Matexpo experiences successful edition in a special year

For a year and a half, the corona virus put a line under events, but at the equipment trade fair Matexpo 2021, machine enthusiasts were able to browse for new products "live" for the first time in a long time or shake hands with business associates. During our tour of Kortrijk Xpo, we spotted not only many smiling faces and interesting trade fair news, but also some real world firsts.

Bouwmat was obviously not the only one looking forward to this biennial gathering of the equipment sector. Never before has Matexpo attracted so many visitors, with no fewer than 41,671 passing through the entrance control for the largest machinery fair in the Benelux countries over five days. That is almost 2,000 more than during the previous edition in 2019. And whether they have been exciting months for the organization. Exhibitors, visitors and partners were eagerly looking forward to Matexpo. Ideal fair weather and the urge to meet again "in real life" formed the ideal mix for a highly successful 39th edition. The reactions from exhibitors were unanimously laudatory: finally that personal contact again in a sector that relies on networking.

In terms of news, Matexpo did not disappoint either, although after a year and a half without exhibitions or open days, many might have hoped for more novelties. It quickly became clear that more and more brands are getting serious about emission-free equipment, with the stand of Hitachi distributor Luyckx in particular providing a good insight into the possible solutions. Indeed, alongside the battery-powered ZE85, an 8.5-tonner developed by Hitachi together with German KTEG (Kiesel's technology division) and Swiss engineering firm Suncar HK AG, showed off a ZX350LC-7 with Dual Fuel solution. Realized in consultation with CMB.Tech, the crawler excavator runs on a mixture of diesel with hydrogen admixture. That should provide some 50% of CO2 reduction.

CHARGING SOLUTIONS

There were also several electric machines, including from our own (Belgian) soil the first battery-powered Knikmops developed by Gebr. Geens itself, the KM140E. There is a choice of two battery packs: the Standard can run for about 5 hours with 20 kWh and the Endurance option is ready for a whole day uninterrupted thanks to 30 kWh. When deploying zero emission equipment, on-site power supply is often an issue. This, too, is being worked on. For example, Himoinsa showed battery pack EHR 45/60 as a world first at the Vandaele booth. Near Grid Solutions even won the Green Award with the Power Booster. The jury praised the mobile city battery for its "reliable, sustainable solution: quiet, flexible and with a proven track record." 

At Merlo, the e-Worker showed off the prototype mini electric telescopic handler recently launched by this Italian manufacturer. The 25.5-90 4WD shown is one of three available variants, reaches up to 5 meters in height and can lift a maximum of 2.5 tons. Staying with the compact segment, at the Verhoeven booth the Takeuchi TB325R constituted one of the "biggest" exhibition firsts. This succeeds the popular TB225 and distinguishes itself by its inside-turner concept.     

Three additional functions are provided as standard, making the 2.5-ton mini excavator truly employable as a tool carrier. At Yanmar, the new SV15VT, SV17VT and SV19VT were the eye-catchers. They are robust, efficient and versatile, combining high performance with compact dimensions.

EXCAVATOR NEWS

Apart from some interesting additions to the product range from the likes of JCB (245XR) and Kobelco (SK380SR), most excavator news concentrated on the stands of Caterpillar, Doosan and Hitachi. For example, CAT presented much of its Next Gen series, while at Doosan, all eyes were on the new Streep-7 generation of mobile excavators (DX140W-7 and DX160W-7) and 20-ton crawler excavators. Hitachi is not usually so shrewd with new models, but at Matexpo an arsenal of medium-sized excavators on tires and crawlers was on hand. The ZX135W-7 and ZX150W-7 should set a new benchmark in tire cranes, while the brand offers a nice tracked alternative with the ZX180LC-7.

Of course, there was plenty to experience in the earth-moving field. Doosan showed off the new generation of Doosan wheel loaders in a big way, with the DL380-7 already on display in front of the southern entrance, and the larger DL420-7 and smaller DL320-7 were also on display on the stand. Liebherr premiered the long-awaited new articulated hauler TA230, which not for nothing won a red dot design award for its stunning design. At SMT, the 835G Hybrid saw Sennebogen's first transfer crane of the latest generation, several of which have already been sold in the Benelux. The 835G is equipped with an economical and quiet Stage V diesel engine, which combined with the innovative Green Hybrid energy recovery system ensures optimum efficiency.

EQUIPMENT

Among the attachments, the Doosan volume bucket should not go unmentioned, as it managed to win both the Innovation Award and the Safety Award on the eve of the fair. For a bucket? Well, not just one. Doosan's "transparent" bucket is a fully integrated system that allows the wheel loader operator to see the blind spots in front of the machine via a monitor in the cab. Way safer! CAT showed a real world first with the P323. The 3.4-ton concrete pulverizer for machines from 32 to 50 tons has a jaw opening of 1,280 mm and a cycle time of 3.3 seconds. Saes unveiled an equally "simple" and effective grease lubrication system for smaller demolition hammers, which is manufactured in-house and is already proving a great success.

There were plenty of equipment items on display inside as well. For example, Eurosteel showed two novelties in the form of a quick coupler system for Volvo wheel loaders and its own interpretation of an S60 symmetrical quick coupler. At Pladdet's booth, a giant tilt attachment attracted a lot of attention. This CW100 weighs 4,900 kg and is suitable for machines up to as much as 120 tons. At the same time, we saw the debut of the ST4, the smallest tiltrotator from Swedish manufacturer SMP. Engcon highlighted the updated EC206 with S40 top connection, while Steelwrist made good cheer with the SQ90, the largest fully automatic quick coupler this brand offers and suitable for carriers up to 70 tons. Also new is the TCX cast steel tilt attachment for mini excavators up to 2 tons.

VERTICAL TRANSPORT

Klubb unveiled at Matexpo with the KT18PZ the world's tallest aerial work platform mounted on an enclosed van, with up to 19 meters of working height and 9.4 meters of lateral reach. This new model was built on a Mercedes Sprinter 5T. Manitou again packed big and in addition to the completely redesigned MRT and MT series, the Oxygen study model MRT-e 2660 on hydrogen also attracted a lot of attention. In the crane field, the Liebherr MK73-3.1 mobile tower crane clearly caught the eye, while Spierings Cranes from Oss drew attention to the eLift hybrid versions of the 4-axle SK597-AT4 and the 6-axle SK1265-AT6.

Three of the six halls at Kortrijk Xpo were traditionally reserved for the transport sector. At times you could walk over the heads here, it was so crowded. The truck brands had a lot of news to report, including DAF's completely renewed XF, XG and XG+ line, which was recently named Truck of the Year 2022. Of course, the Iveco T-Way construction truck was also on display, and MAN had the TGS and TGX in various versions. Volvo Trucks had reserved outdoor space on its booth for the updated FMX and FM Electric. At Noote-boom Trailers, much attention was paid to the new 3-axle semi-low loader with wheel arches.  

All in all, there was once again a lot to experience in Kortrijk. We are eagerly looking forward to the next edition, which undoubtedly has plenty of surprises in store. From September 6 to 10, 2023, the Matexpo fair will take place for the fortieth time.