MORE THAN 20% PRODUCTIVITY INCREASE FOR BRAZILIAN LOGISTICS COMPANY WITH THE NEMAX GRAB.

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PEINER ship grabs – cost-efficient in procurement and operation

For 70 years PEINER grabs have been present on the market and are today distributed by PEINER SMAG Lifting Technologies GmbH, a global player among the suppliers of bulk handling equipment. Common is their dual scoop grabs suitable for the maritime sector. In addition to the universally applicable rope grabs for general cargo cranes, the company offers electro-hydraulic motor grabs, which are used for single rope cranes and require a power supply from the crane. The most widely used motor grab is the MZG/L series. High handling quantities per loading cycle is the outstanding feature of this type of grab. By means of power-controlled hydraulic pumps, the electrical power supply is very efficiently converted into handling power. The motor grab achieves an optimum filling degree through high closing forces. No matter if light, medium or heavy bulk materials – with its customized dual scoop design the grab copes with different materials to be handled. One key advantage is that the grab control can be integrated into the control of the crane and operated from the crane cabin.

Among the rope grabs, the radio-controlled single-rope grab (EGF), is the predestined ship grab. Many bulk carrier operators use this proven and continuously developed rope grab in the tough cargo handling business, for good reason: Using this model allows any shipboard or container crane to handle bulk material in the shortest possible time without additional equipment. Their major advantage: they can work without power supply from the crane – the operator just has to charge the batteries and the grab is ready for operation. The PEINER radio-controlled single-rope grab can be precisely controlled wirelessly with the portable, robust handheld terminal. It enables reliable, interference-free radio communication up to 500 m. High-performance accumulators of the remote control guarantee continuous operation for up to 24 hours and can be easily changed within a few minutes without any extra tools.

Mature technology for bulk handling worldwide

PEINER grabs can be found in almost every port of the world and is the leading brand for the loading and unloading of bulk carriers. The product portfolio ranges from mechanical four-rope grabs, electro-hydraulic motor grabs, radio-controlled single-rope grabs, hydraulic grabs, slewing units (rotators) to special lifting accessories. With regard to the specific demands in the shipping industry PEINER dual scoop grabs enable cost-effective loading and unloading of a broad range of cargo, such as coal, ore, minerals, grain, fertilisers etc. Scoops and lips are always adapted to the respective cargo. In addition, various sealing systems can be supplied to prevent spillage and dust emission. The application areas of various dual scoop grabs are as versatile as the bulk material: ports, cargo terminals, bulk carriers, industrial enterprises. PEINER motor and rope grabs are suitable for the use in rough bulk handling environments and can be operated in every climate. All components are resistant to water.

In-house R&D and Manufacturing

Thanks to the global SMAG group structure with its own plants in Germany, China and India, PSLT can supply complete grabs from all locations. Customers benefit from a fast and flexible after-sales service network in over 70 countries with decentralized spare parts warehouses, e.g. in Singapore.
PEINER SMAG Lifting Technologies, stands for sophisticated, reliable technology that provides a quick and economical solution for any handling task in demanding work environments.

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The management of Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe NV (HCME) intends to move the production and assembly activities currently taking place in Oosterhout to the existing HCME production location in Amsterdam. In the Netherlands, HCME will focus on producing customized machines, in order to better meet the increasing demand from its dealers across Europe. To take advantage of economies of scale, the production and assembly of standard machines will be left mainly to the factories in Japan. The consultation process with the Works Council and the discussions with the trade unions for this proposed relocation have now started.

HCME expects to complete these discussions after the summer. Thereafter, this transition will take several months, and the company aims its completion in December 2021. When the plan goes ahead, possibly 115 jobs may get lost in the course of 2021.

The company is currently prioritizing support for its employees. The content of a social plan will be discussed with the unions, whereby redundancies cannot be ruled out. The company promises to make every effort to support its employees in finding other work, either within the company or outside through outplacement.

