Construction Machinery ME January 2014

ISSUE 27 014 JANUARY 2

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

HIRE AND HIGHER

Graham Nixon on expanding in the GCC

SAfETy IN NUmBERS facing up to HSE at height

KUwAIT CoNNECTIoNS

Elevated thinking in the northern Gulf

mINING AND QuARRYING

THE BIG CRUSH Giants of quarrying Plus: ACROss THE INDusTRY

* NEWs & VIEWs * EXPO 2020* INTERmAT PREVIEW* AND muCH mORE

VE

LI

DE M ON ST RA TI ON S

16-20 February 2014

DAMMAM

Dhahran International Exhibition Center, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Show timings: 9:30-12:00 and 16:00-22:00

Raz Islam Publishing Director raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com Mobile: +971 50 451 8213

Michael Stansfield Commercial Director michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com Mobile: +971 55 150 3849

The Construction Machinery Show 2014 is the largest heavy construction machinery event in the region, showcasing a wide variety of products ranging from heavy equipment to machinery, from lighting to generators as well as dealers and service providers.

action via its programme of live demonstrations and the largest ever showcase of its type in the Middle East.

The event will provide an invaluable platform for customers in the Arab world bringing together manufacturers, distributors and buyers.

In 2014, the Construction Machinery Show 2014 is teaming up with leading Saudi exhibition organiser, Dhahran International Exhibitions Center (DIEC). This year’s show will run in conjunction with the popular BUILDEX event, now in its 16th year.

The Construction Machinery Show 2014 is also the only event in the region where buyers can see a huge range of equipment in

Both events will attract worldwide industry experts, investors and buyers to the largest tradeshow in the Eastern Province.

Information Partner

Gold Sponsor

Power and Lighting by

Co-located with

Organised by

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Terex is a registered trademark of Terex Corporation in the United States of America and many other Countries

Contents

42 IS S U E 2 7 2014 JA N U A RY

02

Editorial You really can’t beat a hands-on approach to buying

04

NEws What’s happening across the region in construction machinery?

10

NEws aNalysis How the crane collapse at Brazil’s Itaquerao Stadium highlights the need to take care for preparing for global events.

page 42 Dealing with labour issues in KSA “You have to offer proper packages to attract the best people. It’s not too complex a task but it needs to be taken very seriously.”

50

26

14

hEavy hittErs: graham NixoN CMME talks to Nixon Hire’s Graham Nixon to find out how the UK rental company is ready to take on the Saudi market.

18

workiNg iN a matErial world

22

Expo 2020: what happENs NExt?

Stian Overdahl discovers how the recovery in the construction sector is helping to power the mining and quarrying sector.

CMME examines the impact of Dubai hosting the Expo 2020.

26

Up iN thE air How a giant gantry crane is helping to build Kuwait’s roads.

08

44

22

Raw power

33 NEW RELEASE ROUND UP What’s hot in new machinery this month? Page 39 TOP TEN: GUIDE TO LOOKING AFTER YOUR KIT Case’s guide to looking after your heavy equipment. Page 42 SPECIAL REPORT: OUT OF THE SLUMP A look at the Saudi market ahead of the Construction Machinery Show in Dammam Page 46 INTERMAT ME PREVIEW Will it be a case of third time’s the charm for the Paris show spin-off? Page 50 SAFETY AT HEIGHT Working towards safer utilisation. Page 50 THE LAST WORD Page

Editor’s Letter

PubliSher Dominic De SouSa GrOuP COO naDeem HooD ManaGinG DireCtOr RicHaRD JuDD eDiToRiaL GrOuP eDitOr STepHen wHiTe stephen.white@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5477 DePuty eDitOr GaVin DaViDS gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5480

NothiNg like the real thiNg

F

internatiOnal eDitOr STian oVeRDaHL stian.overdahl@cpidubai.com maRKeTinG & aDVeRTiSinG

or one reason or another, I failed to make a machinery auction in 2013 until the very last one held at Ritchie Bros.’ yard in Jebel Ali in December. I soon realised what I had been missing.

PubliShinG DireCtOr RaZ iSLam raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5471

I sat as an avid viewer with my hands safely stowed by my sides on the sidelines watching the auction unfold. The action was loud and frantic as a series of loaders, graders and then giant rock trucks rolled past the crowd. As any goer or online visitor to the Canadian auction house sales know the scene is one the best spectacles you can experience as an avid purveyor of all things large and mechanical.

MarKetinG ManaGer LiSa JuSTice lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498

While online bidding has made the process of buying equipment a global marketplace, being there to witness the auction in full 3D technicolour made me realise that there really is no substitute for the real thing.

COMMerCial DireCtOr micHaeL STanSFieLD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497

MarKetinG aSSiStant BaRBaRa panKaSZ barbara.pankasz@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5499 DeSiGn art DireCtOr Simon coBon simon.cobon@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 JuniOr GraPhiC DeSiGner peRciVaL manaLaySay percival.manalaysay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5712 ciRcuLaTion & pRoDucTion

Obviously beyond the spectacle, auctions offer the opportunity for buyers to examine the equipment before making a bid and I wandered for an hour through the rows of kit watching how every nook and cranny is explored. While I am sure everyone has their own unique way of assessing their next excavator or compact crawler, almost every single person sat in the operator seat. Maybe machinery owners really do obsess over comfort as manufacturers like to tell us.

The benefit of trying before you buy applies to new machinery as much as used, and this is something that is a constant frustration for manufacturers wanting to sell their machines in the Middle East.

Buyers here remain sceptical of kit that hasn’t yet earned its stripes in the dust bowls and extreme environment of the region.

The beginning of the year gives us two opportunities to sample some of the latest technology in the market with first InterMat Middle East in Abu Dhabi this month and the Construction Machinery Show in Dammam in February. Obviously I have a vested opportunity to promote the latter – I am happy to confirm that there will be a full programme of demonstrations at the event – but I would urge you to get to either or better both if you can.

There are signs that those that are willing to push product into the hands of buyers and operators are able to make headway in an often staid market.

We saw progress from JCB, CNH, Volvo and MAN Trucks last year, because they were willing, some may say forced, to allow contractors to get hands on with their their product. This can only be to the benefit of buyers.

CirCulatiOn anD DiStributiOn ManaGer RocHeLLe aLmeiDa rochelle.almeida@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 368 1670 DatabaSe anD CirCulatiOn ManaGer RaJeeSH m rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9147 PrODuCtiOn ManaGer JameS p THaRian james.tharian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9146 DiGiTaL www.constructionmachineryme.com DiGital ServiCeS ManaGer TRiSTan TRoy maaGma Web DevelOPer JoeL aZcuna online@cpidubai.com +971 4 375 5714 puBLiSHeD By Registered at impZ

po Box 13700 Dubai, uae Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 pRinTeD By printwell printing press LLc

The past half decade was been a chastening experience for everyone and I hope that as we continue to see a resurgence in construction activity that this lesson learned is not forgotten.

© copyright 2013 cpi all rights reserved while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

ISSUE 27 JANUARY 2014

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

Stephen White, Group Editor, CMME

2

CONSTRUCTION

MIDDLE EAST

January 2014

HIRE AND HIGHER

Graham Nixon on expanding in the GCC

SAfETy IN NUmBERS facing up to HSE at height

KUwAIT CoNNECTIoNS

Elevated thinking in the northern Gulf

mINING AND QuARRYING

THE BIG CRUSH Giants of quarrying Plus: ACROss THE INDusTRY

* NEWs & VIEWs * EXPO 2020* INTERmAT PREVIEW* AND muCH mORE

nOW Online you can now catch the online edition every month at: www.constructionmachineryme.com

News Round-Up

NEWS

Komatsu tops RBa DuBai sale

New machines, new offices, new projects, new initiatives – we look around the region at what’s new this month.

SAUDI RE-STARTS Following the government crackdown on undocumented labourers in the country, the Saudi construction sector is reportedly recovering following a slump in productivity.

An unused 2011 Komatsu PC800-7 hydraulic excavator was the top-selling lot at a recent Richtie Bros Auction in Dubai. The machine, which had 14 hours on the meter, sold for $580,000.

The second and third most expensive machines were also Komatsu: a 2009 Komatsu D155A-2 crawler tractor with 592 hours on the meter, and sold for US$260,000, while a 2009 Komatsu D155A-5 with 1,574 hours on the meter sold for $235,000.

Other equipment

Speedy hit by accounting irregularities

S

peedy Hire has discovered ‘irregularities’ in its accounting for the Middle East International Division, with an amount as high as $8 million missing.

According to a statement by the company, “certain control processes within the International Division have been repeatedly and deliberately circumvented”, and the accounting irregularities stretch back over a a number of accounting periods.

Group chief executive, Steve Corcoran has resigned, while the finance director of the International Division has been suspended, and other senior divisional management

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September 2011 January 2014

are the subject of further investigation.

The company has hired law firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP to conduct an independent legal investigation, and forensic accountants are in the process of being appointed.

The issues are believed to affect a limited number of smaller contracts, and do not relate to the major ZADCO and Al Futtaim Carillion contracts nor the Kazakhstan joint venture said the company. The UK operations are unaffected.

The company’s share price on the UK stockmarket tumbled on the news. Speedy said it is engaged in a constructive dialogue with its lenders.

lots sold at Dubai in October included a Grove GMK3055 55-ton 6x6x6 all terrain crane, selling for $167,500, an all-terrain crane powered by a 349hp Mercedes-Benz OM501 LA six-cylinder carrier engine. The 40-ton capacity Grove came with a 9.7m-43.0m six section boom, a 360 kg three sheave block, A/C, and tilt cab, and had 11,917 hours on the meter.

Meanwhile a 2004 Caterpillar D8R crawler tractor also featured, selling for $155,000, with 16,338 hours on the meter.

Company intelligenCe the Saudi ministry of labour has proposed a plan to give incentives to large companies in the nitaqat system’s green and platinum zones, prompting them to increase their Saudisation quotas. part of a draft document which was distributed amongst the chairmen of the Council of Saudi Chambers’ (CSC) national committees at a meeting last month contained these details.

Committee chairmen requested the ministry to increase visas for workers in the contracting, construction and agriculture sectors following the government’s campaign which included the exit of illegal immigrants in the country. in line with dubai’s expo 2020 preparations, emaar properties recently signed a deal with dubai world central undertaking the development of a residential project. Built on an area of 13.63mn sq.m, the national reported phase 1 of emaar’s project will include a villa community by a golf course, several hotels and a mall. “[expo is] expected to welcome more than 25 million visitors during the six months’ period. it is important that the city further builds its retail, hospitality and residential facilities to meet the anticipated demand,” said mohamed alabbar, the chairman of emaar. manufacturers of construction materials across the uae have been given the deadline of 2014 to regulate their products under the emirates authority for Standardisation and metrology (eSma)’s mandatory registration. the unified building code will be applicable on products not covered under eSma’s regulations, a senior official is reported to have said.

tender updateS

1

diamond developers will issue a $82 million contract for construction within their $299 million sustainably city project in dubailand, uae. the company will also construct 500 villas in the development, which will be handled by their in-house construction arm, jeet contracting. “we will be issuing a tender for the construction of a school, a university and a planetarium by february next year,” said faris saeed, chairman of diamond developers.

2

King abdullah of saudi arabia has warned ministries in the country to be fair and transparent when it comes project tendering and not to entertain or tolerate requests to break the rules. the strong move comes as a response to a letter from the finance ministry that highlighted cases of government departments requesting for permission to award contracts to preferred companies or to restrict tenders to select firms, the arabic language daily, sabq reported.

Terex agrees To sell Truck business To VolVo To $160 million Terex has announced that it has agreed to sell its truck business to Volvo Construction Equipment for cash proceeds of approximately $160 million. The truck business manufactures and sells offhighway rigid and articulated haul trucks. Included in the transaction is the manufacturing facility in Motherwell, Scotland.

The sale, which is subject to government regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is targeted to close in the first half of 2014.

“The truck business has been an important part of our Company for more than three decades and continues to produce world class products with dedicated and talented employees,” said Ron DeFeo, Terex’ CEO. “However, trucks no longer fit within our changing portfolio of lifting and material handling businesses.

