34 HI-LIFTS AND LOADERS
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2013 Medium hi-lift popular at DOLL
CHAMP 350, as well as the container- only loader, the CHAMP 35, noticeably increased their shares in our overall sales.”
Philippe adds that Trepel still offers the electric CHAMP 70, which whilst a suitably green loader with impressive credentials, nonetheless has yet to enjoy the level of success that it deserves. “I have to admit that once the customers are aware of the operational changes, which includes charging time and limited long distance driving, and the infrastructure requirements, such as the charging points that must be installed by the airports, the level of enthusiasm tends to fall. Besides that, today’s loaders have a diesel consumption of only a few litres per hour and are fitted with much cleaner engines than previously. “To date, we have not seen any fall in the demand for our loaders: indeed, our factory will be running at full capacity during the first quarter of 2013.” Trepel’s summary is to a great extent echoed by Markus Muller of DOLL, who is based in Oppenau.
“Overall, 2012 was the best year that our GSE department has ever had,” he reveals. “During the last 12 months we produced as well as delivered more than 200 units of different highloaders. Of these there were five X-PRM and five X-Cat S models; 20 of the A380 capable X-Cat L; 30 units of X-Cat M low cab, 60 examples of the X-Cat M half-size and 80 examples of the X-Cat M full- size. We have sold more than 70 trucks in Germany, 40 trucks in the UK and
15 trucks in Switzerland. Furthermore, over 60 have gone to the Middle East and South East Asia.” From the foregoing it is quite clear that DOLL’s medium-sized hi-lift has obviously performed well and Markus adds that modifying the range is an ongoing task at the company. He adds that alternative-powered loaders are also manufactured but client confidentiality precludes specific mention of these examples. “The current outlook for 2013 is not too bad, although it won’t be as good as that of 2012. Everybody is waiting - but that’s still fine with us.”
Other news
“We noted a good rebound in this market in 2012,” says Marko Schottler, TLD’s Director of Sales and Service. “TLD saw extraordinary growth in terms of sales of loaders, mainly in the 15 tonne range, with a record in sales numbers and a sustained activity on the part of military loaders.”
TLD continues to pursue growth via its worldwide sales network and follows its philosophy of “Local support, total commitment” by providing adequate solutions to its international customers all over the world.
Sales destinations have been China, Japan and diverse Asian countries, Western and Eastern Europe, in particular Russia, the Middle East, Africa, the US and South America. The most popular models have been the 929, TXL 737 and the PFA-50 versions, notes Marko.
“This year we are about to extend
our product line by offering a version capable of handling up to 36 tonnes. We are also offering different load transfer versions, such as a Flat Top Chain version on our 7 tonne cargo loader.
“Overall, 2013 seems promising, with a continuing rebound in freight activity.” In the UK, AMSS has seen increasing
orders for its military loaders. Scott Barber, the company Commercial Director, reveals that
2012 was a record year for the Welsh company in terms of ATLAS loader production: in fact, the final total was almost double its previous record for production in one year. “The ATLAS is in service with almost 30 individual customers, worldwide,” he says. “As the vehicle continues to be introduced to more customers, demand has increased exponentially. The Olympic Loader was new to our product range in 2011 and this has since been sold to customers in Abu Dhabi and Qatar to support A320 series aircraft operations. Its advantages include the much narrower load deck to provide adequate clearance for the canoe and engine cowlings. “We expect demand for this equipment to continue to increase where operators move towards containerised loads.” Finally, according to Mallaghan’s Niall Mallaghan, production of hi-lifts increased during 2012, compared to the previous year.
The specialist manufactured both
standard six metre lifts and A380 upper deck trucks for both Europe and the Middle East, whilst delivering new units of both trucks to companies such as Alpha Catering, SATS, LSG Skychefs and Gate Gourmet.
“The newly developed CNG-powered Econic Catering Truck is developing a good amount of interest and our latest units were delivered at the end of 2012 to Germany. The A380 Upper Deck truck has proved popular in Johannesburg, with new, additional units being delivered to both LSG and Wings Inflight Catering. PRM lifts were also manufactured and delivered to existing customers, such as OCS and Qatar Aviation Services, with Thai Airways again taking new units mounted on the Mercedes chassis. Using the latest steel cutting technology, we have now developed a new solution to achieving even lower half cab heights for some customers, with the result that our half cab PRM lifts could, in fact, be used on smaller aircraft.”
Market has rebounded, says TLD
Civil sector good but military better for AMSS
Production up for Mallaghan, too
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