Plant & Equipment | January-February 2021, Issue 244

January - February 2021

INVESTED IN QUALITY
Quarry Mining talks about why quarries and mines
must invest in plant and processes to stay ahead.
P22

FUTURE ISSUE ALL-ELECTRIC
FOCUS MACHINERY

Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company OEMs have launched a number of
is invested in KSA’s Vision 2030. new electric machines in 2020.
P18 P62

ALSO 244

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Contents January - February 2021ISSUE

18 22 244
FUTURE FOCUS
www.PlantAndEquipment.com
Saudi Arabian-based Al Qahtani Vehicle and
Machinery Company plans on maximising its 26
opportunities by being an integral part of the
Kingdom’s Vision 2030. 62

22 MARKET OVERVIEWS
INVESTED IN QUALITY
34
Quarry Mining manufactures and installs a wide THE HANDLER
range of plants for the quarry and minerals
sector from its base in Ras Al Khaimah. Telehandlers are prized for their versatility
and wide range of applications, but
26 18 contractors can still look to get more out of
ATTACHED TO GROWTH 30 their machines as OEMs launch new rotating
telehandlers.
Auger Torque has set a new standard in the
earthmoving attachment market. 46
TOOLS TO DEMOLISH
30
HINO INTRODUCES Enhanced demolition work tools are boosting
AUTOMATIC contractor productivity, while more efficient
TRANSMISSION MODEL on-site practices such as recycling save time
TO MDT LINE-UP and money.

The latest Hino 500 Series Truck is available
in Euro 3 (GCC) engine variants and includes
multiple features to enhance safety and
comfort for drivers and passengers.

62
ALL-ELECTRIC MACHINERY

With a slew of new electric construction
equipment launches in 2020, OEMs are getting
serious about clean emission machines for both
specialised and general applications.

68 34

68 46
TADANO DEMAG
LAUNCHES THE AC 450-7
ALL TERRAIN CRANE

Tadano Demag said the basic idea when
developing the new AC 450-7 was to “give
wheels” a more powerful alternative to its
existing six-axle cranes, with the objective to
keep it as compact as its counterparts despite
the additional axle, all while combining that
with significantly better performance.

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Middle East and Africa’s EDITORIAL Contributing Editor
Leading Construction Magazine Munawar Shariff
Contributing Editor Assistant Sales Manager
Never miss an issue. Stian Overdahl Kenny Ann
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ARTWORK

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ACCOUNTS

Senior Accountant
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and construction news from
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THE DEFINITION Powerful and tough. A full
OF TOUGH line of tough machines with
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TOUGH WORLD. TOUGH EQUIPMENT. proven reliability to complete
tasks of any size in even the
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Tel: +966 13 8261477 Fax: +966 13 8269894 Email: [email protected]

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS

FLEET EXPANSION

TAMIMI RENTALS ACQUIRES 50 GROVE ROUGH-
TERRAIN CRANES

Saudi Arabia crane and heavy equipment rental company crane’s 100t maximum capacity combined with a five-section,
Fahad S Al Tamimi & Partners Co. (Tamimi Rentals) is full power boom that extends up to 47m, and which can
purchasing 50 new Grove rough-terrain cranes to support increase its length to 64m with the use of a jib. Power comes
growth into the oil and gas sector. The GRT8100 cranes will from a Cummins QSB6.7L engine and the model offers an
join the company’s rental fleet that already includes over 40 overall GVW of nearly 55t.
Grove all-terrain cranes.
Tamimi Rentals currently runs a range of Grove all-terrain
Grove rough-terrain cranes have long been the most popular cranes from the manufacturer’s 4, 5, 6 and 7-axle categories,
choice for oil and gas work, with their reliability, strength and as well as a number of rough-terrain cranes, some of which
versatility ensuring the widest possible job scope on oilfields. were purchased several decades ago. All of these were
supplied via Kanoo Machinery, and the close partnership
Mohammed Fahad S Al-Tamimi, CEO of Tamimi Rentals, said: between the two companies was another reason for this
“We chose Grove GRT8100 rough-terrain cranes because they latest large purchase, as Manoj Tripathy, CEO of Kanoo,
have a very good load chart which is about 25 percent stronger explained. “Tamimi Rentals has been our customer for a long
than competitive machines,” he said “We also liked the precise time and we appreciate their continued confidence in Kanoo
and customizable movements that the Crane Control System and Manitowoc with this latest investment,” he said. “We
(CCS) offers. Having close control is very important when hope to strengthen our partnership and continue to provide
lifting complex and expensive equipment around oil rigs.
In addition, we know that Grove cranes are reliable, having exceptional service in the years to come.”.
operated many all-terrain and rough-terrain cranes from the
company down the years and we have a strong relationship
with our local dealer, Kanoo Machinery.”

The first GRT8100 cranes have already been delivered,
with others to follow over the coming months. They will be
dispatched to a range of jobsites where typical lifts will include
placing heavy machinery at shorter radii, for example when
moving rigs, or lighter picks, working with fully extended
booms for longer periods.

