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Greg Sitek

More ConExpo
March 19, 2008

More ConExpo

Yesterday I left you with a promise for more on ConExpo. Tuesday was the official opening day and for the press it started with a Liebherr breakfast where all the various division leaders reviewed the company’s achievements for 2007 and talked about plans for 2008. Duane Wilder, president of the U.S. operations in Newport talked about the products on display in the booth. The array of machines included new wheel loaders, dozers, cranes and virtually everything else the German-based company manufacturers.

            Wilder emphasized Liebherr’s commitment to the North American market pointing out the fact that the company recently spent millions updating the U.S. headquarters and increasing its manufacturing capabilities and capacities here.

            Other early morning press conferences were held by Chetra Industrial, a Russian based manufacturer, Gorman-Rupp, Clemons Concrete Coatings, Manitou, Houlette, Cimline, JCB, Tuthill Drive Systems and ZF Industries. Unfortunately it was impossible to personally cover all these events since they were running concurrently for all practical purposes. I waiting for the delivery of two boxes filled with press kits. Once that arrives I’ll be able to give you an overview of the new products introduced by these manufacturers.

            Komatsu, in its press conference, introduced a new hydrostatic dozer and wheel loader. The company announced the fact that Komtrax was now available as standard equipment on all tier 3 powered machines. The new product introductions included Dash-8 excavators and MR3 series mini excavators also equipped with Komtrax.

            The company stressed its commitment to the environment announcing that their biofuel capabilities had gone from B5 to B20.

            Volvo unveiled its “new look” for its recently acquired road building machinery division. The former Ingersoll Rand equipment has gone through dramatic change and now sports the Volvo yellow with the new company name visibly displayed.

            Exciting things yet to come include the Volvo hybrid diesel-electric wheel loader; the Deere high-speed track dozer; Topcon and Trimble’s new jobsite management software; Mack Truck’s new Titan with its 605 hp engine; the winner of the Case Rodeo; and tons more.

Meanwhile:

Winners announced for first ever “Construction Challenge”

AEM teen program focuses attention on construction careers

An Oklahoma team has won the first ever Construction Challenge held at the recently concluded CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 trade show in Las Vegas, USA. Teams from Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas also took home top honors in the teen competition, which was initiated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

I will be back – tomorrow with more ConExpo and maybe some product details if my shipments arrives.

Posted by Greg Sitek on March 19, 2008 | Comments (0)