News

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers’ first multi-million pound auction at its new regional site in Donington Park, UK, was shown live at INTERMAT. The company registered more than 630 online and on-site bidders from 50 countries to bid on more than 675 heavy plant equipment items and trucks. Two unused Volvo L90F wheeled loaders sold to an online bidder from Australia for €147,000 each.

The Fayat Group’s road building division is “ready to play its part” in overcoming the global economic downturn, Group general manager Jean-Claude Fayat told a press conference at INTERMAT. “The crisis is not over. The financing aspects have to be handled with care,” said Fayat, who stressed how the French Group’s “diversification and internationalisation” had left it in “good shape” to come through tough economic times.

Rammer, which has remained a recognised name in hydraulic hammers and attachments although it was withdrawn in 2007, is set to make a return as Sandvik Construction announces a multi-brand strategy. Through the reintroduction of Sandvik-owned Rammer-branded products, the company says it will be able to serve a wider customer base by using differing breaker-focused distribution channels. The Rammer brand was withdrawn when the entire Breakers Lahti product line came under the Sandvik Mining and Construction

The Daemonator struck fear into the hearts of its competitors during INTERMAT, according to Won-Hae Lee, chairman of Korean attachment firm Daemo Engineering. Complete with flashing lights and intimidating electronic voice, the attachment-wielding 2.4m high robot, modelled loosely on a Transformers character, uses Daemo’s hammers, shears, compaction plates and grabs as part of its construction.

French manufacturer Haulotte has reported sales of €89m in the first quarter of 2012, compared with €72.1m for the same period last year. Equipment sales were up 28.4% and represent 78.5% of total revenue, while service and rental revenues rose by 2% and 14.1% respectively. “Overall we see a pretty good market around the world in 2012,” said chief executive Alexandre Saubot. “I am still concerned by Europe, which will have the slowest growth this year. But overall we are confident that we will achieve doubl

Ramtec’s search for a new French dealer for its Robi product range has come to a successful Finnish at INTERMAT. The Lahti-based demolition and recycling equipment specialists put pen to paper on the partnership with Escomel on Tuesday. “It’s a very important move,” said company sales and product manager Benjami Pitkäsalo. “They have a good sales network and we are looking forward to getting new business.”

More than 200 companies are preparing to take part in INTERMAT Middle East being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from October 8-10 2012. Guy Woodford spoke to the ambassador of the UAE to France and senior figures in three exhibiting companies about the significance of the event and what they are looking to achieve through it.

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer LiuGong Machinery Corporation plans to increase production in Europe following the completion in February of its acquisition of Polish company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) and its distribution subsidiary Dressta. Unveiling models at INTERMAT, including three Dressta bulldozers, the biggest being the TD-40E with an operating weight of 67.7tonnes, the company also introduced its next generation 922E crawler excavator, following in the tracks of the renowned 922D, with ad

New CNH Construction president Mario Gasparri says the firm is keen to build on its “strong, sustainable growth opportunities in every major region”. Speaking to the Daily News Gasparri, a Fiat veteran who took on his prestigious new role last month, said, “In 2011, we saw the highest growth in North America, where demand increased by 38%. The European, African, Middle Eastern and CIS markets were not far behind with a 35% increase. In Latin America, the strong demand from projects in the private and public

The XGMA Machinery Company, based on the tourist island of Xiamen in southern China, is planning to expand its operations worldwide. Founded in 1951, the company produced its first wheeled loader in 1964, and said it was the first Chinese manufacturer to sell more than 10,000 wheeled loaders a year. Today it sells more than 30,000 units/year and has an impressive portfolio of products, which also includes hydraulic crawler excavators; road construction equipment (including compactors, dozers and milling mac

The year 2012 has been a milestone for Chinese construction equipment manufacturer LiuGong. In January it announced completion of the purchase of Polish company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) and its distribution subsidiary Dressta, LiuGong’s first outright acquisition outside its domestic market. HSW produces bulldozers and other crawler machines, while LiuGong is ranked as the largest wheel loader manufacturer in the world, and is also said to be among the world’s fastest growing CE companies.

Hyundai Heavy Industries has ambitious plans to grow from a US$3.7 billion a year business to more than $9.5 billion by 2016. At the worldwide launch of its new flagship R1200-9 (120tonne-class) excavator at INTERMAT, the company unveiled plans to expand its manufacturing facilities and said it wants to move into the top three construction equipment manufacturers. Underlining its intention of competing on a broad front in all sectors of the construction and mining equipment business, Hyundai’s introduction

JCB CEO Alan Blake has reported record financial results for the UK machinery manufacturer. Turnover in 2011 rose to €3.33bn, 37% up on 2010, with earnings before tax of €430m from sales of 69,100 machines. Speaking at INTERMAT, Blake said: “The market has recovered by 80% since the last INTERMAT, mainly thanks to emerging markets. Russia is up 122%, India 24% and Brazil 10%. However, Western Europe has also improved, up 25% on last year.”