CONEXPO Russia is rouble rouser

Huge investment in new and existing Russian transport infrastructure has created a wealth of commercial opportunities for major construction equipment manufacturers as Guy Woodford discovered at the recent CTT 2012/CONEXPO Russia exhibition

A 20% rise in visitor numbers and a 15% increase in exhibitors at this year’s 5848 CTT 2012/5847 CONEXPO Russia, compared to 2011 show levels, illustrated the attraction of big infrastructure project spending in Russia to the world’s largest construction equipment companies.

Major global brands such as 255 JCB, John Deere, 2394 Volvo Construction Equipment (CE), 2300 Komatsu, 718 Liebherr, and 2395 Wirtgen were among the 911 construction equipment companies from 28 different countries present for the five-day event covering more than 124,000m² at the IEC Crocus Expo in Moscow between 29 May and 2 June.

Among the new equipment unveiled to the show’s 30,000 plus visitors were:

• JCB’s 5CX backhoe loader and 24tonne 467 wheeled loader – the former the most powerful and the latter the biggest of its type ever made by the UK firm
• Prototypes of 257 John Deere’s first ever crawler excavators, the E210LC and E240LC – set to become available in 2013 at the earliest; updated versions of the US firm’s 325K and 710K backhoe loaders; and the 320D mini loader with turning blade
• 1261 Chetra’s T11 bulldozer with hydrostatic transmission; a PK120 front wheeled loader, and EGP 230 and EGP 200 crawler excavators
• 2714 SUMITOMO’s new to the Russian market HA60C-7CE asphalt paver
  

Speaking at the show, Tim Burnhope, JCB’s chief innovation and growth officer, said: “Russia in particular has a rapidly developing backhoe loader market and our customers there need a higher horsepower model, capable of faster travel times, quicker loading cycles and increased efficiency. With the 5CX, JCB is once again taking the lead in the backhoe loader sector, delivering the right machine to meet and exceed our customers' expectations.”

The 5CX has a 120hp Tier 2 JCB Dieselmax engine while the 467, which comes with five-speed transmission, is said by JCB to be 30% more productive than the nearest competitive model. JCB currently has 80 dealers in Russia.
Speaking during a press conference to launch their new machines John Deere Russia/CIS construction and forestry director, Andrew Christopher, said Russia was the “key strategic market” for the company, with John Deere net sales in Russia in 2011 increasing by 135% compared with 2010.

“In 2011 we doubled our [manufacturing] capacity at our centre in Domodedovo and we are planning to keep the growth at the same pace. We added 25% more staff in 2011 and we are expecting to raise staff by 20% in 2012. The last three years has seen the creation of 40 construction equipment dealership sales offices and service centres and in the near future we are planning to raise this number up to 50.”

On Chetra’s prominent presence at CTT 2012/CONEXPO Russia Yulia Sergeeva, the Russian firm’s export sales project manager, said: “CTT/CONEXPO Russia is very important for our profile in the Russian market and for sales. We have had a lot of interest in our machines during the show. With the excavators and front wheeled loaders we have here, we are showing that we have a wider range of machines.”

Meanwhile corporate communications manager for Volvo CE, Steve Skinner, said the Swedish construction equipment giants were looking to double its sales in Russia by 2015. The company recently started construction of its new excavator factory in Kaluga, 150km southwest of Moscow, with the first of the machines ranging from the 20tonne EC200 to the 48tonne EC480 due off the assembly lines next year.

“We have a very strong dealership partner in 5066 Ferronordic Machines. They have 55 dealership branches currently and have an ambitious investment and expansion programme, which will see branches swell to around 100 locations. This will create an extensive dealership network across the whole of Russia.”

Skinner said that a deal two-and-a-half years ago which saw Volvo CE become the majority shareholder in Chinese company 5316 SDLG, which specialises in wheeled loaders for the Russian market, had been an important commercial move.

He also pointed to the immense commercial potential in Russia for construction equipment companies due to the sustained volume of transport infrastructure projects across the country, such as the 650km motorway toll road between Moscow and St Petersburg. The first section of the project is set to be completed by 2013.

Dana, the driveline, sealing and thermal management company, has opened a Moscow office and showcased its latest drivetrain systems to the Russian market during CTT 2012/CONEXPO Russia.

The firm’s integrated drivetrain system for 15tonne front-end loaders includes the new to Russia Spicer TZL16 powershift transmission, Spicer Model 2040 Compact Series driveshafts, and Spicer 114 industrial planetary rigid axles.

Elsewhere at CTT 2012/CONEXPO Russia, 172 Bomag 217 Fayat said it was keen to build on its existing 30% share of the Russian single drum roller market and pick up new orders across its entire construction equipment portfolio.

“We are the only company that has presented a full range of products, including an asphalt plant and the new BF 800 finisher, at the show,” said BOMAG Fayat Russia managing director Dmitri Karelin.

Another German company, 167 Benninghoven, was showcasing its wide range of asphalt mixing and asphalt recycling plants as well as its asphalt additive systems. “We’ve just had a very good year in Russia. The country has much more money to invest. For instance, in France we sell three to four plants a year, but in Russia we sell 20 plants a year,” said spokesman Ralf Port.

The 1100 Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) helped with CONEXPO Russia exhibitor travel planning and logistics, whilst also offering cost-effective exhibit options.

"Our manufacturers recognise the continued value of doing business in Russia, and the show supplied increased opportunities to bring their product technologies to the region and sell equipment," said CONEXPO Russia show director Melissa Magestro.