Given the variety of projects lined up for the GRT8100 cranes,
Tamimi Rentals will be able to take full advantage of the

DISTRIBUTORS

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY APPOINTS
ATEC AS OFFICIAL DEALER IN SAUDI ARABIA

Arabian Truck and Equipment Company (ATEC) and Hitachi business covering heavy lifting crawler cranes in
Construction Machinery Middle East have agreed to an
exclusive distributor agreement covering the Kingdom of the Kingdom..
Saudi Arabia for the full product line including mining
equipment and services.

ATEC, a segment of the ZMS Group, offers nationwide
coverage of service and parts centers and will begin their
Hitachi Construction Machinery operation with branches
in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Hitachi Construction
Machinery and ATEC previously agreed to an distributor
agreement in January 2019 for the HSC-Cranes part of the

10

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

SUCCESS

AL TAYER MOTORS WINS FORD TRUCKS’
CHAMPIONS AWARD 2019

Al Tayer Motors, the official Ford Trucks importer-dealer in the “The Champions Award is granted only if there is great success
United Arab Emirates, has won the Champions Award 2019 in all aspects of business performance. This prestigious award
from Ford Trucks’ dealers in 44 countries worldwide for its acknowledges the contribution of Al Tayer Motors’ business
overall performance. performance in the last financial year. Of course, all this can
be possible only with assuring great customer satisfaction as
The accolade win comes even as Al Tayer Motors records the key enabler for full-fledged accomplishments. The Al Tayer
a strong nine months for its trucks business in 2020 with a Motors team achieved this with its undivided focus on the
growth of more than 50 percent in the first nine months of brand, investment on high quality human resources and its
2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The dealership well-analyzed business processes. It is great to see the team
delivered a solid performance with major wins in the strengthening Ford Trucks image in the UAE and we proudly
established construction and waste management segments celebrate them with this well-deserved award,” said Bahattin
with major inroads into the transportation, cargo and Topçu, Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Ford Trucks.
logistics segments.
Al Tayer Motors signed the Ford Trucks brand in 2014 and has
since successfully established and strengthened its presence in
the heavy commercial vehicles sector in the UAE.

“Winning the Champions Award from Ford Trucks is a
tremendous achievement and recognises the hard work of the
entire team in promoting the brand and providing customers
with excellent after-sales services across the UAE,” said Ashok
Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Al Tayer Motors.

Al Tayer Motors retails the full range of commercial vehicles
in the UAE including the award-winning Ford Trucks F-MAX,

Construction series and Tractors & Road series..

EFFICIENCY

AGILITY ABU DHABI INVESTS IN DOUBLE-
TRAILER TRUCKS

Agility, a leading global logistics provider, operates an extensive market, including Active Brake Assist 4, proximity control, and
fleet of trailers in Abu Dhabi. About 50 of those are now lane assist. Agility conducted a transport route survey to identify
double-trailer trucks. Double trailers significantly reduce the any routes that might be risky or challenging for drivers. Agility
number of trips required to haul cargo, decreasing overall insisted on lane assist capability for the vehicles and proposed it
wear and tear on tires and vehicles. In the first six months of to the supplier after determining that drivers would need help
operation, Agility’s fleet management data demonstrates that to navigate sharp round-a-bouts. In the United Arab Emirates,
double trailers reduce fuel use by 26 percent per container, Agility has an industry-leading safety record, linking driver
eliminating about 2,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. incentive pay to safety, rather than speed of operations and has
voluntarily provided extensive third-party training on double
Houssam Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer for Agility Abu
Dhabi, said: “In addition to being environmentally friendly, trailers to ensure it maintains its excellent record..
the double trailers will positively impact productivity - and
that’s good for both Agility and our customers. We are able
to pass a lot of this benefits to our customer by providing
greater flexibility and a significant reduction in the number of
required trips.”

Acquiring the permit to operate double-trailer trucks took six
months of proposals, trials, accident simulations and safety
demonstrations. Agility worked together with a local automotive
distributor to develop the safest possible solution for the

www.PlantAndEquipment.com 11

MIDDLE EAST NEWS STRONG PARTNERSHIP

ROBUST SUPPLY CHAIN AL MASAOOD TBA
AND TOTAL TIE-UP
TRISTAR GROUP LUBRICANT DEAL
WINS $8M CONTRACT
WITH LINDE GLOBAL Al Masaood Tyres, Batteries and Accessories (TBA)
HELIUM Division, has revealed the signing of a strategic new
distributorship agreement with Total Marketing Middle
Tristar Group, announced that it has won a five-year East (TMME), a leading lubricant company in the GCC
contract, valued at $8 million, with Linde Global Helium. region and an affiliate of Total, a global energy major.
Playing a key role in Linde Global Helium’s supply chain, The agreement was signed between Salah Adib, General
Tristar will provide transport for Linde’s helium cargo across Manager at Al Masaood TBA and Karine Singh, Managing
the GCC. Director at Total Marketing Middle East.

