News

The bC India 2013 event looks set to be a well-attended and successful exhibition, according to the latest figures from the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which is one of the co-organisers. Nearly 700 exhibitors from 33 countries have applied for space at bC India which will also feature an extensive supporting programe. The number of exhibitors sets a record for this event, the International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Const

The Victoria Park Tunnel project in New Zealand has won an international award for construction methodology. The Victoria Park Alliance was presented with the 2012 International Road Federation (IRF) Global Road Achievement Award for Construction Methodology for the Victoria Park Tunnel project at an event in Washington, DC. The Alliance comprises the New Zealand Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, Beca, Higgins Contractors and Parsons Brinckerhoff. Parsons Brinckerhoff was involved in concept design f

A landmark deal has been agreed between Shandong Heavy Industry Weichai Power and the German Kion Group. This is claimed to be the largest financial investment in Germany to date made by a Chinese company. Kion is a leading international producer of forklift trucks and under the terms of this deal, it will work with Weichai Power to develop a common platform for the machines for sale worldwide. The Chinese investment will also boost manufacturing capability within Europe. Weichai Power is investing €738 mil

Formwork solutions for the first axial suspension cable stayed bridge in India; and a four-lane road bridge in Germany’s Harz Mountains, are among the latest bridge-based formwork projects analysed by Guy Woodford RMD Kwikform India has won the contract to design and supply shoring and formwork solutions for the first axial suspension cable stayed bridge ever built in India. The Kota Bridge’s innovative design sees a single 350m span cross the entire width of the Chambal River, with three approach spans on

Several manufacturers are offering improved earthmoving machines, with more to come - Mike Woof reports One of the most notable developments comes from Caterpillar, with the unveiling of a hybrid excavator in the shape of its 336E H model. The machine is having its public launch at the bauma exhibition in Spring 2013 and will start rolling out of the factory in March 2013, while customers will be able to place orders from February 2013. Unlike other hybrid excavators on the market at present, the Cat 336E

Emissions remain the focus for engine development but equipment manufacturers want clarity from regulators Emissions remain a major challenge for the off-highway construction equipment market. The EU has tough targets in this respect and its objective is an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of 80-95% by the year 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There is considerable research already underway on how to reduce fuel consumption and to help ensure the security of energy supply. A number of industry sectors, such

TransCore and the New York City Department of Transportation have been presented with the prestigious International Road Federation (IRF) Global Road Achievement Award (GRAA) for deployment of the midtown in motion adaptive signal control system. The GRAA is a leading international competition to identify and honour excellence, innovation, and exceptional achievement. This year’s awards honoured ten projects from countries around the world, with NYCDOT and TransCore receiving the award for excellence in int

Case New Holland (CNH) has appointed Mario Gasparri as head of the CNH Construction Equipment business in the newly created Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region. This appointment is additional to his role of brand president of Case Construction and New Holland Construction that was announced last November as part of the new Fiat Industrial organisation. Gasparri had served as general manager of CNH International since September 2010 with responsibility for CNH's agricultural and construction brands in

Work on a major US$241.9 million (£150m) road widening scheme in the East Midlands region of England has started near Nottingham. The works will focus on an 11.26km (seven mile) stretch of the A453 between M1 Junction 24 and the A52 Nottingham Ring Road – a major link serving Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands Airport.

An overpass demolition job in the US state of Washington caused problems when a chunk of the roadway fell the wrong way. Luckily no-one was hurt when the chunk of reinforced concrete dropped but it caused serious damage to water lines and other utilities that will now have to be repaired. The project forms part of a series of upgrades to the key SR16 highway link.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in the United States has named Charlie O’Brien as senior vice president. The appointment is said by the AEM to be in recognition of his increased leadership role for the association. These include activities under AEM’s new strategic plan, initiated in 2012, to better serve all members’ current and future business-development needs.

Preliminary data from France over the number of fatalities on the road network reveal safety improvements during 2012. The numbers killed dropped by 7-8%, although the final figures for December are not yet available. The preliminary figures suggest that around 3,600-3,700 were killed on French roads in 2012, compared with 3,970 in 2011. This reduction is in line with targets on cutting the death rate and Ministry of the Interior wants to bring the fatality rate to just 2,000 by 2020. This reduction has bee