Plenty of gray or green drive choices

HVO diesel, LPG or electric? At the Meerman Group from Vlaardingen, there is an increasing choice of machines with gray or green propulsion. The family business has been around for 65 years and is best known for the Kubota brand, of which it has been the importer of earthmoving machines in our country since 1979. We spoke about this at Matexpo with general manager Victor van den Berg and commercial director Koen Meerman.

April 2019: At Bauma, Kubota surprised the world with an LPG-powered mini excavator. The KX019-4 LPG uses standard gas cylinders, which can be easily changed. The LPG machine can be used in places with strict emissions requirements. Meanwhile, Meerman offers a choice of no less than three types of environmentally friendly drive in the 1,900 kg segment. For example, the popular Kubota KX019-4 now has a durable Stage V engine. Furthermore, more and more engines are being prepared to use HVO, you know: the fuel made from vegetable oil. And third, Meerman has a Kubota KX019-4 in its delivery program under the name Q-LECTRA M19e. This is a Kubota mini-excavator converted into an electric machine by the Vlaardingen-based company itself.

For Victor van den Berg it is a logical development that is now also being picked up by Kubota itself: "The development in greening of machines is going fast. For example, we already have an electrically powered dump truck from Kubota, the KC70-4e, and a small shovel is coming soon. Furthermore, we look forward to the electric mini-excavator that Kubota will deliver ex-factory. Kubota mini-excavators are very popular in the Dutch market of cable-layers, among others, and the electric versions are going to further confirm why Kubota has occupied the No. 1 position in mini-excavators for decades."

HVO diesel certification

The diesel engine is far from obsolete, now that modern Stage V engines and the use of HVO fuel can greatly reduce emissions. However, European standardization is then needed to recommend certified HVO. "Kubota is looking at that specifically for the machines built for Europe," says Victor van den Berg. Koen Meerman is sure that there is a future in this: "It has already been proven that the use of HVO really works. Multiple projects have shown that it works to significantly reduce emissions using HVO." Both gentlemen consider this important for their customers; on the one hand to help them meet the increasingly stringent emission requirements and on the other hand so that they can properly control their Total Cost of Ownership. Because a new electric machine - especially in the short term - is still not always the most economical solution.

Let them experience for themselves

Koen hopes and expects that the TKD can be held again next year as usual. It is an excellent place to be able to demonstrate new machines and show customers in an honest and open way what is possible. "There is a great need for emission-reducing machines and potential customers should be able to experience for themselves that alternative drives and fuels can be just as powerful as their familiar diesel."

That is why, for example, the electric Q-LECTRA M19e is also available for rent through Meerrent, the rental arm of Meerman Machines. Work is also underway on a 2.5-ton electric machine, the Q-LECTRA M 27e. And when, before too long, Kubota comes out with electric mini-excavators between 1.9 and 3.6 tons, users will be able to make a much more targeted choice.   

Anniversary marked by continued growth 

When Adriaan Meerman founded Technisch handelsbureau A. Meerman N.V. in 1956, he could not have imagined that 65 years later the name Meerman would have national fame. The family business has grown into a major player in the Dutch earthmoving equipment market, thanks in part to the global brand Kubota. Since July 2019, the Meerman Group has been part of Reesink Compact Construction Equipment, part of Royal Reesink, internationally one of the largest distributors of machinery and components. To grow further, the Meerman Group is joining forces with well-known Dutch equipment suppliers Hans van Driel (Tiel and Ommen), Kemp Group (De Meern) and Huur & Stuur and the Belgian company De Bruycker-Kemp (Oostende and Hamme).

The Meerman Group itself includes Meerman Machines bv and Meerrent, the trade name of Meerman Machines specializing in rental. As importer of the leading brand Kubota, Meerman Machines calls itself "the specialist in sales, service and maintenance of earthmoving machines." In doing so, Meerman has a dealer network spread throughout the Netherlands. The still Vlaardingen-based family business - located at Koggehaven since 2016 - is also an importer of the Morooka and Cangini brands as well as a Bomag dealer. All under the motto: 'A suitable product for every need.'