Tristar will utilise its specially designed fleet which has Under the terms of the new partnership, Al Masaood
advanced built-in safety features, to ensure the safe transport TBA will serve as an official distributor of Total branded
and delivery of Linde’s cryogenic containers. Furthermore, lubricants in the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The newly signed
the cargo will be transported by Tristar’s professional drivers, agreement proves to be very timely and strategic with
who are all accredited and qualified in the handling of both parties combining their industry expertise to further
hazardous products including cryogenic gases at extremely expand their presence in the automotive aftersales
low temperatures. market in the UAE. The distributorship agreement will
further reinforce the existing partnership that spanned
Eugene Mayne, Group CEO of Tristar, said: “We are delighted over 20 years between Al Masaood TBA and Total
to have signed this contract with our long-standing customer, Marketing Middle East.
Linde Global Helium. Whilst this is most certainly a major
win for us, we’re even more honored to continue working With the new agreement in place, Total Marketing
with Linde as they share in Tristar’s values and hold the same Middle East is planning to increase its number of oil
standards when it comes to health and safety.” change outlets in the UAE – reinforcing its position as
one of the market leaders and being able to expand its
Kurt Richter, Head of Helium Supply Chain Management geographical reach in the country. Customers are also
at Linde, said: “Helium is a globally traded gas. We pride expected to benefit from the partnership as they will now
ourselves on having a robust supply chain, with a diverse have better access to premium quality lubricants.
portfolio of sources, the largest fleet of cryogenic Bulk
Helium containers in the world, and a state-of-the-art facility Salah Adib, General Manager at Al Masaood TBA, said:
in Dubai for the staging and maintenance of our global fleet. “We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership
With Tristar, we have a reliable partner who supports us in with Total Marketing Middle East. It’s a powerful
ensuring the supply of our global helium customers safely partnership that has remained solid over the years and
and on time, wherever they are.” has identified Total Middle East as one of our most
reliable partners for more than two decades.”
Tristar has been providing transportation services to Linde
Global since 2006 across the GCC. Earlier this year, Tristar Karine Singh, Managing Director at Total Marketing
Group’s joint venture in Saudi Arabia, United Stars, signed Middle East, said: “Through our partnership with Al
a five-year contract with Linde-Sigas, to transport industrial Masaood TBA, we were able to reinforce our presence
and medical gases to Linde-Sigas clients across the Kingdom in the lubricant industry in the UAE. Expanding our
from five centrally located depots in Dammam, Jeddah, network of sales and support personnel and being in
close proximity to our customers are key initiatives
Riyadh, Jubail, and Yanbu..
towards achieving that.”.
12

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY

STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE AT RITCHIE BROS.’
LATEST DUBAI AUCTION

Ritchie Bros. completed its December online machinery and dump trucks, mobile cranes and more. This edition of the
heavy equipment auction in Dubai, selling over 1,450 pieces auction also saw increased numbers of buses, pickup trucks,
of equipment, trucks and other items for more than 210 of its and passenger vehicles being consigned, further broadening
consigning customers. the auction inventory and range of options for buyers.

Over 1,200 online bidders from 83 countries registered for “We saw an impressive number of registered bidders participate
the December Dubai event, which concluded on December in our December online auction,” said Eduard Faig, Regional
16. More than 40 percent of the equipment in the auction Sales Manager at Ritchie Bros., Middle East. “After the auction,
was purchased by bidders from countries outside the UAE, we received a lot of positive feedback from online bidders
including Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. The auction who told us how easy it was to use our Online Timed Auction
was conducted entirely online using Ritchie Bros.’ easy-to-use system, accessible through our website via our mobile app.”
Online Timed Auction system.
Bidders could research sale items on the Ritchie Bros. website
The Dubai auction inventory ranged from excavators, wheel and app, or in person during viewing days, following the strict
loaders, crawler tractors and backhoes through to articulated health, safety and physical distancing precautions in place
at the Ritchie Bros.’ Dubai auction site. Ritchie Bros.’ Timed
Auctions have no physical auctioneer, with bidding open for
several days, with auction lots closing at staggered times
during the final days.

Faig concluded: “Bidders enjoy the online experience because
there's more time to place bids, plus they receive status
notifications on their devices, which makes it both convenient
and fun. It is exciting to see businesses embracing our
technology and confidently buying and selling at our auctions
throughout this challenging period.”

Ritchie Bros. is currently listing new items for its next

quarterly auction, which will take place in March 2021..

