Latin meeting

First edition of the event attracted to the capital of Chile 32,000 visitors from 90 countries that could see the news of the industry in an area of 40,000 sq.mt.

In a scenario of economic uncertainty, Latin America not only received one more trade show of construction equipment but also starts to shelter an event that apparently will achieve a prominent place in the calendar of this industry. At least this is its proposal.

Carried out between October 21 and 24 in the Espacio Riesco, at Santiago (Chile), the first edition of the ConExpo Latin America covered an area of 40,000 sq.mt., gathering 300 exhibitors of the whole world and more five national pavilions (China, Germany, Italy, North America and United Kingdom). The trade show attracted a total of approximately 32,000 visitors coming from more than 90 countries, say its organizers.

Undoubtedly, the choice of Chile to host the event took into account some expressive figures of this Andean country. According to projections carried out a year ago by the Study Management of the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (Sofofa – Federation of Industry)—an entity similar to Brazilian Fiesp—the country has investment projects in the area that reach almost 20 billion dollars. Infrastructure reached an expected total of 8.2 billion dollars, above energy (5 billion dollars) and quite above areas such as industry, tourism, commerce and services that together did not reach 1.5 billion dollars in investments, as shown in the study.

Even showing a reduction of 10 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, the Hispanic American Market of equipment also surpassed again the Brazilian market in units sold, what did not occur since 2008, as shown in the data gathered at the end of 2014 by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which sponsored the trade show. The inversion of the curve occurred with estimated sales of 18,000 units in the Hispanic America against 13,000 units sold in Brazil during that year.

Showing many facets, the event was carried out in parallel to the exhibitions Edifica and ExpoHormigón, which gathered 800 exhibitors in an area of 5,000 sq.mt and developed several technical seminars, professional conferences and educational programs. “Our association has a large path of commitment with Latin America, always with the purpose of contributing for the business development and stimulating the cooperation in the industry”, said Dennis Slater, president of AEM.

NEW PRODUCTS

And the manufacturers understood the business opportunity that ConExpo Latin America starts to offer. The companies established—each one at its own way—market strategies that had in common the focus on a market of huge potential. In three pavilions and at open space, the most recent technologies introduced by the industry were shown, with highlight for constructive solutions, specialized services and heavy equipment of a huge variety of families, distributed by 20 categories of products. Many of these machines were seen in Latin America by the first time.

This is the case of the model EC750DL, the excavator of highest capacity from Volvo CE. With its operating weight of 72.7 metric tons, this machine was designed for massive excavation, trenching, disaggregation of rock walls, mining loading and other applications. Among its improvements in comparison with the previous model, the increase in bucket capacity (total of 4.5 cu.mt., 10 percent more), traction force (6 percent), engine power output (11 percent) and hydraulic power (10 percent) stand out. These features contribute for an increase of 3 percent in the hydraulic flow, ensuring a higher speed in the cycle and increasing in 9 percent the force of excavation, says the manufacturer. With this new product—which was escorted by two wheel excavators—the manufacturer makes stronger its focus on the Latin American market. “Considering only the Hispanic area, we had a significant progress, from 5.5 to 5.9 percent”, pointed out Afrânio Chueire, president of Volvo CE Latin America, talking about recent data of AEM referred to the market of the Southern Cone.

Controlled by Volvo CE and dividing dual-brand strategies with this company, SDLG also brought news. The main one was the large soil compactor RS7120, which is its first road construction equipment presented in Latin America. This is a 12-ton equipment that—according to the manufacturer—ensures high capacity of compaction due to the combination of drum weight and centrifugal force. Having double amplitude in the vibration system, the equipment ensures also an articulation of 35 degrees and an oscillation of 12 degrees. Together with a 30-ton excavator, the compactor will be available only for Hispanic American countries and will be a step ahead of the company in this region. “It is very important to understand which segments we are attending”, emphasized Enrique Ramirez, director of SDLG Latin America. “This is allowing us to build a multi-product portfolio, with an expressive fleet above 4,000 machines.”

Another manufacturer that presented new products in the Trade Show was LiuGong, that brought three lines of its Premium products and spread its brand Dressta. Programmed to come soon to Brazil, the new version of the loader 856H Tier III was presented as a real milestone in its line. This machine brings a strong evolution which promises an increase of 6 percent in performance and of 12 percent in fuel economy. Compared to the previous model, this machine has larger dimensions (8.1 x 3.4 m) and weight (17.2 t) and increased its force of disaggregation (175 kN), bucket discharge reach (1.1 m) and wheelbase (3.3 m). “This new generation has an operating capacity similar to any other traditional brand of the market”, emphasized Bruno Barsanti, vice-president of LiuGong Latin America. “This is a product ready to face any competitor and to ensure easier maintenance and parts supply.”