Construction Machinery ME June 2021

ISSUE 114 JUNE 2021

PLUS

NG I P M U P T I G N I P E KE NG FOR

NI SILVER LI ONCRETE MOBILE CP M AKERS PUM

MERS R O F R E P L U F R E W PO RODUCTS

POWER P RE FOR A PREPA OUND B E R T E K M AR

KOMATSU

Y R U T N E AC E U L A V H W IT

IS H T Y R A S R IVE N N A ST H A T P 0 S 0 1 T I S S T I T UN RKS O A C E M R U RE T S U T N T A A U I M F G O E E K S H AS NE RT A O P F A E J S E R H U T CO Y E A R, AND SETS

CONTENTS JUNE 2021

6_NEWS The latest news from across the region and further afield.

14_AUGER TORQUE AT KHALIFA PORT Attachment specialist works with regional contractor Saif Bin Darwish to make micro piling jobs cost-effective at Abu Dhabi port expansion.

16_VARA ON HIGH VELOCITY Bobcat’s Iraq dealer Vara Machinery discusses its success in the country, the peculiarities of the Iraq market and its vision of the future.

20_A CENTURY OF CREATING VALUE As Komatsu celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, it looks back on

20

10 SPOTTED IN LANisDs SWITo ZcraEnR e lifts Sw n

its journey and formulates its vision for sustainable growth in the future.

R E W O RAW P ry.

E L E A SE S n machine 26_ NEW R om the world of constructio leases fr The latest re

e. your job-sit uctivity on d ro p g n vi pro follow for im ty steps to fe sa c si a b Ten .

UMPING opportunities in the pandemic P T I G N I rs grab 30_ KEEP ump make concrete p d te n u o Truck-m FORMERS with new models and tech.

R E P L U F R nd 34_ POWE ctor prepares for a market rebou ucts se E Power prod A’S FUTUR ors.

IC R E M A AINS n operat OWOC TR a picks Manitowoc cranes to trai T I N A M _ 0 4 es of Americ ment Colleg Heavy Equip

EN 28_TOP T

30

10

12

34

Tada out of catamaran ter lake for win storage

16

2

EDITORIAL JUNE 2021

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 MANAGING PARTNER VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 EDITORIAL EDITOR ANIRBAN BAGCHI anirban.bagchi@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5715 DEPUTY EDITOR PAUL GODFREY

CONGRATS, KOMATSU!

paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER BRIAN FERNANDES

Milestones like these don’t come often.

The world’s second largest equipment manufacturer is celebrating its centenary this year, marking a hundred years of growth and excellence that has seen it carve its legacy all around the globe.

It’s been 100 years in which a company, started by a man in a Japanese mining town to develop the economic self-reliance of the local people, has first grown to make its hometown, Komatsu City, economically self-reliant, then become one of the symbols of Japanese economic progress and then gradually made communities around the world economically prosperous. No wonder that Komatsu has chosen as its motto a phrase that encapsulates its founder Meitaro Takeuchi’s vision of personal skill development and self-reliance: “Creating Value”.

And this is no empty slogan; the company has lived up to it in its entire journey. So, while it is the second largest global equipment maker as a whole, Komatsu actually is the market leader in most of the segments it operates in.

This is because of the constant innovation and quality that it has always offered, creating value in its own way with achievements like the introduction of its first hydraulic excavator in 1968, the first microcomputer controls in equipment in 1988, the world’s largest dump truck class in 1995, the world’s first commercial autonomous haulage and the world’s first hybrid hydraulic excavator in 2008. Such milestones are part of our story on Komatsu’s 100th anniversary, where the company talks about its history and its vision for the future.

Elsewhere in this issue, we also touch upon another legacy of excellence – albeit a much smaller one and still very much in the making. Vara Machinery, the Bobcat dealer for Iraq, describes how it is always on the ball with its market and customers,

which has enabled it to help Bobcat grab the highest market share in almost every machine category it operates in. And this has happened within the short span of just over five years that the two have been partners in Iraq.

Recent gains have also been made by some in the generators and power products sector, as well as in the truck mounted concrete pumps. The pandemic has not stopped Doosan Portable Power from making major inroads into the Saudi market, where it had a good year in 2020. Other brands, too, such as Pramac, JCB Power and Caterpillar, are doing well enough, given the dire economic circumstances of the last 18 months, proving that the Middle East remains power hungry.

It’s not a dissimilar case in the concrete pumps segment. Despite Covid-19 slowing down construction in the region, enough activity remains in the market for equipment makers willing to go the extra mile to reap some benefits – the Schwing-Stetter and CMC combination, for instance. CMC tells us in this issue how it has managed to increase market share in the last few months with new Schwing models, while Liebherr, too, has begun a fresh push with its own new pump introductions.

The moment, though, belongs to Komatsu. And with the company embarking on a year-long celebration from its 100th birthday on May 13, we wish it the best for the next 100 years!

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

brian.fernandes@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com MARKETING ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE ZAARA KHAN zaara.khan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5470 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT ABDUL BAEIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PUBLISHED BY

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor.

The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing.

Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.

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ONLINE JUNE 2021

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSULTANT

READERS’ COMMENTS

SIEMENS ENERGY TO

Buro Happold appoints James Bruce as new CEO

REBUILD 400KV SUPER GRID STATION IN IRAQ’S WEST MOSUL REGION

It is easy to take turning on a light switch or being able to wash your children’s clothing for school but this (Siemens

CONSULTANT

Energy to rebuild 400kV

KSA to allow Tadawul-listed firms to buy Makkah and Madinah real estate

super grid station in Iraq’s West Mosul region) story is a reminder that the region still has

EXPERTS: Five key trends for net-zero cities in the MENA region

areas where power is not always available. It is almost tragic that the Nineveh Governorate

CONSULTANT

region of Iraq is still

AESG appoints Siebrandus Wichers as global director of Facades

recovering from years of war. It is absolutely right that strengthening the national grid is a major priority for Iraq as it continues to rebuild its ravaged infrastructure.

Energy security is a hugely

CONSTRUCTION

important piece of the

Wasl properties launches 777-unit residential development in Al Qusais

puzzle when it comes to not only improving the standard of living in the country but also ensuring that Iraq can build a future where businesses can thrive and developments be

CONSTRUCTION

Diyar Al Muharraq unveils new mosque and hall in flagship residential project

VIDEO: How Ithra Dubai is revitalising the heart of Dubai

guaranteed success.

Name withheld by request

49 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

The leading capital equipment solutions provider

Construction Machinery Center Co. LLC info@cmcgulf.com

www.cmcgulf.com

Dubai : Al Quoz Industrial Area # 3, +971 4 285 8959, P.O.Box: 5261 Abu Dhabi: Musaffah Corniche Road, +971 2 5546565, P.O.Box: 25676 Al Ain: 1st Street, Al Salam Commercial Center, +971 3 7215572 CONCRETE SOLUTIONS CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT POWER AND AIR SOLUTION MATERIAL HANDLING WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS QUARRY SOLUTIONS

S W NE 6

FLOOR SAWS

CMC PROMOTES LISSMAC KIT WITH SPECIAL OFFER

JECTS, O R P W E N OFFICES, W E N , S E HIN AROUND K O NEW MAC O L E IVES – W T A MONTH I T S I I N H I T W E NE W WHAT’S N T A N O I G THE RE NEW ARMSTRONG

UAE-based construction equipment

OUTDOOR PUMPS

powerhouse CMC recently ran

Armstrong Fluid

an offer on Lissmac equipment

Technology has

under which customers could

introduced new

avail of reduced prices and free

Design Envelope

accessories for the German brand’s

pumps with

CompactCut200 D floor saw.

permanent magnet

CMC said that under the limited

motors and NEMA

time offer, the 200 D also comes with

4X/IP66 ratings,

a package inclusive of two free blades.

now available

The model is a robust floor saw that is

for outdoor

useful in construction applications and

installation. The

comes with a closed and solid frame

global HVAC

for robustness, the dealer added.

major said the

The 200D has a cutting depth of

new pumps

180-200mm, set by a stepless threaded

features advanced

spindle with depth gauge. The

performance

standard saw blade is 450mm, while

mapping

a 500mm option is available, with

Al Faris lifts at UAE power plant project

technology and

the blade spinning at 2,500rpm. The

load-limiting logic,

126kg unit is powered by a HATZ diesel

reducing energy

motor putting out 6,3hp of power.

Regional lifting services heavyweight Al Faris recently installed 16 doublewall heat recovery steam generators at a power plant project in the UAE, with the heaviest of the units weighing 80t and measuring 28m in length.

Using a 650t-capacity Demag CC 3800-1 lattice boom crawler crane as the main crane for the job, as well as other lifting and moving equipment, Al Faris finished the lifts, a part of the power plant expansion, in six months. This included transporting, lifting and setting up of various power plant components such as condensers, boilers, HRSG modules, tanks as well as the generators, which will be used to recover the gas power plant’s waste heat and improve its efficiency.

Hilary Pinto, founder and managing director of Al Faris, said: “After considering the load weights and the required performance characteristics, it became

clear that only a crane in the 650t class would be able to get the job done. And the reason we ended up deciding on the Demag CC 3800-1 was that it met every single requirement better than all other machines, not to mention that we’re very familiar with its high reliability and incredible capabilities.”

The heaviest and most challenging of the lifts in the project involved the 28m-long heat recovery steam generators, which weighed up to 80t. These HRSG units had to be brought to a height of just under 60m at a radius of 40m so that they could be installed. To do this, the Al Faris team used an SWSL configuration with a 48m main boom, a 36m fly jib, a Superlift counterweight of 165t with a radius of 11m. The Demag CC 3800-1 took about two months at the job-site to complete the 16 lifts, as well as all other lifts, with an SWSL configuration.

consumption

Feras Al Sadek, marketing and

by as much as

business development manager at

30% compared to

CMC said: “Customers could avail of

pumps with a loose

this limited-time offer to obtain an

variable speed

essential piece of kit for construction

drive. Together

and allied applications from a reputed

with new, more

and quality German manufacturer such

efficient pump

as Lissmac, paying only Dh13,000 for

hydraulics, the

the CompactCut200 D floor saw in a

new 1-10hp

bundle that includes two free blades.

pumps can save

“The machine has smooth raising

an additional 20%

and lowering of the saw blade

over competing

with a closed threaded spindle,

integrated

preventing damaging of the saw

products with

blade. There is an adjustable cutting

induction motors.

depth indicator for all saw blade diameters and a large 33-litre water tank, reducing work interruptions.”

Ziad Hammade, deputy GM, CMC, added: “The saw blade cover is also easily detachable for ease of use and serviceability is improved with good access to the engine and cutting shaft for simple maintenance operations.”

The promotion runs until stocks last.

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8

NEWS ROUND-UP JUNE 2021

COMPACT EQUIPMENT

MECALAC INTROS 3.5MDX CABBED SITE DUMPER

Byrne conducts mast climber IPAF training

Byrne Equipment Rental recently carried out the first International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) operator PAL card training in the Middle East based on a new module from the IPAF, which focused on the safe operation of mast climbers from all OEMs and was conducted while

JLG PARTNERS TECHNOTRADE IN RUSSIA MEWP major JLG has appointed Technotrade as its distributor for Russia and Belarus.