DURABILITY

LAND ROVER RETURNS TO THE DAKAR IN 2021

Land Rover’s most capable and durable 4x4 is taking on the The Indus Silver models are powered by Land Rover’s 400PS
ultimate all-terrain challenge with two Defender 110 support straight-six Ingenium petrol engine, featuring Mild Hybrid
vehicles destined for the Dakar Rally 2021. The rally is one of Electric Vehicle technology, and are fitted with the Explorer
the toughest sporting events in the world and the production- Pack, which includes an Expedition Roof Rack, Raised Air
spec models will support ambitious new Dakar Rally and Intake, Wheel Arch Protection and Exterior Side-Mounted Gear
Prodrive-backed team, Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) throughout Carrier. In addition, a Deployable Roof Ladder provides easy
the 7,646km race.
access to a roof box, which will help BRX carry all..
The pair of New Defender 110 4x4s will have to negotiate
extreme conditions, traversing desert dunes, mud, camel grass
and rocks as they carry vital supplies, crew and equipment for
the team and drivers. BRX’s driver lineup includes nine-time
World Rally Champion, Sébastien Loeb, from France, and
two-time Dakar Rally winner, Nani Roma, from Spain. The
showroom-standard models will also provide essential support
for crew members, who will camp, eat and sleep in the P400
models across 12 gruelling stages of desert driving.

14

Authorized Dealer in Saudi Arabia
‫الوكيل المعتمد في المملكة العربية السعودية‬

RIYADH
Eastern Ring Road Exit 17
Toll Free: 920002395 | Tel: +966 114714789
DAMMAM
Dammam Jubail Highway Road
Tel: +966 535687301
JEDDAH
Exhibitions - Aljawharah
Tel: +966 539146796

[email protected]
www.dieselmachinery.com.sa

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES

AL WEGDANIYAH TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS
SWITCHES TO NEUTRAL FUELS BIOFUEL FOR
ITS FLEET OPERATION

Al Wegdaniyah Transport Solutions is switching from fossil our operations too. In this case we’ll be using a very modern
fuel to Neutral Fuels biofuel for the fleet of buses it uses for fuel to support our client’s wishes to reduce the carbon
staff transportation services and mall shuttles. Al Wegdaniyah, footprint of their road operations.”
which has an enormous fleet of vehicles, has been serving the
rental and leasing needs of corporate UAE for more than Al Wegdaniyah clients include Emirates Airline staff who are
10 years. collected and delivered across Dubai 24x7. They also run shuttle
buses for shopping malls such as Nakheel Mall and The Pointe,
Mohamed Lashin, General Manager of Al Wegdaniyah and hotels such as Palazzo Versace and Jood Palace.
Transport, said: “We maintain our leadership position by
adopting the latest technologies, not just in our vehicles but in Karl Feilder, CEO of Neutral Fuels, said that Al Wegdaniyah
was to be admired for its carbon-saving initiatives. “They have
put many initiatives in place to reduce the road transport
carbon footprint of their clients. These include using more
fuel-efficient vehicles, optimizing trip planning to reduce the
number of routes and empty trips, and teaching fuel efficient
driving practices. Now they’re making their most significant
change by switching to biofuel.”

This is in line with the energy-related sustainability goals
the UAE has committed to achieving by 2050: cutting CO2
emissions by 70% and increasing clean energy use by 50%.
Feilder added that using net zero biofuel is the quickest
and easiest way for any company to radically reduce its

carbon footprint..

STRATEGIC HIRE

ACCESS GROUP MIDDLE EAST HIRES NEW
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Access Group Middle East appointed Ayub Khan Sardar power generators, dewatering pumps, vacuum pumps and
as Director of Business Development. As a member of the their applications as such bringing the know-how to improve
management team, Sardar will be responsible for expanding
new and existing business relationships and playing a our customer experience..
pivotal role in ensuring the company’s vision, mission and
values are executed.

Over 25 years of experience in one of the largest, most
reputable multinational groups, Atlas Copco, holding top-
level managerial positions in multiple countries with P&L
responsibilities, Sardar has worked closely with diverse
market segments such as oil & gas, mining, construction,
process, defense and shipping. Sardar is highly skilled and
experienced with air compressors, air & nitrogen boosters,
air purification equipment, nitrogen membranes, diesel

16

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

LIGHT-DUTY TRUCKS

FUSO CANTER EURO 5 LAUNCHED IN THE UAE

Al Habtoor Motors and Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA
recently launched the new Fuso Canter Euro 5 in Dubai. The
Canter is highly popular in the Middle East region and has
remained prominent in the market for more than 57 years and
across 8 different model generations.

There are two different cab widths available: the streamlined
standard cabin, which is just 1,695mm wide and suitable
for use in restricted spaces; and the comfortable wide cabin,
measuring 1,995mm in width. In addition, the wide cabin
is also available with a crew cabin option - fitting up to
seven persons.