Background of relocation
In order to guarantee the continuity of the company in the longer term and thereby safeguard employment, the business model has been revised. HCME will offer the dealers more customized solutions for the Hitachi machinery. This is something all dealers throughout Europe request from HCME, saving them unnecessary activities, such as removing and replacing the cabin to install for instance a heating device. The organization sees a growing demand for these tailor-made machines. However, from then on, the standard machines for distribution in Europe will mainly be produced in Japan. Additionally, investments will be made in innovations in the areas like service, parts, training and lease/rental. It is expected that these changes will enable HCME to respond to the demand of the European market in a more customer oriented and efficient manner. The poor results in recent years, the changing market demand and the current economic conditions made it necessary for HCME to come to this decision.

About HCME

HCM is a division of Hitachi which has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese conglomerate develops and produces some 20,000 products within more than a 1,000 business units, all dedicated to markets like IT, Industry, Mobility, Energy and Smart Life. Where the entire organization employs around 320,000 people all over the world, the Hitachi Construction Machinery Division employs approximately 25,000 people. At HCM Europe some 600 people are working to produce, sell and support a complete range of high quality hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders and mining equipment for the European market.

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EPISODE 2 OF THE J&B GRIJPERS / J&B GRABS STORY

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 21, 2020) –As Earth Day reaches its milestone 50^th Anniversary on April 22, Ports of Indiana reflects on its progress and long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, including its membership to the binational Green Marine Program.

“Each year Earth Day is a special time for the public to focus on ways to improve all habits to help protect the environment,” said Vanta E. Coda II, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “Our organization takes great pride in the progress we have made, and continue to do, to advance environmental values by adopting practices and technologies that have a direct impact at our three port locations and beyond. Our pledge to care of our environment merges with our mission to develop and maintain a world-class port system.”

All three of its port locations received the coveted Green Marine certification in 2019, the first state-wide port authority to achieve such distinction. Green Marine is the leading environmental certification program for North America’s maritime transportation industry. The voluntary initiative strives to surpass regulatory requirements in measurable ways in key areas such as greenhouse gases and air pollutants, spill prevention, dry bulk handling and storage, community impact, storm water and waste management, and underwater noise.

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor received Green Marine certification in 2014. The port improved in recognition of its adoption and implementation of its own storm water management program authorized by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in November 2018.                                                                                  

Additionally, the northwest Indiana port has displayed environmental stewardship in the following ways:

• Its eco-friendly and waterborne transporting of goods by reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship can move the same tonnage as 564 rail cars or 2,340 semi-trucks;
• The Port and many of its businesses have received diesel emission grants over the years to purchase things like hybrid vehicles and cleaner-burning diesel engines;
• Many port tenants have converted equipment from diesel to electric hybrid vehicles;
• The Port officials and volunteers planted hundreds of deciduous and coniferous trees at the port to help reduce stormwater runoff, prevent fugitive dust and increase biodiversity;
• The Port will open a six-acre truck marshalling yard in 2022, where drivers can turn off the trucks and rest in an enclosed reception area while waiting to unload/load freight.

The Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville and Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon extends the benefits of the Green Marine certification process to the Inland Waterway System and carries with it the noted distinction for the two ports to be the first to do so along the Ohio River and the Upper Mississippi Basin. In respect to reducing fuel consumption, shipping by inland water is the most fuel-efficient mode; 15 barge tow equals 225 rail cars or 1,050 trucks.

The three port directors are committed to convene an interactive meeting several times a year with tenants to discuss environmental goals such as air emissions and minimizing storm water runoff.

“It is important for our team to work closely with our tenants to demonstrate the value of implementing greener and cleaner practices in the maritime industry,” said Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Port Director Ian Hirt. “Federal Marine Terminals, our long-time stevedore and one of the founding partners of Green Marine program, set the stage for Metro Ports to enroll its Burns Harbor terminal into the program. Our team will continue collaborating and encourage other tenants at each port to advance and implement sustainable practices.”

About the Ports of Indiana: The Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, the Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system. Information: portsofindiana.com. Follow us on Twitter: @PortsofIndiana.

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The members of the logistics network BVL and the readers of the trade paper LOGISTIK HEUTE once again named the Port of Hamburg as the “Best Logistics Brand of 2020” in the category of seaports. The port was previously awarded the title in 2017. The winners chosen by the experts and readers were announced yesterday.

“We are very pleased to receive this honor. It is a great recognition of the port’s high level of performance and especially the successful market position that the brand Port of Hamburg has gained,” commented Axel Mattern, Executive Board Member of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).

