A focus of the recession

“During the 2009/10 global financial crisis, we focused on listening to our customers’ needs and bringing new products to the market in order to complement our range of products that was basically limited to our heavy-duty model,” says Emmanuel Fafournoux at Boxloader. “We are now taking advantage of the growth of the market with new products. We have also developed further all our technology, especially in terms of safety and reliability, which will be keys of tomorrow’s competitiveness.”

Steelbro’s Susan Tattershall says: “During the quieter timers of the economic downturn, we concentrated on a positive R&D drive, with greater effort in supporting the needs of some of our customers in specialist areas.”

Greg Muirsmeath, Steelbro’s engineering manager, adds: “We focused on developing a number of new improvements in material selections and manufacturing technologies. These have resulted in low tare weights with high operating flexibility, without having to sacrifice strength or durability. As a result, the carrying capacity versus chassis tare weight has been improved, enhancing the lift-and-carry capacities in our latest models. We worked closely with our supply partners to choose low tare weight components, integrated printed circuit board controls, high-pressure hydraulics and superior paint systems.”

Steelbro’s new SB362 ‘Lightweight’ unit has a 36-tonne lift capacity with a tare weight of less than nine tonnes, and an outreach of more than four metres. A low tare weight allows higher payload and reduces fuel consumption.

Steelbro has also launched its new SB450 sidelifter, which loads and unloads a 45-tonne container. “The unit has a robust construction using proven dependable technology,” says Ms Tattersall. “The proportional control system allows the operator to place the stabiliser and the container with precision.”

Steelbro’s sidelifters have been used by Maersk, Bollore and Getma.

Boxloader’s sidelifters are fitted with cranes developed for different types of use and chassis designed according to the specific need.

The Speedloader model is the simplest, able to lift and ground containers very quickly and designed as a single-purpose machine. The Multiloader is a multipurpose sidelifter able to lift, ground, transfer to other trailers or train, and double stack. The X’trem Loader is also a multipurpose sidelifter, specially designed for very demanding conditions and with a very long outreach even for loaded containers. It has a safe working load of 44 tonnes but has been tested up to 55 tonnes. “Its unbeaten lifting capacity and robustness turned it into a success story in the islands and Africa, where the sidelifters are pushed to their limits,” says Mr Fafournoux.

He adds that with the launch of its new products, Boxloader has gained significant orders from Australia and Scandinavia. “Our heavy duty model continues to spread all around the world, from Nestle in Switzerland to DP World Germany, Transportes Bertolini in Brazil and Bollore Africa Logistics in Africa.”