The new Fuso Canter range covers all the key segments output of 110kW (150ps). The all-wheel drive can be engaged
for light-duty trucks. This includes two different axle whenever required; the Canter 4x4 includes the standard-fit
configurations in 4x2 and 4x4 variants with a wide range of engageable reduction gear. This reduces the maximum speed
permissible gross vehicle weight spectrum from 5.7 tons to in the respective gears by a factor of 1.987 and also increases
8.55 tons traction by this amount. The crew cabin option will also be
available on the 4x4 model.
Currently the range is available with 5-speed manual
transmission. A 6-speed automated manual transmission The new Fuso Canter Euro 5 range offers a number of new
(AMT) will soon be launched for the new Canter range in the safety systems which includes ABS (Antilock Braking System),
6.5 tons weight variant. EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), BOS (Brake Override
System), driver and co-driver airbags, tubeless tyres and more.
Several measures have been implemented into the newly The standard braking system is equipped with disc brakes on
designed common-rail 4P10 engine with 2,998ccm 2,998cc both axles, which guarantees superior braking performance &
which is available in two engine outputs with 96kW (130ps) heat dissipation under continuous heavy braking.
and 110kW (150ps). Both engines offer a flat torque curve
with 300Nm and 370Nm at 1,300rpm & 1,320rpm respectively. The Canter with the highest GVW & 4x4 configurations are
equipped with drum brakes at the rear axle on both axles. The
Using a higher torque engine with lower RPM ensures lesser standard Exhaust Brake System (EBS) valve is fitted on the
strain on the engine and an overall longer engine life. With the turbo charger outlet. This system uses the vehicle exhaust gas
newly available Euro 5 emission, less CO2 and NOx are emitted to create a backpressure to slow down the engine, enabling
resulting in a reduced carbon footprint. The new Canter over- vehicle stability. This results in reduced stress on service
fulfils the local emission norm required in the UAE. brakes when driving downhill and therefore a reduction in
maintenance costs of the vehicle.
The other special features of the new Fuso Canter Euro 5
range include the variant with manually selectable all-wheel Al Habtoor Motors has focused on building customer
drive with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 6.0 confidence by providing Fuso customers not only the best
tons, a 1,995mm comfortable wide cabin and an engine choice of vehicles through its 8 showrooms network, but also
high quality after-sales support through its 11 Parts Outlets
and 7 Service Centers spread across the UAE. For the better
convenience of the customers, there are two Mobile Service
Units as well.

Add to the excellent after-sales support, Al Habtoor Motors
has also taken care to provide Drivers & Technicians of Fleet
customers extensive Customer Training at its Technical
Training Centre in DIC. Al Habtoor Motors also has a Central
Parts Distribution Warehouse in DIC along with 2 PDI &
Logistics Facilities to ensure uninterrupted supply of vehicles

as well as spare parts..

www.PlantAndEquipment.com 17

MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

FUTURE
IN FOCUS

Saudi Arabian-based Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery
Company plans on maximising its opportunities by being
an integral part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

18

MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

A l Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company has a pandemic changed a lot of equations. The industry shrank
strong presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since due to the suspension of many oil & gas mega projects,” says
its inception in 2006. The company’s CEO, Eng. Abdul Al Qahtani. However, diversification has proved to be the way
Hadi Tariq Al-Qahtani, says: “Our group has faced about nine forward. The Kingdom now has a series of new diversified
major global events that have impacted the bottomline, but projects in a variety of sectors which will need to be addressed
we’ve always survived.” Wise management, a far-sighted vision by the construction industry. Additionally, the equipment
coupled with partners’ support is the driving force behind the dealer has also paid greater attention to many services and
company’s longevity and successful continuity. maintenance projects. These projects have played a major
role in keeping the demand for construction equipment at a
The past year was remarkable in more ways than one. It left relatively healthy level.
a lasting imprint on businesses not only in the Kingdom but
globally too. For the construction industry in Saudi Arabia, the Hope for a better year is the only way forward and Al Qahtani
demand for equipment reached a record low, but Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company is prepared to move ahead.
Vehicle and Machinery Company managed to keep a steady “Increasing our market share, adding new partners to our
flow of sales of some special equipment the demand for which existing portfolio of top global suppliers and sourcing new
remained constant - thanks to the wide and diverse product products is what we have on our agenda for the year,” says
line that the company offers. However, stock levels had to be Al-Qahtani about 2021. The company has an ambitious plan
realigned and eventually became healthy and well maintained to strengthen its participation, maximise its opportunities, and
to cope with the changing demand as 2020 progressed. increase its market share by supplying equipment to new major
Customer service, though, remained top priority and was not projects throughout the regions in the Kingdom, especially
affected in any way. those projects that are part of the Kingdom’s new Vision 2030.
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 rests on three pillars that represent
“Although the construction industry in Saudi Arabia has been the country’s unique competitive advantages. Building on the
booming with very substantial and sustainable growth, the country’s leading role as the heart of the Arab and Islamic