Port of Hamburg Marketing has a total of 43 employees working in the headquarters in Hamburg and in representative offices in Germany, Europe, and Asia. Together with its almost 300 members, the association represents the brand “Port of Hamburg” and works to strengthen the port’s position on the worldwide markets. The Port of Hamburg serves as an umbrella brand rather than being an independent enterprise. The port-related businesses organized under this brand name profit from the positive image that Port of Hamburg Marketing has been able to establish.

Port of Hamburg Marketing aims at building and strengthened a clear profile for the port and the entire metropolitan region, particularly in competition with the other North Range ports. “This is a challenge that we are able to meet very successfully, as this award now also confirms,” said Ingo Egloff, Axel Mattern’s joint executive board member, expressing his pleasure about the prize.

The HHM representative offices work to strengthen Hamburg’s competitive standing. They are engaged in representing the interests of HHM member companies on the international markets and in promoting the Port of Hamburg as a brand name in the hinterland, as well. They organize various kinds of events to bring business partners together, as well as participation in trade fairs and conferences. HHM also successfully participates in joint projects and in submitting proposals for programs funded nationally and by the EU.

Regularly providing HHM members with market reports and statistics, taking care of visitor programs, and carrying out the whole range of communication from traditional press relations through social media activities, the website hafen-hamburg.de, and a Port of Hamburg app round out the range of Port of Hamburg Marketing’s services. HHM has furthered the development of digital channels in the past years, for instance with interactive databases for ship, rail, and barge connections. The website has been well received. A portal set up during the COVID-19 crisis has already registered more than 100,000 visits during the past four weeks.

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Norwegian company H&K Sandnes (video) is an active user of Hitachi’s remote monitoring system, Global e-Service, for a wide range of its Hitachi excavators. The Larvik-based groundworks and drainage contractor has taken out a full service contract and extended warranty for all of its Zaxis machines with the country’s authorised Hitachi dealer, Nasta.

This entitles the company to make use of Hitachi’s various after-sales services, including easy access to Owner’s Site and ConSite, which send operational data daily via GPRS or satellite from its excavators to www.globaleservice.com. ConSite is an automatic service report that summarises the information from Global e-Service in a monthly email.

In addition, the ConSite Pocket App shows alerts in real-time for issues arising with the machines. These incorporate recommendations on what course of action to take and step-by-step help guides. The app also enables H&K Sandnes to see the location of its fleet.

Reduced fuel consumption

“The service contracts and extended warranties enable us to keep the Hitachi machines for between five and seven years,” says owner Rune Sandnes. “It is also beneficial to us, because we know what the fixed costs will be and this enables us to make an accurate forecast.

“We have been receiving ConSite reports every month for the past two years and it’s excellent for monitoring emissions, fuel consumption and availability. We will certainly continue to increase our usage of this tool in the future, for example to help our operators to use the machines more efficiently.

“We monitor the CO2 emission statistics for our local government projects and share these with the operators so that they can take effective action if required. And ConSite can also assist us in analysing the productivity of the operators and machines, although we take the different types of jobs – and how busy they will be – into account.

“Finally, the reports are also a useful indicator of the improvements in fuel economy. For example, we can see that there has been a saving of up to one third in fuel costs between the ZX225USLC-3 and ZX225USLC-6. The new machine is excellent and the TRIAS II hydraulic system has certainly helped in this respect – which is so important for the bottom line.”

Strong relationship

Nasta supplied the company’s first new Hitachi excavators, a UH083 and UH063, in the mid-Eighties. More than 30 years later and the current Hitachi fleet ranges from a ZW65 compact wheel loader, ZX65USB-5 mini and three wheeled excavators (a ZX140W-5, ZX145W-6 and ZX170W-5), to eight medium excavators (a ZX85US-5, ZX135US-3, ZX135US-5, ZX225US-3, ZX225USLC-5, two ZX225USLC-6s and ZX290LC-5).

“If there is ever an issue with a machine, Nasta takes responsibility and the technicians come to our aid as quickly as possible,” adds Rune. “They are attentive to our needs and respond with a high level of priority. We even have the flexibility to borrow another excavator if required.

