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VOLVO UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST CONCEPT VEHICLE MADE FROM FOSSIL-FREE STEEL

Volvo Group has revealed the world’s first vehicle made of fossil-free steel supplied by SSAB. More vehicles will follow in 2022 in what will be a series of concept vehicles and components using fossil-free steel.

“This initiative with SSAB sets the benchmark for a fossil-free future. Just as the nations of the world come together at COP26 to address climate change, so too must organizations and industries work in collaboration to develop innovative new solutions for a greenhouse gas emission-free future. Volvo Group is committed to pioneering partnerships such as this with SSAB to develop attractive, safe and efficient new vehicles and machines that pave the way for a more sustainable transport and infrastructure system adopted for the future,” says Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of Volvo Group.

With a commitment to be climate neutral and achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, Volvo Group is on the path toward developing sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. Along with the electrification of its vehicles and machines, Volvo aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain and this latest innovation is one step forward on this path.

“Having the world’s first actual vehicle made using SSAB’s fossil-free steel is a true milestone. Our collaboration with Volvo Group shows that green transition is possible and brings results,” says Martin Lindqvist, president and CEO at SSAB. “Together, we will continue reducing climate impact all the way to the end customer while ensuring that our customers get high-quality steel. We look forward to continuing to work with Volvo Group in research and development to produce more fossil-free steel products.”

A move toward green steel is an important step for Volvo Group, as well as for the transport and infrastructure industries as a whole, particularly considering that around 70 percent of a truck’s weight comes from steel and cast iron, with the figure for Volvo machines even higher. This first concept machine is just the start, with smaller-scale series production planned by 2022, and mass production set to follow.

WHEEL LOADER AND VOCATIONAL TRUCK PRICES RISE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO RITCHIE BROS. REPORT

Ritchie Bros.’ October Market Trends Report showed positive pricing trends across all of its equipment indexes, with vocational truck prices up 35 percent in the United

States, while truck tractors and medium earthmoving are up 46 percent and 38 percent respectively (for the three months ending September 30, 2021).

When looking specifically at mixer trucks, mechanics trucks, and flatbed trucks sold in the U.S., older units are selling for more money as many companies are holding on to equipment and trucks longer due to the uncertainty in the supply chain for new assets.

In Q3 2021 alone, the median price for mechanics trucks in the U.S. is up 54 percent year over year and up 69 percent in

Canada.

Ritchie Bros.’ November Market Trends Report showed medium earthmoving equipment prices are up 36 percent in the

United States, while truck tractors and vocational trucks are up 45 percent and 34 percent respectively (for the three months ending October 31, 2021).

According to Ritchie Bros. price indexes, wheel loader pricing is up 13 percent in the U.S., while dozer pricing is up 10 percent.

“Supply chain issues continue to disrupt the equipment market, resulting in volume declines and older assets with higher usage coming to market in 2021,” said Doug Olive, senior vice president of pricing at Ritchie Bros. “This tightening supply combined with the unprecedented demand we are driving through our numerous marketplaces is resulting in strong pricing across nearly all asset categories, including dirt moving equipment like dozers, loaders and articulated dump trucks.”

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY LOADERS AMERICA CHANGES NAME AS PART OF REBRAND

Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America has been renamed to Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas, the U.S.-based consolidated subsidiary in charge of the manufacturing and sales of Hitachi-branded wheel loaders, excavators, mining shovels and mining trucks in

North and South America.

With the dissolution of the joint venture relationship between Hitachi Construction Machinery Group and Deere &

Company starting in March 2022, the name change corresponds with the company’s plans to serve the entire North, Central and

South American region.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas will also expand its staff in order to strengthen its sales and service sector functions and to more accurately respond to market needs throughout the region.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Turn to page 20 for our recap of the year including our picks for the top product and technology introductions, the biggest news stories, and the most exciting prototype developments.

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PROCORE ACQUIRES LABORCHART, AIMS TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR WORLD OF ASPHALT AND AGG1 2022

Registration for World of Asphalt Show & Conference and AGG1 Academy, running from March 29 to 31, 2022, at the Nashville Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, is officially open. Attendees may also sign up for education sessions to guarantee a spot. Education topics cover people, plants, paving, pavement preservation and environment, health, safety and sustainability. Procore has acquired LaborChart, a provider of workforce management software that helps contractors better schedule, manage, forecast and communicate with their workforces.

Procore’s Field Productivity product helps contractors track employee time and provides insights into team productivity.

LaborChart gives contractors a real-time understanding of all workers, assignments and commitments, enabling them to accurately plan, schedule and forecast. These integrated solutions will give contractors a holistic view of their workforce, ensuring they have the control they need to manage, schedule, and budget their labour.

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JCB INVESTS MILLIONS IN HYDROGEN ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

JCB has invested £100 million on a project to produce efficient hydrogen engines. A team of 100 engineers is already working on the development with the recruitment of up to 50 more engineers under way as JCB targets the end of 2022 for the first machines to be available for sale to customers.

JCB’s entry into zero-emission hydrogen technology comes as governments around the world unveil strategies to develop infrastructure needed to support hydrogen use as a method of driving down carbon dioxide emissions.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford said: “We are investing in hydrogen as we don’t see electric being the all-round solution, particularly not for our industry because it can only be used to power smaller machines. It does mean we will carry on making engines, but they will be super-efficient, affordable, hightech hydrogen motors with zero carbon dioxide emissions, which can be brought to market quickly using our existing supply base.”

TEXADA PARTNERS WITH SANY AMERICA AS RENTAL MANAGEMENT AND DEALERSHIP SOFTWARE VENDOR

Texada Software has partnered with SANY America Inc. to become SANY’s recommended rental management and dealership software vendor. Texada’s software platform will manage equipment rental and sales operations, drive efficiency in service and logistics, provide e-commerce capabilities, and provide detailed analytics and reports.

What does it take to be better? You have to be strong. Be smart. Be resilient. Be innovative. You’ve got to go above and beyond. And that’s precisely why people choose JCB construction equipment time and time again: Because good enough is never good enough.

Check out our full line of JCB products at your local dealer or visit JCB.com today.

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