Atlas Copco changes branding on Dynapac light compaction products

Chicago Pneumatic (CP), the Atlas Copco business that sells basic site equipment such as light compaction, power, compressed air, hydraulic breakers and lighting tools, will become the sole brand used for light compaction equipment in North America, taking over from the Dynapac brand.

In the rest of the world, the same light compaction range - forward plate compactors, rammers and trench rollers - will transition from Dynapac to the Atlas Copco brand. Dynapac remains the global brand for larger compaction machines, but will no longer sell light equipment under its name.

The shift to the CP brand in North America - expected to be complete in May - is part of a widening of the businesses' product portfolio beyond the hydraulic tools for which it is best known in North America.

At Conexpo, the company was also announcing a new range of breaker attachments for mini excavators up to 70 t excavators, as well as the CPLT M10 lighting tower, and a new „competitively priced" compressor, the Streetfighter.

The CP strategy is to sell a range of products produced by Atlas Copco through an independent network of dealers who can provide sales and service back up. The business is already well established in North America, India and Brazil, but for the last year has been working to expand the dealership network.

Kishore Sidhwani, CP's global vice president, said the business would be establishing three global hubs - in North America, Sweden (Stockholm) and India. In Europe, for example, he said CP already had 25 dealers in Germany, 15 in Spain and one large dealer in Italy, among other countries.

"We are creating a dedicated organisation globally", he said, "We are planning to invest more in this brand and make it more visible."

Mr Sidhwani said CP grew its revenues by over 25% last year and that he was expecting a further 25% increase this year. Sales in North America doubled last year, partly because of its much expanded product range.