I am confident that the truck business will benefit by joining a company sharing similar competencies and offering complementary products and services. We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with Volvo, which represents a strong strategic buyer for the business

who values our distribution network and team members.”

DeFeo continued: “The sale of the Truck business reflects our strategy to manage our portfolio of businesses and focus on those businesses that provide the greatest returns for our shareholders. We recently announced the initiation of quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders and a share repurchase program and the proceeds from this sale aid our efforts to improve our financial efficiency and implement these programmes.”

Commenting on the rationale of the deal Volvo CE’s president,

Pat Olney said: “This is a strategic acquisition that offers Volvo CE considerable scope for growth.

The addition of a well-respected range of rigid haulers extends the earthmoving options for customers involved in light mining applications at a time of renewed confidence in the sector. The addition of TEL’s articulated hauler range will enhance our position in this segment, particularly in highgrowth markets. We believe that the Motherwell facility and its global team members, as well as the current distribution partners, are valuable to the success of the business in the future.”

Hidromek buys mitsu’s grader biz Hidromek has purchased mitsubishi Heavy industries’s motor grader business unit, including its production facilities in Thailand, machine designs, and the worldwide aftersales network.

The Turkish company, founded in 1978, will now be capable of designing, producing, distributing motor graders to markets world wide, as well as servicing the population. both companies are set to benefit from the move, with the grader business the last remaining compact equipment range in mitsubishi’s Hi infrastructure business, while enabling Hidromek to penetrate the asia and asean markets with its existing backhoe loader and excavator range.

This strategic move is in line with Hidromek’s 10 year growth plan and its quest to become a global brand in the construction machinery industry, said the company. it will continue operations in Thailand, keeping existing mHi-Pornchai machinery co., ltd. employees. as per this agreement, mHi will for a given period of time provide technical support and motor grader parts to Hidromek.

Hidromek’s net sales in 2012 reached approximately $342 million.

September 2011 January 2014

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION MIDDLE EAST MIDDLE EAST

55

News Round-Up

Kobelco to manufacture in US Kobelco’s reemergence as a player in the excavator market is looking more serious and it plans to build a plant in the US.

Abu Dhabi-Fujairah highspeed highway proposed A new road dedicated for cars driving at 200kph has been proposed by Dubai’s Traffic Police. Studies will be undertaken to assess the viability of the scheme, said Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, director of Dubai’s Traffic Police Department.

Kuwait firm buys 1200t terex atC Kuwait-based Integrated Logistics has purchased a Terex AC 1000 all-terrain crane, the largest mobile hydraulic crane in its 400-crane fleet.

With a rated capacity of 1,200t, the AC 1000 will see use on job sites across the GCC. Integrated Logistics has business hubs in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, with its headquarters in Kuwait. The company has more than 2,500 people in its employ.

Terex describes the large all terrain crane as the world’s largest easy-rigging mobile crane that can be driven on public roads with its standard 50m (164 ft) main boom attached.

This means the crane can be quickly rigged once on-site.

Saleh Al Huwaidi, CEO of Integrated Logistics, described the selection process: “We needed a high-capacity crane that would offer quick mobilisation, even in congested areas, for single-lift jobs.

“We found exactly what we were looking for in the AC 1000 crane.

We also selected Terex because they provide responsive service and technical support for our maintenance team.”

One of the crane’s first planned projects for Integrated Logistics is a highway expansion project in Kuwait City. “We will be placing a 200t steel girder in a tandem lift with our Terex AC 500-2 all terrain crane,” explained Al Huwaidi.

“It will be working close to the city where availability of space is

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September 2011 January 2014

limited, a perfect test for the crane’s capabilities.”

Christian Kassner, international sales manager for Terex Cranes, said that the new crane would give Integrated Logistics a competitive advantage in the GCC markets, even as many rental companies in the region are investing in higher capacity cranes.

“The markets in which Integrated Logistics operates are highly competitive, and the flexible AC 1000 crane gives the company a competitive edge by offering low transportation costs and short rigging times,” said Kassner. “Their jobs are often in large, congested areas where a maneuverable crane is a must, and the Terex AC 1000 unit delivers on this as well.”

Features of the crane include a maximum system length of 163m, with a patented luffing jib erecting system. Available with either a 50m or 100m, which is equipped with a patented, open-nose sheave that makes attaching additional boom segments fast and easy, this enbables short rigging times to reach a 100m (328ft) lifting height.

Integrated Logistics operates 72 Terex mobile cranes in its fleet, including the high capacity CC 8800-1 crawler crane. Its total fleet amounts to more than 2,000 units, including cranes, 200 axle lines to transport the heavy lifts, a tower lifting gantry system of 1,100t-capacity, as well as other construction equipment.

The suggestion is for a highway that will link Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, which will be meant only for those who drive at high-speeds.

BRIDGE DEMOLISHING Volvo CE equipment has been used to demolish an old bridge in Jharkhand, 20km from Calcutta, with the machines taking 60 days to bring the structure to the ground.

“The idea can become a true reality,” said Al Zafeen. “Maybe we need a road for motorists with powerful cars who want to drive 200kph.

It would also be good for people who drive on a daily basis between UAE cities.”

FIRSt SDLG wHEEL LOADER SELLS IN NA Chinese equipment manufacturer SDLG has sold its first wheel loader in North America only days after the machine line went on sale.

Speaking at the launch of the RTA’s White Points System, Al Zafeen added high speed is not the only cause of accidents and other factors are involved in the case of a collision. He further said the specifics of the highway, needing four lanes in two directions, would need further deliberation.

Mohamed Al Kindi, a company representative of Canadian Motors which is one of the patrons of White Traffic Points System, supported the idea of setting up highways where only high speed cars can travel. He said this has been tried and tested successfully in the US and Germany, as per a report by theFujairah Observer.

Shantui‘s value proposition made Shantui a leader in China’s fast-growing construction machinery industry.

Now, with a fully diversified line of products and a mature international sales network, Shantui is uniquely able to put that value proposition to work globally, meeting the need for value and exceeding the performance expectations of heavy construction machinery customers around the world.

It’s the Shantui Way.

THE SHANTUI VALUE PROPOSITION

No one else offers the unique balance between high performance and great price that Shantui delivers.

Tunis Société Commerciale de Matériels (COMAT) www.comat.tn +216-74468710 Azerbaijan Grand Motors LLC www.grandmotors.az +994-125647494

United Arab Emirates General Navigation And Commerce Company (GENAVCO) L.L.C (Member of Juma Al-Majid group)

www.genavco.com +971-43961000 Saudi Arabia -Arabian Bugshan Group (Earthmoving machinery)

www.abugshangroup.com +966-14931018

-Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Co., Ltd. (Concrete machinery)

www.kanoocom.com +966-22632959 Oman General Engineering Services Est. (Genserv) (Member of Juma Al-Majid group)

www.genserv-oman.com +968-24490755

Qatar Al Arabia Heavy Equipment Co. L.L.C. (Member of Al Fardan Group)

www.alarabia.com.qa +974-44971090 Bahrain ZAYANI MOTORS W.L.L. www.zmotors.com +973-17703703

Kuwait Bahrah Trading Company W.L.L. www.bahrahtrading.com +965-1802008 Iraq Al Ittihadia General Trading Co. ( Member of Sardar Group)

www.sardargroup.com +964-662569888 Algeria S.A.R.L. SOCOPE www.socope.net +213-43273939

www.shantui.com

News Round-Up

New presideNt for VolVo ce

Manitowoc’s new crawlers at conexpo Manitowoc has announced it will show two completely new crawler cranes at the Conexpo show in Las Vegas in March, as well as the US debut of its 165t capacity MLC165 crawler.

In court documents released in its patent lawsuit against Sany, US-based Manitowoc revealed that it was working on two medium-sized crawler cranes which will utilise its variable position counterweight (VPC) technology, which to date has only been seen on its larger size 31000 crawler crane. Whether the new crawlers launching in March will use the VPC technology – which in the documents Manitowoc refered to as ‘revolutionary’, citing its ability to allow the cranes to be rigged in significantly different configurations on site – remains to be seen.

Meanwhile the MLC165, first shown at Bauma, will have its official launch stateside.

Jerry Maloney, global product director for Manitowoc, said the new MLC165’s many features make it an extremely versatile crawler crane for both contractors and rental houses.

“This self-rigging crane is very easy to assemble and disassemble,” he said. “It can install and remove

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its own counterweights and tracks without the need for an assist crane. In addition, it has a 3 metre component width and modular assemblies for easy transport over the road. The MLC165 features all the latest technology to benefit everyone from owners to the operator.”

The crane is easy to maneuver on a job site or among several job sites, making it ideal for general contractors, bridge builders, steel erectors, pile-driving contractors and more. It continues the reputation established by two other highly-successful Manitowoc models, the Manitowoc 555 and the Manitowoc 777.

Steven Dick, technical sales support coordinator for Manitowoc, said the crane’s design makes it suitable for a variety of applications.

“Our engineers designed the MLC165 to facilitate general contractor activities, like pile driving and moderate clamshell or grapple work,” he said. “The MLC165 is built to be a versatile tool.”

In the GCC, Manitowoc’s range of crawler cranes are sold and supported directly by the manufacturer’s Middle East office.

Volvo Construction Equipment has announced that Martin Weissburg, aged 51, will be the new president of the business unit, effective January 1, 2014, replacing outgoing president Pat Olney. Weissburg is currently President of the Volvo Group’s customer finance company, Volvo Financial Services, VFS, and a member of the Group Executive Team, a position he has held since 2010. Prior to that he served as President of Volvo Financial Services Americas from 2005 to 2010.

Within his position at VFS, Weissburg has worked in close relationship with Volvo CE dealers for many years and has extensive and in-depth knowledge of the Volvo CE business.

“I am extremely satisfied to see Martin as President of Volvo CE,” said Volvo Group president and CEO Olof Persson.

“During his time with VFS, Martin has proven to be a strong and dynamic leader who has taken VFS to higher levels,” Persson added. “He is a proven operational expert who drives efficiencies and profitable growth, as well as develops talent and internal culture, and I am certain that he will

continue to deliver very well as in his new role.”

Prior to joining the Volvo Group, Weissburg has many years of global leadership experience tied to distribution and sales of heavy equipment.

Weissburg has served as President of Great Dane Financial, and as President of the manufacturing company Woodard LLC. He started his professional career in the field of construction equipment when joining Caterpillar out of university as a marketing management trainee.

New HollaNd rules precisioN A New Holland E385C crawler excavator has demonstrated its precision capabilities when equipped with Trimble 3D steering for a contractor in Germany. Prior to delivery by the New Holland dealer, the E385C excavator was equipped with a Trimble positioning system by SITECH West, distribution partners of Trimble Systems in Germany.

With the combination of state-of-the-art excavator technology and precise 3D steering using GPS, the machine was expected to be a competitive performer in

the fleet, with contractor Roth & Söhne having previously had positive experience using 3D steering systems for its excavators.

Its first job was a river restoration project, where the 3D steering system was able to reduce the project time. The aim was to restore a section of the natural course of a tributary of a river; as a part of the landscaping project, an area of 10,000 sqm had to be remodelled. With GPS system, the pegging out of the area by a surveyor could be minimised.

For the contractor, this meant substantial cost savings, not only on fuel,

but there was also less shifted material, more precise positioning, as well as reduced costs for the building surveyor.

This was made possible because most of the details of the planned works were available on the display in the cab.

Because the machine operator has all the relevant data at his disposal on the colour display in the cab from the start of operations, he can check the position of the excavator and equipment to the exact millimetre. The driver can achieve the desired working height, digging depth and specified landform more quickly than with conventional methods. With approximately 7,000 m³ of material having to be moved in the current project, the new E385C with its 3D steering system means smaller shortfall quantities and travelling motions, this in turn saves the company time, wages and machine costs.

News Analysis

Sao Paulo set back

Crane collapse and deaths highlight the peril of rushing global event construction.

B

razil’s World Cup 2014 preparations have suffered a deadly set back after a crane collapsed and killed two workers at the Sao Paulo stadium that is due to host the tournament’s opening match.

Corinthians, the football club that will move into the new stadium, confirmed the deaths of Fabio Luiz Pereira and Ronaldo Oliveira dos Santos in a joint statement with Odebrecht, the constructors of the Itaquerão stadium.

