“New Harbour” in Doha/Qatar - Putzmeister Holding GmbH

Outlook
Outlook
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The technical future
at Putzmeister
An interview with Dr. Gerald Karch, CTO
u Dr. Karch, Putzmeister would like
to further consolidate the company's
po sition on the market over the next few
years. What is the current product strategy?
Following the takeover of the German
truck mixer manufacturer Intermix, we
began to expand our scope of business
activities to every facet of the concrete
production sector. Mr Schmid-Lindenmayer,
an experienced Putzmeister employee,
took over management of the
new Concrete Mixing and Plant Technology
division.
We are currently in the middle of
modern ising the entire product portfolio
in our core business sector of concrete
pumps. The gross weight of the machine
plays a central role here. Extending the
height of the boom using the smallest
possible number of axles with a suitable
payload is the most simple solution – something
that was often overlooked in the
past, also among our competitors.
The Putzmeister Underground Concreting
division will continue to expand the
product range for the mining sector by
adding new products such as a special
mixer for mining applications.
The trend in the industrial sector is
leaning sharply towards higher performance
data, i.e. conveying greater quantities
at higher pressures.
In the mortar machine sector, we have
consolidated the three brands of Putzmeister,
Brinkmann and Lancy. Offering
customers the correct product is our
main objective here: with Brinkmann
as the brand for screed, Lancy based in
France the specialist for worm pumps
and Putzmeister the universal supplier
of high-quality mortar machines.
u Following the takeover of Intermix,
does Putzmeister plan to acquire other
smaller high-tech companies?
Putzmeister viewed the takeover of Intermix
from Hans Georg Stetter, son of
the truck mixer pioneer, as an ideal opportunity
to integrate a well-established
company into the Putzmeister Group.
We will definitely show an interest in
any similar hidden gems on the market
in the future.
u PM's completely overhauled machine
platform has enjoyed great success
on the market since mid 2011. What innovations
can we look forward to in 2013?
During the economic crisis, we began to
revise our machine portfolio to incorporate
more appealing concreting technology.
The decision to invest money and put
the entire range of machines on a new
footing in spite of the precarious financial
climate was not easy, but in retrospect
it was the right decision to make. We
will also need some more time to bring
all the machines up to date. All these
developments are designed to improve
machine functionality for the customer.
As already mentioned, one fundamental
characteristic is the machine weight.
We will launch a completely redesigned
stationary boom onto the market with a
lightweight design that can be hoisted by
a standard crane even though it does not
incorporate a coupling joint. In the area
of control technology, the design of controls
for small stationary pumps will be
completely overhauled. The remote control
for our pumps will be improved with
a more lightweight, user-friendly design
and a selection of new functions to make
the work of the machine operator much
easier. That's all I want to reveal at this
point.
u Can you give us an idea of what to
expect at the bauma 2013 exhibition?
How will PM be represented at the most
important exhibition for construction
machinery?
The new portfolio of concrete pumps
and associated customer benefits will be
the central theme of the Bauma 2013 exhibition.
It will be an exhibition for “touching
and feeling”. “Feel the Elephant” is
an important motto for us. We look forward
to talking to our customers, listening
to their wishes and discussing the
benefits of the new machines. We will
be displaying all our new products and
machine models over a considerably larger
exhibition space. Mixing technology
will also be represented. The highlight of
the exhibition will be the presentation of
the machine with the longest 5-section
boom on a three-axle chassis approved
to travel on European roads.
Putzmeister is a financially stable, independent
global company that presents
itself as a reliable, innovative partner
with high quality standards and a direct
focus on customer orientation.
u What are the future prospects for
construction machinery? What are the
most important trends on the market?
When we look at Europe today, safety
and environmental legislation are the
obvious driving factors. New standards,
Machinery Directives and emission standard
IIIB are just some of the key issues.
Some construction companies have had
to reserve more than 50 % of their development
resources for the introduction
of emission standard IIIB for diesel engines,
for example. The machines had
to be partly redesigned due to the size
of the units. Redesigning the machinery
has been even more difficult since the introduction
of Euro VI engines for trucks
because the pumps must be even more
lightweight. Our new machines already
take this weight increase into consideration.
From March 2013, the new Standard
12001 concrete pumps will ensure
greater machine safety. Operators must
remember that they are liable for ensuring
that any machines they purchase
conform with this new standard. Putzmeister
machines are equipped with all
the relevant sensors and give operators
assurance that the machines conform
with the relevant standards.
We will continue to work intensively
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