Global spreader specialist Bromma Conquip is upping the ante in spreader technology by focusing squarely on a holistic approach - tackling both efficient spreader production and operation at the same time.
Speaking with Port Strategy this week, Bromma revealed that 2011 was a record year for the company – spreader deliveries were up by 110% over 2010 and orders were up by 130%.
Over 85% of orders were for all electric yard spreaders – fuelled by the boom in automation and the need for efficiency. In the past year alone, Bromma has won major spreader contracts for automated terminals in Abu Dhabi, Australia, Barcelona, the London Gateway and Los Angeles.
Bromma has a vision for the future, which is to have as minimal carbon footprint as possible, but also to integrate spreader technology – bringing together electric spreaders at automated terminals equipped with container load sensing, scanning and green productivity software to improve port operations.
Lars Meurling, Bromma vice president marketing and product development said to Port Strategy: “The wind is at our back. Bromma is pre-empting where the puck is going to be in the future. Automation will continue to be a strong focus with a focus on green efficient technology.
"Also, spreader fleet maintenance and standardisation will continue to be a huge challenge for the future. What’s more, new trade and transportation patterns will occur with these shifts.”
The need for load sensing systems is backed by the industry push for weight verification. And added to this is the security issue of container contents. Bromma’s commercial director, Vikram Rama, sees a future when monitoring is fully integrated into the spreader and the crane.
“The issue here is not technical, it is practical and to do with responsibility, funding and a lack of legislation. New ways of working need to be found without disrupting daily terminal operations.”
