and Chairman Li Yuzhu

　　With the support and trust of our broad network of partners, both new and longstanding customers, and friends from all sectors, the company achieved steady and positive business performance over the past year. Our lead‑acid battery market share and channel penetration remained firmly in the industry’s top tier, while revenue from the secondary market grew by 11% against the trend. Lithium‑ion battery sales revenue and volume posted strong growth, with breakthroughs across three key application segments: original equipment, retrofit, and rental. Meanwhile, the Torch New Industrial Park has entered full production, elevating product quality, delivery efficiency, and customer satisfaction to new heights. On this occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all.

　　Over the past year, the company has achieved continuous breakthroughs in its market strategy: domestically, it has deepened collaborations with leading automakers, forged strong ties with key customers, and expanded its Qihang series of lithium‑ion batteries to cover priority regions while integrating into premium supply chains; internationally, it has adopted a “distribution plus direct sales” model, vigorously cultivating markets in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America, thereby accelerating and delivering tangible results in its global expansion. On the product front, the company has continuously refined critical manufacturing processes, introduced customized solutions for cold storage and explosion‑proof applications, advanced the construction of lithium‑battery production lines and the development of high‑safety products, and established a standardized quality‑control system, steadily strengthening its product capabilities and competitive edge.

　　The year 2026 marks the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and represents a pivotal period for Torch Energy’s high-quality, sustainable development. As we embark on this new journey, we will remain committed to our business philosophy of “integrity as the foundation, quality as the cornerstone,” further emphasizing market orientation and innovation-driven growth. We will adopt an uncompromising mindset to refine our products, elevate our services, and strengthen our core competencies. We will pursue parallel development in both lead‑acid and lithium technologies, continuing to consolidate and enhance our competitive edge in the lead‑acid sector while expanding and diversifying into emerging businesses such as the Qihang series, oil‑to‑electric conversions, lead‑to‑lithium upgrades, and leasing services. We will reinforce coordination between production and sales, continuously improving delivery efficiency and product competitiveness. In addition, we will optimize our overseas sales network, accelerate international market expansion, and strive to achieve breakthroughs across multiple dimensions—market share, sales quality, and brand value.

　　A responsible state‑owned enterprise with a rich heritage; when it comes to power batteries, choose Torch. We will deliver even more reliable, efficient, and intelligent power solutions, providing customers with products and services that exceed their expectations, while driving the upgrading of the industrial vehicle industry. We sincerely look forward to partnering with more forklift manufacturers and industry peers to achieve mutual success and shared growth!