In April 2026, Hangcha Group Co., Ltd. — one of China’s leading industrial machinery and forklift manufacturers — completed the filing of two trademark applications in Indonesia. This milestone reflects a broader trend: Chinese companies are increasingly protecting their intellectual property in Southeast Asian markets as they expand internationally.
Who Is Hangcha Group?
Hangcha Group Co., Ltd. (杭叉集团股份有限公司) is a publicly listed Chinese corporation established on October 11, 1963. Headquartered at No. 666 Xiangfu Road, Lin’an District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the company has grown into one of Asia’s premier manufacturers of forklifts, handling vehicles, intelligent logistics robots, and industrial automation equipment. With a registered capital of RMB 1,309,812,049, Hangcha operates across manufacturing, sales, leasing, import-export, and engineering services.
The brand is well recognized internationally under the “HANGCHA” wordmark and the distinctive “HC & Design” logo — both of which are now being actively protected across key global markets, including Indonesia.
The Two Trademark Applications Filed in Indonesia
On April 18, 2026, Hangcha Group filed two simultaneous trademark applications with Indonesia’s Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), both under Nice Classification Class 7 (machines and machine tools).
The goods covered under both applications are strategically aligned with Hangcha’s product portfolio: conveyors, stacking machines, lifting apparatus, excavators, industrial robots, hoists, loading and unloading machines, electric and pneumatic hand tools, wrapping machines, elevating work platforms, pumps, valves, bearings, electric welding apparatus, agricultural machines, and motors other than for land vehicles.
Why File Both a Word Mark and a Logo Mark?
Filing only a word mark or only a logo leaves dangerous gaps in protection. A word mark protects the brand name “HANGCHA” in any font, style, or color — no competitor can use it commercially in Indonesia regardless of presentation. A figurative mark protects the specific visual design of the HC logo: the geometric diamond-arrow frame enclosing stylized “HC” letters. Together, these two registrations create a comprehensive legal shield around the brand’s entire identity.
The Role of a Local IP Consultant
Indonesian trademark law requires foreign applicants to appoint a locally registered IP Consultant to file on their behalf. Hangcha authorized Ilda Nursiah, S.H. (Registered IP Consultant No. 769-2014) through a Power of Attorney signed on April 9, 2026. The POA granted full authority to sign applications, respond to objections, file appeals, obtain certificates, and register license agreements. It was properly stamped with Indonesian materai (revenue stamps) — a requirement frequently overlooked by foreign companies filing for the first time.
The Indonesian Trademark Registration Process
- Administrative Examination — DGIP reviews document completeness. If all requirements are met, the application moves to publication.
- Publication Stage (2 months) — The trademark is published in the Official Gazette. Third parties may file opposition during this window.
- Substantive Examination (12–18 months) — A trademark examiner checks for similarity with existing marks. This is the longest and most critical stage.
- Certificate Issuance — If approved, DGIP grants a registration number and issues the certificate.
Important: The full process from filing to certificate typically takes 14 to 22 months in Indonesia. Companies should initiate trademark protection well ahead of their commercial market entry.
Why Indonesia Matters for Chinese Industrial Brands
Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy and one of the fastest-growing markets for industrial equipment, infrastructure, and logistics. Demand for forklifts, handling machines, and industrial robots is rising steadily. For a brand like Hangcha, securing trademark rights early is not a formality — it is a foundational business strategy.
Indonesia operates on a first-to-file system: the first party to register a mark has priority, regardless of prior use elsewhere. A competitor or bad-faith filer who registers “HANGCHA” before Hangcha does could legally block the brand from operating in Indonesia under its own name. Early filing is the only way to prevent this.
Key Lessons for Chinese Companies
The Hangcha case offers a clear and replicable blueprint. Always file both a word mark and a logo mark. Appoint a qualified local IP consultant early. Ensure your Power of Attorney is correctly stamped. File before entering the market, not after. And draft your goods list carefully — a well-crafted Class 7 specification protects not just finished products but also components and parts.
As more Chinese manufacturers look to Southeast Asia as a growth frontier, proactive trademark protection — as demonstrated by Hangcha’s April 2026 filings — is no longer optional. It is the price of entry into a competitive, legally mature market.