According to a report by The Guardian, Odebrecht said that the crane that lifted the last part of the structure of the metal roof of the stadium collapsed shortly before 1PM on Wednesday, 27 November 2013, during a routine operation to put the final section of the cover over

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the north stand. The death toll was originally reported as three people, but was later revised down to two.

This latest revived concerns about the safety of infrastructure and the slow pace of construction, allegations of which have dogged Brazil for more than a year, the UK newspaper said.

Also known as the Arena Corinthians, the Itaquerão stadium will hold 70,000 spectators and is set to stage six FIFA World Cup 2014 matches, including the host nation’s opening fixture on the 12th of June, 2014. A semi-final match has also been pencilled in for the stadium.

The deadline, set by FIFA, for the completion of construction for the stadium is scheduled for December 2013.

Could it have been avoided?

A report from the Associated Press claims that a safety engineer at the Itaquerão stadium “allegedly warned his supervisor of possible problems with the operation, only to have his concerns brushed aside.”

Antonio de Sousa Ramalho, president of Sao Paulo’s civil industry workers’ association, told the news service in a phone interview that supervisors pressed ahead with the operation to finish the roof despite several rainy days that soaked the soil. He said the engineer warned his supervisor that it appeared the ground was not stable enough to support the 500t piece of roofing.

Photographs by Brazilian media showed substantial damage to a perimeter wall. However, the joint statement released said that ‘the structure of the grandstand was not compromised’.

It added that: “Teams of firemen are in place.

At the moment all efforts are focused to provide full assistance to the families of the victims.”

Corinthians also announced that the club would respect seven days of mourning for the victims of the tragedy. Following the accident, the stadium was evacuated with, according to a report by globo.com, the rescue effort led by the fire department with ambulances and a military police helicopter on hand to help.

One construction worker, José Mario da Silva, told the Brazilian news website that “I had walked right underneath the crane on the way to lunch. If it hadn’t collapsed at lunchtime, a lot more people would have died.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter released a tweet expressing his condolences about the loss of life at the stadium: “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers at Corinthians arena today. Our heartfelt condolences are with the families.”

Jérôme Valcke, FIFA’s general secretary, also tweeted: “Extremely shocked by the news from São Paulo. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident.”

He added: “We are currently awaiting further details from the authorities, who are investigating this tragic accident.”

A further statement from FIFA said: “FIFA and the LOC [local organising committee] have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthians Arena site in São Paulo with great sadness. We wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the workers who tragically died today.

“The safety of workers is the top priority for FIFA, the LOC, and the federal government. We know the safety of all workers has always been paramount for all the construction companies contracted to build the 12 FIFA World Cup stadiums.

“The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident.”

As work began again on the stadium four days later, reports in Brazil revealed that the crane operator at the Sao Paulo stadium had told police via his attorney that he had noticed “nothing out of the ordinary ahead of the incident”.

Jose Walter Joaquim’s lawyer Carlos Kauffmann told the media that his client had given a one and a half hour statement to the authorities detailing his experience as the crane collapsed as it hoisted a 500t piece of roofing.

In a phone interview with the Associated Press Kauffmann said, “he didn’t notice any problem.

Because if he had noticed a problem, he wouldn’t have gone ahead with the operation. Everything was happening normally, completely normally.

AS CMME went to press Brazilian police representatives revealed that they are pursuing three main causes of the accident: human error, crane failure and whether the crane had collapsed had given way following several days of rain.

Kauffmann stressed Joaquim’s experience, saying the 56-year-old had been operating cranes for 34 years and had already hoisted 37 similar pieces of roofing onto Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians without incident. The roofing structure that came crashing down last Wednesday was to be the final piece.

The deadline given to tournament organisers to have all the 12 stadiums completed and ready for operations is the 31st of December 2013. The Itaquerão stadium was 94% complete, according to reports. While it is set to miss that deadline, it is hoped the Itaquerão stadium will be completed by April just two months before the championship is set to begin.

As the investigation proceeds, there are now serious questions being asked about the rushed nature of Brazil’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup tournament. The crane collapse recalls the problems India faced when it prepared for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. A bridge collapse 12 days before the event injured 23 people and compounded accusations of rushed and poor workmanship. Qatar take heed.

“To his surprise, he was told by the supervisor that nothing was wrong and work should continue,” said Ramalho, who declined to provide the worker’s name for fear of possible reprisals. “They discussed the matter for a while but in the end the supervisor’s decision stood.”

Odebrecht, the powerful Brazilian construction company behind the stadium project and three other World Cup venues, strongly denied the claims, and a civil defense official said an initial inspection of the construction site a day after the accident showed no evidence the ground was unstable.

“Odebrecht and Sport Club Corinthians clarify that there was no warning previous to the accident,” the statement said. The company added that Ramalho’s union does not represent most of the workers involved in the crane operation.

September 2011 January 2014

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION MIDDLE EAST MIDDLE EAST

11 11

Heavy Hitters

HigHer and Hire

Graham Nixon,jointmanaging director, of explains why Nixon Hire is making a name for itself in the region’s rental market

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N

ixon Hire’s business in the Middle East has been gently simmering since first entering the Middle East via its Qatar offices at the turn of the decade, but you get the impression from managing director Graham Nixon that it is preparing to turn the heat up on the operation as it expands in the Gulf.

Rental companies have, arguably, been some of the main beneficiaries of the downturn. As budgets tightened, the flexibility they offer became much more desirable.

Rather than consolidating the business, Nixon Hire has been expanding on at least two fronts, the first in the UK, where it is increasing its depot network (following its ambitious 2020 Vision plan), and in the Gulf.

Alongside JCB and Speedy Hire (the revelations about that company’s activity in the region notwithstanding), it is one of the few successful UK companies to be active in the region.

“Part of the Vision was the Middle East,” he tells CMME at the PMV Live show. “Obviously opportunities come along and we have plans to expand. And one of those opportunities is in Saudi Arabia.”

The opportunity he refers to is a JV with Sheikh Hizam Zidan Al-Qahtani’s Al Jeri Transportation Group. Through it, Nixon Hire will open branches in Jeddah and Riyadh – ensuring the Newcastle Upon Tyne-based company is the first to open a new depot on the river Mersey and then the Red Sea. Meeting Sheikh Hizam came through its Qatari partner, he explains. Partnering with a group as diverse and well-connected as Al Jeri gives a route to market not only into construction but the oil and gas sector too, says Chris Britt, country manager and Nixon’s eyes and ears in the Gulf.

“Al Jeri contributes around 37% of Aramco’s transportation,” explains Britt. “It was the right place to start. We’ve also got a great location just 10

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Heavy Hitters

Nixon expands to Saudi Arabia Nixon Hire is growing and will open two depots in Saudi Arabia, following signing its joint venture agreement with Al Jeri Transportation Group.

The first depot in KSA will be opened immediately in Jeddah with a further depot planned for Riyadh in the near future. Nixon Hire opened its first Middle East depot in Doha, Qatar in 2009.

According to Nixon Hire, both parties have agreed financial commitments to raise in excess of $20 million of new rental assets to ensure a wide range of modern and reliable equipment is available to customers.

“I am delighted that we are able to announce our joint venture plans with Sheikh Hizam Zidan AlQahtani, Chairman of Al Jeri Transportation Group.

We are incredibly pleased to be working with such as well respected business and looking forward to a successful partnership,”

or 15 minutes away from the airport. We’re trying to explore the market, explore the right products and put the right stuff into Jeddah and really expand.”

Having secured a partner in the Kingdom, the next step is to breakthrough existing prejudices regarding the owning and renting of plant and fleet. “people are so used to buying. It’ll be a challenge but I think that we’ll do it,” Nixon proclaims.

The operation itself will be familiar to those based in Qatar and the company will offer a similar range of brands including JCB (including 3CX’s and telehandlers), cabins, Yanmar rollers, portable toilets, and more.

As the UK ground to a halt (“The equipment just got worked harder and didn’t come back to the yards”) the company realised it could and should move further afield.

In hindsight, how does Nixon view that jump to Qatar, considering that it has been a disappointingly sluggish market since the country was awarded the right to host to the fIfA World Cup? “It was a risk, a huge gamble,” he recalls. “We sent two guys from the UK out there to run it. We sent five containers of equipment out here: Bomag rollers, telehandlers, diggers, mini-excavators, literally a bit of everything as we didn’t know what machines (would be popular). We wanted to test the market, put some machines on hire: invoice, get paid, and follow it through.”

Nixon was soon some taking lessons on how to work in the Gulf. Invoicing was difficult, as “we’re used to 30 days and over there it was monthly,” he

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said Graham Nixon, joint managing director.

“We have already been working together for quite a number of months to finalise our business plans, so it’s great that we can now release details about the expansion of the Nixon Hire depot network in the Middle East.”

“In the five years we’ve been trading [in the Middle East] we’ve continued to learn a lot about the market differences in comparison to the UK and successfully adapted our business model accordingly.”

“We have seen our customer base develop and grow very quickly and we are confident that this is as a result of good quality equipment and excellent customer service provided by our team. As well as growth in rental activity we have also seen a steady increase in used equipment sales.”

says before adding that it is now concentrating on a condensed line-up of skid steers, telehandlers, 3CX’s, rollers, cabins, toilets and tower lights (“our brochure in the UK is five-times thicker”.)

“When we got to a size of are we going to go for this or pull back, we went for it,” he states.

“We approached Chris Britt, who is ex-Aggreko generators and in Kuwait at the time. He came across to run the business.”

Aggreko is a good example of how to run an equipment rental company in the region, and Nixon says that it is a model he admires.: “We know all the Aggreko lads, they’ve got a great brand.”

He continues: “At the minute we’re looking at our budgets for next year and a cash injection to really expand in Qatar. We literally get shopping lists everyday but we haven’t got enough equipment on the ground.”

He adds that he would also like to offer used equipment to the market.

“The ideal model would be for us to use the equipment in the UK for 12-15 months, then send it out to Qatar, use it for a year and then sell it, but we’re struggling to get second hand finance, which is proving virtually impossible. I’ve got a UK

“THe IdeAl model WoUld Be for Us To Use THe eQUIpmeNT IN THe UK for 12-15 moNTHs, THeN seNd IT oUT To QATAr.”

accountant in Qatar trying to sort it out. but we do still sell equipment.” he does not expect to face the same issues in saudi as al Jeri can leverage its own connections in the local banks.

“I think saudi will grow very fast,” he enthuses. “they (al Jeri transportation) want to be a big company in a short amount of time and we want to keep up with it.”

While nixon hire will be able to lean on its saudi partner’s connections for business, he feels the company – as it has in Qatar – will be able to use its own expertise in marketing and customer relations to find new customers. he admits, however, that it is not always easy to replicate approaches that may work in europe when in the middle east.

“We’re very good at marketing ourselves, but you have to constantly keep your brand in front of them in a way that they understand what we’re doing.” the issue of branding raises the thorny issue of whether or not nixon hire translates as a company name with customers more used to the term ‘rental’: “our brand is nixon hire, but, over here, rentals the word.” “do you change it to nixon rental?” britt questions. “cat rents, Volvo rents, hertz, they all use the word.”

Whether it changes it’s name to suit local tastes, nixon has already proven itself as an adaptable addition to the market. nixon sums up what is most important when it comes to establishing the company.

“I think our business is so different. We’re a family company and there is a lot of personality.”

“I thInk our busIness Is so dIfferent. We’re a famIly company and there Is a lot of personalIty.” T O L L FR EE

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MIDDLE EAST

17

Mining and Quarrying

A mAteriAl world

The quarry and mining sector in the Middle East is in good health, especially following the recovery of the construction sector with increased demands for aggregates, discovers CMME International Editor Stian Overdahl

Q

uarrying and mining are among the oldest of human industrial activities, and the Gulf nations possess significant deposits of valuable materials, from gabbro and limestone in the UAE, stones, gypsum and copper in Oman, and aluminium, gold, phosphate and other minerals in Saudi Arabia. Servicing this market are a formidable group of equipment manufacturers, but as lucrative as mineral and aggregate extraction can be, there are heavy demands on the machinery, with long working hours, high tonnage rates, and hot and dusty conditions just par for the course.