www.PlantAndEquipment.com 19

MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

Eng. Abdul Hadi Tariq Al-Qahtani, CEO of Al Qahtani Vehicle range of industries in Saudi Arabia, markets such as civil
and Machinery Company. construction, local government, grain handling, quarries
and agriculture. LiuGong continually invests in research and
worlds, there are countless new initiatives in progress. development as part of their commitment to ensuring a high-
Simultaneously, the country is making use of its investment quality product at an affordable price.
power to create a more diverse and sustainable economy. After sales
Lastly, the country’s strategic location is an integral driver of For Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company, what
international trade and the connection to three continents: goes hand-in-hand with representing a number of global
Africa, Asia and Europe. Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery construction machines in the Kingdom is a robust after
Company’s alignment with the country’s vision is guaranteed sales service. Their investment in a state-of-the-art services
to keep them completely occupied in the upcoming future. workshop that addresses all the maintenance requirements of
their clients, as well as a large fleet of mobile service vehicles
LiuGong - the all rounder machine that reach out to clients in remote areas.
Their parts department preserves large stocks of spare parts
Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company are the sole that covers all the customers’ needs from fast-moving items,
dealers and distributors of Chinese construction equipment service and overhauling kits, as well as emergency parts like
machine manufacturer, LiuGong, in the Kingdom. “This year, complete components. “We have also our parts-online website
we have supplied LiuGong equipment to multiple clients that helps our customers to search for parts, check their
who are working in different sectors,” says Al Qahtani. orders, and monitor delivery,” adds Al Qahtani. The company’s
These sectors include logistics, municipal works, oil & gas, rental department includes a wide variety of machines that are
rig moving, as well as road service and maintenance. In well maintained and backed up by qualified operators ready to
2021, Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company intends serve their clients.
to continue building on their strong presence in these sectors “We even have a used equipment department, or as we call it,
as well as construction projects that will serve the Kingdom’s Quality Used Equipment,” says Al Qahtani. This division offers
diversification into recreational mega projects. machines that have been totally renovated into being as close
to their original state using original parts. They are repainted
LiuGong machines have proved to be quite popular as they to look as good as new machines and are the perfect solution
provide a wide range of products, have high performance for clients on a budget. The used machines also come backed
levels, are easy to maintain and hence have a lower operating
cost as compared to other machines. “Wheel loaders as well as with warranty by the company..
forklifts have always been the biggest players in our scope of
supply,” adds Al Qahtani. LiuGong machines are sturdy, cost effective and used for a variety
of industries and come with a robust service and support plan.
LiuGong machines come with more than 60 years of
experience and learning behind them. The brand was Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company maintains a
established in 1958, and the Saudi market has the latest complete parts and equipment warehouse.
LiuGong machines distributed by Al Qahtani Vehicle and
Machinery Company. Committed to world-class quality and
engineering, LiuGong machines utilise globally recognised
systems and work with parts suppliers who are renowned for
their reliability, such as Cummins and ZF.

With an intense emphasis on quality, LiuGong machines work
on Six Sigma methodology and are ISO 9000 compliant.
Conforming to these standards result in better quality of
service, product and support for the end user. LiuGong is
quickly filling the void of cost effective, good quality machines
with strong after sales support. This is demonstrated by the
growing number of LiuGong machines used across a broad

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

MIDDLE EAST NEWS - COVER STORY

INVESTED

IN QUALITY

Quarry Mining manufactures and installs a wide range of
plants for the quarry and minerals sector from its base in
Ras Al Khaimah. Despite pandemic disruptions, 2020 was
the busiest year in the company’s history, says Managing
Director Moritz Kerler.

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - COVER STORY

As the construction industry in Dubai boomed in the
mid-2000s, demand for aggregates was at an all-time
high, supplied mainly from quarries in Ras Al Khaimah
and Fujairah. Since then, as demand has dropped off, many
quarries have closed down - according to one estimate, only
80 quarries are operating compared with 200 at the peak.
There’s also been rising demand for high specification
materials for industrial plants - such as steel factories in
India - and other applications, demand that only sophisticated
operators can meet.

Many quarries have also been shut down for environmental
reasons, especially if they didn’t invest in functioning de-
dusting plants or stockpile encapsulation.

For Moritz Kerler, Managing Director of Quarry Mining LLC,
it illustrates a key fact for quarries, mines and businesses
more generally: that to stay ahead they need to be constantly
investing in new plant and equipment, improve products and
processes, and be ready to meet any changes in the market.

“We can see the same thing here that we have seen in Europe
and in other markets. The big grow much bigger, and many
small ones disappear. This is how it is, especially in the
minerals business: if you don’t go big, you have no chance,”
he says.

Kerler has been selling plant to mines and quarries in the
region since 1975. Quarry Mining, which is based in Ras
Al Khaimah specialises in manufacturing of plant including
conveyors, feeders, steel support structures, and the
installation of plants for quarries and mines.

The company works with partners including Kleemann
(mobile crushers), Thyssen Krupp, and other European OEMs
(primarily German), and has a joint venture with Stiebel
for gear motors. In addition to manufacturing a large range
of steel products at their factory, they also assemble some
products on site, including the Stiebel gear motors, which
saves the import tax for GCC companies.

Outside of the UAE, the company has an office in Ras Al-Khair,
the Minerals Industrial City north of Jubail in the eastern
province of Saudi Arabia, while it has provided plant to major
projects across the Middle East and Africa – recently that
includes Jordan and Tanzania.

