News

While the European construction equipment market is still some 40% below the record levels of 2007, there are definite signs of a recovery in the industry. This was revealed by Eric Lepine, president of CECE (the Committee for European Construction Equipment), who said that it is a mixed market environment. “There are still uncertainties in different regions of the world and particularly in Europe, but the good news is that figures are telling that Europe is picking up,” said Lepine.

The pavement engineering firm Dynatest has unveiled its new, Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (FastFWD). The FastFWD enable users to collect pavement structural data faster than ever before.

Yanmar says that its new SV26 is the first machine from the firm that has been completely designed and constructed in Europe. This short tailswing mini excavator is said to offer high performance, low fuel consumption and good durability.

INTERMAT 2015 is the scene of some major innovations for the equipment sector. Much of the focus is again on the engine sector with the likes of Cummins, Deutz, Kohler/Lombardini, MTU and Yanmar all amongst those suppliers unveiling new low emission diesels. These new engines are cleaner than ever before while also offering benefits in terms of lowered fuel consumption and extended service intervals.

Driveline specialist Dana has started production of rough terrain crane axles at its facilities in China. The company, which already builds driveshafts and transmissions in the country, has added a range of three steer/drive axles for cranes and the Spicer 37R FLT axle for fork lift trucks to the line.

LiuGong chairman Zeng Guang’an has stressed the importance of the European market to the long-term health of the global construction equipment industry. “Europe is both an opportunity and challenge to LiuGong,” said Guang’an. “LiuGong has changed quickly in Europe due to meet technology needs.

Engine manufacturer MTU, has become a major supplier to the construction market, celebrating new installations in Bomag, Hidromek, Manitou and Bell machines at the Intermat 2015 show. The company, now part of the Rolls-Royce Land & Sea division, has its first 10V1600 engine on display in Bomag’s BM2000 cold milling machine. With an output of 567kW, the 10V1600 is Stage IV/Tier 4 Final emissions compliant.

Turkey was the country of honour yesterday, with INTERMAT 2015 celebrating its machinery and equipment market, calling it “the pearl shining in Europe”. Turkish Ambassador Hakki Akil accepted a thankyou trophy from Maryvonne Lanoe, INTERMAT show director, before a series of talks and presentations highlighting the place of Turkey in the global construction sector.

MOBA says that the modular concept behind its Xsite excavator control system ensures that the package can be used in a wide array of excavator installations and duties. The system can be set up for small or large projects and customers have a choice of a simpler 2D package or a more sophisticated 3D system.

The Fayat Group reports a strong financial performance for 2014. Group turnover reached €3.5 billion, of which 38% came from the road construction sector including the BOMAG and Marini business segments. The privately held company does not reveal its complete financial figures but said that international sales have been very healthy.

The Wirtgen Group is bullish at present and reports a strong financial performance for 2014. Turnover reached a healthy €2.01 billion, beating the previous estimate of €1.95 billion announced late last year.

Topcon Positioning Group has announced the addition of two new mobile applications during Conexpo 2014. Available for download on the Apple App Store, Topcon Tierra™ and Sitelink3D mobile apps are designed to offer on-the-go remote connections to equipment and job sites. 
 
The Topcon Tierra mobile app lets customers login with their existing passwords and track their equipment fleets from an iPhone or iPad. "The Topcon Tierra app allows users to easily check on their fleets, fences, productivity reports

During the recent Conexpo event in Las Vegas, Kelly Majeskie, President of The LeeBoy Group, spoke about his expansion plans for the business “We’ve been working on a couple strategies for LeeBoy” said Majeskie, “an overseas growth strategy and a more focused approach to the US market. Like most businesses we saw a major downturn when the US housing market took the big hit in 2008/9.

Construction testing equipment manufacturer Humboldt has the strongest forward order book ever, said general manager John Lamond at Conexpo. The firm relocated at the end of last year to a bigger manufacturing facility: a 6,970 sq m factory in Elgin, Illinois. “We needed to expand,” said Lamond. “It’s a bigger and better location for us as a growing business.”