For the quarrying of aggregates, where one of the primary uses is construction and infrastructure, the drop off in activity in the UAE after the ’09 saw the

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price of aggregate in the Emirate fall to levels that were almost not sustainable for producers, especially at the smaller sites. Where larger quarries often have a lower production cost, they can also benefit from a more diverse customer base, and the steel industry in India is a major buyer of high quality limestone from the UAE. With the high levels of investment in infrastructure and construction project in Saudi Arabia, there industry there did not experience the same dropoff, and indeed Saudi ceased supplying materials to Qatar in order to meet its domestic market demand.

With the construction market in the UAE having recovered, and increased demand for raw material in Qatar, and continued high levels of demand in

EnvironmEntal focus Quarrying equipment can also be used on construction sites in order to reduce the environmental impact of a project as well as cost reduction, including recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste on-site with a mobile crusher, often to be used as backfill, as well as dust reduction machines where they are needed. The UAE has seen success with

C&D waste recycling on-site, including through Abu Dhabi’s Estidama programme, which requires construction sites to have a waste minimisation programme, with low waste production required for a high Estidama rating.

In Qatar, equipment supplier Agg-Pro is trying to provide a solution to prevent the heavy use of the state’s natural sand dunes in the aggregate

ksa, has seen prices recover to a level where many quarry operators are again looking at investing in new machines. emilio lens, business development director emerging markets at Terex finlay, says that they have seen business pick up in the past 12 months – with confidence in the uae, oman, and saudi arabia.

The company produces a range of mobile, tracked crushers and screens, and thus seeks to convince quarry operators of the benefits of using a mobile plant located at the blast face, as opposed to a static plant, which are generally located at the bottom of the quarry. a mobile crusher can be loaded directly at the quarry face. lens says they’re seeing a transition towards mobile plant by many quarry operators, following trends elsewhere in other markets including europe. he believes it’s a natural trend as a quarry market develops, rather than being a move forced on operators by lower prices. mobile plant can also be sold second hand, while a static plant is less easily sold to a new user. mobile machines generally have a lower capacity than a large static plant, and so the advantages of fixed versus static will depend on an quarry’s production goals. key models for Terex finlay in the region are the i110, i130 impact crushers, and the 694 screen. with a transport weight of 49,000kg, the i130 incorporates an impact chamber with direct drive and advanced electronic control system. a large hopper features a variable speed pan feeder and independent pre-screen with constant rpm for optimum separation even if feeder speed is reduced.

The benefits for operators include high material reductions ratios and the production of a consistent product shape. another seller of crusher and screens seeing an increased uptake in mobile plant is qatar-based aggpro, while sells mckloskey and Gipo brands. “most track mounted machines are sold onto construction sites or allocated rock deposits close to a specific road project. These are short term projects and the mobility is key factor. mobility allows for

“The mobile machines will help open up The

new quarry and we feel This will sTarT a Trend for Track mounTed crushers and screens”

products required for the construction work – the island does not have the same sandy desert areas as its neighbours.

“We have been working with [manufacturer] McCloskey for the last 18 months on a new S190 Screening Plant with an innovative high frequency screen box to allow contractors to manufacture a dune sand equivalent economically and on their construction site,” says

general manager Charlie Eastwood.

“This process entails very fine screening down as low as 0.5mm which is normally only possible with very sophisticated screening equipment usually found in a factory environment. The only other option is to wash the crusher fines but both mentioned options are very expensive and low volume nor practical for a construction project.”

easy planning permission, ease of moving around the site and also to another project after the initial project is finished,” explains general manager charlie eastwood. nevertheless, with a with a combination of the lower initial cost of a fixed crusher and low fuel prices for the quarry trucks compared with europe, the static crusher concept is popular in the middle east. “it has been challenging to change the mind-set of the quarry owner,” says eastwood. “but we are seeing more and more arab quarry owners visiting european exhibitions and a few are embracing the long term benefits of the track mounted crushers and screens for quarry operations.”

They have seen recent success in saudi arabia, selling a mobile impact crusher and s190-3 triple deck screen to dammam, where the customer has been happy with the result and is considering two additional set-ups. and with the quarries closed in the Jeddah area, new quarries have been opened 200km from the city. eastwood says that they have also recently secured a deal for a large primary jaw crusher, two cone crushers and three s190 screening plants for one of the new sites.

“The mobile machines will help open up the new quarry and we feel this will start a trend for track mounted crushers and screens in this region of saudi arabia where fixed crushers have been the norm.” rock conditions in the middle east vary, but can in some areas be very hard, requiring special solutions. in qatar, some areas have rock strengths as high 150mp, and eastwood says that they’re able to offer equipment to suit the customer’s end use. “depending on each contractor’s specific requirement and the rock type being processed, we offer a variety of crushers from our heavy duty jaw and impactor range. we would offer a jaw if the requirement is a large course product 0-180mm for example or if the customer wanted to maximise on small aggregate we have used jaw crushers as a primary crusher then feed the crushed rock into a secondary impact crusher. “we also have a range of heavy duty primary impactors which we have used for high tonnages and where a specific gradation is also required, usually for a high quality sub base required for a major highway.” in egypt, sandvik construction recently implemented a solution at a quarry where highly abrasive aggregate is being processed - a very hard 99% silica rock, which was hard wearing on the liners of the cones of the

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Sandvik CH 430 and CH 440 stationary cone crushers in use, at a site owned by Rodan Group. With 150 mtph production, the liners were lasting an average of only twelve days of continuous fifteen hours daily operation.

Through its local dealer, Stallion for Investment Co, Sandvik supplied a Flexifeed mantle, which allows for a more efficient crushing operation through its chamber design.

With the Flexifeed mantle installed the crusher is able to accept over-sized material in part of the chamber, while reducing the chamber profile in the opposing part of the chamber, permitting operation at a tighter setting, for a finer product being produced on a ‘first pass basis’.

“On the CH440 the liners lasted a great deal longer, even though the Flexifeed is a heavier mantle with more material in it. Based on our advice the customer used to operate their jaw and a cone at any given time so we were able to switch between the CH430 and the CH440 whenever the liners wore down, thereby giving us time to change the liners of one cone while the other was operating, thereby providing almost continuous production,” said Tarek Youssef, general manager at Stallion.

“The difference the mantle makes is essentially improved crushing efficiency. That means, in simple terms, we get better productivity and lower cost per tonne.”

For sellers of mobile equipment such as loaders and excavators, a slow down in the quarry business typically means that customers will seek to extend life cycles of their machines, and hold off on new purchases. Following the drop in activity in the Emirates, Caterpillar saw a lengthening of the replacement cycle for quarry equipment there.

Nevertheless, customers were able to look at rebuilding their machines through the company’s certified rebuild programme. The requirements of individual machines are determined prior to disassembly through an evaluation of the machine.

The rebuild can then include automatic replacement of parts such as hoses, belts, seals, gaskets, bearings, knobs, wiring, switches and gauges. Machines can also benefit from technological and engineering improvements that have been made since the original model launch, while retrofit packages are

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available to bring new features to older machines.

The operating hours on some of these machines can be staggering, with the Caterpillar load and haul equipment such as large wheel loaders and offhighway trucks, designed to last through multiple lives, with chassis designed to deliver over 40,000 hours and allow multiple power train rebuilds. As an example, the highest recorded service meter hours for a 773 off-highway truck is 213,000h. For a 988 wheel loader, it is not unusual to find units with more than 50,000 service meter hours.

In the competitive market for quarry machines, manufacturers who have a full range can point out the benefits of using both a loader and a dump truck, since the heights and capacities are often wellfitted. For example, Caterpillar has newly launched its 986H loader, designed to be used with the 772 rigid truck. The larger 988, now its its 50th year of production with the new –K model, is fitted to the 775 rigid truck.

The number of companies producing extremely large mining trucks is relatively small, and so Volvo CE’s planned acquisition of Terex’s hauler business unit will be watched with interest.

213,000 hours: the highest recorded service meter hours for a Caterpillar 773 off-highway truck

“THE dIFFERENCE THE MANTlE MAKES IS

ESSENTIAllY IMpROVEd CRuSHING EFFICIENCY” Machine Monitoring Quarry operators are discovering the advantages of telematics and machine monitoring systems offered by equipment manufacturers. Gulf Rock, a Fujairah based quarry producing 3 million tonnes of crush rock each year, runs a large fleet of Volvo Construction Equipment machines. The newer machines are fitted with CareTrack for monitoring

control on the remote parts of the sites.

“We can still collect performance information and maintenance criteria wherever the machine has mobile phone coverage; all this helps to increase our efficiency,” said Jonathan Mark Cottam, managing director of Gulf Rock.

The fleet includes A35E articulated haulers, as well as several Volvo FMX

400 8x4 trucks, featuring Hardox steel rock-bodies.

“We have been buying Volvo machinery, especially articulated haulers and wheel loaders for more than 25 years,” says Cottam.

Major Caterpillar dealer AlBahar became an approved condition monitoring dealer in 2012, and since then has experienced strong demand from its customers to connect their machines

with Caterpillar telematics solutions.The feature allows electronic data to be accessed from the first day of the machine’s operation, allowing insight into the location, operation, health and productivity of the fleet.

Fuel usage, service hours, maintenance requirements can be monitored, and the performance of individual operators can also be assessed.

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World Expo

Expo 2020: What happEns nExt? As the dust settles on Dubai’s celebrations on receiving hosting rights for the Expo 2020, CMME looks at the various possibilities this result has opened up for the country’s construction sector

t

here was always a sense of its arrival. Even as reports suggested UAE’s burgeoning property markets could be headed for ugly downturns, thinkers, doers and leaders across the construction sector remained largely positive about Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid, and the aftereffects of what looked like a sure-shot victory.

As this piece goes to press, it’s been a month since the announcement that Dubai defeated Yekatrinberg (Russia), Izmir (Turkey) and Sao Paolo (Brazil) with massive margins to win the hosting rights for Expo 2020 – and the city is not done celebrating just yet. Burj Khalifa provided the backdrop for

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an extravagant display of fireworks that were set off within minutes of the announcement, while a national holiday was declared for educational institutions across Dubai.

Celebrities posted congratulatory messages on social networking forums, and a video of Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, went viral.

Crowds poured into the streets in their cars, and the jubilation was clearly visible across the city. For that moment, the possibility of a property bubble, expanding rental rates and rising commodity costs were all but forgotten.

Projects such as the construction of the Dubai Metro Purple Line and the work in and around the Dubai World Central — the actual site of the Expo 2020 — are likely to be expedited.

The expo’s effects on dubai have been circulated in various reports - financial and consumer – since the announcement. The impact can broadly be divided into four sections across the city’s economic landscape, and the region’s construction sector stands to undergo major alterations.

The most obvious impact of the run-up to the expo is job creation. “dubai expo 2020 will spur significant employment, trade and investment opportunities for the entire menasa region, leaving lasting economic impact,” said he reem al hashimy, uae minister of state and managing director of the uae’s higher committee for hosting the 2020 world expo in dubai. an oxford economics study about the expo’s impact has revealed that 277,149 jobs will be created between 2013 and 2021. as much as 40% of these will benefit the travel and tourism sector alone. while employment-generation and hiked salaries maintain the celebratory atmosphere in the city’s employment market, concerns are raised on the other side of the transaction cycle, with reports pertaining to rising property prices and inflation doing the rounds. early last month, the international monetary fund (imf) had warned dubai against the possibility of a property bubble as the market boomed due to increased valuations across the city. with the expo now confirmed to be held in dubai, these prices are likely to continue their up-growth, and there is already talk of increased residential rates in the market. a report by local daily Gulf News has revealed increased property transactions at dubai world central.

“The new airporT could become a caTalysT To developmenT of The air TransporT infrasTrucTure”

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World Expo

“Projects such as the construction of the Dubai Metro Purple Line and the work in and around the Dubai World Central — the actual site of the expo — are likely to be expedited,” said Mat Green, head of research and consultancy UAE, CBRE Middle East as per the report.

“The new airport (Al Maktoum International) would also become a catalyst to development of the air transport infrastructure — a key driver for the sustained economic growth of the emirate.”

