Capital Equipment News July 2018

BACKHOE LOADERS

TALKING POINTS

year downward cycle in 2017. “South Africa, and several other southern African countries are set to enjoy a favourable economic spell this year, and we are convinced that this is the perfect time for us to explore new business units,” he says. Apart from seemingly favourable market conditions, Nair believes that Mahindra’s knowledge of the market will also play a huge factor in the quick growth of its construction division. Mahindra SA is celebrating its 14 th year in South Africa and already has an established network of dealers in all nine provinces of the country, housed in comprehensive facilities that handle sales, service and spare parts. In a market which he believes to be over 1 000 units per annum, Vaughan Ellis, MD of Maximum Equipment, is targeting a 5% market share in the next three years. Since arriving in South Africa in 2010, there are about 120 Hidromek TLBs operating in the field, while Maximum Equipment has already sold 10 units, including its recently-launched mini-TLB, since taking over in February this year. Hidromek models to the local market, comprising the HKM 102 B Alpha with a standard bucket, the HMK 102 B Alpha with a 6-in-1 bucket and the HMK 62 SS with a 4-in-1 bucket. The HMK 102 B’s 6-in-1 loading bucket with a 1,1 m³ capacity is said to provide an advanced level of loading performance. “Thanks to the bucket geometry that is designed carefully, effective use of bucket capacity is guaranteed,” says Ellis. The Alpha Series comes with greater weight distribution and wide stabilisers provide safer excavation in uneven terrain. The range also comes with an additional hydraulic line as standard for hydraulic breaker and attachment use. “The HM 102 B Alpha’s telescopic arm has a digging depth of up to 5,8 m, which is a big advantage in deep excavations and applications that call for a long reach,” adds Ellis. Maximum Equipment has since added the new Hidromek HMK 62 SS mini-TLB to its range. Ellis says the new offering complements the larger range and adds a new dimension. “It’s a niche model that spans both the TLB and skid-steer market. It will appeal to those customers looking at a specific job requirement, but it won’t dilute the sales of the bigger TLB,” he says. The compact size of the machine, the Strong offering Maximum Equipment offers three

“Key target markets for us are naturally the plant hire and construction companies. However, we will continue to look for other niche markets where we already have relationships with our customers through our full range of equipment, such as the agriculture sector.”

Gavin Leask, product manager at Manitou Southern Africa

“We are still in the very early stages of starting up and if we can manage our growth within our own set parameters, we will be grateful. In a perfect world if we can achieve a market share of 4% for the first rolling year of trading we will be happy.”

Francois Griesel, national sales manager at Feeler Africa,

Manitou SA officially launched its new TLB844S backhoe loader at Nampo 2018.

successfully challenge for a sizeable share of the market, he says Manitou SA will complement its good product with dedicated aftermarket support it is already known for. Francois Griesel, national sales manager at Feeler Africa, tells Capital Equipment News that a key focus area for the company at this stage is to set the right foundations for success by growing its dealer network across South Africa. “We are still in the very early stages

of starting up and want to manage our growth within our own set parameters. In a perfect world, if we can achieve a market share of 4% for the first rolling year of trading we will be happy,” he says. Pavan Nair, GM New Business Development at Mahindra South Africa, is optimistic that the timing of the launch of the Mahindra backhoe offering is perfect, with the market signalling strong growth prospects following an end to a three-

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 14