Putzmeister has seen a high level of interest in its new generation of concrete pumps, selling 20 units of its new 56-metre pump into the region before it even had the chance to print a leaflet announcing its arrival, according to Middle East regional director Jens Bawidamann.
Due to changing weight regulations in Europe, the firm embarked on a complete redesign on its mobile concrete pump, including reducing it to four axles, which led to savings both on cost and weight.
Overall there have been a number of changes in favour of lower weight, but also improved operation, simplicity to service, and a reduced variety of service parts.
The machines involve less welding, in favour of bolts, and the X-unit is bolted to the chassis, rather than welded. There is 300 litres less hydraulic oil in the system, and only three different types of elbow on the boom in the 42-metre class, where previously there were seven.
Operational advantages include a lower unfolding height, and the ability to start pumping without needing to completely extend the boom.
Putzmeister has released the 36m and 42m pumps, with the release of the 56m boom model imminent. Bawidamann said that where in the past the 36m pump was the ‘bread and butter’ model for the Middle East, the trend is towards longer booms, with the 42m now the most popular, and with interest in 52m, 56m and 58m pumps.
Sold in Saudi Arabia by MEDCO, Bawidamann says that Saudi is by far the strongest sales market, though it has seen a rise in sales and enquiries in Qatar.
“Demand in Qatar has begun to pick up. The last two years there was almost nothing, but the enquiries we have from Qatar, and the deals we have finalised over the past two–to-three months, it’s an indication that things are really moving now.”
Read the full interview with Putzmeister Middle East’s regional director Jens Bawidamann in the September edition of PMV Middle East.
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