Additionally, the CBRE report, released prior to the announcement of the bid results, said that market sentiment in support of the Expo in Dubai could further inflate the cost of living in the city, stating it could: “compound a situation where residential rents have already grown by an average of 23% during the last year.”

The construction industry too, it is believed, will have to bear the brunt of the highly opportunistic market.

“I was discussing the impacts of Dubai winning the Expo 2020 bid with one of my cement suppliers last week,” said Stefano Iannacone, managing director of IBS Mapei, Dubai. “He told me there was a good chance that the materials would get costlier by about 10-15% if the results favour Dubai.”

“It doesn’t necessarily need to happen, but I’m very concerned about rising material prices,” he adds.

Nevertheless, residents and construction professionals alike can be assured that an extensive infrastructure boom is headed Dubai’s way.

Dubai Metro’s red line is expected to be fasttracked into completion in time for the Expo 2020.

The world’s tallest planned commercial tower by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, named ‘Burj 2020’ on the eve of the bid results, will also be constructed as part of the preparations for 2020.

“There is scope to build in the emirate,” says Iannacone. “The Expo will facilitate the hospitality sector, and with a huge influx of visitors and potential employees expected, there will also be a high demand for residential units, schools,

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hospitals and so on. Dubailand currently needs more accessibility from across the city, so there is a possibility of new roads being constructed that lead into the site itself,” he adds.

“It all scares me a little bit, though, because I’m afraid that the market will repeat its mistakes from 2008,” he adds, echoing earlier market reports that consistently claimed the UAE – and the emirate of Dubai, in specific – would have to tread carefully amidst its trade boom.dThe Expo bid win was announced within the same week as UAE’s national day, giving young Emiratis and expats alike more than one reason to celebrate.

While social networking websites are busy with users dissecting the pros and cons of holding the Expo 2020 in Dubai, reports explaining the positive impact of the event on the city’s many economic sections, such as SMEs, hospitality, infrastructure, construction and so on continue to emerge, proving that despite the victory, Dubai has a long way to go in proving itself to its doubters – well-meaning as they might be.

The government’s role will be more decisive than ever hereon; Dubai’s bid committee has constantly placed emphasis on the need for partnerships – a facet also visible in the number of countries who came out in support of the emirate’s bid in the runup to the announcement.

Locally, though, the government will have to continue its efforts in economic rejuvenation and regulation to ensure the city is braced well to host the Expo 2020, and sustain itself in the process as well.

“Regulatory bodies are stricter now, which is healthy, but we’ll have to closely watch the trends and patterns. I hope the market has learnt a lesson,” Iannacone concludes.

Dubai Bid Supporters “Dubai is the perfect candidate to host the Expo because it is a universal city. It is already globalised and it’s so connected to the world. We are very ready to contribute our Expo experience and learnings from the Milan Expo and have a very important bridge between the two Expos.” - Giorgio Starace, Italian Ambassador to the UAE “Dubai’s bid for the World Expo 2020 demonstrates how large cities can rise to the challenges of the future, which is relevant to Lyon’s own international development plan.

The possibility of hosting the World Expo 2020 constitutes an important and natural progression for Dubai, which has made its tourism strategy the engine of its economic reconversion by investing heavily in infrastructure and developing the highestquality services.”

– Gerard Collomb, Senator-Mayor of Lyon and President of Greater Lyon

“Dubai is a city that shows how different cultures and peoples can converge behind common goals, living and working side by side. I am proud that the UK has played a part in this and delighted to be making the case for this city to get the global recognition that Expo 2020 would bring.”

- David Cameron, Prime Minister, United Kingdom.

“Canada believes it is time for the Middle East to host the World (Expo) at a time of such hope and challenge in the region, and Dubai is best placed to bring together the most diverse group of peoples from around the world, to share ideas, aspirations and concrete solutions for the future.

Canada’s support for Dubai reflects our commitment to the dynamism, hope and future of emerging economies in the region and beyond.”

- Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

“MATERIALS WoULD BE CoSTLIER By ABoUT 1015% If DUBAI WoN THE ExPo BID”

Site Visit

Up iN the air The Al Jahra Road Development project is be Kuwait’s most important infrastructure projects and is using its own specialist gantry crane, Gavin Davids reports

N

early 1,000 days ago, the Kuwait Ministry of Public Works announced that it had reached all the agreements necessary to announce the launch of one of Kuwait’s largest ever infrastructure projects.

The Al Jahra Road Development Project is not just another run of the mill road expansion project, the likes of which we’ve seen all over the GCC. Far from it in fact. It is currently ranked as one of the largest elevated road projects in the world and given its significance to Kuwait, it could be one of the most important projects ever undertaken by country.

The project began construction in September 2010, says Engineer Yasser Boudastour, the project engineer appointed by the Ministry of Public Works to supervise the project.

He says that work on the $936 million road project started after an agreement was reached with the firms Louis Berger and the Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (PACE) to be the project design and supervision consultants.

The Arab Contractors Company (ACC) – Othman Ahmad Othman, were appointed as contractors, he adds.

“Most of the old roads in Kuwait are simple three lane roads. The Ministry of Public Works intends to develop these roads. The Al Jahra Road project will be one of many projects that will transform these roads into a grand unified highway for 21km, which will extend from Jahra Gate Roundabout to United Nations Roundabout,” he explains.

“The project will include building, construction and maintenance of roads an elevated motorways.

It will comprise of five phases of improvement, which will include the major utilities works such as sewage systems, overpasses, telecommunications, electrical systems and storm water drainage, amongst other things.”

“It (the project) is considered to be a solution for traffic jams and will address the growing road congestion crisis,” he adds, pointing out that the Al Jahra Road Development project will connect with Kuwait’s other highways in a huge network that will ultimately help improve traffic safety and security.

With an estimated 2.25 cars per person in Kuwait, the need for a modern road network that can handle heavy volumes of traffic is crucial if the country is to

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Al Jahra Road Development is one of the largest elevated road projects in the world in which The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) in Kuwait plans to invest $936 million on the project, says project engineer Yasser Boudastour.

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Site Visit

Project stats: • Piers: 258 out of 479(54%) • Piles: 3687 out of 4579 (81%) • Pile cap: 313 out of 499 (63%) • Detours : ( 90%) • Diaphragm: 46 out of 250 (18%) • segment fabrication : 1805 out of 8395 • segment erection: 817 (10%) • 10 million safety hours without injuries

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achieve the aims set out by its government. In 2004, it was estimated that 85% of Kuwait’s roads were paved, so clearly the task ahead for the government remains huge. As a result, the number of stakeholders involved in the project are high, with not just the Ministry of Public Works involved, but also bodies like the Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Interior.

As a result, complications can arise over the course of the project, as Engineer Yasser Boudastour explains.

“For any major project, there are always challenges you’re going to face, and we face them every day,” he says. “Especially when it comes to the coordination needed for any detour in traffic. This project is also related to many ministries, which means a lot of coordination and official letters that need to be signed before taking any steps forward.”

“Thankfully, we are now all in coordination with all dealers to solve these problems and we’re trying to manage the traffic.”

With a scheduled completion date of 2015, the massive project is currently slightly behind schedule, but Boudastour is confident of making up the shortfall over the coming months.

“The expected timeframe for the project is five years. Right now we’ve reached 45% to 47% of work done. We’re a little bit behind schedule, but we’re trying to mitigate it and try and follow the schedule in the coming months,” he says. “We’re behind schedule by about 6%, which is not that big a percentage. But

as you know, we’re dealing with so many services and ministries. Also, some times, especially when you’re working underground, you cannot see what’s there.

So when you’re doing excavations and all, you can sometimes find utilities. So we needed to divert them and for that, we needed to contact all the ministries to get permission. That creates a delay. So far, we’ve done all these things and we just have to have a recovery plan for this percentage, so as to meet the deadline at the end of the project.”

Keeping this in mind, the project overseers have stepped up their efforts to complete their work on schedule. At present the workforce consists of 2,600 men on site, working in three shifts, Boudastour says.

The project has achieved 850,000 safety hours without injuries, he adds, claiming that this is a result of the team’s commitment to secure all necessary equipment, such as safety helmets, footwear and belts for workers to protect them from injuries.

In addition, workers attend weekly presentations and lectures to educate them about the ways to prevent accidents and how to act in the work areas to stay safe and protected.

At present 80% of the pilings, 15% of diaphrams, 45% of abutments, 61% of pile cap, 51% of piers are completed, in addition to erecting 590 segments that were fabricated in the precast yard, Boudastour says during the interview, with a partial handover of the project scheduled for September 2014, when Phase

Al Jahra Road Development is one of the largest elevated road projects in the world in which The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) in Kuwait plans to invest $936 million.

The Jahra Road expected timeframe is five years to full

completion, in other words it will be completed by September 2016.

The project’s mainline length is 11.4km which comprises three lanes with link roads in each direction and one lane for emergency. The total length of

ramps is 7.2km and the total length of service roads is of 17.3km.

Al Jahra Road Development also contains one 57m long section of depressed roads having two roundabout bridges.

ii is completed. Jahra road will be carried on new pre-cast pre-stressed segmental viaducts. the precast segments are short concrete sections connected together to form the carriageways of the bridges. these segments are fabricated in precast yard, which is a large plant fully utilized with moulding machines and worker’s offices for the production of the precast segments. the yard is set up on remote land located near the camp doha areas, with a total surface area that covers 150,000m2. it accommodates large-scale pre-casting facilities such as mould production frames, different cranes, water tanks, storage and curing chambers.

By employing the system of segmental pre-casting provided both production speed and a bigger work space in a congested environment. this ensured the production of the highest quality of segments, while maintaining colour consistency, meeting strength

“When you’re at the site, it’s different. sometimes the dimensions aren’t clear enough or something is different.”

requirements and establishing a bridge that requires little maintenance. the project engineer explains that the installation of bridges segments are erected using a launching gantry crane that was design especially for this project. the gantry crane weighs 560t and a length of 140m and is capable of carrying a segment bridge that weighs 85t and is filed over the bridge. two gantries are working and the third will be installed by the end of the year. meanwhile, the cutting bridges are divided into four categories, with each one manufactured to be installed in the work area; these segments are formed from four types - each is erected according to the specific location, and their weight ranges between 58 to 85 tons, Boudastour adds. he’s quick to point out that the complexity of the project was alleviated by the comprehensive preplanning undertaken by all the stakeholders. this in turn has made their job much easier, though not without complications he says. “actually, before the tender, during the design stage, we got all the ministries and utilities together. the project was then designed on their given materials (information). But, even so, when you’re at the site, it’s different. sometimes the dimensions aren’t clear enough or something is different, so it can happen (that there are delays and changes).”

“But right now, we’re underway in all phases and we’re going to have a partial handover of the project if we reach the completion of Phase ii by september 2014,” Boudastour promises. “it’s going to be going on according to schedule, and we’ll open other phases in that time,” he insists. “this project will raise the state of infrastructure in Kuwait and it will be the first step towards new modern roads in Kuwait.”

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Product Focus

Raw power EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. page 52

CRUNCH tIme How the industry can improve safety when working at height.

page 39

tIme foR A tUNe Up

page37

INSpIReD

this month’s top ten guide looks at Case’s suggestions for keeping your heavy equipment moving.

Customers help build the new compact Bobcat.

page 36 BIG UpGRADe

Bobcat’s second launch this month is its biggest range of telehandlers yet.

page43 SAUDI RISING

KSA market should bounce back in 2014.

page 47 INteRmAt pReVIeW

Cmme’s special preview of the upcoming Intermat me event in Abu Dhabi.

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Raw Power

Mercedes sprints into Me Why get it: Brings Merc tech to site econoMical

Middle east specifications: • petrol engines: up to Euro 6 • diesel engines up to Euro 4 • petrol power: 4cyl engine power: 156hp • 6cyl engine power: 258hp • diesel power: 4cyl engine power: 116hp • 6cyl engine power: 150hp

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M

ercedes-Benz new Sprinter, the leader in the large van class, goes on sale from this month in the Middle East.