“Nasta looks at everything from our point of view, and we are extremely satisfied. We have had a strong relationship with them for many years. There is also excellent communication between the operators and the service team – which is most important.”

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• Two new Liebherr mobile harbour cranes type LHM 600 arrived at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal (PECT)
• The responsible employees of the port were previously trained in the use of the cranes on a Liebherr simulator
• Record harvest expected – Liebherr mobile harbour cranes play a decisive role in the successful export of goods

Port Elizabeth Container Terminals (PECT) prepares for the upcoming citrus fruit harvest with new Liebherr mobile harbour crane technology. The two LHM 600 were transported from Rostock, Germany to South Africa. After a 20-day journey, they were unloaded from the transport vessel “Happy Dragon”.

Rostock (Germany), April 2020 – Transnet Port Terminal’s Acting Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said, “Having lost an entire crane due to gale force winds really set us back. The arrival of these two modern cranes will ensure that our promise to the industry is realised”. She added that the cranes arrived at a critical time when the company’s nationwide terminals were giving priority to the movement of much needed goods in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and abroad.

“We are at the start of the 2020 citrus season and we are very pleased that we are able to contribute positively towards the growth of this economy, especially during these challenging times,” said Phillips.

Liebherr Simulator for Training

Modern and highly efficient, the two Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, type LHM 600, have multi use capability, can lift up to 104 tons and move up and down the quayside according to berth activity. They are designed for versatile and efficient cargo handling. “An operator simulator has been onsite for the past month with Liebherr providing training to our employees. The LiSIM training simulator was part of our purchase arrangement – and we are quite impressed with the improved skills our employees are demonstrating,” said Phillips.

She added that both customers and employees had been looking forward to these two pieces of equipment, which arrived as semi assembled units. “We look forward to the commissioning of these cranes and to an improved operation in the PECT”.

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Bruks Siwertell has won a contract to supply a new coal unloader to returning customer Quezon Power Ltd Co. Based in the Philippines, Quezon has ordered a high-capacity Siwertell screw-type continuous ship unloader to serve the country’s first supercritical power station.

“Excellent environmental performance was a top priority,” says Ola Jeppsson, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “The Siwertell screw-type ship unloader is the most efficient and environment-friendly type of unloader on the market. Quezon is very focused on its environmental responsibility and our totally enclosed material handling technology is likely to have influenced its decision.”

The San Buenaventura power plant is a new 500 MW coal-fired facility located in Mauban and is being built adjacent to an existing Quezon power plant. Both the new and the old plant will share the coal import jetty, which is expected to double in intake to around three million metric tons of coal a year.

The jetty is already served by a rail-travelling Siwertell ST 790 D-type unloader, which has been in operation for more than 20 years.

“Quezon is very satisfied with its existing unloader,” adds Mr Jeppsson. “We have worked with the company for a number of years. It has an excellent maintenance team, which means its old Siwertell is one of the most well-maintained Siwertells in the world.”

Like its existing counterpart, which was delivered in 1998, the new rail-travelling Siwertell ST 790 D-type unloader will have a continuous rated capacity of 1,400t/h and will be able to discharge vessels up to Panamax size. It is scheduled to be delivered, fully assembled via heavy-lift ship, to the site in early 2022.

Further information for the press

Bruks Siwertell is a market-leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. The company designs, produces and delivers systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the biofuel, board, saw mill, pulp and paper industries. All equipment is designed to ensure environmentally-friendly and efficient operations.

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Bulle (Switzerland), April 6, 2020 – In 2019, the Liebherr Group completed another very successful business year with turnover of € 11,750 million. This represents an increase of € 1,199 million or 11.4 % compared with the previous year.

Despite the slowdown in global economic growth, 2019 was once again a record year for the Liebherr Group. Both the construction machinery and mining equipment divisions recorded overall increases in sales revenues, as did the other product areas overall. Revenues from construction machinery and mining equipment rose by 11.8 %to € 7,640 million, with contributions from the Earthmoving, Mobile Cranes, Tower Cranes, as well as Concrete Technology and Mining divisions. In the other product areas, which include Maritime Cranes, Aerospace and Transportation Systems, Gear Technology and Automation Systems, Domestic Appliances, Components, and Hotels, turnover rose by a total of 10.5 % to € 4,110 million.

