Equipment Report

JCB Opens New Factory in Brazil
British Prime Minister David Cameron has opened JCB’s new US$100 million factory in Sorocaba City, Brazil. Staffordshire, U.K.-based JCB says the expansion will strengthen its position in Latin American markets.

Cameron, who was on a trade mission in Brazil, was given the tour of the 350,000-square-foot plant by JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford and Carlos Hernandez, JCB Brazil managing director. The Prime Minister was given insight into the processes involved in the production of backhoe loaders, tracked excavators, wheel loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and compaction equipment that the factory will manufacture.

In a news release, Cameron states, “JCB’s expansion in Brazil shows how British companies can capitalize on the opportunities for growth in Latin America. This expansion also creates new opportunities in JCB factories in Derbyshire and Wales (U.K.). This is a great example of Britain’s engineering prowess and reflects that the U.K. is a world leader in innovation and technology.”

Bamford says, “South America represents a huge opportunity for growth for JCB. Our investment in a new factory is critical to building on the success we already enjoy in this important market. There are £20 billion (US$32.4 billion) worth of infrastructure improvements scheduled in Brazil, and JCB’s new factory will enable us to capitalize on those projects, including the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.”

Bamford continues, “JCB’s decision to invest is a big vote of confidence in the Brazilian economy and was driven by the excellent long-term growth opportunities both here and in Latin America. Our investment will also have a positive impact on the U.K. economy because at full capacity, the Brazilian plant will import £100 million (US$162 million) of components annually from the U.K., including engines and transmissions.”

At full capacity, the new JCB plant will be able to produce 10,000 machines per year. The new factory replaces two smaller plants in Sorocaba City, Brazil, the first of which JCB opened in 2001 to produce backhoe loaders and the second of which was opened in 2010 that manufactured tracked excavators.

JCB has 19 plants on four continents: 11 in the U.K., three in India and others in the United States, China, Germany and Brazil. The company employs more than 7,000 people worldwide.

E-Crane Group Acquires Famaba
The E-Crane Group, an Adegem, Belgium-based manufacturer of cranes for handling bulk materials, has acquired the Polish company Famaba, an ISO 9001 certified company with 275 employees and revenues exceeding $20 million.

Famaba will operate as an independent unit within E-Crane Group. E-Crane says its relationship with Famaba has been positive in the past and expects the relationship will grow after the acquisition. E-Crane says it expects that in the short term the acquisition will result in a substantial increase in the capacity for assembling harbor cranes in Adegem as well as savings in several logistics processes.

The company also says the acquisition of Famaba guarantees employment for E-Crane personnel at the Adegem assembly facility. Depending on market conditions, a further expansion is under consideration, according to E-Crane.

More information is available at www.e-crane.com.

Steinert US Showcases New U.S. Headquarters
Steinert US Inc. celebrated the opening of its new headquarters facility in Walton, Ky., with a charity golf outing and open house held Sept. 19-20, 2012.

The company had outgrown its previous 630-square-metre (7,000-square-foot) facility in nearby Cincinnati and wanted to showcase its new sales and service presence for customers.

The companion golf outing, held Sept. 19, raised more than US$26,000 for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

At the event, Steinert US President Jason Looman said the Walton location is an ideal hub for the company, which continues to serve as the North American headquarters of Steinert Elektromagnetbau GmbH, a manufacturer of separation technology solutions for the scrap, waste and mining industries based in Cologne, Germany.

Bunting Magnetics Europe Acquires E-Magnets
Bunting Magnetics Europe Ltd., Berkhamsted, England, has acquired E-Magnets UK Ltd., Sheffield, England, which specializes in direct and wholesale supply of magnetic products through www.e-magnetsuk.com.

Alistair Richardson founded E-Magnets UK in 2005. He will continue to oversee daily operations.

Bunting Magnetics Europe is a part of Bunting Magnetics Co., headquartered in Newton, Kan., U.S.A.

According to Bunting Magnetics, the acquisition bolsters its market position and strategic growth.

Robert Bunting, Bunting Magnetics owner and CEO, says, “E-Magnets UK significantly expands Bunting’s market presence in the U.K. and abroad while at the same time significantly increases our online business presence which, until today, was done through our e-commerce sites magnetuk.com and buymagnets.com. E-Magnets UK has outstanding market recognition for their product assortment and is well-known within the European Union.”