The entry level Sprinter 216 Panel van – tested in last month’s CMME - comes with a starting price of $32,100, while the top of the range Sprinter 524 Hotel Bus starts at $110,500.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has given its name to an entire vehicle class and is synonymous around the world with large vans with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 5.0 tons. It has always been the leader in its class in terms of innovation, and the new Sprinter is again setting the benchmark and demonstrating this to impressive effect, with five new safety systems as well as a range of powerful engines to meet Middle East customers’ requirements. But it’s not all about performance - the new Sprinter presents a striking and dynamic new look.

An Adaptive ESP System, ABS and a driver airbag is on board of every Sprinter for years by now. In the new Sprinter, five additional assistance systems – including some world premieres in the van segment – are helping to further reduce the number of accidents.

Celebrating their world premiere in the Sprinter are the Crosswind Assist as well as the optional Collision Prevention Assist. Also new are the Blind Spot, Lane Keeping and High Beam Assist.

Crosswind Assist as a feature of the Electronic Stability Program will form part of the standard equipment for all panel vans and crew buses. The other assistance systems can be ordered as individual extras or logically compiled packages. Each buyer

can individually tailor their Sprinter to the respective application. The developers at Mercedes-Benz are convinced that the use of electronic aids in the van segment will have an extremely positive impact on accident statistics which is particularly important when transporting up to 22 passengers in the new Sprinter Mini Buses. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has further enhanced the driving dynamics of the Sprinter. A lowering of the chassis has helped not only to reduce wind resistance and consumption, but also to further increase road safety and make loading and unloading more convenient.

The new Sprinter is the first van to emerge with a complete engine range which complies with Euro 3 as well as up to the Euro VI emission standards.

This means a drastic reduction in emission levels for nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbons (THC) and particulates. For the Middle East, petrol engines complying up to Euro 6 and diesel engines up to Euro 4 emission standard will be available. Two petrol engines, a four cylinder 156HP and a six cylinder 258HP as well as two four cylinder diesel engines with 116 and 150HP are offered in the Middle East. An automatic gearbox is standard in combination with the V6 petrol engine and optional for the four cylinder petrol. All diesel engines are paired with the 6-speed ECO Gear manual transmission.

The combination of the highly economical diesel engines, optimised drive train and ancillary equipment results in a combined fuel consumption starting from 6.3 l/100 km – a sensational new record figure for the Sprinter’s vehicle class.

Raw Power

BoBcat launches largest ever telehandlers Why get it?

Market-leading load chart perforMance iMproved stability Bobcat has launched new advanced versions of the company’s two largest rigid frame telescopic handlers.

The new T40140 14m and T40180 18 m models both have increased maximum lifting heights and are based on an easy-to-use design that provides

Breaker ups productivity By 40% Why get it huge advance on productivity coMpact design

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class-leading efficiency and productivity backed by state-of-the-art safety systems.

The much enhanced T40140 and T40180 telehandlers include many new features and are available in both Stage IIIB and Stage IIIA compatible versions. The Stage IIIB versions are powered by the 75 kW (100 HP) Deutz TCD 3.6 L4 diesel engine which utilises EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and a DOC-only solution to meet the new emission standards. The new Stage IIIA models are powered by the Perkins 1104D-44TA 75 kW (100 HP) diesel engine.

For the T40140 telehandler, the maximum lift capacity is 4.1t and the maximum lift height is 13.71m. The capacity at maximum lift height is 4 tonne, while at maximum reach (10.43m), the capacity is 1.3t. Unloaded, the T40140 weighs 10.29t and provides a tilt crowding force of 12,300 daN. The T40180 telehandler has a maximum lift capacity of 4t and a maximum lift height of 17.52m.

The lift capacity at maximum lift height is 2.5t, while at maximum reach (13.7 m), the lift capacity is 560kg. Unloaded, the T40180 weighs 10.79t and provides a crowding force of 12300 daN. The new T40140 and T40180 models deliver market leading load chart performance in their classes, when operating on tyres alone, where the high stability of the telehandlers ensures minimal loss of lift height and capacity. As a result, the new T40140 model offers the highest lift capacity of 4.1t, whilst the T40180 telehandler has an

unmatched maximum lifting height of 16.2m when operated on tyres. The hydrostatic transmission in the T40140 and T40180 telehandlers provides a 95% performance efficiency, providing high power coupled with low fuel consumption. The hydrostatic transmission makes it possible to place a load to the exact mm. In addition to precision, this is an important factor contributing to safety, particularly when loads have to be positioned at significant heights or distances from the machine.

The unique, patented Bobcat side shift system is a standard feature on the T40140 and T40180 models, ensuring there is no need to reposition the machine if it is not aligned with an opening, providing maximum flexibility with a +/- 700mm side shift.

This is combined with the unique integrated frame levelling system which works independently of the main frame to provide a tilt correction on inclined surfaces of +/- 4o on tyres and up to +/- 12o on stabilisers for safe, optimum positioning of loads.

A rig-mounted hydraulic breaker from Chicago Pneumatic has boosted productivity at a blue metal quarry in the Indian state of Gujarat by 40%.

The RX14 medium hydraulic breaker was bought by the director of Sushmit quarry, Monish Patel, after witnessing an on-site demonstration of the RX14 breaker’s potential.

“After reading about the RX14 breaker, I was impressed to hear about its innovative features, including a new double body system and a compact design with less moving parts,” he said.

With a service weight of 800 kg and an impact rate between 650 and 850 bpm (blows per minute), the RX14 is a robust and durable medium size hydraulic breaker. With few components and only two moving parts, it offers a high grade of reliability and has a recoil absorbing concept and polyurethane insulted breaker box system, making it one of the most silent breakers on the market.

According to Patel, Sushmit quarry has experienced significant savings on its operational costs. “My top priority was to produce metal with less operational costs so I chose Chicago Pneumatic

equipment, which has, for decades, had a strong reputation in the Indian market,” he said.

It has also become one of the main customer references for Chicago Pneumatic equipment in the region. The quarry has helped the RX range gain a strong reputation across Gujarat’s metal quarry industry, with nine light and medium RX breakers, including RX8 and RX14 models, being sold in less than three months.

With over 18 blue metal quarries located in close proximity of Sushmit, Chicago Pneumatic has witnessed a sharp increase in its sales of light and medium RX breakers, which are used both for primary and secondary demolition applications.

t40180 speciFications • Max lift cap: 4t • Max lift height: 17.52m • lift cap at max lift height: 2.5t • Max reach: 13.7m • lift cap: 560kg • unloaded weight: 10.79t • crowding force: 12,300 daN.

speciFications: • service weight: 800kg • impact rate min: 650bpm • impact rate max: 850bpm • tool diameter (in): 3.9” • oil flow range (gpm): 26 – 32 • operating pressure range (psi): 2,180 - 2,470

MAN LAuNCHES NEW TRACTOR TO ME RANGE WHy GET IT: In It for tHe long-Haul strong tractIon MAN Truck & Bus Middle East has launched a new truck designed for the Middle East region, the MAN TGS WW 6×4 tractor head. The vehicle was on display at Big 5 in Dubai alongside the MAN TGS WW 6×4 rigid tipper.

Featuring excellent traction and long haul operation with dynamic MAN Aero Package and MAN TipMatic for more efficiency, the MAN TGS WW 6×4 is built with a strong traction chassis for off-road applications to cater to the tough road conditions across the Middle East.

The MAN Aero Package leads to optimised air flow through improved aero dynamics to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 3%.

The MAN Tipmatic automised gearbox system also leads to reduced fuel consumption by up to 5% and reduced operator costs through optimised gear shifting.

The system leads to less wear and tear on the driveline while preventing driver errors and damage to the driveline particularly with less experienced drivers. It also leads to long clutch service life.

Customer feedback in the region was implement in the new truck’s design, said David van Graan, Head of the MAN Center Middle East and vice president Sales and Marketing.

“Our participation [at Big 5] this year reflects MAN’s innovative technology, product superiority and focus for the region with customised products specifically developed for our customers here based on their feedback as highlighted by the MAN TGS WW 6×4 tractor head.”

CASE M-SERIES TO LIFT uS INDuSTRy

COMPACT LAuNCH FROM BOBCAT WHy GET IT? Increased HydraulIc Performance customer-InsPIred desIgn It’s a busy month for Bobcat with the launch of two new compact excavators in the 6-8 tonne weight range.

Bobcat has unveiled two new tonne reduced tail swing (RTS) compact excavators in the 6-8 tonne weight range.The new E62 – the six tonne machine – and the E85 – the eight tonner –replace the previous E60 and E80 models.

According to Bobcat, overall the new generation excavators have been designed to exceed ‘voice of customer’ requirements by establishing a new benchmark

for productivity, fuel efficiency, enhanced controllability and high operator comfort, together with improved reliability, durability and reduced maintenance costs.

Both excavators feature upgraded hydraulic systems resulting in higher pressures and flows, generating smoother and greater digging and lifting performances.

The new E62 compact excavator offers a 10% increase in the arm digging force to 28.7 kN and an 8% increase in the bucket digging force to 43.1 kN in the short arm version. In the

SPECIFICATIONS (ZX350H-5G): • Operating weight: 17,210kg • Moldboard width: 4,267mm • Engine output: 175kW

E85 model, the bucket digging force has been significantly increased to 61.8 kN, which is a 13% increase over the previous model. The machines are standard equipped with primary and secondary auxiliary hydraulic lines, offering both dual directional and proportional flow for increased versatility. A thumb control is integrated in the joysticks for better metering of the boom swing and the proportional auxiliary hydraulics.

To optimise safety both models have boom and arm load holding valves and an overload warning device as standard, to facilitate certification for lifting applications.

SPECS FOR THE E62 INCLuDE: • Buckets: 0.069-0.175m3 • Operating weight: 6250kg • Digging depth: 3815mm (1.6m arm) /4115mm (1.9m arm) • Digging force over bucket (ISO): 4.4t

LOOk OuT FOR: fuel savIngs dIre states camPaIgn CASE Construction Equipment (booth 11722) will showcase major new product introductions to its heavy product line at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014. This includes the new CASE M Series dozer line, and to-beannounced updates to primary heavy product lines such as excavators, wheel loaders and compactors.

The “Dire States: the Drive to Revive America’s Ailing Infrastructure” tour will also roll into Las Vegas with a rally event and panel discussion. It will highlight the progress of the tour and feature infrastructure expert Dan McNichol’s key findings from his travels across America. The new CASE M Series dozers were introduced in North America in October 2013

and will be fully launched to the market by March 2014. The new product line includes five models ranging from 92hp to 214hp.

M Series dozers were redesigned from the ground up and feature: best-in-class drawbar pull; increased horsepower ratings; the firstSCR technology built into a dozer; fuel savings up to 14%; industry leading visibility; and a pressurised cab and versatile ergonomic controls for an optimal work environment.

“Dire States” is a partnership between CASE and former White House appointee and best-selling author Dan McNichol. The tour aims to escalate public awareness to the infrastructure investment shortfall.

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November 2013

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Ten Tips

FUEL H T I into W S R at you put E T T A achine wh o M m r to u Y e b yo D f to e to BO nly get ou s, don’t hav you will o lated area r and

u an body, ose in pop rough. wea ience h the hum ecially th cycled th p ly es r s, la ges the sc m u Just as wit r , and chan ply is reg uction fi p r em su st st e n o sy th c e g s radin into th it. most h” fuel a imately deg taminants with “fres work, ult ional con it to d concerned d ed a n ig es c es is d introdu fuel system corrosion f how that o y r et m and geo formance. engine per

KEEp In STORE How you store your diesel fuel is also important. It is recommended that portable tanks of diesel be stored inside to prevent exposure to temperature fluctuations that can cause condensation.

ELIMInATIOn OF WATER Eliminating water is important as it presents numerous challenges: it encourages further microbial growth, and water that bypasses the water separator can cause internal damage to the injectors and corrosion throughout the system. Water in diesel also reduces the heat of combustion, which can rob the engine of power.

KEEp An EYE OUT A note on storage tanks: keep an eye out for damage, rust and possible holes on the tank. These can provide opportunities for materials to enter the tank and contaminate the fuel.

KEEp IT cLEAn Maintaining the fuel systems isn’t difficult, but performance and engine health can be affected if not done properly. Much of it comes down to preventive measures related to fuel selection and storage.

