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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
JUNE 2017
4
COVER STORY
SIZE
MATTERS
F
ollowing the global introduction at
bauma 2016 in Munich, the Volvo
A60H articulated dump truck (ADT),
the biggest articulated hauler in the
world, has finally rolled off the production
line for its debut in southern Africa. It is
accompanied by another Volvo behemoth
on Babcock’s new arrivals lounge, the
EC950E, the biggest crawler excavator that
Volvo CE ever built.
The recent launch of the A60H in southern
Africa – on May 4, 2017 – further underlines
a number of global firsts for Babcock as
far as this machine is concerned. The local
unveiling was the official global customer-
based launch of the machines. In another
key first, Babcock became the first dealer to
place an order for the A60H when one of its
long-standing customers, Burgh Plant Hire,
ordered not just one, but three Volvo A60H
articulated haulers.
While this is an indicator of the
significance of southern Africa as a key ADT
market globally, it is also equally reflective
of Babcock’s capabilities as a force to be
reckoned with among Volvo CE’s global
dealers. Alec Ruston, Aftermarket Manager
EMEA at Volvo CE, says Babcock is a very
special dealer in the EMEA region. Babcock
was crowned Volvo CE’s Dealer of the Year
2016 in Region EMEA Hub South (Continental
Africa and Middle East & Turkey).
The award is based on 2016 achievements
in market share growth; parts sales growth;
and Customer Support Agreement growth.
Dealers’ overall commitment, willingness
to invest and use of Volvo CE tools and
participation in other programmes were also
taken into account.
Reflecting further on the importance
of southern Africa, Ruston tells
Capital
Equipment News
that currently, 25% of
Volvo ADTs sold in the EMEA region are
destined for South Africa, and one in every
three ADTs sold in the country is a Volvo.
David Vaughan, MD of Babcock’s
equipment business, says the company has
made necessary preparations for the roll-out
of the A60H and the EC950E. Volvo teams
from Sweden and Korea have completed
intensive sales and technical training with
Babcock staff in South Africa. “We have also
ensured that there is sufficient availability
of spare parts and other related elements
such as the larger specialised tyres for the
With its 55 t capacity, the Volvo A60H is ideally suited for
heavy hauling in high production sites such as opencast
mines, quarries and large earthmoving operations.
High-production sites in southern Africa can expect to keep a lid on
operational costs following Babcock’s recent launch of the much-anticipated
Volvo A60H articulated hauler, the biggest of its nature in the world, together
with its capable loading tool, the EC950E, the largest crawler excavator in the
Volvo stable, writes
Munesu Shoko
.