Capital Equipment News January 2017

EUROPE A Potain MDT98 tower crane was used at the famed Verona Arena in Italy to change theatrical sets between productions for its entire 2016 opera season. Verona, Italy-based Toffoli Macchine rented the 6 t crane for the project, which had the crane use its 55 m jib radius to reach over the arena’s walls and assemble sets during the day. By night the crane helped dismantle the scenery. The MDT 98 replaced a Potain GTMR 386 B that was formerly used for this job for 15 years. ASIA

The German machine tool industry believes Vietnam offers huge market potential. For the first time, the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), in conjunction with the German-Vietnamese Chamber of Industry and Commerce, in late November 2016 organised a one-day symposium in Ho Chi Minh City. 12 prestigious companies including Chiron, DMG Mori, Heller, Hermle, Klingelnberg, Mauser, Open Mind, Peiseler, Siemens, SW Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen, Trumpf and Zimmer & Kreim showcased their products, solutions and services for modern-day industrial production operations. About 100 customers from the relevant user categories in the metalworking sector responded to the invitation, and attended the VDW’s symposium in the cultural and commercial centre of Vietnam.

AFRICA SEW-EURODRIVE Cape Town has invested in new assembly cells for geared motors to speed up production, increase quality and reduce wastage. As part of its ongoing development, the branch also plans a new assembly cell for electronics in the near future. “We have definitely started to do more business on the electronics side, especially in terms of servo motors and mechatronic units, which combine electronics with mechanical gearing,” says branch manager Byron Griffiths. He explains that the assembly-cell development embarked upon by the Cape Town branch will increase its flexibility and capability to deliver total solutions for clients. It will also assist in reducing stockholding, as a lot of components are interchangeable, as opposed to having to keep one item in stock in every available size and configuration.

AUSTRALIA Terex Trucks has appointed OPS Equipment as its official dealer in Australian’s South, West and Northern territories to support and supply its articulated haulers. Founded in 1989, OPS provides equipment sales, service and consultation to customers in the mining, screening, crushing, washing, block making, earthmoving and construction industries. The addition of Terex Trucks will enable OPS to broaden its portfolio and offer customers all three articulated haulers manufactured by the Motherwell-based company.

CASE has its eyes on the Middle East

Following the success of its prominent Eagle Days events held in Tunisia and South Africa, CASE Construction Equipment recently had another one in Dubai, the first one to be held in the Middle East. Held at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Shooting Club in Dubai, the three-day event took place from 20 to 22 November. The CASE Eagle Days is designed to provide product and commercial training for sales professionals, together with offering customers the opportunity to see first-hand the performance of CASE machines in action. In Dubai, CASE also took the opportunity to introduce both salesmen and customers to the new parts facility in the region, which will increase service levels and reduce downtime to help CASE customers maintain high levels of productivity. The two-day training organised by the CASE Commercial Training Team was attended by almost 50 salesmen from 10 countries, including eight from the Middle East and two from Africa. It provided both in-depth product walk-arounds in the demonstration area as

CASE recently held its first Eagle Days in Dubai.

well as classroom sessions. More than 160 customers attended the Customer event held on the third day, including a large number from the UAE, as well as Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon and Ethiopia. There was a live machinery show plus product demonstrations from expert CASE operators on a wide range of equipment. On show were crawler excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and skid steer loaders at work. The CASE Commercial Training Team, including product specialists, were on hand to advise

on the best machine for each application. CASE also used the event to launch a new grader which became the star of the day. This machine is said to perfectly suit local needs. “Once again we have had a great response to our Eagle Days event,” said Franco Invernizzi, senior business director CNH Industrial Construction Equipment for Africa and Middle East. “The three-day format, including the sales training as preliminary to the main show on the third day, enhances the relationship between salesmen and customers from across the region.” b

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