MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS continued apace through 2007, not least as
a result of Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa. And so did the
refinement of most kinds of quarrying equipment. In parallel, rising
demand for construction materials required new capacity development.
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Mergers and acquisitions are not the only way equipment
manufacturers can improve service to their customers. Caterpillar, who
had focused on building up and reinforcing its global rental network for
ten years, last year announced the new emphasis would be on offering
fully localized rental solutions, with equipment ranges tailored to
local demand patterns, rather than on growth. Caterpillar used
in-country market research to better understand local habits and
practices. "This allowed us to tailor our offer country by country,
sometimes region by region and even store by store," explained Andy
Zuckerman, Caterpillar's Rental Division Manager for Europe, Africa
and the Middle East. With depots in most countries, the emphasis is in
creating a superior customer experience within the current network
structure. "We aim at ensuring that the local product offering in
every country meets the needs of both small and large customers in terms
of short or long-term rentals, equipment delivery and pickup
preferences. We also constantly train the depot staff at the stores in
order to ensure customers interact with experienced professionals in all
locations. It is not only the broad product line and the local market
knowledge but also the product support expertise and the dedicated
service that make The Cat Rental Store unique, Zuckerman added. Cat now
has over 20 rental stores in SSA, mainly in southern Africa.
Screening: accuracy and specialization
A very significant feature of the new products for drilling
reviewed during 2007 is their use of positioning and control technology
to improve accuracy. In crushing the focus is on specificity of purpose,
with new models designed to meet market demand for more carefully sized
and shaped aggregates. In parallel, unsurprisingly, new screening
machines match this trend.
For example, Extec launched what the company called the ultimate
large production screen. The S-7 Triple deck--Doublescreen is designed
for the aggregate producer who requires large throughput, true mobility,
and four clean gradings. The Doublescreen Box concept is combined with a
triple deck screen arrangement. The S-7 has the added benefit of being
able to adjust the amplitude of the box depending on what type of
screening is required. This can be changed on either of the two boxes
providing the option to run the primary at a higher amplitude than the
secondary, or vice versa. Terex Powerscreen has similarly extended its
product line to meet more specific needs. The H5163 added to the
H--Range has been designed to handle projects that do not require the
massive output tonnage of the Powerscreen[R] H6203. The H5163 can
produce material up to 600t/h, compared to the H6203 which can produce
materials up to 800t/h (depending on application). Powersrceen says the
H Range is at home in applications such as natural & crushed
aggregates, coal, iron ore, crushed & recycled concrete, asphalt and
many more. Like its bigger brother, the H5163 has four integral
stockpile conveyors as well as easy access for maintenance and screen
mesh change.
In Powerscreen's Chieftain Range the new Chieftain 1700 has
been developed as a highly mobile two and three deck model giving up to
6 product separation. It is specifically designed to fit into the mid
range bracket between the Chieftain 1400 and the Chieftain 2100. The
screen is a Rinser so it can also wash aggregate. The new Chieftain
2100X is an upgraded version of the Chieftain 2100, available as a two
and three Deck and has an increased screen area of 14 per cent on the
bottom deck pushing the screening capability much higher than the
Chieftain 2100.
The new Finesmaster 120 Compact is a simplified cost-effective,
energy conscious alternative to the main Powerscreen Finesmaster range.
It has been engineered for quick installation but still combines all the
key advantages of the Finesmaster machines such as their ability to
dewater sand, with maximum removal of water whilst retaining the maximum
amount of fine saleable product.
Maintenance
Another continuing technical trend is greater attention to
maintainability and maintenance services. Easy and cost-effective
maintainability is especially important for crushing machine owners.
Mobile crushers in particular are being pushed to work harder and on
increasingly heavier materials, putting more pressure on reliability and
performance. At the same time owners want to reduce maintenance costs.
So, for example, when upgrading the C-12 jaw crusher, Extec made
excellent reliability and low maintenance integral to the machine's
design. The resulting C-12+ jaw crusher encompasses solutions to many of
the common difficulties with maintenance. Any previous restrictions
placed on the design due to strength, cost and weight were addressed
with the introduction of a compact heavy steel web and flange chassis.
The blockage problem has been addressed with the use of a reverse
crushing action, which enables blockages to be cleared from the jaws.
Extec has simplified processes for the end user through automation
and usable technology, enabling regular daily and weekly maintenance
checks and actions to be improved. On the C-12+, the ability to
automatically lift the whole machine on hydraulic jacking legs means
that cleaning, track maintenance and the general servicing of the
machine is quicker, simpler and safer. The C12+ also provides access to
the hydraulic system at a comfortable working height. By offering wide
maintenance walkways for a stable footing, checking of the jaws and
other working areas is a safer and simpler task. And the Vogel automated
greasing system is fitted to the C12+ to ensure that the jaw stock shaft
and frame bearings are constantly maintained with the optimal amount of
grease. The machine also uses SKF sealed for life bearings enabling
grease to be automatically applied to key areas.
On the service front, the Atlas Copco Construction Tools unit says
that, while the new HB 10000 is the world's biggest hydraulic
breaker, another factor contributing to its high productivity is the
Atlas Copco ProCare proactive service and availability concept which
guarantees reliable production and reduces risks to a minimum.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Alain Charles Publishing
Ltd. Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.