Ian Hume, JLG sales director, Middle East, Africa, India and Russia, JLG, said: “We intend to further grow JLG’s products in Russia and Belarus.”

observing appropriate Covid-specific guidelines.

The trainings took place at Byrne’s head office in Dubai Industrial City, in the rental major’s fully operational demo area, and was conducted over one full day. Byrne’s large training facility can normally accommodate

28 people but the number of trainees was restricted to six for this particular training, which is the maximum number that can be enrolled in each session while maintaining social distancing in accordance with Covid rules and regulations to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.

The sessions were led by Byrne’s regional manager Simon Hickson, the only certified training instructor for mast climbers and hoists in the Middle East and a professional with over 21 years’ experience.

“Practical sessions were integral as they gave each trainee the ability to not only learn but also operate the product in question and in turn fully engage in all aspects surrounding the safe use and operation of the mast climber.,” said Hickson.

CAT’S HAULING MILESTONE Caterpillar recently passed a major milestone in autonomous hauling with the addition of another billion tons of material hauled

Mecalac has announced the launch

by autonomous

of its all-new 3.5MDX cabbed site

trucks using the

dumper, a 3.5t capacity machine

Cat MineStar

designed as new from the ground

Command for

up to enhance performance, safety

hauling, which

and comfort in its MDX range.

has now brought

Mecalac said the new model is

the total of all

available with either a front tip skip

material hauled

or a swivel tip skip with 180-degree

autonomously

rotation for precise lateral unloading

using the Cat

without manoeuvres. The 3.5MDX

technology to over

is also designed with an articulated

three billion tons.

and oscillating chassis for easier

The milestone

manoeuvrability and off-road capability.

was also marked

The new model has an operating

by an expansion

weight of 2.9t, length of 3.8m, width

of the types of

of 1.9m and height of 2.8m, making

commodities

it compact and manoeuvrable for

hauled and truck

carrying high payloads in confined

sizea covered.

spaces and for a variety of applications.

The 3.5MDX uses high and low range gearing for both forward and reverse, as well as permanent hydrostatic four-wheel drive. This means operators have torque on demand to move loads in challenging site conditions.

HIDROMEK S INTRODUCE LARGE S L AS NEW 52T-C VATOR EXCA HD

LC ss HMK 500 new 52t-cla its H4 in e ag n Hidromek’s n e highest to th s er ff ge and o ia r ndercarr excavato ons in its u si vi re proved as h ures for im Series and -duty struct vy ea ler has a h aw ed the new cr strengthen id sa d n ra hb m length, The Turkis andard boo st durability.

3m 6. d an “provide 3 et capacity al aids that ic g lo 3.2m buck o n ch ease ped with te ce and incr and is equip performan th o o ns”. sm io d it ing cond strong an ifficult work d e in y re it eg iv product and 35-d suspended rai as l h o b tr The ca rtional con seat, propo adjustable trol OPERA Con pedal and System.

9

Renault Trucks T X-64 in Abu Dhabi Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E) have announced the availability of Renault Trucks’ T X-64 in Abu Dhabi, a model range converted at the manufacturer’s Used Trucks Factory in Bourgen-Bresse, France, and aimed at customers looking for quality with optimised total cost of ownership and a standard warranty.

Al Masaood explained that the trucks are produced in a specialised conversion workshop at Renault Trucks’ Bourg-en-Bresse production facility in France where the vehicles are converted using “rigorous industrial processes and specifically intended for customers operating in Africa and the Middle East”.

The T X-64’s high ground clearance makes it ideal for light construction, logistic or petroleum transportation, while its T cab maximises driver’s comfort, said Al

Masaood. The Renault Trucks T X-64 comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of 18 months or 180,000km, which covers all components of the powertrain and is valid

ETIHAD RAIL, FATIGUE MONITORING SYSTEMS

HITACHI-OWNED WENCO TO ENHANCE SAFETY WITH SMARTCAP ACQUISITION

TRANSPORTR INTEGRATE LOGISTICS

throughout all Renault Trucks sales and service outlets.

Mohamed El Zeftawi, GM, Al Masaood CV&E, said: “The launch of Renault Trucks’ T X-64 in Abu Dhabi, along with our customised solutions, forms part of our efforts to contribute to maintaining the UAE’s trucks market updated with the advancements and innovations at the global level. Apart from offering products that are specifically designed, manufactured, and maintained to ensure users’ operational, safety, we also strive to keep pace with environmental requirements.

Sharing Renault Trucks’ vision, we believe that creativity and innovation come in many forms, as reflected by the latest T X-64’s exciting features.”

NEW ENERPAC 100T PULLER Enerpac has announced a new 100t capacity hydraulic Sync Grip Puller for the safe and controlled removal of bearings, bushing, gears and pins from shafts during vehicle and machinery maintenance.

Enerpac said the new 100t SGH100 model features simple, synchronous movement. with up to 100t of force.

Sinoboom launches new electric MEWPs

The UAE’s Etihad Wenco International Mining Systems, a wholly

in various sectors.

Tim Ekert, CEO, SmartCap

Rail has announced a collaboration

owned subsidiary of Hitachi

said: “We have made

with digital freight

Construction Machinery, has

significant progress these past

services provider

announced the purchase

eight years and we are proud

Transportr for

of SmartCap Technologies

of every safety incident our

streamlining its

Pty Ltd, makers of fatigue

technology has prevented.

logistics services.

monitoring wearables used

We believe joining Wenco will

They will offer

in the mining, trucking

enable us to grow even further

digital solutions

and other industries.

and increase the safety of even

for services such as

more industrial operations.”

booking, tracking

The Vancouver-, Canada

and multi-modal

based Wenco said it has

According to Wenco, the

purchased all assets and

acquisition adds a strategic,

connectivity,

intellectual property of

fatigue monitoring capability

providing “a

SmartCap, and added that

to its safety solution portfolio.

complete digital

“this purchase is an important

Safety is of paramount

rail freight

step for the continued

importance at mines and

solution that will

growth of the SmartCap

other industrial sites, where

complement

fatigue technology”.

operators must perform long

Etihad Rail’s new

hours of repetitive work while

technologies.

Based in Brisbane, Australia, SmartCap assesses real-time

paying close attention to their

fatigue levels and monitors

surrounding environment.

for oncoming microsleeps

SmartCap greatly enhances

that create safety hazards.

the ability of operators and

The SmartCap device has

other workers in proximity to

over 5,000 users globally

the equipment to remain safe.

Sinoboom has introduced new battery-powered, electric-drive crawler scissor lifts equipped with precisionengineered rubber crawler systems for complex terrain, and featuring the ability for long continuous working.

The Chinese powered access equipment specialist showed off the two new models, the 0407ET and 1215ET, at the China International Construction Equipment Exhibition (CICEE) 2021, which commenced yesterday. The two new crawler scissors are joined by other new and existing

products on the Sinoboom stand at the event. The products showcased include new, recent and remanufactured units, representing a varied product range adapted for different applications. All models sport several standard features, such as high-end electrophoretic paint treatment which protects against scratches and corrosion, significantly enhancing equipment working life, said the manufacturer.

Sinoboom has also unveiled the new battery-powered telescopic boom TB26EJ Plus, with a 340kg load capacity.

10

KIT SPOTTING JUNE APRIL 2021 2016

TADANO HELPS SWISS CATAMARAN HIBERNATE

W

hen it was time for a catamaran belonging to a non-profit association to be lifted out of Lake Ijssel, a closed off inland bay in the central Netherlands, to the Dutch Mick Volendam Group, it sounded like a job for their Tadano ATF 130G-5 all-terrain crane.

The vessel belongs to Ocean Youth Sailing, a non-profit organisation based in Steckborn, Switzerland. It uses sailing to instil values such as responsibility, teamwork and environmental awareness in young people. One of its projects even saw the young people build a catamaran all on their own, with over 400 helpers contributing more than 20,000 hours of work.

The catamaran set off on its first journey across the Rhine towards Lake Ijssel back last summer, and the organisation offered sailing courses on the self-built boat in its new home. When the season ended and it was time to store the vessel until the next season, the 9t colossus had to be lifted out of the harbour at Marina Volendam. Lifting the catamaran, which is 13.5m long and 7.5m wide, called for the use of

a particularly powerful crane with precision steering.

This was a job for the Mick Volendam Group from the neighbouring town of Edam, located north-east of Amsterdam.

The company relies exclusively on state-of-the-art all-terrain cranes from Tadano, with the ATF 130G-5 selected as the weapon of choice for this particular project. Equipped with a Lift Adjuster as standard, the 130G-6 is the perfect choice for delicate lifting tasks such as this.

The vessel had to be lifted with extreme care, as it is not only of great financial value, but also – most importantly of all – of huge sentimental value to the helpers of the Ocean Youth Sailing association involved in the project.

“It’s great to be able to rely on the Lift Adjuster. In cases with critical loads like this, the Tadano Lift Adjuster allows loads to be picked up quickly, suppressing swinging or load movements, and the operators can focus their full attention on the load instead of the radius display,” says Tadano.

This all meant the Arrow 1360 catamaran could be lifted smoothly out of the water and transported to its home.

11

“In cases with critical loads like this, the Tadano Lift Adjuster allows loads to be picked up quickly, suppressing swinging or load movements, and the operators can focus their full attention on the load instead of the radius display”

12

HARD HITTERS COMMENT JUNE AUGUS 2021T 2019

GROWING CHEMICALLY

AS THE GCC CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EXPANDS, SO DOES ITS DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS, LEADING TO GROWTH IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE COMPOUNDS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DURABLE, EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL CONSTRUCTION. SAFDAR BADAMI, MD, AL MUQARRAM GROUP, EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS VITAL COMMODITY

I

n early 2020, statistics gathered by business data analytics company ReportLinker predicted that the market for construction chemicals would record a growth of up to $21.7bn in real terms, with the same report projecting a compounded growth at an estimated 8.6%.

The study paid close attention to construction chemicals such as concrete admixtures, which it analysed to have a growth potential of above 10%.

By 2016, the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, including the UAE, and had spent over $130bn on construction projects.

These developments have arguably contributed immensely to the rise of construction chemicals

production by key players in the region. The demand and supply of these chemicals has risen tremendously, since there is more than $2.6tr worth of ongoing construction projects in the region.

The construction chemicals industry has recorded its highest growth rates in Saudi Arabia.

Other areas in the GCC, such as Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai and Oman, have all embraced the use of construction chemicals in a big way.

Besides concrete admixtures, other construction chemicals include coatings and paints, flooring and surface treatments, moisture and thermal treatment materials, among others. These construction chemicals play a major role in efficient construction in the entire construction industry throughout the GCC.

The use of construction chemicals leads to optimisation of concrete performance. It also prolongs the lifespan of building structures, and also protects them from hazardous environments.

Allied Market Research, a market research and advisory company providing business insights to enterprises, has forecast that by 2022, the global market for construction chemicals will be ranging at around the $40.15bn mark. The growth rate of this market was projected to compound at 5.6% within the six years between 2016 and 2022.