When it comes to winning projects, the focus on quality is
what gets them across the line. Kerler says they are focused
on what the customer wants and will use the equipment best
suited to their requirements, whichever brand it is, rather than
always looking to sell one particular brand. “We only offer that
product with which our client can make best product and by
that best profit.”

“Quality is always on top,” says Kerler. “If we design and sell
a plant, we want that plant to work for 30-50 years ago, not
only 14 or 15 years, like some of our competitors do. We are
focused on quality.”

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - COVER STORY

They offer both ‘standard’ and custom plants for quarries, He sees big demand for grades such as 30-60, 40-80, 50-
but as Kerler notes, in the UAE today there is almost no thing 100, mainly required for Indian steel plants. Because they
as a standard solution anymore, since most sites want very calcine the rock in the kiln it has to be a very specific quality
specific plants as quarries must be able to meet a wide variety – suppliers will be penalized if the rocks don’t meet the
of demands. standards, as this will increase energy costs for the factories.
“In the good old days the demand was for the sand, 5-10
10-20, that time is over because the market became more Apart from industrial applications, producing special designed
demanding and more competitive. Now to produce your sand is another growing business area. “If you want to produce
product at a reasonable cost, you need to have different that high quality sand you need very specific machinery and
aggregate sizes to compete. Those quarries who did their screens to produce it. This is a kind of niche business, and
homework and introduced new products, they do the business there we are quite successful,” he says.
now,” says Kerler.
Beyond the UAE, Kerler sees KSA as a big opportunity, as the
Quarry Mining has extensive experience fabricating and Kingdom makes major investments into its mineral and mining
installing plants for quarries and mines. industry as part of its drive to diversify its economy away from
oil – not to mention that the country has rich mineral deposits,
unlike the UAE. Their office in Ras Al-Khair, with workers in-
country on Saudi work visas, and Kerler’s connections in the
country, means they are set up to do business there and have
already won a number of projects.

“Mining is next huge big opportunity for [Saudi Arabia]
because they are not only blessed with oil and gas, they’re also
blessed with minerals,” he says.

The company is also increasingly focused on meeting demand
in Africa, where the buyers are looking for standard plants,
says Kerler. “We have products that can meet every price
segment,” he notes. With a sufficient work-force – in total,
ranging between 130-170 people, with more than 30 staff

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - COVER STORY

Moritz Kerler, Managing Director of Quarry Mining LLC.

working just on installation and commissioning, the company companies in the world. The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which
can also operate at a much lower cost than a European owns the quarries, is also a shareholder in Quarry Mining.
company. With technicians sometimes on site for up to a year,
the company is “very flexible in the scope of work,” he says. At Stevin Rock, the largest quarry in the Middle East, the
company has installed a series of conveyors that can take
They recently completed the installation of a plant to material down the hill at the rate of 3,000, 3500 and 4500
manufacture gypsum board in Tanzania, which included tonnes an hour, including capturing the braking energy and
crusher, conveyors, steel and duct work and silos. In addition to feeding it into the natural grid. Currently Quarry Mining is
the installation of their plant, they also carried out additional getting set to install an additional 1.4km of conveyors there.
work on-site, since the workers from other companies could
not reach the site due to travel restrictions. “Africa is definitely With site dumpers making up a major cost for a quarry or
a major market for us for the future,” says Kerler. mine, especially tyres and the diesel, using conveyors can
produce major savings for a site, though the initial investment
For all the business disruptions of 2020, this year was means it will take several years for the savings to be realized.
the busiest they’ve ever been, says Kerler. To minimize In the case of Stevin Rock, the site has been able to gradually
the impact of COVID-19, he took all their staff out of reduce its total dumper fleet each year, even as it has scaled
shared accommodation, and moved them into temporary up production, says Kerler. The use of conveyors rather than
accommodation on their site, while they built a new three- trucks also has a positive environmental impact.
story dormitory to house 72 staff, since completed. So far
they haven’t had a single case of Corona among the workers, The company is also set to work on the upgrade of
something that has helped them meet all their project delivery infrastructure at sea ports in Ras Al Khaimah.
deadlines, and even helped win them new work, with some
government procurement processes particularly focused on Speaking at the end of 2020, Kerler says they’re gearing up
HSE this year. for an even bigger year in 2021. The company is making a
series of major investments in their manufacturing capabilities,
Saving costs on-site adding three new large CNC control machines to automate
some of the production and improve quality, and a new
Quarry Mining has a long association with Stevin Rock and sandblast plant and paint shop, which will improve quality,
sister company RAK Rock, having carried out major works at provide a better, safer working conditions for factory staff, and
the two sites, which together are one of the largest quarrying be more environmentally friendly.

Currently they are waiting for an assessor to grant them the
EN 1090 Factory Production Control (FPC) standard, which
would allow them to stamp the EC designation on their
products – the process has been delayed by the pandemic,
but Kerler is optimistic they will soon receive this prestigious
designation from TÜV Rheinland.

