53
november 2013
international
construction
Genie PS500 scissor lift were introduced as a low cost alternative
for the Chinese market with stripped back features.
But as Clint Weber, general manager at Terex Changzhou
Machinery, explained, much has changed in the two year design
period and it was discovered Chinese customers would prefer
machines from their existing lines.
“We have been evaluating what the market really wants. There is
a need for speed and efficiency rather than downgraded products,”
Mr Weber said.
The company will now extend its existing range of booms and
scissors at its subsidiary in Changzhou, China which are aimed at
domestic customers and the wider Asia Pacific market.
New launches
As one of the two leading exhibitions for the Chinese construction
equipment sector, BICES was also the scene of some significant
machine launches.
In addition to the range of new products covered in
iC’s
preview
of BICES (see September issue, and search online for “BICES”),
further new machines were revealed at the exhibition.
Caterpillar, for instance, used the show as the launch pad for
new ‘Built for China’ models. These included the 3.1 m
3
class
950 GC wheeled loader, two new wheeled excavators – the
15 tonne class M315D2 and 17 tonne class M317D2 – as well
as the 36 tonne class tracked 336D2 excavator and 22 tonne class
320D tracked excavator.
Key features of the new machines include a robust and heavy-
duty design and a focus on advanced hydraulics and fuel efficiency.
Meanwhile, Dingli launched its new 11.5 m working height
AMWP81115 mast lift with jib at the show, destined for delivery
to dealers in western Europe and Australia before the end of
the year.
Sany introduced its new 21 tonne class SYT70 dozer, and
Perkins unveiled a new off-highway diesel engine in the form
of the EU Stage IIIA / US Tier 3-compliant 1104D-E44 –
the first production model designed and built at its factory in
Wuxi, China.
This is just a snapshot of some of the news and views from this
year’s BICES exhibition, which attracted over 120,000 visitors
and covered a record 210,000 m
2
of exhibition space. All eyes
are now on what manufacturers will say and do at next year’s
Bauma China show, which takes place from 25 to 28 November
in Shanghai.
iC
>
>
Market potential
Chinese conference hears the case for equipment rental
M
ichael Kneeland, CEO of United
Rentals, used his keynote address
at the inaugural International
Rental Conference China to encourage local
companies to continue to develop the rental
market.
Nearly 300 industry professionals attended
the event in the Swissotel in central Beijing
on 14 October, which was organised by
iC
sister publication
International Rental News
(IRN)
together with KHL, the publisher of both
magazines.
“I know that, from a global perspective,
the cost of construction labour in China has
been very affordable. But it won’t be that way
forever. Even a small shift in the cost of labour
can help make a strong case for equipment rental,” said Mr Kneeland.
Comparing the Chinese rental market today to his early days working in the US, he said, “To
make a living in the industry back then, you had to be both a pioneer and an evangelist. You
had to get in front of the prospect, make your case, and then let the equipment do the talking
for you!
“That was a major lesson I learned about building demand in an emerging market -
customers have to see the results for themselves.”
David Phillips, managing director of Off Highways Research, said the current downturn in
new equipment sales in China could favour the development of rental.
“There is too much new equipment chasing too little work,” explained Mr Phillips. “But this
could be a great help to rental in China - it could spur on the concept of rental in the country.”
This would happen, he said, because users would see the benefit of renting a machine over
investing in a new product.
BICES
Review
expectations
Caterpillar launched its new 3.1 m
3
class 950 GC
wheeled loader at BICES – a model tailored to the
specific demands of the Chinese market.
Sany introduced
a new 21 tonne
class SYT70
dozer with
load-sensing
hydraulics.
United Rentals CEO at the
International Rental Conference China
