#OpenFactory: changing the image of construction equipment

23-05-2019

The construction equipment industry in Europe is of great significance for the European and world's economy. The share of construction machines manufactured in Europe represents around 20% of the worldwide production, our sector employs about 300,000 people working for over 1,200 companies. With a turnover of 40 bn Euro of which 26 bn originate from the export beyond national borders, construction equipment sector represents one of the strengths of the European economy recognised worldwide.

Changing the image

Construction equipment sector is highly competitive and innovative: new technologies have strengthened the efficiency and productivity of our machines, reduced the emissions and most of all improved the safety of our workers. Through digital technology our machines are becoming more and more intelligent. Hybrid and electric engines are appearing on the market.

Despite its innovative character, our sector has often been regarded astonishingly as old-fashioned and conservative. To dispel this misperception, it was time to put in place an ambitious initiative. We thought that it could be no better way to give an insight of our innovative industry than by opening our factories in a crucial moment of this year's European elections. Only by looking at every step of the production line one could gain an accurate and deep understanding of our sector, realise its challenges and grasp its importance.

We are proud that our initiative has been successful in its result and purpose. Starting from the results, we have now closed the first cycle of visits before the elections. A total of seven visits from seven candidates in three countries have been arranged. All main parties with an European perspective have been considered. Moving to our purpose, we acknowledge that our assumptions were correct: a number of candidates admitted little knowledge on the sector and more in general the European manufacturing industry, hence it was a good opportunity to discover European construction equipment industry.

First cycle of visits

On 18 April Mr Körner (FDP) visited the manufacturing site of Komatsu Mining in Düsseldorf, where the company manufactures large mining shovels.
On 25 April Mr Neuser (SPD) and Mr Scheuren (FDP) visited both Wirtgen, the road-building company headquartered in Windhagen.
On 29 April Ms De Monte (Italian PD) visited Komatsu Italia Manufacturing where the smaller excavators, skid loaders and backhoe loaders are produced and met CECE President Mr Enrico Prandini.
On 30 April Mr Lange (SPD), Chair of the INTA Committee, visited the German production site of Volvo CE in Hamelin, where the company manufactures pavers, a variety of soil compactors, large and small asphalt compactors as well as screeds.
On 8 May Mr Gahler (CDU) visited the wheel and telehandler production facility of Weidemann, a company of the Wacker Neuson group.
On 10 May Mr Bernd Lange (SPD list), Chair of INTA Committee visited Komatsu Germany.
On 13 May Ms Sander (Les Républicains) will visit Liebherr manufacturing site in Colmar where the company manufactures the crawler excavators.

What's next

The success of our initiative led us to extending it after the elections and expanding its geographical scope to other countries. Wondering where? Follow our Twitter & LinkedIn account! Everything will be posted there!

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