49
EQUIPMENT
CONSTRUCTION EUROPE
OCTOBER 2013
three different compaction systems – double
vibration, oscillation and Asphalt Manager 2
(AM2).
Double vibration has two amplitudes for
compacting thick or thin layers, while the
oscillation system produces less vibration but
still achieves efficient compaction and is said
to be better suited for use on bridges and
working close to buildings.
The AM2 system combines measuring
technology and compaction control,
automatically controlling the machine to
avoid unnecessary passes.
All these new launches are part of Bomag’s
effort to turn up the heat on its competition
in Germany and abroad, according to
company president Jörg Unger.
He said, “We are pushing to become a
true full-line road building equipment
manufacturer with products covering asphalt
production through the Marini brand, which
like Bomag is owned by Fayat, as well as our
own road construction, road maintenance,
and finally road reclamation and recycling
equipment.
“It will be a tough fight, but Bomag wants
to be a strong number two in the road
building market. Since we started producing
milling machines, in the last 24 months we
have won a nearly 30% market share.
“Our customers have told us that the
competition has had the monopoly on
price, and they have also reported that they
find the lack of an alternative hard,” Unger
explained.
Head of marketing Jonathan Stringham
agreed, “A monopolistic market is not to
a customer’s benefit. The competition
dropped its prices by around 40% since the
introduction of the BM500 milling machine in
2011, and we feel that we are increasing the
competitiveness of technologically advanced
equipment like this.”
However, Unger was keen to highlight
the fact that Bomag was not interested
in entering a price war. “We have a lot of
respect for the German competition,” he said.
“It is also not important to us from which
competitor the market share comes, but that
we get the market share.”
INVESTMENTS
Unger said the company had limited
expectations for demand this year, but
instead of standing still, it had made the
decision to invest in the company to position
itself for the future.
In February, for instance, Bomag parent
company Fayat acquired Terex’s Cedarapids-
branded pavers and material transfer
machines in North America, and its CMI-
branded reclaimer/stabiliser product lines,
which are all manufactured in Oklahoma City,
US.
In addition, it bought Terex’s entire road
building equipment operations in Brazil,
A year full of fresh launches
Weaker market conditions this year compared to 2012 has not prevented Bomag from
introducing new equipment this year as it pushes to position itself for future increases in
demand.
The 1000mm class BM1000 milling machine and BF600-2 and BF700-2 pavers were
introduced during its Asphalt Days customer event in September, when Bomag also
showcased examples from its new -5 Series rollers.
The -5 Series were officially launched in April at the Bauma show in Munich, Germany,
together with Bomag’s new BPR reversible vibratory plates and three new tamper models –
BVT 65, BT 65 and BT 60.
Another new paver was also brought to the market this year, in the form of the BF 900 C
finisher, which was introduced at Bauma and can pave widths of up to 13m.
In addition, the company launched the new MPH 600 soil stabiliser with its Flex Mix
Technology at Bauma. The company said the “infinitely adjustable” rotor allowed mix results
to be changed and adjusted to local conditions.
The BF 900 C finisher was
introduced at Bauma
Bomag’s new BM1000 is a 257kW, Tier 4 Final/
Stage IV-compliant milling machine
which are located in Porto Alegre and
manufacture mainly asphalt plants and
pavers.
“The financial year 2013, which for us
ends in September, has been weaker than
2012,” Unger said. “Both Bomag and Fayat’s
expectations for the market were limited, and
we forecast a small decrease in turnover this
year for Bomag to €560 million.
“But we have invested a lot during the year
– we want to position Bomag’s road building
segment for the future. There is also palpable
optimism for the market in 2014, and we do
think there will be more momentum next
year,” he said.
ce
The 10 to 11 tonne class BW 161 ADO, BW
161 AD-5 and BW 190 models from Bomag’s
new -5 Series were in action during the
Asphalt Days