Of the factory upgrades, these will result in a better end
product with higher quality, says Kerler. “If you don’t do your
homework in this field, you will be left on the side, I see it with
my major customers - they invest every year. So it’s clear: if
you want to sustain your business your quality must get better

and your working processes must become more modern.”.

www.PlantAndEquipment.com 25

MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

ATTACHED
TO GROWTH

Auger Torque has set a new standard in the
earthmoving attachment market. In the region
for a few years now, Auger Torque provides
clever solutions for a variety of industries.

Auger Torque’s attachments work seamlessly
in a variety of industries and applications.

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

The Auger Torque and Kinshofer Group have numerous
unique attachments that convert heavy equipment
into multi-functional assets, helping customers
accomplish projects using their attachments which would
normally mean purchasing dedicated capex equipment.
It offers customers a one-stop-shop solution to access the
widest variety of attachments.

Auger Torque first started supplying to the Middle East
market in 2010, but it was 2016 and 2017 when the real
regional business development began. To capitalise and
build market share it was imperative to have stock and a
team based in the UAE.

Today there is growing demand for the niche attachments
that Auger Torque provides and an increasing customer base
across the Middle East. Auger Torque is providing solutions
in numerous applications such as dewatering, pre-drilling
for sheet piling, micro piling, deep trenching in hard rock,
solar panel foundations and fencing. With a growing dealer
network, the company is finally well placed to support the
ongoing and increasing construction market demands.

With Auger Torque’s unique business solution, it was
important to first educate the market about the product
line as prior to 2016, potential clients’ awareness of these
types of attachments was minimal due to the non-existence
of any suppliers/manufacturers in the region. Today, the
local team works closely with R&D, to develop new fit for
purpose products or adapt existing ones to meet customer
challenges. Having products and specialists on the ground
increases consumer confidence. Seeing the product in action,
understanding how it works, and having locally available
spare parts for service and maintenance, makes Auger
Torque the viable option for earthmoving applications in
the Middle East region.

Ease of use

Auger Torque utilizes high quality engineering components
to build their attachments. This is exhibited in their global
warranty statement offered with every product sold.

When it comes to aftermarket services – the relative
modular nature of the drives and attachments makes it
easy for customers, dealers, and distributors to repair
equipment locally. For example, gear oil for Earth drills
can be purchased from Auger Torque or sourced locally.
Details and grade are mentioned in the operator’s manual
clearly and customers are given the guidance as to where to
source it. Spare parts are locally maintained and can be sent
immediately to specific regions without any issue.

Operator training

The brand’s Dubai-based Business Development Manager
and a network of expert dealers offer onsite training,

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS - PROFILE

installation support, product support, spare parts Key projects
and customer support. These dealers are especially
selected to take the Auger Torque brand to market • UAE - Abu Dhabi - Khalifa B project light pole foundation
based on their wide and varied knowledge of the
Middle East market, parent machines, applications • UAE - Khalifa Port expansion - Micro piling, casing installation
and how to optimise use of the attachments.
• Kuwait - KNP Sulphur Cracker unit - Earth drills - 300mm auger
Spare parts for all Auger Torque attachments 18m depth
are maintained in Jebel Ali and dealers also
maintain parts within their location. Gear oil used • Qatar - Amiri Diwan - Marine platforms - Earth drill
is standard hydraulic oil which can be locally
procured, and customers are urged to change • Qatar - Street utilities - Drum cutters - 1.2m wide 8.5m depth
it at regular intervals. Dealers play a key role, trenching
with follow-up servicing of the units with their
customers, an additional revenue stream for them. • Oman - Muscat WWTP - Predrilling sheet piling
Tool schematics are shared with customers and
dealers alike to help local service specialists identify
which parts may need repair or change.

Best sellers • UAE - Dubai - Sustainable City Solar Project - Helical pile
Currently, the most popular products are earth application with Earth drills

drills, hard rock augers and drum cutters. • Oman - Ibri Highway street light - Drum cutters/Earth drills/
An earth drill is a hydraulic motor, that when Hard rock Augers

connected to the hydraulic of any parent machine

can be used with an auger to drill holes into • Saudi Arabia - Aramco Jazan Refinery Onshore - Earth drills and
varying strata. Micro piling or drilling often takes 1.2m Ø/5m depth Auger system

place in restricted access areas, with the ability to

drill varying diametre holes to varying depths while

using a standard excavator. Reasonably priced be done at varying depths and in hard ground conditions. A
whilst boasting superior quality and capability, they often drum cutter is a hydraulic attachment that utilises a hydraulic
impress when seen in action, and usually result in enquiries motor, coupled with a gear system to drive a shaft, with two
for cased drilling applications, drilling into hard rock and more drum teeth attached. The drums rotate, fracturing rock and
recently using a rotary head on a down the hole hammer to trenching at the same time. This product is proving popular
pursue percussive drilling. because customers demand a quality product, capable of

Drum cutters have also generated great interest for the brand, immense strength and speed to get the job done. Additionally,

with demand centred around the fact that trenching needs to the same drum cutter can be used for demolition work..

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