Capital Equipment News March 2017

FROM VEGAS TO THE WORLD

Technological innovations were at the centre of many earthmoving equipment OEMs’ exhibits at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Munesu Shoko attended the event and filed this report.

A common message from both exhibitors and show organisers was that the construction industry is changing, at a rapid pace. To respond to the ever-changing needs of the industry, several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) showcased their tremendous technological advancements since they last convened for CONEXPO- CON/AGG in 2014. To help the 130 000 construction profes- sionals who descended into Las Vegas grasp the future of their industry, organisers, for the first time, also set up a separate, 7 000 m² area called Tech Experience. The Tech Experience provided an interactive look at the trends and solutions in areas such as job site, workforce and infrastructure. Microsoft and Hyperloop were among the companies presenting at the Tech Experience. “Over the past three years, all technology

the next largest group, made up 17%. Of interest to Capital Equipment News was the sheer focus on technological inno- vations by earthmoving equipment manufac- turers such as Volvo Construction Equipment, Caterpillar, Liebherr, Bell Equipment, JCB and LiuGong, to mention a few. The age of smart iron Caterpillar, exhibiting at its home turf, flexed its technological muscle with “The Age of Smart Iron” approach. Jim Umpleby, CEO of Caterpillar, says the OEM is driving an era where jobsites get connected, iron flexes its intelligence and industry evolves. “At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 Caterpillar is launching new Cat Connect hardware and software to enable equipment

has advanced at an exponential rate, and the same can be said for the construction industry,” said Sara Truesdale Mooney, CONEXPO-CON/AGG show director. “Today we have autonomous trucks and augmented reality to allow drawings through glasses on a job site. It is CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s role to raise awareness of new products and technologies, drive adoption and industry efficiency.” This year’s show featured more than 2 500 exhibitors, up from 2 000 recorded during the previous show in 2014, representing various segments of the industry such as asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmov- ing, lifting, mining and utilities. Contrac- tors accounted for 63% of the attendees, while equipment dealers and distributors,

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