Many construction companies have embraced the use of construction chemicals, boosting the industry further. Other factors, such as the growth of urbanisation, following of recommended construction standards and ease of access to

13 construction chemicals, have all led to the growth of the construction chemicals industry.

Construction chemicals have played a major role in infrastructure development around the UAE. Concrete admixtures, among other types of construction chemicals, lead to strong and longlasting building structures. They are available in different varieties and varying costs, according to quality.

Plasticizers, also known as water reducers, are added to concrete to lower its water content to the levels that are required and suitable for construction purposes. The friction within the particles in the concrete is reduced, which makes the concrete easy to work with for overall construction benefits.

Other types of plasticizers include accelerating plasticizers, retarding plasticizers and super plasticizers. All of these are part of the broad spectrum of compounds known as construction chemicals and are manufactured to boost the

efficiency of the structures they are used in the construction of. Each of these chemicals have their own uses and benefits.

To harden the concrete, decrease its permeability and make it frost-resistant, an air-entraining admixture is used. It improves the concrete’s quality, especially when used for finishing. Mineral admixtures, or Pozzolanic, lowers the reactions caused by alkali aggregates during construction.

It also minimises thermal shrinkage and hydration heat in concrete. Increased tightness of water molecules in the mixture is another advantage of mineral admixtures.

There are many different types of construction chemicals, each with numerous merits. The major advantage of each of them is that they work together to maximise the workability of other construction materials.

Using construction chemicals is also a significant way of lowering cost and increasing the durability of the construction structure. This explains why

the construction chemicals market has made tremendous upward strides in the UAE and the rest of the GCC region, as found in various analyses and statistics.

The increasing expenditure on construction projects in the GCC has led to the expansion of the regional construction chemicals market by 7% between 2016 and 2021, as reported by Businesswire.

This was made possible by the reduction of the dependence on the petroleum sector in the region’s economies, as well as diversification of those economies. Moves associated with this shirt has seen many GCC countries, especially the UAE, raise their expenditure on infrastructure and construction.

Incorporating construction chemicals and modern construction technology has seen the rise of ultra-modern buildings all over the GCC region. This has also translated into expansions in infrastructure as well as growth of the construction chemicals market.

“Using construction chemicals is also a significant way of lowering cost and increasing the durability of the construction structure. This explains why the construction chemicals market has made tremendous upward strides in the GCC region”

14

HARD HITTERS PROJECT REPORT AUGUS JUNE T 2019 2021

AUGER TORQUE DRILLS AT KHALIFA PORT

ATTACHMENT SPECIALIST WORKS WITH REGIONAL CONTRACTOR SAIF BIN DARWISH TO MAKE MICRO PILING JOBS AT ABU DHABI PORT EXPANSION POSSIBLE IN A COST-EFFECTIVE AND MODULAR MANNER USING ITS EARTH DRILLS AND AUGERS

A

uger Torque has supplied earth drills and augers for a piling project in the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port, where the global attachment major is working with regional contractor Saif Bin Darwish.

Auger Torque says it equipped the contractor’s Sany 335 excavators with its 50000 max Earth Drill, while a 1190 mm special Auger was also used in the works.

The $1bn expansion project at Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship Khalifa Port began in 2019 and is expected to increase handling volumes by providing deepwater access and enhanced infrastructure. Part of the project entailed the drilling of 120 foundation pits, with holes of 1.2m diameter and a depth of 5m.

“This is often seen as a simple application; however, the drill points were in close proximity to the seashore, resulting in a job-site with a very high water table. Therefore, the water ingress during the drilling process coupled with collapsible ground conditions made it difficult to deploy a standard drilling system,” describes an Auger Torque official.

Saif Bin Darwish were aware that undertaking the project “in house” would require investment in a dedicated drilling rig which could result in substantial CAPEX spending, equipment rental cost and a risk of limited internal know-how in executing this application. They therefore approached Auger Torque, who recommended a modular solution, where a hydraulic drill could be fitted onto the excavator to drill the holes, mounted or dismounted with minimal time loss.

Auger Torque proposed its 50000 Max Earth Drill to be fitted on the Sany 335 excavator, wherein the torque generated by the drive would enable

15 drilling the 1.2m Ø to the depth of 5m. It was critical to ensure that not only did the system work but also the drive unit was able to drive the casing in, drill the holes and be robust enough to carry the weight of the auger and the spoil-debris.

Auger Torque’s engineering department conducted a Finite Element Analysis to ensure the shaft of the drive unit would be able to take the tensile load of the casing and auger with the spoil at 5m depth. To overcome any issues of the hole collapsing during the drilling process, a 1200mm diameter casing was supplied with a 1190mm special auger. Test information was submitted and

a JSA (job safety advise) and method statement were completed and submitted, resulting in the system being approved to meet all criteria.

The 1200mm casing with auger was positioned at the drill point and was driven into the ground.

Once set in the ground, the casing top adaptor plate was unlocked, and the auger was inserted in and the isolated soil inside the hole was drilled out.

The casing prevented the walls of the hole collapsing and ensured the bottom of the drilled hole was clean and flat. A Sany 225 excavator was fitted with a 25,000nm drive unit with an extension tube and a cleaning bucket to remove

the residuals from the hole.

Raghunath Bhaskaran, head of operations at Saif Bin Darwish, says: “One of the major benefits for us was the cost efficiencies: mobilisation cost was minimal and the CAPEX investment was a fraction of what we thought we’d have to invest.

“We can now use the drilling attachments for further projects. We are currently using the equipment in a project for drilling footings for streetlighting and potentially some micro piling applications. Auger Torque were able to turn our project from a challenging predicament to a manageable solution.”

16

DEALER FOCUS JUNE 2021

VARA ON HIGH VELOCITY

BOBCAT’S IRAQ DEALER, VARA MACHINERY, HAS HAD A GREAT RUN SO FAR, GRABBING THE HIGHEST MARKET SHARE FOR MOST OF THE MANUFACTURER’S PRODUCTS IN THE COUNTRY. THE COMPANY’S CEO TELLS CMME ABOUT THE REASONS FOR ITS SUCCESS, THE PECULIARITIES OF THE IRAQ MARKET AND HOW HE VIEWS THE FUTURE

H

ere’s a surprise: the most popular backhoe loader in the Iraq market is… Bobcat! It’s not the usual JCB, nor is it a Caterpillar. And the reason that Bobcat has managed to corner this segment of the Iraqi market is because of its dealer, Vara Machinery.

The Erbil-based company is the exclusive dealer for Bobcat equipment in all of Iraq and its relationship with the Middle East’s premier compact equipment brand stretches back around five years to 2017. But Vara itself is a company that is much older and with a rich history in the Iraq market.

Speaking exclusively with CMME, Haidar A. Maulwed, CEO of Vara Machinery, describes the legacy, excellence and future of the Iraqi equipment giant and outlines why it is one of the best performing dealerships of any brand in the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular.

“Vara is one of the leading companies in the earthmoving and construction machinery business in Iraq. We go back to the late 1900s and had humble beginnings as a seller of agricultural tractors, spare parts

and other equipment, and grew to become the authorised dealer for Doosan and later Bobcat in Iraq.

“As a company we started in 1972, but it was only in 2007 that the name Vara became well-known in the Iraqi market. We began mainly with the agricultural business, but after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, we branched out into heavy machinery and became the dealer for Doosan heavy equipment for the country and supplied Doosan Infracore excavators, wheeled loaders, dump trucks and other such machinery to the Iraqi market.

“When it comes to Bobcat, it is part of the Doosan umbrella, so when we were successful with the Doosan brand in Iraq, we also took on Bobcat in 2017, as we saw a definite demand for compact equipment in the country. Today, Vara has a great relationship with Bobcat, which both companies value, and we are so close with Bobcat that together we call ourselves one family for the Iraqi market.”

Maulwed himself has cultivated a very close relationship with the top management of Doosan and Bobcat over the years, both in the Middle East and the wider EMEA region. This has led to several benefits for both parties, especially where the Iraq market is concerned.

17 The partnership with Vara has put Bobcat on top in Iraq in many of the machine classes that it produces. Bobcat telehandlers are among the most popular machines in the brand’s stable.

“At Vara, we enjoy the confidence of both the government and private sectors in Iraq and customers from both trust that we have the knowledge, excellence, trained personnel and infrastructure to look after their machines and their interests.

Our well-established reputation precedes us in the Iraq market, and this allows us to pull in more customers to the Bobcat brand”

18

DEALER FOCUS JUNE 2021

“We have been the runaway market leaders in Iraq in almost all categories of machines that Bobcat makes” “I have my own suggestions for their management, and I’ve often asked for the addition of new ranges of machines to their portfolio, especially for our market. This is very important for us to grow together, and I can give you instances where these suggestions were incorporated and gave great results for us together as principal and dealer. For example, the medium sized loading shovel between 4-6t for loaders in the Iraq market - this is something that I suggested for our market and I also assured the management at our principal that if implemented, these would produce great results in Iraq. And the result was indeed as we had predicted, with the modification becoming a big success in the country.

“We consider ourselves the eyes and ears of the manufacturer on the ground.

We know our market and what it needs and requires, so we assist our principal by providing them this market intelligence”.

Maulwed explains how his close familiarity with the market enabled Vara to spot the peculiar machinery needs of Iraq. “We all know that Bobcat is famous for its skid-steer loaders around the Middle East and indeed all over the world, too. In fact, this is what the Bobcat brand has been built on and it still remains the mainstay of Bobcat in the region. But in Iraq it’s different - Bobcat’s great reliance on skid-steer loaders is less here and, instead, we are selling each and every sort of machine made by Bobcat in near equal proportion in the Iraq market.

“In the last four years we have been the runaway market leaders in Iraq in almost all categories of machines that Bobcat makes, and we’ve achieved market shares of 90% in many of those machine classes in the

Vara prides itself on its service and has a service department with fully trained and certified personnel who can attend to all needs and requirements of Bobcat customers.

country. So this is also a big responsibility for me to defend this market performance, to keep it going for us and not let it slip.”

This brings us to the Bobcat backhoe loader, the biggest surprise about the Iraq market. “JCB is near synonymous with the backhoe loader almost anywhere you care to go, and this was the case in Iraq too. But when we introduced the Bobcat backhoe loader in the country, things changed. Now it is the Bobcat backhoe loader which is the

largest selling in Iraq, more than any other brand, including even JCB and Caterpillar,” Maulwed reveals.

The backhoe loader is a tough market anywhere and Iraq is no exception. A lot of top manufacturers are in the fray there, such as, of course, JCB and Caterpillar. Maulwed points out that many other regional players are also present in the Iraq market, like Turkey’s Hidromek and Cukurova, and those from other parts of the world, such as the whole host of Chinese manufacturers and Indian brands like Escorts.

“Despite this, Iraq prefers Bobcat backhoes - and there are a few factors behind this.

Stock availability is an important reason and here we make sure that we have the machines in stock and there is as minimum a waiting period as possible for a customer who has ordered a machine to take delivery of it,” Maulwed explains.

“The reputation of the dealer and brand combination and the trust of the customers in them is vital too. The network of Vara is equally important to bring in customers, and finally, the aftersales operations that Vara offers and the level and quality of the support that Vara is able to provide the customer in terms of service and spare parts is the clincher.”

