Terex implements Fuchs expansion plan

Terex Corp., Bad Schönborn, Germany, is implementing a series of strategic moves and investments designed to better position its purpose-built Fuchs material handler business for global expansion and sales growth. The moves include the recent rebranding to “Fuchs – A Terex Brand” in key markets for consistent global brand recognition. The Fuchs line also transitioned to the Terex Material Processing segment, which is a better strategic fit for the business within the broader Terex portfolio, the company says. Additionally, multiple new machine introductions were made at key international trade shows during the first two quarters of 2016, including the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) 2016 Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas and Bauma and IFAT 201 in Munich.

“The purpose-built Fuchs material handlers are integral to the long-term Terex business strategy and a natural fit in the Materials Processing segment,” says Kieran Hegarty, president of Terex Materials Processing. “We intend to grow and expand the Fuchs business globally beyond the line’s traditional scrap markets into such markets as timber, recycling and ports.”

Commenting on several recent strategic sales and support actions taken to increase material handler customer support, Ron de Vries, general manager for the Fuchs business globally, says, “In conjunction with the transition to Materials Processing, we appointed Jon Van Ruitenbeek as the new business line director for Fuchs in North America, and we have announced several key sales and support management appointments for key North American and European markets, which will give Fuchs more interaction with customers during the sales process and provide customers with a higher level support from the factory. Additionally, we are continuing to focus on growing distribution globally, so customers will experience more responsive service and parts support locally.”

The company says accelerated investment in Fuchs’ new product development has resulted in multiple announcements of new models and model upgrades. Two completely new model class designs recently were introduced—the Fuchs MHL390 F and MHL370 F—to give customers more material handling options to fill a wider variety of application needs. 

Designed to deliver the long reach and high lift capacities required in port applications globally, the new Fuchs MHL390 F handler features operating weights ranging from 168,000 to 191,800 pounds. It features a broad outrigger base to provide stability when lifting heavy loads at extended reaches of up to 80.4 feet, according to the company. An available banana boom configuration enables the handler to reach deep into a vessel’s hull for port applications.  

The new 120,000-pound class high-capacity Fuchs MHL370 F handler features up to 59.9 feet of reach to meet the production demands of large, high-volume scrap operations processing material with mega shredders, Terex says. The MHL370 F delivers increased lift capacity over the smaller Fuchs MHL360 F material handler, while an elevating cab provides a maximum eye-level operation of 20 feet and independent cab forward movement of 7.2 feet, which the company says is critical for port applications.

Fuchs also introduced to a global audience at IFAT upgrades to its popular MHL320 F handler, designed as an entry level unit for recycling, solid waste and small scrap operations that need the high lift capacities at extended reaches, efficient sorting capabilities and fast trailer loading/unloading only delivered by purpose-built handlers, Terex says. Additionally, the business segment unveiled the new purpose-built Fuchs cab design at ISRI that will hit the market in the fourth quarter of 2016. The new cab design incorporates more glass to improve visibility, new joystick steering control for improved maneuverability and a revised interior for more space and greater operator comfort.

At the Fuchs Application Center at the machine manufacturing facility in Germany, Fuchs team members work closely with customers to design one-off handling solutions to meet specific application needs.

Beyond the standard product line offering, Fuchs gives customers the opportunity to optimize and adapt the material handlers to meet the specific needs of the application, Terex says. A complete team consisting of Fuchs distributors, sales representatives, engineers and technicians work closely with the customer to custom design a machine to fit a specific niche need of the customer.

The company says Fuchs material handlers are built with standardized components in a modular system that allows engineers to design a wide variety of machines. In addition to the model’s standard options, the Application Center can build a machine with either a wheeled or crawler undercarriage. The diesel engine can be replaced by an electric engine with cord length adapted to the customer’s needs. A pylon riser of varying lengths—popular for port applications—can be added between the machine’s upper and lower carriages for enhanced visibility. Additionally, if a stationary model is the best fit for the customer, the upper carriage of a handler can be adapted for stationary applications through the Application Center, Terex says.

“These are exciting times for the Fuchs business,” says de Vries on the Fuchs expansion and growth strategy backed by Terex. “We are significantly strengthening the Fuchs team, increasing local support by growing our distribution network, broadening and updating our purpose-built handler line for the market and customizing our equipment to meet specific application needs for our customers. It’s a good time to be a Fuchs material handler customer.”

More information about Fuchs material handlers is available at www.terex-fuchs.com.