Features

The development of reliable hydraulic attachments has brought a revolution in demolition technology. The hydraulic breaker, pioneered by the Krupp and Montabert brands, has firmly taken hold with a huge range of manufacturers now offering machines. Hydraulic attachment specialists such as Atlas Copco, Indeco and Sandvik (with its Rammer brand) now offer a range of tools that can deliver high efficiency and safety in demolition work. Meanwhile, developments with smaller tools offer productive methods for rep

In Europe, MCT, Parker Plant, Rapid International and Simem have recently introduced new models to widen their respective ranges of offerings. Meanwhile in the US, CEI Enterprises is now offering an innovative new design of plant. CEI says that it has built the first of its Fusion ready-mix plants and installed it at the company’s manufacturing facility in Albuquerque. The firm is demonstrating the plant, which is said to benefit from hybrid process blending technology. The firm says it has utilised precisi

A novel dual-layer concrete paving technique has been used on jobsites in Germany on the country’s high-speed Autobahn network This technique allows the construction of a strong and durable roadway structure able to cope with heavy traffic loads and offer a long working life. In four German states, Wirtgen SP-1500 slipformers have been employed by four different contractors to carry out dual-layer paving. The method allows a noise-reducing, non-skid exposed aggregate surface to be placed over a bottom

It is not only the scale of the Tuen Mun to Chek Lap Kok tunnel that impressed delegates but the number of novel technologies that Dragages Hong Kong, a Bouygues Construction subsidiary, is employing on this project The 4.6 km tunnel running 60m below sea level is part of a strategic new route linking Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island and the New Territories.

Terex Trucks is set to benefit significantly from new thinking and investment in its production processes, dealership networks, and customer support capability. The Motherwell, Scotland-headquartered articulated and rigid truck manufacturer has been “refreshed” by its €123.5 million acquisition last year by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), according to new Terex Trucks global sales and marketing director Sam Wyant. Wyant said: “We’ve had audits by the Volvo Group on our factories to see what we ca

As a major presence in the construction sector, the Fayat Group is well-placed to understand the current market conditions. President Jean-Claude Fayat revealed that the firm does have a strong insight into the state of the international market, as well as some key developments for 2015. With much of its operation based in Europe, the company has been affected by the currency situation.

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) has ambitions to be the number one construction equipment supplier in Europe, revealed president and CEO Moriaki Kadoya. He was speaking at INTERMAT 2015 where his company unveiled a host of new products.

Chinese firm Shantui sees Europe and the US as key markets where it can develop its sales presence. Vice president of Shandong Shantui Construction is Zhu Zhi and he said, “We need to upgrade our engines and develop new machines for this market.” As part of its expansion into Europe, the company is also looking to further develop its dealer network and service support. At present the hydrostatic SD10YE and SD16-3 dozers are Shantui’s key offerings in Europe. But Zhu explained, “At the beginning of next yea

Chemical company Evonik is targeting the construction sector at Intermat 2015 with its specialist Dynavis technology which it says can boost the performance of hydraulically-operated plant by up to 30%. “We are taking market share from conventional hydraulic fluids,” Dr Ralf Duessel, head of Evonik’s oil additives business line said. “There’s a continuous move towards premium fluids and by being active in the end markets, we find that we double our impact on the market.” Dynavis technology, which has been a

Introducing innovative new mini excavators and opening a new European headquarters are key moves by Sunward that will raise the firm’s profile and boost its export operations. Chairman and founder of Sunward is He Qinghua and he outlined the firm’s strategy, explaining how this Chinese company has secured a strong foothold in Europe. “Compared to other Chinese companies, Sunward is not a big firm. But we were the first Chinese company to enter into Europe.” The company builds a wide range of machines at it

The acquisition of Italian concrete pump and mixer firm CIFA by Zoomlion in 2008 has helped raise the profile of this business significantly, transforming the company. The buyout of the company gave CIFA access to funds for research and development, which its Chinese owner has been keen to invest in. And the fruits of this investment are certainly being seen, both by CIFA and Zoomlion.

The Manitowoc Group is introducing new Potain tower cranes and Grove rough terrain cranes to the Chinese market at bauma China 2014. The two new topless tower cranes come from Manitowoc’s Potain brand and are products of the firm’s Zhangjiagang plant in China. Earlier this year the facility also celebrated the delivery of its 5,000th crane since production began in 2006. Meanwhile from the Grove range of mobile cranes will be the latest RT890E rough-terrain crane. Both machines will be on the firm’s booth a

XCMG is developing its presence in the road machinery sector – Mike Woof writes The road machinery division of XCMG is an increasingly important part of the firm’s overall operations and now produces an extensive range of machines to meet customer needs. Guo Chaohui is vice general manager of this segment and said, “Our aim is to become a world class leader of road machinery. We want to introduce the company on the international market and raise the firm’s profile.” XCMG already holds a strong position

Zoomlion is confident of future growth in its share of the world market for construction machines - Mike Woof writes

Exports are crucial to XCMG’s growth and its aim to becoming a dominant player in the worldwide construction machinery market – Mike Woof writes One of China’s biggest construction equipment manufacturers, XCMG has a high profile, and particularly in the country’s home market. XCMG is a leader in key equipment categories such as concrete pumping and lifting technologies. The firm’s 4,000tonne crawler crane introduced two years ago has already proven its worth in a massive industrial construction appl