The above factors are applicable for all other machines, and Vara has thrived on these to corner the market for them as well for Bobcat, Maulwed emphasises.

“In the telehandlers segment, we’ve done some really big deals. One of our customers took more than 20 units of Bobcat telehandlers recently. Over the last few years, we’ve kept on selling Bobcat telehandlers at a very fast rate. In fact, Vara is even selling Bobcat’s rotary telehandlers in substantial numbers, which is otherwise a very rare machine in the Middle East.

“And when it comes to mini excavators, on several occasions Bobcat has achieved 100% market share in Iraq through Vara.

Sometimes, there’s a mix between Doosan and Bobcat because, of course, we sell Doosan too. But we are now concentrating less on the Doosan mini excavators and instead more on the Bobcat models, which are the ones controlling that market segment in Iraq.”

In the skid-steers, meanwhile, everybody knows how dominant Bobcat has always been - and it is no different in the Iraq market. But there is a slight twist here as well: While the Bobcat S450 is the largest selling skid-steer in the entire Middle East, in almost any country you care to pick, in Iraq Bobcat’s larger S850 and S770 skidsteers are the popular ones. These are the

19 biggest skid-steers that Bobcat makes and are manufactured by the company in USA. “We are the main customers in the region for Bobcat’s biggest skid-steer loaders,” Maulwed explains.

“One of the most important reasons for the preference of the Iraq market for the large Bobcat machines is the kind of attachments that are commonly used in the country - and this goes back to the work that the end-users are doing. Much of Iraq is still being rebuilt and the infrastructure is being developed, so one of the common attachments that are used with the skid-steers are wheelsaws.

“Bobcat has an extensive line-up of attachments, and we provide all of them to our customers wherever needed. The wheelsaw is among the most-requested attachments as it is vital for work that involves laying cables, fibre-optics and pipes - work that is commonly going on in Iraq.

And to operate the large Bobcat wheelsaw attachments efficiently, the skid-steers needed are the larger models with highflow hydraulics, such as the S850 and S770.”

What helps Vara and Bobcat here is that over the years, the dealer has cultivated close relationships with the arms of the government and allied contractors involved in buying and using these projects, such as the Communications Ministry.

“In fact, just recently, we signed a contract with the Communications Ministry for the supply of 24 units of the big Bobcat skidsteers, so you can see that requirement for these machines is frequent and Bobcat is selling well in Iraq because of this. We have also previously supplied them more orders of the large Bobcat skid-steers, all with wheelsaw attachments, which were used to construct communications infrastructure, laying down cables and doing other allied work.

“At Vara, we enjoy the confidence of both the government and private sectors in Iraq and customers from both trust that we have the knowledge, excellence, trained personnel and infrastructure to look after their machines and their interests. Our wellestablished reputation precedes us in the Iraq market and this allows us to pull in more customers to the Bobcat brand.

“Of course, we do not rest on our laurels and contribute to this constantly with customer outreach programmes, demonstrations and promotions - and of course by ensuring that we give our existing customers more than the level of support that they have come to expect from us.”

Maulwed adds that whenever Bobcat has a new machine or new introduction, Vara is the dealer and the territory that is going to

Haider A. Maulwed, CEO of Vara Machinery, says the company has established a reputation in Iraq for Bobcat with its service excellence, spare parts support and stock availability.

not only accept that machine but work on it and make it popular. “For example, when it comes to the new Bobcat compact wheeled loaders launched earlier this year, Vara is the first dealer in the Middle East to place an order for them. We will shortly receive some units of the Bobcat L23 and L28 compact wheeled loaders. and will demo them to our customers who have already shown interest in our first pitch of the machines.

“These are some of the reasons why we

have often been acknowledged as the best Bobcat dealer in the Middle East and Africa and we’ve received awards from Bobcat on several occasions.”

Speaking about the future, Maulwed says it’s no secret to anyone in the world that Iraq has been undergoing really tough times for a while now. The most recent of these was the war with ISIS, which has had a negative impact on the government and the country’s infrastructure and economy. And, of course, now there’s Covid-19. Ironically, however, the state the country is in gives its construction equipment market more hope for the immediate term.

“All the areas that have been damaged by the conflicts need rebuilding, which the government embarked upon after 2017 once the ISIS threat was neutralised. So considerable construction work is going on in the country since then. Covid-19 has indeed slowed the pace of construction by a huge degree and has affected the Iraqi economy in general quite badly.

“At the moment, the situation is under control in the country, and we expect that there will be an expansion in the equipment sector by the end of 2021 or early 2022. In fact, we expect our business to double next year over what it has been for most of 2020 and this year so far, in terms of numbers of units sold and the allied support activities,” Maulwed concludes.

20

COVER STORY JUNE 2021

A CENTURY OF CREATING VALUE

AS KOMATSU CELEBRATES ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, THE GLOBAL GIANT LOOKS BACK ON ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN JAPAN AND ITS GROWTH THROUGH DEDICATION TO QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE, AND ENUNCIATES ITS VISION FOR THE FUTURE

L

ast month, one of the world’s most important companies celebrated 100 years of its existence.

When Meitaro Takeuchi established Komatsu Ltd. on May 13, 1921, in Japan’s Komatsu City, situated in the country’s Ishikawa Prefecture, he may not have imagined that the company he was founding would last over a hundred years or would grow to become the second largest equipment manufacturer in the world, but he did infuse a DNA of excellence into his workplace, which has over the decades transformed into Komatsu’s strengths.

Born in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture in 1860 at a time when Japan was rapidly coming out of a traditional past to embrace a modern present, Takeuchi’s founding principles were: “Industry is the foundation to enrich the nation and human resource development is its basics.” He first set up the company as Komatsu Iron Works in 1917 to develop mining machinery and then four years later gave it a more complete shape in the form of Komatsu Ltd., giving shape to the Japanese giant that we know today. From the outset, Takeuchi sough to “develop technologies that meet and challenge global standards”.

In the pursuit of this, he laid down certain principles that have been fastidiously followed

by Komatsu since then and until this day. These principles are: Quality first; Technology innovation; Globalisation; and Human resource development.

Following these principles, Komatsu today is a giant in the world’s industrial landscape, not only in the field of equipment but when valuing it as a company on the whole.

From Takeuchi’s workshop in Komatsu city, the company today straddles the globe with 84 production bases spread across all continents, with 34 in the Americas, 14 across Europe and the CIS countries, nine in China, 14 again across the rest of Asia and one in the Middle East and Africa region – apart of course from 12 manufacturing facilities in its home country of Japan.

The journey of a 100 years has naturally, been eventful, with several ups and downs and many milestones crossed over the years. Describing its history in its own words, Komatsu issued a press release in conjunction with its 100th anniversary celebrations on May 13, which described its history, journey and aspirations. It reads: “Our roots stretch back more than 100 years to a lush forest near Komatsu City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, that was once home to a copper mine vital to the surrounding community. The mine’s closure in 1920 could have meant the end for community residents dependent on the jobs, but instead it was a new beginning.

“The owner of the mine and our founder, Meitaro Takeuchi, was an entrepreneur with an extraordinary humanitarian vision, committed to enhancing the community’s quality of life, developing future generations and growing with society. Determined to bring industrial technology to his country, Takeuchi created a new company by nurturing and developing the skills of the people in the local community.

“Takeuchi’s vision and strong guiding principles stood the test of time. Through the years, Komatsu’s continued investment in core capabilities and strategic acquisitions have connected smart, diverse people and cutting-edge technologies with a shared belief that partnerships are the best way to solve challenges and meet society’s needs.

21 From its humble beginnings a century ago in the workshop of founder Meitaro Takeuchi, Komatsu has grown into a global market leader, prime innovator and a quality bellwether.

A POLICY OF EXCELLENCE

GUIDED BY DANTOTSU Trust the Japanese to elevate industrial processes and production to a spiritual art. The land of Zen has given us many management principles and industrial maxims, all rooted in Japan’s time-honoured philosophies of life and excellence. And from that same stable comes Komatsu’s philosophy of ‘Dantotsu’, which is what the company has made its mantra surrounding its centenary celebrations. ”Dantotsu” means ‘Unrivalled’ in Japanese,” says Yoshihisa Hayashi, managing director of Komatsu Middle East FZE. “It’s

what Komatsu strives to be in its field. All our products and services have the philosophy of Dantotsu at their heart. All our efforts are geared towards giving our customers unrivalled quality.

“In the best of Japanese tradition, Komatsu believes that Dantotsu service and Dantotsu solutions improve customers’ ‘Gemba’, which is the Japanese term for the workplace, but not any workplace, instead a place where excellence happens. So, Komatsu believes it is our duty to see that our customers achieve excellence at their workplaces – or Gemba – based on the

Dentotsu - or unrivalled - products and services we give them.”

Hayashi explains that the philosophy in essence is about working together with customers to provide innovation designed to create new values to their business.

Another Komatsu innovation is the use of KOMTRAX (Komatsu Machine Tracking System) to improve customer service and experience.

“We not only improve the competitiveness of our product but also supply parts and provide service by using KOMTRAX for

construction and utility equipment and the KOMTRAX Plus for mining equipment,” says Jehad Jayyousi, assistant manager, Marketing, at Komatsu Middle East.

“SMARTCONSTRUCTION is a solution for operational problems at job-sites. Its key element is KomConnect, an open platform that connects information about all vital elements, such as workers, machines and ground conditions, through ICT, analyses them, engages in simulations and even makes proposals. It can be accessed on smart devices and monitors on Komatsu machines.”

22

COVER STORY JUNE 2021

“As the world grows and evolves, the people who power modern society and develop the world’s infrastructure count on partners they can trust to empower them and create value. For a century, Komatsu has been by your side with ‘Dantotsu’ quality, reliability, insights and support. Through manufacturing and technology innovation, we partner with you to create the solutions needed to achieve a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet thrive together.”

Despite its global reach and ambitions, however, Komatsu remains a Japanese company at its core, true to Japanese principles of management that have established the country as a global and historical powerhouse in technology and productivity. Concepts such as Dantotsu are its guiding light and the company has come up with several pioneering innovations over the years.

Taking the opportunity of the company’s 100th anniversary, Komatsu president and CEO Hiroyuki Ogawa says the company considers the occasion as a “communication opportunity to enhance and disseminate its corporate brand and express appreciation to all stakeholders for their support over the years”. In pursuance of this aim, Komatsu is going to “implement commemorative activities and make efforts for sustainable growth into the future”.

“Looking into the next 100 years, Komatsu

Komatsu considers its centenary as a “communication opportunity” to appreciate its stakeholders for their support and to dedicate itself to sustainable growth, says president and CEO Hiroyuki Ogawa.

will continue to move forward with its stakeholders as it creates value through manufacturing and technology innovation to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet thrive together,” says a company statement issued for the occasion.

The purpose of the communication is four pronged and Komatsu outlines the four objectives as: defining its Corporate Identity; launching a “One World One Komatsu” employee-driven social contribution

project; showcasing Komatsu’s future vision with the “Komatsu 203X” 100th anniversary commemorative movie; and Renewal of Komatsu-no-mori for development of human resources.