Top 10 Ways To Look After Your Kit Case has published its guide to looking after your heavy equipment

KEEp IT SpOTLESS When filling your machine’s tank, make sure the area surrounding the fueling point is free and clear of any dirt or debris that can enter the tank. construction sites are not “clean”, by nature, but every attempt should be made to maintain the quality of the diesel fuel that enters the machine. Always remember to replace the fuel cap and tighten it.

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Ten Tips

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Ten Tips

Take a surgIcal aPProach To maInTenance Periodically check the fuel lines and other components for leaks. It is always safe to assume that, if diesel is leaking out, that air, dirt and other contaminants may be entering the system through the same leak.

TImIng Is everyThIng change fuel filters at or before intervals determined by the manufacturer and use filter types and sizes approved for use by the manufacturer (it’s also best to have the same micron size filter as the fuel system requires installed on all fuel storage tanks to ensure a clean supply).

l

DegraDaT Ion anD o Diesel fuel rganIc ma begins to DegraDe a formation TerIals s it ages. this of a varie ty of “org DegraDatio filters an anic” n lea Dc

materials Ds to the an impeDe within the performa that mater fuel that nce of the ial works clogs en it g s ine. as filt way into th wear incr ers clog a eases. putt e injector nD ing olD Die s, the cha starts you nces of ab sel into a off on th rasion high-perfo e wrong fo rmance D ot immeDia iesel engin tely. e

Take conTrol While it may be difficult, controlling the environment in which fuel system maintenance occurs will go a long way into ensuring success. Perform repairs indoors when possible. If this is not possible and you’re working on a large, outdoor site, erect windbreaks as needed to protect the work area from airborne contaminants.

look afTer your Tools use clean and dedicated tools to plug fuel lines and other gateways to the fuel system to minimize contamination. for instance, that old golf tee in your pocket or that dirty paper towel from your truck cab will not suffice fIlTer The resulTs one common mistake that is made is filling the fuel filter with diesel prior to installation. all this does is introduces unfiltered diesel fuel into the system and provides greater access for contaminants to the injectors and other sensitive components. always install the fuel filter without adding diesel and prime the engine separately before starting

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Saudi Market Review

Into recovery With the Construction Machinery Show coming in February, CMME looks at how the Saudi market is being affected by changes to the law and regulations

F

irst the good news. In terms of value, at $495 billion, Saudi Arabia remains the largest in the GCC. $76 billion was spent in 2013 alone, and a mind-boggling $3 trillion is likely to be spent before the end of the decade.

However, having been the dominant construction market in the Gulf during the downturn, contractors struggled in 2013 to cope with changes to labour laws, disrupted cashflow and ongoing concerns regarding corruption.

Indeed King Abdullah ended the year warning his ministries and ministers that they need to be fair and

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transparent when it comes project tendering and not to entertain or tolerate requests to break the rules.

The deliberately strong move came as a response to a letter from the finance ministry that highlighted cases of government departments requesting for permission to award contracts to preferred companies or to restrict tenders to select firms. The Arabic language daily, Sabq, carried text of the finance ministry’s letter (No. 8155), drawing the monarch’s attention to such practices by the ministries. “In response to the letter, the monarch has issued instructions, stressing that all ministries and public

Quotas to increase The Ministry of Labour has proposed a plan to give incentives to large companies in the Nitaqat System’s green and platinum zones, prompting them to increase their Saudisation quotas.

Part of a draft document which was distributed amongst the chairmen of the Council of Saudi Chambers’ (CSC) national committees at a meeting last week contained these details. Committee chairmen requested the ministry to increase visas for workers in the contracting, construction and agriculture sectors following the government’s campaign which included the exit of illegal immigrants in the country.

“The construction industry is one area where we need to

reduce the Saudization quotas because there is a need to hire more expatriate workers,” said Abdullah Radwan, head of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (JCCI) contractors committee.

“At the same time, we should increase the Saudisation quotas for operation and maintenance industries after training Saudis.”

Nitaqat data states non-Saudis comprise 85.6% of the private sector, said a report by Arab News.

The delegates agreed to hold periodic meetings with relevant directorates in the ministry. The respective sectors sought early resolution to their problems caused by the amnesty offered to undocumented expatriates.

establishments must adhere to the rules, which require them to issue tenders for government projects to all qualified companies without exceptions,” the report said.

“The ministry said that it believes that this tendering process will allow the government to get suitable prices for its contracts. The Minister of Finance echoed that there must be no exception to any department and that he was supported by the King.”

The finance ministry noted in its letter that requests by defaulting departments violated relevant regulations, which stipulated that government projects must be tendered publicly to give a fair chance to all qualified contractors.

Saudi’s strength – its multifaceted and enormous contractors like Saudi Oger and the Bin Ladin Group – are also its weakness. Able to execute the massive projects demanded by the government they have grown dependent on thousands of smaller companies to deliver.

In turn those companies have grown fat on the spoils on offer in the market despite often enjoying the status of bottom feeders in the market. Waiting for the money to filter down to their account departments, their bloated operations are seriously affected when construction stalls or payment processes fail.

Nabil Al Zahlawi of NFT also told CMME that the Saudi market has traditionally been dominated by major contractors such as Bin Laden and Saudi Oger but this is starting to change with newer, smaller companies entering the fray.

“In between Bin Laden and Saudi Oger you see a lot of small contractors coming in. There are a lot of

“WHAT WE’vE DONE IS SET uP A RECRuITMENT PROGRAMME, WHICH ON ONE HAND LOOKS INTO THE WHOLE ORGANISATION, AS WE HAvE PROJECTS GLOBALLy.”

new customers coming,” he said. “I have seen some of these one or two man private contractors get bigger taking on billion Riyal projects.”

As Abdul Qader Mohamed Al Ali, president, Al Wasit Machinery recently pointed out, the monopoly situation is beginning to break down in the Kingdom.

“Bin Laden is full, up to here; taking the money and passing on the work to sub-contractors. We are talking of tens, hundreds of sub-contractors and they are becoming contractors. I have more than 20 or 30 customers from those people and they have ten billion dirham jobs,” he said. “In Saudi there is no compensation. He pays or he doesn’t pay you. If I don’t know him and don’t trust him, I say no. They have changed the rules and regulations where before it moved automatically to (the big contractors) now it is more open and everybody has access. Things will hopefully move.”

Changes to the labour law and crackdowns on illegal workers intended to accelerate the Nitaqat programme of integrating the national workforce into industry brought the construction industry to a halt in 2013. Statistics at the close of the year suggested that as many as half of the Kingdom’s certified 200,000 contractors folded in 2013.

As has been documented in CMME before, much of Saudi’s spending has been on infrastructure that will bring its disparate cities and towns together. CMME’s sister publication Big Project ME looks at the railway and metro construction activity in KSA in January and even that massively government supported effort is being affected by the availability of skilled labour and materials to work on these complex projects.

Given the delicate situation in the Kingdom, thanks to the Nitaqat ruling, and the demand in Qatar and Dubai, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Expo 2020 respectively, sourcing skilled labour and materials is going to be vital for the success of these projects.

“That’s really an issue,” said Siemen Infrastructure’s CEO Jorg Scheifler. “I’m always saying that we’re now living in the decade of rail in the Middle East. We have projects popping up everywhere. We’re talking about

January 2014

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Saudi Market Review

A late recovery in 2013 Saudi Arabia’s construction sector grew by almost 5.7% year on year in the third quarter of 2013, making it the best-performing GDP component for the year.

Despite a market slowdown in the latter half of 2013, where it fell from 6.5% in Q2 2013 to its current value, Riyadh-based Jadwa Investment in a report said the sector had bettered its performance of 4.9% in Q3 2012, and recorded the highest growth among all GDP sectors.

One of the country’s largest contributors to non-hydrocarbon GDP, Saudi construction, of late, has suffered a decreased rate of construction, mostly owing to the Kingdom’s

the main line projects, but in addition, we have many metro and tram projects coming up. In Saudi we have numerous metro projects.

He continued: “I think this is the most important topic if you want to do your project successfully. What we’ve done is set up a recruitment programme, which on one hand looks into the whole organisation, as we have projects globally. So we first look internally, where we have expertise available. We recruit from within, but that’s not enough. We also have to approach (people) externally. We have professional recruiting agents (on the case).But I would say that, at the end, the key will be remuneration. You have to offer proper packages to attract the best people.

It’s not too complex a task, but one that needs to be taken very seriously.”

Saudi Arabia has always been hindered by a stopstart approach to construction. NFT’s Al Zahlawi told CMME in November, summing up the historic difficulties of working in the country.

“Always you’ve worked six months and you’ve slept six months,” he joked. “Over the last three years there have been a lot of mega projects KAFD, Princess Noura University and we’ve got used to these; there a lot of changes. For example one of our customers got a

“BIN LADEN IS FULL, UP TO HErE; TAKINg

THE MONEY AND PASSINg ON THE WOrK TO SUB-CONTrACTOrS. WE ArE TALKINg OF TENS, HUNDrEDS OF SUB-CONTrACTOrS AND THEY ArE BECOMINg CONTrACTOrS.”

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exodus of illegal expat workers.

“Slower growth in the construction sector compared with the previous quarter may reflect the combined effect of the recent changes and enforcement of labor market regulations, as well as slower construction activity during the summer months,” the Jadwa study said according to The Saudi Gazette.

“We, however, expect the impact of changes and enforcement of labor market regulations to be temporary, as the sector adjusts to this new norm. On the upside, the construction sector will continue to benefit from vast activity in building infrastructure, commercial and residential projects.”

medical city (project). Everything was awarded and at the last minute, ‘we have problem with the land so we cannot build’. Imagine that you spend money in preparation and suddenly you have to change the location of the project by 45km. It will take three years to move it; the project won’t start; the down payment has not been received. The company is in difficulty.”

Dealers Dealing The Construction Machinery Show in February will see the return of a number of distribution companies and dealers and others that have chosen Dammam to make their debut. Many of them are among the biggest organisations of their type in the world. Producers of cranes, mobiles, excavators can count their Saudi dealers among their biggest buyers of equipment.

The last two years has seen huge investment by both manufacturers and dealers in real estate and network development. This is set to continue in 2014 and at the same time we will also see movement between the dealers themselves. Both Volvo and Case used their new partners to regain momentum in the market lasts year, and this is set to continue with, among others, Abdul Lateef Jameel and Komatsu strengthening their relationship. CMME understands that a major Saudi dealer was also acquired by a nonSaudi competitor at the close of the year.

With the aftermath of 2013’s upheaval subsiding, buyers and operators should be able to look forward to a much more stable year ahead. As progress continues to be made in the dealer channel, it is also reasonable to assume that it is also going to be a much more competitively priced and effective place to handle machinery. With cashflow still spluttering and labour becoming harder to get the timing couldn’t be better.

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November 2013 October 2013

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION MIDDLE EAST MIDDLE EAST

55 43

Special Interview

Third Time lucky?

CMME wonders if it will be a case of third time’s the charm for Intermat Middle East 46

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T

he organisers of the extension of the Parisbased behemoth will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when it returns on 14-16 January at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. Now into its third edition, Intermat Middle East is an event that hasn’t yet caught fire despite the extreme heat experienced in 2012. The move from October to January should at least help with the weather which at times made visiting the outside exhibition area unbearable last time around.

Indeed the oven-like temperatures at ADNEC – undergoing a renovation in 2012, forcing a move to the sun-facing south side of the expo centre – indiscriminately baked exhibitor and visitor alike.

The memories of those returning from the outside drenched-through like they forgot to bring their towels to the pool will live long in the memory.

Intermat in Europe has so firmly established itself as the third largest global event since its inauguration in 1988, that it now confidently bears the burden of rotating with Bauma and Conexpo in the US. It hasn’t been an easy road travelled thus far with previous events blighted by a string obstructions from transport strikes to bird flu to bearing the full force of the crash of 2009. It has done so by being determinedly outward facing, embracing markets close to Europe.

