Weekly Roundup: Zeppelin expands Cat partnership | decarbonisation first | Kiloutou grows

Image: Zeppelin Group

Expansion was the main theme in the week that was November 27 to December 4.

For starters, we got news that Zeppelin Group is to take over the sales and service operations for Caterpillar equipment in Norway and the Netherlands, adding approximately 2,000 employees and €1.1 billion in revenue.

The acquisition involves Zeppelin purchasing all shares in the holding company of Pepp Group BV, the owner of Pon Holdings, which has managed the territories for two decades.

Under the agreement, the legal entities in Norway and the Netherlands will transfer to Zeppelin Group as part of a share deal.

Meanwhile, Kennards Hire opened its first branch in Napier, New South Wales, bringing its total branches across New Zealand to 30.

The company said it “remains steadfast” in its commitment to continue expanding its network across the country and supporting industry growth after what it describes as “a more challenging year for the wider hire and construction sector.”

On the topic of depot openings, Kiloutou in Spain opened a new depot in Mucia, the first the company has opened in the region.

The depot is placed at C. Uruguay, 19, Pol. Ind, 30820 San Ginés, around 15 minutes from central Murcia.

The company said the location is designed to ensure “efficient logistics and the immediate availability of our machines and tools.”

Market report

Photo: Kiloutou

Staying in Europe, French rental and distributors association DLR’s market barometer for Q3 of 2024 revealed that its members “remain concerned about the sector’s future” despite strong growth in a number of segments.

Its equipment rental members posted a year-over-year increase of +6.4%, while rental sector growth in Q3 2024 compared to the previous quarter was more modest at +1.1%.

That was more positive than the findings of its construction equipment distribution members, which saw a sharp decline in sales of -15% in the third quarter.

Elsewhere, Speedy Hire said it will soon launch what it called the hire industry’s first ‘Diesel-Free Matrix’ to support its carbon management initiatives for customers.

The solution is designed to manage hire contracts at a project level, allowing customers to make measurable progress in reducing diesel reliance and advancing decarbonisation across their sites. It will unveil the system on 28 November during the Speedy Hire Live Sustainability Summit, a virtual event.

Equipment launches

The Speedy launch wasn’t the only first making headlines this week. Take for example, Zoomlion, which said its new 82.3m working height boom - claimed to be the largest ever - will be available worldwide in six months. The ZT82J, launched at Bauma China, is currently undergoing site trials before being made available initially to Chinese customers.

The massive machine offers a maximum outreach of 34.1m. It weighs 48.5t and is powered by a Cummins F4.5 engine. Stowed dimensions are 17.5m (L) by 2.8m (W) by 3.33m (height).

Photo: Kaeser Kompressoren

Compressor manufacturer Kaeser Kompressoren launched the Mobilair M44, a Stage V compliant compressor that it said “bridges a market gap by offering portable compressed air systems that combine high performance with a compact, eco-friendly design.”

Delivering an output of 4.1 m³/min at an operating pressure of 7 bar, the Mobilair M44 sits between Kaeser’s existing 3 m³ and 5 m³ units and is described by the company as a “powerful, compact, and environmentally friendly solution” for the European market.

Wrapping up news from this week, Attachment specialist Engcon has said it has made a “further step forward” with the launch of an “entry-level” customised tiltrotator.

The company described the EC02 Basic, which is designed for excavators in the 1.5 to 3 tonne range, as both “affordable and easy to use”, making it an “ideal choice for excavation work that only requires tilt and rotate functionality.”