Komatsu has defined its corporate identity by reflecting on its corporate growth built by its forerunners and its relations with society. Specifically, Komatsu has articulated its mission and vision as its purpose, together with its values. The corporate identity also incorporates pieces that have been created over the company’s history: founding principles, the Komatsu Way, Komatsu Worldwide Code of Business Conduct as well as strategies including the mid-term management plan.

Furthermore, Komatsu has created its brand promise tagline of “Creating value together through manufacturing and technology innovation to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet thrive together.”

“As our business and stakeholders diversify further, we will strive to deliver this promise through our global operations,” the company’s statement adds, while delineating its values as “Ambition, Perseverance, Collaboration and Authenticity.”

Under the first of these values, Komatsu states its aims as: “With a ‘challenging spirit’ and without fear of failure, we innovate and always inspire.” The second, perseverance,

A HUNDRED YEARS OF CREATING VALUE

KEY MILESTONES IN KOMATSU’S JOURNEY

1921

Founded in Komatsu City, Japan, by Meitaro Takeuchi

1931

Produced Japan’s first tractor, the G25

1938

Opened Awazu plant as tractor base

1943

Produced Japan’s first bulldozer, the G43

1947

New flagship bulldozer, the giant D50, rolls off Komatsu production line

1955

Komatsu ships first export order of motor graders to Argentina

1965

Komatsu begins wheeled loader production

1967

Setting up of first overseas subsidiary - N.V. Komatsu Europe S.A.

1968

Komatsu introduces its first hydraulic excavator

1975

First offshore production of Komatsu machines, with D50A dozer in Brazil

1982

Production base established in Indonesia

23 is expanded as: “Even when the work is difficult, we remain committed to our promises and reliably carry them through to completion.” For collaboration the company says: “Creating value comes from teamwork, inclusion, respect, diversity and a win-win approach to all relationships.”

Las but not least, authenticity is defined as: “To earn and maintain trust, we always act with sincerity, integrity and honesty, and communicate transparently.”

Moving on to launching the “One World One Komatsu” project, Komatsu defines CSR as “activities to respond to social demands through core business, and works for sustainable growth with society by solving ESG issues”.

The “One World One Komatsu” is the brand’s first global platform which all Komatsu group employees around the world can join. This exclusive platform can consolidate the voluntary and simple efforts of each participant under the theme of environmental sustainability into groupwide sharing. Using modern IT tools, it transcends national and linguistic barriers, connecting all Komatsu group employees worldwide, “nurturing a sense of unity for the Komatsu group as they work for the common goal, and promoting activities designed for a sustainable earth”.

Reimagining its future vision on the occasion of its 100th birthday, the “Komatsu in 203X” commemorative movie is made to

1985

First sales and production base established in the US

1985

Production begins in the UK

achieve the goal of “safe, highly productive, smart and clean workplaces of the future”.

In the movie, Komatsu visualises future worksites as it wants them to look in 10-20 years by focusing on five segments: mining, construction, industrial machinery, forestry and agriculture, and Komatsu’s production.

“By digitalising workplaces worldwide and connecting land features, man, machinery, and materials on an open platform, Komatsu will solve on-site problems and optimise onsite operations, improve a variety of machine

1988

Komatsu introduces microcomputer controls in machines

1989

European regional HQ established in Belgium

1995

Komatsu USA produces world’s largest class dump truck

1999

Komatsu establishes sales operations in the Middle East

Be it in mining, earthmoving or any other type of equipment, Komatsu has excelled in every field it has gone into and is a global market leader in most, creating value for a hundred years.

2001

Introduction of Komtrax, Komatsu’s telematics system

2006

Dump truck plant begins production in India

utilisation rates, and secure a carbon neutral environment,” states the company.

The fourth element of Komatsu’s future vision is the renewal of Komatsu-nomori in Komatsu City, its home in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture. The company opened Komatsu-no-mori in 2011 as part of its 90th anniversary commemorative project.

“It’s a place to develop human resources on a global scale and to nurture children together with the local communities. As part of the renewal project aiming at sustainable contributions for local communities, Komatsu has taken new initiatives to open the Waku-Waku History Pavilion designed to trigger visitors to look back on Komatsu’s history and to display a unit of the PC4000 super-large hydraulic excavator next to the 930E, a dump truck of the world’s largest class, which has been there since 2011.

Komatsu hopes that Komatsu-no-mori will continue to offer active opportunities by attracting many visitors, helping them become interested in manufacturing and nature, and learn about its technologies,” the company’s statement adds.

Looking forward to its next 100 years after its first 100, Komatsu aptly concludes its statement for the momentous occasion with: “In our next 100 years, we have the opportunity to unify our global, diverse teams and place a stronger focus on our brand, clearly articulating who we are, what we stand for and where we are headed.”

2008

Deploys world’s first commercial autonomous haulage

2008

World’s first hybrid hydraulic excavator launched

2014

ICT hydraulic excavator launched with intelligent machine controls

2020

Komatsu launches Smart Construction for digital transformation

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25

R E W O P RAW E E D TO N U O Y G N I EVERY TH

KNOW

28

TOP 10: TIPS FOR IVITY PRODUCT on

26_NEW RELEASES

ti table opera Run a profi basic steps with some ductivity. to raise pro

The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.

30_KEEPING IT PUMPING Manufacturers of truck mounted concrete pumps grab available opportunities in the pandemic.

34_POWERFUL PERFORMANCE The power products sector prepares for an anticipated bounce in the market after the pandemic shows signs of receding.

40_TRAINING IN US Manitowoc supplies cranes to Equipment Colleges of America.

26

NEW RELEASES JUNE 2021

TADANO INTRODUCES TWO TRUCK-MOUNTED CRANES WHY GET IT? NEW HK 4.050-1 AND HK 4.070-1 OFFER HIGH MANOEUVRABILITY AND NUMEROUS OUTTRIGGER AND BOOM SOLUTIONS FOR VERSATILE LIFTING CAPACITIES IN CONFINED SPACES Tadano has introduced two new truckmounted crane models which offer various lift capacities and radius configurations along with high manoeuvrability through clever outrigger solutions for versatile usage.

The new HK 4.050-1 and HK 4.070-1 truck-mounted crane models offer ease of handling and neatly remain within axle load limits in most urban and road environments, said Tadano. The four-axle units are good for work sites where space is tight – from prefab home assembly, through garage setup projects, all the way to roofing and carpentry jobs, said the carne maker and added that the cranes deliver thanks to their compact dimensions. The 50 model is 11.11m long and 2.55m wide, while the 70 model is 11.8m long and 2.55m wide.

Both cranes are less than 4m in height.

The HK 4.050-1’s boom can be extended to a maximum length of 35.2m.

Together with the jib, this comes to a maximum system length of 44.2m with large lifting capacities. For example, the boom can lift 7.6t at a radius of 7m with the maximum main boom length and 4.2t at a radius of 20m.

The Tadano HK 4.070-1 features a

main boom with a length of up to 41m.

With a jib, the maximum system length is extended to 56.8m. The 70 model can lift up to 55.6t at a radius of 3m with a counterweight of 10.1t – at a radius of 8m, the capacity is a still-impressive 19.2t.

Tadano added that the cranes’ AML control software means that their lifting capacities are not subject to any compromises when using asymmetrical outrigger configurations. The AML crane control software unlocks the maximum lifting capacity as a function of the position of each outrigger and of the slewing angle. Regardless, the new HK models’ booms already have large lifting capacities, said the manufacturer.

The new Tadano truck-mounted cranes have a turning radius that is up to 2m smaller than that of their predecessors.

This eliminates a number of manoeuvrs that would otherwise be necessary in tight spaces and makes others significantly shorter. At the work site, both the HK 4.050-1 and the HK 4.070-1 perform better with their flexible H-style outriggers. To date, these are the only two truck-mounted cranes in existence to have this feature, said Tadano. H-style outriggers require much less space in comparison to swingout outriggers at work sites and in addition make it possible to lift the chassis higher.

SPECIFICATIONS

TADANO HK 4.050-1 AND HK 4.070-1 Number of axles: 4 Dimensions: 11.11m long by 2.55m wide (4.050), 11.8m by 2.55m (4.070) Max length boom+jib: 44.2m & 56.8 Max lift capacities: 50t & 70t

ZF PILOTS ELECTRIFIED MOBILE EXCAVATOR DRIVETRAIN WHY GET IT? NEW 255KG SYSTEM DEVELOPS 850NM OF TORQUE AND 80KW CONTINUOUS POWER WITH TWOSPEED POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION Globally driveline solutions specialist ZF has started its first pilot project for an electrified mobile excavator drivetrain using its newly launched two-speed powershift transmission system, electric motor and inverter combination.

The company said the system can be scaled up to peak torque 850Nm and continuous power of 80kW. First prototypes have already been delivered to a pilot customer recently and three variants of the electric central drive system - eCD50, eCD70 and eCD90 - are available to cover different vehicle sizes in the targeted applications.

The development is In line with the ZF’s “Vision Zero” with the “objective of reducing not only accidents and downtimes, but also emissions to zero”. The new system under the pilot project has a two-speed transmission mated to an electric motor PSM machine with a voltage of 650V (DC).

It weighs a total of 255kg and develops 80kW of power with a maximum of 100kW and includes features such as SAHR parking brake and optional axle disconnection for both 2WD and 4WD. “Shortly after having started volume production of the electrified driveline system eTRAC eCD20 for compact equipment like compact loaders, ZF now can record the next milestone on the road to emissionfree construction sites. With ZF being the world´s market leader in conventional driveline solutions for mobile excavators, the Group is now extending its product portfolio for this type of construction machinery application by electric drives,” said ZF.

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PRINOTH’S NEW NEXT-GEN PANTHER T14R ROTATING DUMPER WHY GET IT? IMPROVED MACHINE OFFERS 15% HIGHER PAYLOAD-TO-WEIGHT RATIO AND 5% IMPROVEMENT IN CRAWLER SPEED Tracked vehicle specialist Prinoth has unveiled the Panther T14R, the next generation of its crawler carrier, which now comes with higher speed and power as well as features designed to boost up time and operator performance.

Prinoth said the next generation Panther T14R “builds upon the best-in-class speed/ payload combination” of its predecessor, moving the most material in the least amount of time. A boost in speed of up to 5%, coupled with the T14R’s “impressive payload, further increases its unrivalled productivity”. Company officials added that it demonstrates Prinoth’s “commitment to providing the highest productivity levels” for off-road construction projects.

Patrick Hébert, Prinoth’s product manager for the Panther, said: “Everyone knows that bigger payloads and faster cycle times deliver more productivity and bigger

profits, and at Prinoth, we’re dedicated to helping our customers get more for their investment. That’s why we worked hard as a team to provide not only exceptional payload, but also the best payload-toweight ratio in the industry. With this next generation, we now offer a 15% advantage in this critical category over our closest competitor by carrying less deadweight.”

The manufacturer’s added that the T14R’s overall architecture was redesigned to offer visibility gains, making it safer for everyone on the jobsite, while increasing operator confidence and, in turn, productivity. Unrestricted cab views will provide safety for operators and other workers. Accidents can seriously impact productivity, and safety innovations are an important way to prevent them.