Before Bauma was flying dealers and equipment customers from the Middle East, it was Intermat that was pulling visitors from Jordan to Jeddah. Like its older German and US cousins, it started as a local show but found its place as an international meeting place. The Intermat brand arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2011 promising to bring the experience of a major industry event to the Gulf. Warmly received as a spring addition to a threadbare collection of regionwide, heavy machinery-related shows, the timing

“BEfOrE BAUMA WAS fLyING CUSTOMErS frOM ThE MIDDLE EAST, IT WAS INTErMAT ThAT WAS PULLING vISITOrS frOM JOrDAN TO JEDDAh.”

made sense. If the Big-5 and PMv Live marked the end of the year, Intermat Middle East could kick off the new one.

But then it was realised that its 18-month rotation would place it up against the budgets spent on taking space and stands at the Dubai institution. As a result, the edition in October last year was always going to be compared to the one-two punch of The Big-5 and PMv Live.

On paper the fight looked pretty even. In one corner, you had the established local pro who could count on the local crowd for support and in the other the veteran heavyweight with a decent south paw and a star-studded fan-base in its corner of the ring including Manitowoc, Doosan, Terex finlay, Putzmeister, Sennebogen, Liebherr and Atlas Copco.

In reality the fight was rather one-sided with PMv Live being considered a return to form and Intermat Middle East a hot mess. Those that visited complained that the show wasn’t big enough; that it lacked the true Intermat experience; and that Abu Dhabi was too remote for a largely Dubai-based construction community. Ultimately Intermat Middle East succeeded in proving what many people have argued for half a decade: that largely the UAE is too small a market to sustain a dedicated machinery show. Perhaps, the biggest shame of the previous show was that it was a lot better than the footfall suggested. The exhibitor was short in comparison with other events but it was also a pretty solid representation of the machinery industry. It also boasted a decent array of new equipment and as noted by CMME at the time it offered one of the few opportunities to compare region-ready machines side-by-side, price-by-price. It was also backed up by a substantial if thinly attended conference that made the most of local governmental support to put together a programme that would rival many other more established events. Plus it was free. how will this coming event be judged, then? It may not help that Dubai has only just hosted what has been widely regarded as the best PMv Live event in years. With respect to names such as Sennebogen, LiuGong and Doosan, who again bring gravity to the

January 2014

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Special Interview

What the manufacturers say Diego Bertati Service and Field Manager Gulf Area, CIFA, said: “In Saudi Arabia, we know there are very big projects to build new cities, so perspectives are good. For the UAE, we should see a stable market for the coming years especially with the upcoming Expo2020 in Dubai.

Oman is also a very interesting market for construction, even more than Qatar. In terms of sectors, surely big infrastructure projects and underground works are the ones that show most growth potential at present.”

LiuGong’s President, York Liang, stated: “With the rebuilding project for Iraq in development and the World Cup in to be held in Qatar, we see Iraq and Qatar as the two major countries in the Middle East that

would show growth in terms of construction. Of course the UAE will also be on the list now that it has won the bid for Expo 2020. In general construction will grow. As far as countries that are difficult to enter, Qatar seems to be a difficult country for us to enter.”

Diego Bertati, added: “We look forward to participating at the next edition of INTERMAT Middle East with the aim of gaining different perspectives and visibility from other countries.”

York Liang, continued: “We strongly believe that it is good platform for construction players.

Since brand awareness of Chinese construction machinery remains low, last year’s edition allowed us to present our brand and create awareness.”

event with their support, the published exhibitor list as this magazine goes to press looks weaker compared to what was on show last time around, let alone in November. There were certainly few previous exhibitors who were regretting passing on Intermat Middle East at PMV Live, however, this will be the first major construction equipment show after the announcement of Expo 2020. Come 14 January you could see a burst of late arrivals in and a substantial representation of contractors looking to do some window shopping before the construction for that festival gets underway.

Kit you will see York Liang of LiuGong revealed that the Chinese manufacturer will use the show to put its equipment in the minds of buyers.

“At the coming year’s edition we will be showcasing a number of products such as wheel loader, excavators,

“SINCE BrAND AWArENESS oF ChINESE

MAChINErY rEMAINS LoW, LAST YEAr’S EDITIoN ALLoWED US To CrEATE AWArENESS.”

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roller, backhoe loader, mobile crane amongst many others. Also, an increasing number of LiuGong products will be launched in the MENA region with tailored configuration, keeping in mind the high temperature and dust.”

CIFA will showcase its truck pump model K38L acquired by the customer “New Mix”. Describing the model and its features in details, Diego Bertati, said: “The K38L truck mounted concrete pump is the perfect choice for small and medium sites. With a 4-sections-boom it combines ease of use with a compact truck layout. It is adequate also when a relevant delivery capacity is needed: bridges and deep pours, car parking and basements. The pump can be equipped both with an open loop and closed loop pumping unit to reach the highest performances.”

The star turn of the Bobcat display on the stand for Kanoo Machinery, the authorised Bobcat dealer for the UAE, will be the first showing of the new Bobcat T40180 18m telescopic handler in the Middle East. The T40180 telehandler will be joined on the Kanoo stand by the Bobcat S130B model, the most popular skid-steer loader in the Middle East and the S510 loader, part of the new 500 platform range of Bobcat compact loaders launched in 2013.

Working at Height

Taking safeTy seriously The working at height panel at PMV Live proves that there is still work to be done when it comes to improving safety of powered access in the region 50

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P

rogress can still be made to ensure the we limit the amount of injuries happening when people are working at height, a panel held at PMV Live discussed at the November event. Moderated by CMME’s own group editor Stephen White, the panel included Jason Woods, the UAE representative of IPAF (International Powered Access Federation), Robert Cavaleri, regional operations and technical manager of Manlift Group and Dr Ali Salem, director of health and safety, for the UAE’s Ministry of Labour.

“With regards to powered units we estimate that there are 7,000 units throughout the UAE. The main two areas are construction and FM (facilities management),” begins Woods.

According to Woods, training and the selection of the right equipment for the right job is of paramount importance.

“If they (operators) don’t have the right training and skills, then they won’t be in full control of their units,” he argues. “There is always room for improvement and the key words are ‘best practice’.

IPAF is first and foremost focused on what we have on sites and the education on sites. We’ve got to try utilise individual skills to give them more knowledge on operating the machines.”

Working alongside local government and municipalities will be crucial if the number of work-related accidents are to be reduced. Woods and Dr Salem, as representatives of their respective organisations, work closely when it comes to the inspection and training of firms.

“We have to take each step at a time. With Dr Ali on board, it is very important that we try and take a clear message out and minimise falls.”

From a selling and renting point of view, Manlift’s Cavaleri says that his excursions across the GCC have shown him that the UAE is the most developed in its adoption of use and training.

“Obviously there is a lot of room for improvement,” he says. “I would rate safety standards at the early levels but awareness is being encouraged very strongly. That’s pleasing to see.”

Manlift has 1,000 powered access units over 30 different models in the UAE and Qatar. Unlike rental companies of other types of equipment, its units are not supplied with operators. He says that the company offers training and support to its customers.

“One of the things that we do as a rental company is train people in safe use on a daily basis,“ he adds.

As a rental company, it could be argued it is in Manlift’s best interest that its equipment is being being used properly for the right applications and, above all, safely by its customers.

“The legal responsibility comes down to the employer or the employee but with many things the responsibility is on the rental company to train in the safe use. We go to sites and we train at an IPAF centre, so that operators are being trained by suitably qualified people.”

He continues: “The majority of our customers are aware that they have to train but not so aware of what that involves. They are surprised by the types of training and the detail that’s required.”

Under Dr Salem’s guidance, the UAE has seized that mantle when it comes to safety. In conjunction with IPAF, there is now in place a joint initiative to train his inspectors. A trained medical doctor, he has seen the consequences of what can go wrong when equipment is mishandled.

“This is part of our partnership with the private sector and we are glad they initiated the approach.”

Dr Salem has been keen to join courses on occupational safety to learn more about this equipment. He can even proudly claim to be trained operator of power access equipment.

“Understanding occupational medical injuries from a medical perspective, there is a burden on me to learn more about safety. When we go to construction and industrial sites we need basic information on powered access and scaffolding,” he says. “I cannot know without understanding. We need our friends from IPAF, IOSH, etc; as we cannot do this alone.”

Woods says that the heights of the products in the market can vary between 0-55m. It’s a large variation requiring a range of the types of training

January 2014

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Working at Height

Taking down unsafe buildings The Dubai Municipality has issued an ultimatum to the owners of seven abandoned buildings, instructing them to immediately undertake necessary repairs or demolish the structures within two weeks from the date of notice issuance.

offered by his organisation.

“In terms of training, the most important aspect is emergency lowering. Sometimes things go wrong with a machine and the body is left in the air.

Working at height is a serious issue not just in the Middle East but everywhere. The centre of gravity doesn’t change.”

Woods explains that training courses can take between one to three days, depending on the machinesm and combine a mixture of theory and practical before moving onto testing procedures.

Dr Salem adds that his inspectors were surprised at how in-depth the training needs to be.

“A while back, ten of our inspectors took an IPAF course. They thought they would just get a few basics, but IPAF’s approach is very interesting as they showed them how to fix it, how to assemble it for two days. I never thought I could assemble scaffolding but now I can,” smiling he adds. “We all passed the test.”

He continues: “After the training I was talking to a friend who needed help and I was soon fixing his scaffolding!”

IPAF has been in business for 30 years and is run by equipment manufacturers. Woods says that it is now recognised and active in 36 different countries.

“The reason it has been accepted is that it is so thorough,” says Woods. “Once a rental company joins in we try to support them as much as we can in terms of driving safety in the business.”

Manlift’s Rob Cavaleri can boast a background in aluminium scaffolding and jokes that he too knows how to assemble it safely. Manlift refuses to give licenses to companies and individuals unless it is confident that the equipment will be properly used.

“The license we issue with IPAF is valid for five years but one of the things you learn is that you also need to provide familiarisation. An operator can train on machine X but legally be able to also use machine Y

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and Z. So we have to give him that familiarisation on the other two machines before he can use them as well. The best way that I can describe the situation with AWPs and the different kinds of models is that there are as many similarities as there are differences.

Refreshing and familiarisation is very important to ensure they understand the idiosyncrasies.”

With the panellists agreeing that there is room for improvement in terms of awareness, it raises the question of whether there is a true understanding of why safety is important in the industry. Dr Salem says that his team prioritise companies that are repeatedly experiencing accidents to ensure they can use their resources wisely. Often this requires liaising with civil defence to identify them.

“This is a shared issue,” says Dr Salem. “Licensing is available for different types of machinery in industry, logistics and construction as well. We try our best to ensure our inspections make sure that people are well trained and have licenses. Our partners in civil defence have access to most of the accident data. Whenever we get notified of an accident, we go there and investigate how they use the machinery and why the accident happened.”

Depending on the Emirate, work can be halted when there has been a serious accident, he adds. A major challenge for him is ensuring there are enough inspectors on the ground.

“It’s not easy. There are around 25 inspectors, so it’s really difficult to cover everywhere. We have to put on priorities. You won’t see us as much in DIP or DIFC as they would in Al Quoz. Most of our resources are working in Sharjah - the largest industrial area in the Middle East.”

Fortunately Dubai is able to sustain third-party inspectors, he says this helps his team to focus.

“I have to know that each person is really competent or qualified. We can’t just certify one company we need to know each person there.”

The buildings are located around different parts of Dubai, such as Al Naif, Satwa, Al Rashidiya, Al Khubaisi, Abu Hail and Muhaisina 2. Failure to respond to the order will lead to the municipality demolishing the buildings and an imposition of the cost of work plus 20% as administration charges.

“Dubai is the meeting point of the East and West and is a global destination for business and tourism,” said Khalid Mohammed Saleh, director of the Building Department

at the municipality.

“Given this position of the city, we cannot compromise with the aesthetic view of our streets and roads.”

This notice is the latest in the civic body’s recent campaign to reduce the number of abandoned and neglected buildings to zero. The campaign included advertisements, visits and various PR activities to inform the public about the negative impacts of leaving buildings neglected and unoccupied.

Inspections had revealed most abandoned buildings were host to a variety of insects and other creatures that threaten public health standards, and halfconstructed buildings were also found to be used by anti-social elements, said a report

by Khaleej Times.

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The Last Word 13, d a good 20 Liebherr ha E, es in the UA an cr ng lli se ewhere.

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