News

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

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

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

Ultra Plant International (UPI) has finalised a new French dealership agreement with Terre Pro during INTERMAT. The company, which manufactures trommel screeners for recycling applications, is excited about its commercial opportunities in France. “We focus on the small and medium level business user,” said firm sales and marketing manager Michael McMenamin.

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.”

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.

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.”

XCMG is believed to be in advanced negotiations over the purchase of major concrete machinery manufacturer Schwing as part of its ambitious plans to break into the top three companies for construction machine sales by 2015. One company source said the acquisition of Germany-based Schwing would be a “big thing” for the global construction machinery industry. “We feel they can contribute to our competitiveness in the concrete machinery sector. Our lower manufacturing costs and their high level technology make

Urban artists Mr Shiz and Foundry are spray-painting two 7m by 5m canvasses during the show to help IPAF highlight the safe and effective use of powered access equipment. Both have been trained and licensed to operate the equipment safely and visitors can see them at work in the IPAF Safety Zone, which also features information and guidance for managers and operators.

Monsieur Bernard Accoyer, the president of the French National Assembly, officially opened INTERMAT 2012 with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony. Equipped with gold-plated scissors, M Accoyer paused for the media before slicing through the tricolour ribbon on his way to an extensive 90-minute tour of the show’s exhibition halls, to savour all that the construction industry has to offer.

European construction equipment manufacturers expect another modest increase in sales of 6% compared to 2011. “The industry’s total turnover would then amount to €25 billion,” said Johann Sailer, president of the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) at INTERMAT. According to Sailer this is still a little down on the figures of top years of 2007-2008, when the European industry reached a record turnover of €31 billion. But the overall mood of European manufacturers is optimistic.