The new T14R also provides operators with enhanced comfort and intuitive features that make easy work during long shifts.

For example, new warning systems on the enhanced in-cab display allow operators to confidently take on challenging conditions.

Alessandro Ferrari, CEO, Prinoth, said: “We didn’t just make the machine more

efficient. The advancements found in this new generation of Panther make operators more efficient as well.”

Prinoth engineers also carried out upgrades inside of the Panther, including a new engine and a first-of-its-kind drivedirection reset. Without sacrificing power, the new generation of Panther vehicles is now driven by Cat’s double-label engine model C7.1, which aims for low energy consumption and also environmental protection in ecologically sensitive areas.

According to Prinoth, operators will also appreciate an exclusive single-touch drivedirection reset for effortless turnarounds, and improved settings of the hydrostatic drive motor, which optimises high travel speed and responsiveness under high-torque demand.

SPECIFICATIONS

PRINOTH PANTHER T14R Shipping weight: 16.3t Payload: 13.2t Power: 275hp Max speed (unloaded): 13.5kmh

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TOP TEN JUNE 2021

02 01

PREPARE WORK AREAS ADEQUATELY For maximum productivity, your aim should always be to keep all the work moving at the pace required to meet your deadlines or faster. Loading areas should be at least two truck lengths to allow quick loading cycles and truck exchanges.

LAY OUT THE JOB-SITE FOR EFFICIENCY A lot of time is invested in job planning, which means there is one and only one optimal site layout. For example, if materials are stored a long walking distance from the work, hours of non-productive labour time will result from all those long walks.

: N E T P TO E S A E R C N I O T S Y A W Y T I V I T C PRODU BLE OPERATION BY

ALWAYS SITE PROVIDE VOIN N SUPER SIO re

REASE TA I C F N O I R O P T A S P RUN BASIC TI E M O S G B-SITE O J FOLLOWIN R U O Y IVITY AT T C U D O R P

03

CHALLENGING THE WORK PROCESS When your team is empowered to challenge work processes, you get real-time process improvement from a variety of perspectives. Encourage them to ask why the job is being done the way it is; what is the best time to do a job; what is the best equipment; who are best qualified; and whether there is the required focus.

re mo est crews a eone Even the b there is som ate n e h w t n efficie s, facilit andle issue eye out on-site to h nd keep an a n o ti a ic n enced, commu oint experi p p A . ty fe dgeable for sa ed, knowle is n a rg o , d rsee qualifie ople to ove e p t n ie c ffi and e onsite. operations

04

29

06 05

PRACTICE PROPER SCHEDULING This may seem obvious, but many job-sites run without a master schedule.

Technology has greatly improved scheduling programmes and their application. Jobsite productivity can be significantly increased if the supervisor plans work ahead of time so that there is the least amount of movement of equipment and materials.

ANALYSE PROJECT REPORTS REGULARLY What you don’t know can hurt you and your operation.

The costing data of a job and equipment health data should be monitored so that any issues can be addressed and corrected as quickly as possible. Usually, the beginnings of many issues prop up first on reports before they become big enough to stop work.

Use data to nip them in the bud.

MANAGINNGT ME e time EQUIP d downtim

Unschedule f the deadline, yo is the enem addition d budget. In alth, n a y it v ti c u d ro t p en he ng equipm to monitori ould also chniques sh operating te roductivity d to keep p be monitore r and tear achine wea ce high and m maintenan low. A good e is can ra programme 10%. y b profits

09 08

MANAGE BUCKETS AND GROUND TOOLS You will get the fastest cycles and highest productivity from loading equipment if you treat buckets and ground engagement tools as systems.

And make sure they are the right match to the machines, applications and materials.

IMPROVE SAFETY The construction industry has one of the highest worker accident rates per number of worker hours completed. Accidents have an adverse effect on construction productivity as they are likely to cause low morale and a slower pace.

07 10

PAY ATTENTION TO QUALITY A programme designed to boost productivity needs to focus on performing high-quality work.

Poor quality can increase the possibility of rework, directly increasing the time and money needed to finish the project.

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CONCRETE PUMPS JUNE 2021

KEEPING IT PUMPING

THE TRUCK MOUNTED CONCRETE PUMP REMAINS A MAINSTAY OF THE REGION’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC AS THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS GRAB AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES AND BRING IN NEW MODELS

W

hether it’s a pandemic or an economic downturn, you can never really stop the construction sector in the GCC from building and the concrete from pouring. These last 18 months may have seen a dampener for the economy in which the pace of construction slowed down, but where projects needed to go on, they needed the concrete to keep pumping.

And this is where some manufacturers of concrete pumps found the silver lining in the seemingly dark clouds that have crept into the region’s construction sky.

A case in point is the Schwing-Stetter and CMC combination. The German giant of concrete equipment and its partner in the UAE – Construction Machinery Centre or CMC – have enjoyed a fruitful 2020 despite the year’s difficulties, so much so that now Ziad Hamade, general manager, CMC, claims that Schwing is in the market-leading position in the UAE where truck-mounted concrete pumps are concerned.

“In 2020, CMC and Schwing together saw a remarkable achievement in terms of the number of truck mounted concrete pumps imported into the UAE. Taking all the other competitors, including Asian producers, together, we achieved a 50% market share.

Last year was a huge step that paved the way to continuous improvement this year and in the years to come.”

The pandemic, however, did play its part and things would have been even better had it not been there, Hamade says, adding that the government support to the economy made a huge difference.

“Covid-19 affected all industries, including the ready-mix industry, in 2020. But due to the government’s extraordinary support, we sense recovery vibes since early 2021. CMC has already managed to sell four units of Schwing pumps in the past four months and another three are in the final stages of sale. We are optimistic the trend will continue this year.”

Hamade bases his optimism in part on the Schwing range of pumps available in the UAE, which covers boom lengths from 20-65m. Elaborating on the model range, he says: “The nomenclature of Schwing’s truck mounted concrete pump model range reflects the pumps’ vertical reach height.

Schwing produces from the 20m-height S20 model all the way up to the S65, whose height is 65m. The most popular models in the UAE are the S43 and S55 due to the demands of job-sites in the territory and the market trend. They also have five boom sections offering perfect manoeuvrability.”

Among the new models launched by Schwing is the S47, which is a mid-way solution between the S43 and the S55, Hamade informs, adding: “At CMC we are planning to add this model to our line of offerings this year. This model has become a rising star, with great potential for our region.

31 Schwing-Stetter and its UAE dealer CMC have found major success in the local market recently, with models such as the 43m-long boom S43 enabling them to increase market share rapidly.

“In 2020, CMC and Schwing together saw a remarkable achievement in terms of the number of truck mounted concrete pumps imported into the UAE. Taking all the other competitors together, we achieved a 50% market share”

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CONCRETE PUMPS JUNE 2021

By the beginning of 2021 Schwing is also planning to launch the S56.”

The flagship or most popular Schwing model in CMC’s existing line-up, however, is the S43 SX-III, and Hamade describes: “The S43-SX-III is our most popular model for three years now. This model replaced the S42 in the UAE market and has various advantages and benefits, such as a five-section boom, with the second third and fourth boom arms featuring a knuckle angle of 185 degrees. Thanks to their roll-fold geometry, the unit can be operated intuitively. Maximum flexibility is reached by arm #5 with its Z-fold and the wide angle of 270 degrees. The boom of the S43 is extremely flexible in use and also very easy to operate.

“The S43 also has an open hydraulic system, which converts the engine power efficiency into pump power with little loss. Thus, the usual output rates can be realised with a fuelsaving engine speed of just over 1000rpm.”

Moreover, Schwing has long experience in the GCC markets through its continuous presence in the region since the 1970s. “Thus, Schwing pumps are built to withstand the region’s conditions. The proof is that Schiwing pumps of the 1990s are still under operation on the roads and construction sites here.”

Behind this longevity of Schwing pumps there has to be great dealer support, and this is where the partnership with CMC is a contributory factor. In Hamade’s words: “CMC concentrates on the aftermarket support, which is the backbone of our operation and brand image. CMC is one of Schwing’s favourite partners in terms of spare parts availability and service support. Together, we’ve invested a lot of time and money into

Liebherr’s most important models in the Middle East are the 42-M5-XXT and 50-M5- XXT, both with the XXT outrigger – a special feature of Liebherr pumps that allows working in confined spaces.

training our teams to keep them updated on new technologies and problem-solving tools.

The normal life span of a Schwing pump is more than 30 years. So, we sell the pump once, but keep serving it with genuine parts and with our professional service force for years.”

Hamade adds that CMC has been operating in the UAE for 49 years now and Schwing was one of the first of their principals. He reveals that 2020 also saw another breakthrough for the partnership when they successfully sold and delivered two units of the Schwing

TSR3014 tunnelling universal shotcrete machine with telescopic boom for concrete spraying for tunnelling work in Fujairah on the Ittihad Railway Project. “This special machine operates on diesel for transportation but uses electricity for operation inside the tunnels where it sprays concrete, to eliminate emission and to ensure a safe environment for the operators.”

Meanwhile, at Liebherr, another important player in the Middle East concrete sector, Ali Kassem, regional sales manager, Middle East, at the German behemoth’s Concrete Technology Division, also reports on a successful 2020.

“In 2020 we sold 50m pumps in the region, despite the challenges of the pandemic. The concrete pump business is still young for us and in 2019 we inaugurated our new pump manufacturing facility. A lot is being done on streamlining the product portfolio and we believe we are going slowly but surely on the right track.”

The going has been slow and arduous, however, even though Liebherr has been able to make the best of a difficult time. Describing the effort put in by the company, Kassem adds: “We overcome the worst with our resilience and persistence. Our customers and all our stake holders are key to our success and it was a time to show our social responsibility in different ways and situations.

There is no winning or losing at this time; we actually learnt a lot for now and the future, which we believe is only getting better.

“As the vaccination campaign gains momentum, we feel the market confidence rising with it. Demand has risen with every passing month for a while now, but the

PUMPING UP

SANY IN THE GCC The Middle East has built some iconic projects and infrastructure in the last several years and concrete pumps from Sany have played a major part in many of them.

In Qatar, as the country ramps up its infrastructure, building transport networks and huge sports facilities to host the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Sany concrete pumps have been integral parts of these builds and have been widely used in stadium projects for the world cup, the Doha Metro project, the Qatar National Oil & Gas project and Qatar’s national civil defence project, among others. In order

to cope with local conditions, Sany has made design tweaks in the machines, and they have successfully stood the test of the tough Middle East terrain and conditions.

Helped by its local partner Al Maysan, Sany increased its share in Qatar’s concrete pumps market by over 38% in 2017 and has kept growing since.

In the UAE, Sany concrete pumps were involved in the concrete pouring of the foundation of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, with four units of Sany’s 42m and 37m

pump trucks helping in pouring 45,000m3 of concrete, weighing more than 110,000t to make the 50m deep concrete and steel pile foundation.

Sany says its concrete pumps’ superior productivity and fuel efficiency won the favour of the customer Unimix, who comments: “Sany equipment made great contribution to the historic height. They cast a strong and solid foundation for the tallest tower on the planet.