The success of the 2019 business year can be attributed to the very positive sales performance in almost all sales regions of the Liebherr Group. Sales continued to
increase within the European Union, which is Liebherr’s most important sales region. One reason for this is the favorable market development, especially in Germany and France, but also, for example, in Spain and Denmark. Positive growth impulses also came from Russia and Norway. The Liebherr Group recorded its most significant increase in sales in North America. In Asia and Oceania this positive trend was driven in particular by the markets in Australia, China, Singapore and Japan. Slight increases in turnover were also achieved in Africa and in the Near and Middle East. There were only slight declines in Central and South America.

The Liebherr Group achieved a net profit of € 429 million in 2019, an increase compared with the previous year, whereas the operating result has fallen slightly
compared to the previous year. The financial result showed a very positive development.

The 2019 business year saw a significant increase in the workforce. At the end of the year, the Liebherr Group had a total of 48,049 employees worldwide, representing an increase of 1,880 compared to the previous year.

Traditionally high investments in research and development

As a high-tech company, the Liebherr Group pursues the goal of making a decisive contribution to shaping the technological progress in sectors relevant to the Group. Liebherr invested € 592 million in research and development last year. The bulk of this was used in the development of new products. A large number of research projects with universities, other higher education institutions, and research institutes were initiated and continued.

A special area of focus for these research projects is the topic of electrification. As part of the EU Technology Initiative “Clean Sky 2 / Horizon 2020”, Liebherr researched the electric variants of flight control systems, landing gear and air management systems in order to make flying more efficient and environmentally friendly in the future. Intensive work on alternative drive technologies was also carried out in the area of construction machines.

Important issues across the wide range of products and services include digitisation, safety, and the automation of machines. For example assistance systems have been developed, which support the safe operation of construction machines. An important project in digital transformation is Condition Monitoring, which makes possible the monitoring of components in complex machines and systems.

Investments in production, sales, and service exceed industry average

€ 756 million was invested in the production sites and the global sales and service network. This means the Liebherr Group reduced its investment activities by
€ 73 million compared to the previous year, however, with an investment rate of approximately 6%, the Liebherr Group is still above the average of the mechanical
engineering sector. Offset against this was depreciation of € 541 million. A new production site for the Concrete Technology division was built in Bulgaria. The
Aerospace and Transportation Systems division invested in buildings in Friedrichshafen (Germany), Toulouse (France), Singapore, and Bulgaria. Major
investments were also made in Germany, for example, in a new sales and service center at Hamburg port. A new customer center for the Domestic Appliances division was set up at the Ochsenhausen location in Germany.

In the Gear Technology and Automation Systems product segment, the Kempten location (Germany) has been modernized. Moreover, in the Maritime Cranes division, the TCC 78000, one of the most powerful rail-mounted heavy-duty cranes in the world, was successfully installed in Rostock port.

Outside Europe, Liebherr invested in projects such as the set-up of Liebherr- Transportation Systems (China) Co., Ltd., the production site of Liebherr-
Verzahntechnik in Yongchuan (China), as well as the cooperative venture between the Components division and Shanghai Diesel Engine Co. Ltd.

No reliable forecasts for revenue development in 2020

The Group’s order situation at the end of 2019 as well as far into the first quarter of 2020 can be described as very good. The due to the impact of the Corona virus
significantly restricted business activities in many markets will obviously influence the turnover in 2020. The extent to which our business will be impacted cannot be forecasted reliably at the time this annual report is compiled. However, the Liebherr Group will ensure that all organizational units have implemented the necessary measures to guarantee that customer demands are met with the usual reliability, also in 2020 and beyond. The financial strength of the Liebherr Group enables a rapid resumption of reduced activities in production, sales and service units.

On Monday, April 6, 2020, the Liebherr Group publishes its current annual report. In addition to detailed figures, it contains a magazine section reviewing the past financial year. In an interview, Dr. h.c. Dipl.-Kfm. Isolde Liebherr, Dr. h.c. Dipl.-Ing. (ETH) Willi Liebherr, Stéfanie Wohlfahrt and Jan Liebherr give their summary for 2019.

The annual report of the Liebherr Group can be found online at www.liebherr.com/annual-report.

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