Skip to main content

Case equipment helps rebuild local communities after floods

The floods and burst riverbanks suffered last spring throughout Europe have highlighted once again the importance of having the right equipment at the right time. In Germany and more recently in Spain, Case equipment is said to have been indispensable during recovery work in flood-damaged areas. During June, roads, bridges, homes and forest trails in many urban areas were affected by the heavy rain that led to flooding throughout northern Spain’s entire Aran Valley (Lleida), and the overflowing of the Ga
September 26, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
The floods and burst riverbanks suffered last spring throughout Europe have highlighted once again the importance of having the right equipment at the right time. In Germany and more recently in Spain, 176 Case equipment is said to have been indispensable during recovery work in flood-damaged areas.

During June, roads, bridges, homes and forest trails in many urban areas were affected by the heavy rain that led to flooding throughout northern Spain’s entire Aran Valley (Lleida), and the overflowing of the Garona river on its way through the town of Vielha. The emergency situation was dealt with quickly and the water had barely begun to recede when the first Case equipment turned up to help.

Following the worst of the flooding, a large amount of Case equipment is continuing to help in repairing the damage, in an attempt to help the thousands of affected inhabitants return to normal. Case equipment could be seen over the whole area, particularly heavy line equipment, but also some mini equipment. The 621E, 621D, 821F, 821C, 821E large loading shovels; the CX240B, CX290B, CX300C, CX350C and CX370C excavators; and the CX31 compact were fully operational in the area, together with the 430 mini-loader and the WX185 and WX210 wheeled excavators.

This was confirmed by Teo Cambra, head of sales for Simorra, the Case distributor in Lleida, the area affected by the disaster. “Two of our clients are working with their Case equipment in the various areas affected, and for this reason they have reinforced their fleets by renting a few more machines from Simorra," said Cambra.

Simorra has rented four machines. The first of these was an 821F loader to the company Excor, who work for another firm, 3373 Endesa, on the rebuilding of a collapsed bridge at the mini electrical power station in the badly flood-damaged town of Arties. This loader was used in conjunction with a Case CX240C excavator.

Construcciones del Pirineo 2001 has placed its Case fleet (WX185, 621E and 430) at the service of Aran town council, the Spanish government body overseeing the Aran Valley. It has been working since the beginning on rebuilding the entire area with the help of a Case CX370C, also rented from Simorra.

Cambra added, “We have also rented a CX290B and a CX300C to two private subcontractors that are also helping to repair the damage caused.”

Case equipment has also been an enormous help in the floods seen in south-east Germany during early June. The new Case dealership in Erlangen, recently opened in the town located in the federal state of Bavaria, swiftly dispatched an excavator and loader to the Bavarian town of Deggendorf, one of the areas worst affected by the floods.

Case also donated €5,000 to one of the affected families in this town. The manager of the dealership, Peter Straßer, awarded a cheque to a representative of the Red Cross in Bavaria during the opening of the new Erlangen facility. On the same day the company NMB, a Case supplier specialising in attachments, also made a spontaneous contribution, providing a demolition tool to be used with the Case equipment in Deggendorf.

The Simorra group, based in Lleida, Spain, is formed by the companies Simorra and Maquinsa. It consists of a team of 65 qualified professionals, with proven experience in the sector. The group's facility is 11,000m², fitted with the latest technology, and possesses over 600m² for display and spare parts.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Power, stability and control with new Case 8 WX Series
    January 21, 2013
    Case Construction Equipment has unveiled the first three models in an improved range of wheeled excavators: the WX148, WX168 and WX188. The machine trio are said to benefit from the power and performance of a three-pump hydraulic system, with a dedicated swing pump, a new engine speed/working mode selection dial, a heavy-duty undercarriage and an improved operator’s cab. The revisions are also said by Case to result in improved operator comfort and ease of operation, excellent service accessibility and redu
  • Case's latest 400 Series 3 range
    July 17, 2012
    With the latest 400 Series 3 range Case says it is offering a competitive line-up comprising five radial lift skid steers, three vertical lift models and four compact tracked loaders. Lifting capacities range from 680-1,750kg with power outputs from 44.7-67kW. The 400 Series 3 machines feature a new cab with a 7% increase in headroom and a 6% increase in lap-bar width for improved comfort. Depending on the model, the machines also benefit from a 20-80% larger frontal glass area, boosting visibility. A foot
  • Atlhammer achieves all-Hitachi fleet goal
    April 2, 2014
    A German family-owned business has decided to renew its excavator fleet exclusively with Hitachi construction machinery following the purchase of two Zaxis-5 medium excavators. Demolition and earthmoving specialist Althammer’s strategy is now to concentrate on a one-brand policy in conjunction with the Hitachi Support Chain after-sales network provided by official German dealer Kiesel. The Pemfling-based contractor was established by Karl Althammer in 1978 as a transport company. He bought the firm’
  • German highway contract for STRABAG
    August 10, 2021
    A major German highway contract will be worked on by STRABAG.