bC Africa 2018 attracts more than 14,100 visitors over four-day event

The third edition of bauma CONEXPO AFRICA held 13-16 March at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, attracted 14,167 visitors, who were keen to see new and latest equipment models from 454 exhibitors from 34 countries. Guy Woodford was at the show and focuses on some of the exhibition’s highlights.

For quarrying and mining-minded attendees of 7719 bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 2018, there was much on show to attract attention.

8626 CDE launched its new mining industry-focused CDE Meta division during the exhibition. The launch came hot on the heels of the global leading wet processing equipment firm’s announcement that it has bought the 395 Caterpillar Northern Ireland manufacturing facility in Monkstown. This gives Cookstown, Northern Ireland-headquartered CDE 300,000ft² of extra plant, effectively multiplying its existing operations tenfold and drastically cutting lead times for project delivery to sub-Saharan Africa and other world regions.

CDE head of mining, Adam Holland, said the announcements are significant: “We are demonstrating the company’s considerable commitment not only to the region but also to meet demand and respond to the company’s rapid expansion.”

Nicolan Govender, regional director for CDE in sub-Saharan Africa, added: “Our equipment and engineering prowess has seen major growth in Africa and we are delighted that we can not only reduce lead times but also deliver a fully integrated and bespoke service to our customers. Our compliance standards – for water recycling, health and safety – are beyond exemplary and our customers are realising the value of gaining significant competitive advantage through maximising return on their investment while minimising environmental impacts.”

Barloworld Equipment was busy at the show launching three new machines from SEM, the China-based Caterpillar brand. The new 3tonne class SEM636D and 6tonne class SEM660D wheeled loaders offer claimed best-in-class reliability and durability, and lower fuel consumption compared to comparable mid-sized predecessor models. Also unveiled at the show was the new SEM816/822 track-type tractor, said to be an equivalent machine to a Cat D6 dozer. The SEM816/822 offers optimum efficiency and manoeuvrability, thanks to its hydrostatic drive system and multifunctional joystick. All three new SEM models are said to be ideal for tough sub-Saharan Africa working conditions, with many components re-engineered to give customers greater equipment longevity.

2983 Bell Equipment (Bell) had a huge presence at the show. The company’s on-display ADT hauler line-up included the popular B45E and B60E models. Quarry and mining sector attendees were also taking a keen interest in the on-show 668 Terex Finlay crushers, 7047 Kobelco excavators and KAMAZ tipper trucks, available through Bell as the trio’s southern Africa dealer partners.

A 435 Kleemann Mobicat MC 110 R EVO jaw crusher was an eye-catching model on 6550 Wirtgen South Africa’s large exhibition stand. Capable of processing up to 330tonnes/hour of aggregates material, the primary crusher is a popular machine among South African quarrying customers. Kleemann says it is increasing its quarrying and mining market share in South Africa, after firmly establishing itself among the biggest-selling crushing and screening equipment brands in Europe.

There was a strong contingent of Chinese OEMs represented at the exhibition, including 441 LiuGong, 7340 XCMG and 8013 Shantui. All were buoyed by their sales success across southern Africa over the past year.

Among quarrying and mining models being exhibited by LiuGong was the 950E crawler excavator, said by Li Yi, LiuGong South Africa’s general manager, to be one of the most popular machines in South Africa, particularly among mining customers. “We have sold more than 30 950E units in South Africa since early 2017. It’s seen by customers as almost the perfect machine,” added Yi, who stressed that LiuGong’s H Series wheeled loaders, launched two years ago, had also been strong sellers in South Africa. Of the South African quarrying and mining equipment market, Yi said: “We had 30% more unit sales in 2017 than in 2016, and we may have an up to 50% rise this year. We also did very well in Mozambique last year, selling 50 excavators and 60 wheeled loaders. A lot of the sales were to mining and forestry customers.

XCMG is another Chinese OEM that has increased its South African sales in recent years. Alec Zhang, the company’s South Africa vice general manager, said XCMG sold more than 100 equipment units in 2017, and 50-60 machines in the first two-and-a-half months of 2018. Among the company’s model line-up at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 2018 was the 21.5tonne XE215C crawler excavator.

“We are selling mostly to mining and construction customers. Twenty to 30 years ago customers in this market would be critical of equipment models made in China. Now they see their quality and the sales and service support we can offer through our team based in South Africa.”

Shantui’s South Africa dealership, Everstar Industries, had a prominent pitch near the main entrance to the Johannesburg Expo Centre. An extensive machine line-up on show included Shantui road construction, earthmoving and concrete mixer models. “The Shantui brand is growing at a phenomenal pace,” said Dirk Poley, national sales manager, yellow equipment, at Everstar Industries. “Customers are more and more looking for the best price as well as quality. Our biggest-selling Shantui models in South Africa are probably the wheeled loaders.”

The bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 2018 exhibited 21tonne SL60W-3 wheeled loader, powered by a 410 Cummins engine and offering a 3.5m³ bucket capacity, is, says Poley, particularly popular among mining and quarrying customers.

8787 Hidromek, the Turkish global OEM, was showcasing its range of backhoe loaders, crawler excavators and motor graders. Among the loading models on show of particular interest to quarry customers were the 22tonne HMK 220 LC and 40tonne HMK 370 LC HD crawler excavators.

bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 2018 exhibition organisers, BC Expo South Africa, Messe München and 608 AEM, said a number of exhibitors had spoken of increased sales of machinery and equipment over the trade fair’s four days. Rajen Garender, marketing director of 2836 Weir Minerals, the quarry and mining crushing, screening and pump equipment giant, was among them. He said: “bauma CONEXPO AFRICA is an extremely well-organised and professional trade event. It has been a successful exhibition for Weir Minerals with several promising sales opportunities in the works.”

Stefan Rummel, managing director of 5655 Messe München, said the trade fair reflected a sense of “renewed optimism” and “highlighted the opportunities in the industry, despite recent economic challenges”.

The top five bauma CONEXPO AFRICA 2018 visitor countries from Africa were Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia. Delegations from Chile, Israel, Kenya and Turkey visited the trade fair, underlining the exhibition’s reputation as the largest industry event for the sector in the region. Petra Kaiser, senior director of International Exhibitions & Events at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), added: “It is significant to have a consistent and engaged presence in the region in order to take advantage of long-term business potential. bauma CONEXPO AFRICA creates a platform to help facilitate these opportunities.”

The fourth edition of bauma CONEXPO AFRICA will take place once again in Johannesburg in 2021.