They should be proud of being part of the project and they definitely deserve the honour.”

June 2021 - Construction Machinery - MCB [PRINT].pdf 1 5/17/202

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construction market is still on a downward trend.

This puts pressure on all to compete on par, making it challenging for European suppliers, especially with the current exchange rate of the Euro, high shipping costs and increased price of raw material.

Managing cost and establishing new sales channels is the answer to this fluctuation and we believe it will lift us as the market recovers.”

Liebherr’s most important models in the fray in the Middle East market are the 42-M5-XXT and 50-M5XXT, which both sport the XXT outrigger – a special feature of Liebherr pumps.

“The XXT is a world class innovation that simplifies operation and eases maintenance. It makes for a powerful and smooth-running pump unit as well as a robust and flexible machine and mast. The 50-M5XXT in particular has one of the smoothest running pump units out there. It is highly flexible when setting up the unit with the flexibility of the innovative XXT outrigger enabling for narrow supports. The reach height is 49.1m and the pump’s flow rate is a high 163m³/h,” Kassem explains.

Moving to the 42-M5-XXT, he elaborates: “This machine also has Liebherr’s-standard quiet operation and stability, even at full pumping capacity, due to the unique Liebherr-Powerbloc drive unit. The five-piece multi-folding mast enables a low unfolding height. It’s reach height is 41.2m and the flow rate is again up to 163m³/h. The 42-M5-XXT allows a total unit weight

of less than 32t to be realised and has outstanding slip characteristics paired with great mobility, which facilitates working on various types of buildings.”

Pumps suitable for a variety of jobs is also the hallmark of Ciifa, another concrete equipment giant.

The Italian powerhouse, now under the ownership pf Chinese behemoth Zoomlion, had a good year in 2019. Wajih Eit, head of area, Africa, Middle East and South Asia at Cifa, says: “We saw one of our best performances in the GCC in 2019, especially in gaining market share. For example, in the UAE our market share stood at 35% in 2019, while in Qatar it was a whopping 100%. Only Cifa pumps sold in Qatar in 2019. In Saudi Arabia, our market share stood at 15% in the same year.”

Explaining Cifa’s offering, Eit says: “We have the widest range of products on the market in the truck-mounted pumps category, from the smallest to the highest pumps. We have the carbon-fibre Carbotech range and the self-explanatory Steeltech and Classic ranges. In the GCC, we see demand for selected models, such as the 42m, 48, 55 and 61m boom length pumps. Both our 42m and 55m models are must-haves for customers.”

Of course, Covid-19 has put a spanner in the works for Cifa, at least temporarily since 2020, as it has for others, but Eit joins his peers in the sector in expressing optimism that the worst is over and things will now progressively improve.

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GENERATORS JUNE 2021

While Covid-19 has led to a mixed performance for Doosan Portable Power (DPP) in the region, the company found success in Saudi Arabia last year, selling over 400 units of its gensets.

“DPP products use pure mechanical engines, leading to less complications, more reliability, durability, flexibility and accessibility. Our generators are known for superior power production, supporting all your power needs and ensuring top performance in very challenging environments”

35

POWERFUL PERFORMERS AS DEMAND FOR CONTINUOUS AND STAND-BY POWER GENERATORS KEEPS STEADY IN THE REGION, MAJOR MANUFACTURERS SHARE HOW THEY ARE BRINGING IN NEW MODELS AND SOLUTIONS AS THEY ANTICIPATE A BOUNCE IN THE POWER PRODUCTS MARKET WITH THE PANDEMIC RECEDING

T

he generators and portable power market has seen a bit of a rollercoaster ride in the last several months.

The pandemic had the potential – at least on paper – to positively impact the sector owing to the requirement for remote, portable, stand-by and back-up power for sites such as temporary hospital facilities and data centres which are suddenly more important than ever in the post-Covid digital dependence.

The picture on the ground has, however, been a mixed bag. With the drop in pace of economic activity that has come along with the pandemic, there has not always been the means to deploy portable power as and when required owing to the cash crunch in the market. In some instances, though, that requirement has been met, leading to the ORMs in the power sector reporting a mix of successes and failures.

Take Doosan Portable (DPP) power, for example. The Korean heavyweight had varying levels of performance in various markets in the GCC, with most regions following the Vocid-19 script of depressed performance while one or two provided surprise bright spots.

Explaining the market situation and the reason behind it, Mousa Mousa, district manager, DPP Middle East and East Africa, says: “The Covid-19 outbreak has negatively

affected the global economy as the operations of various sectors have come to a standstill.

In the power generation sector, companies are dealing with several challenges due to a decline in demand for generators postpandemic. Furthermore, industries such as construction, manufacturing, tourism and events have wither stopped operations completely or slowed down considerably, which has drastically impacted the diesel generator market.

“DPP’s performance has been different from one market to another. In some, our performance has been affected negatively due to these same reasons as mentioned.

On the other hand, we’ve done well in some other markets but unfortunately, due to the hold on construction projects mainly, we were unsuccessful in supplying to a major project where we had been selected.”

The major success story for DPP recently in the region has been Saudi Arabia, and Mousa reveals: “We had one of our best years ever in Saudi, selling around 400 units.

I would also like to highlight that overall, we are in a good position in the region with many strategic projects all over the GCC. We will resume supplying to those projects just as soon as the Covid-related holds on them are lifted again.”

Meanwhile in Oman, DPP has signed up with local distribution heavyweight Genserv, who have became one of DPP’s best dealers in the region. “Their abilities on both the sales and aftermarket side are remarkable; we can feel the difference in the great market

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GENERATORS JUNE 2021

coverage they are providing as well as in their ability to solve any problem in their territory based on their skilled and expert teams,” Mousa explains.

He adds that the biggest demand in the Middle East, as indeed globally, is for the small range of gensets below 60KVA. “In our region, you will still find a lot of places that need diesel generators as the main power source, due to the shortage in electricity in some countries and the inability of the grid to cover the entire territory. On top of that, the main sectors of demand in the region are construction, rental and oil & gas.”

He explains that since the Middle East market still has no regulations on fuel quality, this has allowed DPP to use low-tier emission engines so far. “Big changes will happen to the level of competition in this market once we start to have some structed and more upto-date emission regulations in the region.”

Speaking of changes, DPP has decided to upgrade its range of 20-60KVA gensets, Mousa adds, and so “we decided to switch the engine we are using to Yanmar, which will serve our future goals more than the previous engine”.

“In addition, DPP has developed a new rental range with special features for the sector.

Some options available in this range include a fuel drain, fuel gauge, dry air cleaner, an advanced control panel, a coolant water level switch, improved bus bar, four lifting points, a battery switch, and oil sump pump and threeway fuel valve. We are also launching a new

Al-Bahar, the Cat representative in the GCC, enjoys a high market share in specialised projects with complex needs and high power demands of 1600kVA to 4000kVA.

LED light tower, which will be able to comply with all market requirements.”

For a piece of equipment that often needs to run continuously for days on end, maintenance is extremely important, and DPP is very keen to support its dealer network with training, software, documentations and tools in order to serve end-users better.

“We are also always keen to work very closely with both our dealers and customers to understand their needs in order to support them better. Knowing the

STAND-BY POWER

NEW CAT GENSETS FOR GLOBAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR MARKET Caterpillar has launched 31 new models of Cat GC diesel generator sets, the company’s new range of value-engineered standby power solutions specifically targeted for the global electrical contractor market.

Available for 50Hz and 60Hz applications worldwide, Cat GC generator sets simplify the specification process, substantially reduce quotation and delivery times, while helping to meet the tight budget requirements of the majority of stationary standby power applications in this power range, says Cat. Apart from 11 specific models from 40-200kW for 60Hz applications in North America the 31 new models

now available include 11 with power ratings from 33-400 kVA for 50Hz applications globally as well as nine from 30-175 W for 60Hz applications outside North America.

According to Cat, select models with commonly specified power outputs and configurations are stocked at its larger dealer locations for immediate pickup and delivery.

Jason Kaiser, vice president for Caterpillar Electric Power, said: “The electrical contractor market is responsible for commissioning the largest share of standby power solutions for small- to medium-sized standby applications. We have specifically configured Cat GC generator sets with electrical contrac-

tors in mind and we have now designed a product that offers Caterpillar’s renowned performance at an exceptional value.”

The new models join the current range of Cat 1100kVA models launched in October 2020 for 50Hz applications in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Every Cat GC diesel generator set includes Caterpillar’s standard two-year warranty for standby power solutions, while a suite of additional extended service coverage options is available.

They can be equipped with Cat Connect Remote Asset Monitoring, which provides data visualisation, reporting and alerts that are globally accessible through an easy-to-use web interface.

customers is very important to us in order to have a better forecast and proper planning for the coming years.

“DPP products use pure mechanical engines, leading to less complications, more reliability, durability, flexibility and accessibility.

Our generators are known for superior power production, supporting all your power needs and ensuring top performance in very challenging environments. We have a qualified dealer network which is ready to support our products and keep the customers happy,” Mousa says.

Meanwhile, another heavyweight in the power sector, Caterpillar, has also been busy in the region through its dealer, the GCC machinery powerhouse Al-Bahar, the official Caterpillar dealer for the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.

Mohamed B. El-Kaddour, VP – Energy and Transportation, Al-Bahar, tells CMME that the company has seen an increase in demand from segments such as public and civil services, healthcare, data centres and oil exploration.

“We enjoy a large market share across all rating brackets and market segments, most specifically in those specialised projects, complex requirements and high power demands between 1600kVA to 4000kVA,” El-Kaddour adds.

He explains that Al-Bahar can offer solutions for a variety of customer requirements and situations as it has the extensive Cat power range to fall back upon, with engines that cater for various applications.

“Caterpillar offers generator sets from the Cat C1.1 to Cat 3616 models with an output of 7.5kVA to 7150kVA for different applications,

37 such as Continuous Operation as base load for 24/7, Prime Power Operation on variable loads for 24/7 and also for Standby or Emergency Power. Robust designs allow our generators to run in harsh conditions.

Their high BMEP and SKVA permit better block loading capabilities and achieving appropriate transient responses. And then there is our unmatched 24/7 service and parts support, which has been the hallmark of Al-Bahar and is well acknowledged and valued by customers,” El-Kaddour says.

Bolstering its customer support even further, Al-Bahar offers different digital solutions such as Cat Connect/Remote Asset Monitoring, Remote Fleet Vision and other remote monitoring systems, which help in condition monitoring and prediction of fleet situations, in turn helping avoid serious failures and reducing downtime.

In fact, Al-Bahar is currently running a promotion campaign on Cat generator sets until August 15, under which buyers of any Cat diesel generator with ratings from 80kVA to 850kVA get a free Customer Value Agreement (CVA) for 2,000 hours plus free Cat Connect subscription for 12 months, which together take care of the maintenance and uptime aspects of these vital engines.

The Cat engines themselves are renowned globally for the Caterpillar quality and excellence. Adding to that, El-Kaddour explains: “The Cat GC diesel generator sets are a new line of standby power solutions configured with an optimised mix of common features that offers excellent customer value by delivering performance with a minimal footprint. The line includes several new models with standby power ratings from 33kVA to 1100kVA. The products are engineered to Caterpillar’s high standards for reliability and productivity, with best-inclass support from Al-Bahar”.

