Opportunities for quarry equipment suppliers

The recent CTT 2014 construction equipment and technology show in Moscow, Russia, again attracted over 1,000 exhibitors, with organisers making the point that a slowdown in Europe’s construction equipment market means “Russia is one of the growth engines for Europe.”

After the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, attention turns to the 2018 FIFA World Cup even as the current world football event is underway.

However, while Russia may well be a growth area for both Europe and the Asian regions, there is little doubt that following the recent financial problems and an undoubted upturn in outlook, companies and quarry operators throughout the Asia, Middle East and Africa regions will be looking to renew and upgrade equipment to take advantage of newer, more productive and fuel efficient machines.

Only recently Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa, and if you read our Quarry Profile in this issue you will see that, as with other countries on the continent, a growing demand for construction materials has led to one operator in that country making a major investment in its quarry to increase production.

Also in Nigeria, a major employer, 7635 Dangote Cement, which operates in 14 other African countries, has again unveiled further ambitious expansion plans.

And another company, 2836 Weir Minerals, which has supplied pumps and mill circuit equipment to Morocco for many years, usually to be used in the booming phosphate industry, says that the opportunity for process equipment suppliers in that country does not start and end with phosphate mining.

The company makes the point that a major upturn in construction activity across Morocco has created a significant domestic market for construction materials such as limestone.

All this must be good news for all quarry equipment manufacturers who already operate in Africa, and for those who are looking for new opportunities.

Meanwhile, on another note, this is my last edition of Aggregates Business Europe/Aggregates Business International as Editor.

From July onwards, I am handing over the reins to Guy Woodford, the Assistant Editor on our sister title World Highways, and stepping down to a part-time role as Consulting Editor across both titles.

I have had many enjoyable years at Route One Publishing, covering both the highways and aggregates industries and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank-you to everyone I have met and worked with during my years at the helm.

It is not goodbye however, and I am equally excited about working with you in my new role as our industry faces up to the challenges ahead.