A gray, overcast sky covered the opening day of bauma 2019 in Munich, Germany. While some manufacturers talked about electric machines, Case Construction Equipment popped through like a ray of light behind its prototype wheel loader called Project Tetra.
The wheel loader relies on a methane powertrain which reduces overall emissions by up to 80%. It serves as the core behind Case’s newfound commitment to research and development. The manufacturer spent well over $1 billion on innovation and technology, the largest investment ever made by the company.
The move has been paying off. Net sales from industrial activities were up 8% in 2018 while net industry debt was down 30%. For 2019, Case Construction is looking at 5-10% growth in the North American market and as much as 5% growth in South America.
Some other highlights during the first day of bauma 2019:
- Liugong/Dressta announced 2018 sales revenues of over $18 billion, a 51% increase vs. 2017. The Chinese manufacturer has a short-term goal of becoming a top 10 equipment manufacturer in the world; and
- Manitowoc Cranes announced its resurgence in the crane market just three years after it was millions of dollars in debt, and is previewing the first mobile Potain Hup self-erecting crane.