“Caterpillar and Al-Bahar provide custom packages tailored to meet individual project specifications called for by customers in the region.

Our generator sets are used in various sectors like public and civil services, health care, manufacturing, residential buildings, construction sites, data centres, energy & utilities, commercial services, oil & gas, marine, and more. Our customers include ministries, national oil companies, specialised prestigious commercial ventures, etc. The allied products we supply include, and are not restricted to, specialised alternators, batteries, enclosures, load banks, control panels, switch gears and enclosures, among

others. Among the regional heavyweight companies we have recently delivered such packages to ADNOC, KOC, DEWA and SEWA.” Over at JCB, Craig Baker, general manager, Middle East for JCB Power Products, says that the Middle East market was strong for his company pre-Covid-19. “We diversified our target segments and customers as the markets changed, JCB has seen some very good wins in the rental industry, securing partnerships with some of the top rental players in the Middle East. We’ve had several

JCB’s new offerings are gensets in the 250kVA and 300kVA prime power segments.

It feels the midrange demand in the Middle East has grown in the last five years.

success stories over the past 18 months, providing stand-by power to some of the most prestigious projects in the Middle East.”

Globally, JCB Power Products offers an extensive range of high specification diesel generators for any power application, Baker explains. “Each JCB generator is designed to the highest specification to deliver outstanding reliability, class-leading performance and increased efficiency. JCB offer a QS range which can be utilised in any market sector with node sizes from 20300kVA prime, which also utilises JCB’s own Dieselmax engine. We also offer an RS product ranging from 20-1250kVA aimed at the rental industry, along with a mid-range and a premier range product from 400-500kVA, for all market sectors with a dominance from construction and contracting customers.”

Baker adds that JCB has released a new 250kVA and 300kVA prime offering as an extension to its QS range. The product has a Cummins engine and is manufactured in the same production line in India as JCB’s QS products. “The mid-range demand in the Middle East has grown over the last five years and this product equips us with an extended product offering to target that market sector,” he explains.

When it comes to telematics and remote monitoring for generators, JCB has its wellknown LiveLink, which works in the generator segment by providing real-time information that keeps customers in control and lets them monitor and manage their gensets remotely via a PC or Smartphone. “All departments can benefit from LiveLink for power, whether it’s used by a fleet manager to manage a full fleet

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GENERATORS JUNE 2021

of generators or the service team to schedule and monitor service intervals - or customers’ finance teams who monitor usage of these assets to manage billing. LiveLink gives you a lifetime of data,” says Baker.

Another prominent brand in the generator space is Pramac, represented in the UAE by heavyweight equipment house CMC. Feras Al Sadek, marketing and business development manager, CMC, says that at his operations, he has seen demand for generators in UAE rising for the past few years.

“Generators are always in demand and is a key equipment in different phases of projects, from construction to maintenance and in many types of industries from factories to road works. While Covid-19 has effected CMC’s generator business only slightly, demand has been good for the best quality generators used for pop-up sites and activities,” al Sadek explains.

Rohan Shetty, area sales manager, Middle East and Africa, at Pramac, explains that Pramac as a brand caters to customers in more than 150 countries in various sectors and projects.

“Some of the segments we have supported globally are data centres, offshore wind farms, power plants on islands and hospitals. In the GCC, an important project that Pramac supports is a large sports and recreation facility in Doha, Qatar, where the power requirements are 11,000kVA.” Speaking about the regional market, he adds: “The pandemic continues to transform the growth trajectory of various industries and has also had a huge impact on the

Represented in the UAE by CMC, Pramac’s range includes the recent GGW series of gas-powered units from 35-750kVA, running on natural gas or LPG for prime power and standby needs.

GCC diesel gensets market. But the market growth in 2021-22 is likely to Increase in comparison to 2019-20, with an expected CAGR of over 2%, gradually rising further over the next few years. Construction, data centres and especially telecom are the drivers of this growth. The rising installation of telecom towers, which requires continuous electricity, has bolstered the growth of the generator market in the GCC, and with 5G becoming the backbone of the industry, major investment cycles are coming in.

Also, with work-from-home the new Covid normal, this has increased demand for backup generators in the residential sector.”

Among Pramac’s recent introductions are the GGW series Gaseous Generator sets from 35-750kVA, rated for standby and Prime Power applications, with Natural Gas or LPG fuel options and assembled in Italy. To meet customer requests, special solutions were developed, are available in various configurations such as super silent, special equipment, medium voltages, special control and power panels.

Some of the GGW series’ special features are operations on pipeline quality natural gas or HD-5 propane fuels, automotive inhouse built engine blocks up to 150kVA, spark-ignited engines and proprietary control system, 200-750 kVA range for standby and prime power, 10-second faststart proprietary technology, option for gridsynchronisation, Power Zone Pro Synch control system with predictive maintenance, ethernet and Wi-Fi communication.

Pramac is also gearing up to expand its generator range this year. Shetty says the new GDW and GPW series will be the company’s latest launches in 2021.

“The GDW series has been designed with the ideology to propose a reliable, scalable and durable genset series with a design based on two linked key drivers: modularity and being ‘glocal’. A basic core configuration has been created which will be compatible with a wide list of add on modules to cover a large variety of requirements based on specific customer needs, final purpose and local regulations.

POWER FOR WATER

ATLAS COPCO SUPPLIES GENSETS TO SAUDI BEVERAGE COMPANY Atlas Copco has supplied four TwinPowerTM generators for uninterrupted power supply purposes to Saudi Arabia’s Jasmine Water and Beverages Factory Ltd. Co (JWB). The supply was done through GCC Olayan, Atlas Copco’s partner in the Saudi market.

JWB’s plant is in a remote location in the desert 120km west of Riyadh city, without access to a stable power grid, and was facing frequent

power failures, making continuous production difficult. JWB turned to GCC Olayan, as the Atlas Copco Power and Flow’s official distributor in Saudi Arabia, for a solution to give them uninterrupted power supply for 24/7 operations with a reliable generator. GCC Olayan recommended four TwinPowerTM generators, which are containerised portable generators that deliver “versatility, fuel economy and twice the amount

of on-site power than conventional Independent Power Plants (IPPS)”.

Atlas Copco TwinPowerTM is a 20ft, ISO containerised unit housing two compact 500kVA generators powered by compact Scania engines. This configuration, with an advanced control system, allows the two generators to work independently or in parallel with each other. This makes it ideally suited for applications that have variable power needs, whether due to the time of day or the current usage requirement.

Ahmed R. Badawi, regional sales and marketing manager – Power and Light, said: “The QAC 1100 TwinPowerTM is perfect for applications that require intensive

use because it delivers high performance while maximising fuel efficiency, cutting associated running costs, and low-cost of ownership, amongst other benefits.

Also, thanks to its flexible design of two generators in one platform, it gives our client flexibility and the QAC 1100 generator works in the harshest conditions, such as a very hot climate in the Saudi desert.”

As JWB needed 4,000 kVA to work in synchronisation, this is working together and not as separate units, Atlas Copco modified the totalisation and distribution panel and fuel systems of the TwinPowerTM units, equipping them with a centralised control and monitoring system that is both easy-to-use and configure.

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IN THE POWER POSITION

JUBAILI BROS APPOINTS NEW GROUP CEO Energy solutions major Jubaili Bros has announced the appointment of a new Group CEO with Dr. Marcus Schumacher taking over the responsibilities of the position earlier this year.

Jubaili Bros, which operates across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, said Schumacher has more than 25 years of global experience across multiple industries. He previously served with Johnson Controls as global vice president for product management and engineering, and general manager for industrial refrigeration products in the EMEA region, and before that as head of Johnson Controls’ Building

Technology Group in the Middle East for more than three years.

Prior to Johnson Controls, he was general manager Middle East, North Africa and India for Eaton’s Oil & Gas electrical and process instrumentation business and had been head of technology for Aixtron.

Schumacher has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in material science, both from RWTH Aachen, a leading German university, and has attended several executive leadership programmes at Wharton Business School and Rice University in the USA. “I am truly excited to join a

The GDW will be available from 10-820kVA 50/60Hz, It will be synchronisable, have eight sizes and three genset versions - open, silent and super silent - and come with three control panel types. This solution will allow us to have a competitive product proposal and reduce the demand for customised solutions. The GDW will be lighter, smaller, more silent and with a higher fuel capacity than most of its competitors,” Shetty reveals.

“The GPW series will also be another launch in 2021. GPW is the new diesel generator series designed for all mobile applications and distribution channels such as construction, sports and recreation, events, industries, rental companies and all applications that require robust gensets that can be easily moved and transported.

After our long years of experience in selling traditional diesel generators for mobile and rental applications Pramac has developed this new generation of mobile diesel gensets based on ‘glocal’ and scalable concepts.

“GPW is a product able to satisfy the mobile and rental market positioning where quality, reliability and durability together with scalability are essential to defining the best value for the price, instead of overloading the machine proposal on the specs front.

This solution will allow the creation of a competitive product proposal and also reduce the demand for customised solutions.”

Shetty explains that a few of the key features that the upcoming launches will have are EXS – Extra-silent Enclosure; ERDF – a bus bar arrangement to allow different neutral scheme connections; genset start with GCB open and three LEDs for voltage

team of highly talented professionals in power generation, and emerging solar sector having a history of more than 40 years in this diverse region,” said Schumacher.

Ramzi Jubaili, co-founder and chairman of the Board, added: “We are excited to bring new talents into our organisation to help us continue with our successful journey in supporting our customers by further enhancing our portfo-

presence and phase rotation; electric fuel pump; quick fuel connectors; switch breaker trip; more space to fit all circuit breaker sizes required by voltage norms of most countries; and socket panel separated from control/ power panel to allow complete flexibility on scope of supply of socket kit.

At the moment, however, the most popular Pramac generator models are the GS series. It is available in a wide power range, ranging from 10-830 kVA and is synchronisable, Shetty adds. “The GS Series

Pramac’s most popular generator models are the GS series, which are synchronisable and available in a wide power range, from 10-830 kVA. Options of engines and alternators are also available.

lio towards services and solutions in the energy sector whilst expanding our geographical footprint across the region.”

Maher Jubaili, cofounder and vice chairman of the Board, added: “With an extensive corporate background we are confident that Marcus will further build our success in delivering technology leading power solutions, making people´s lives safer and more comfortable.”

is available with various configurations, with a wide spectrum of optional engines and alternators from top brands, to suit our customer’s specific requirements. They are available in configurations of open, canopy and super silent. Some of their best features that appeal to end users are that they are extremely modular and versatile in design to achieve the best configuration according to real needs.

They are high quality, reliable, durable and scalable. They are suitable for a large range of final applications required in any industry.”

“Some of the segments we have supported globally are data centres, offshore wind farms, power plants on islands and hospitals”

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THE LAST WORD JUNE 2021

MENT P I U Q E Y V HEA MERICA A F O S E G COLLE WOC O T I N A M CHOOSES E THE T A C U D E O CRANES T TION OF A R E N E G NEXT RATORS E P O E N A CR

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