MEDIA RELEASE AMMANN GROUP

QUEENSLAND, Australia – For many years, investment in regional asphalt manufacturing has been somewhat neglected due to the high capital cost to establish a facility, versus the return on investment for the limited amount of tonnes produced in the area.

This forces a producer in the region to replace their plant with a low-cost solution – generally a used mobile plant, or a new plant that offers only basic specifications and old technology. Unfortunately this approach can lead to compromise in safety systems, cost of operation, plant life and mix quality, couple this with limited access to spare parts, service and control system support; leads to a less than optimum outcome.

On project-related jobs, there are issues when moving mobile plants around the country. Regulations and permit requirements vary by state, causing delays and additional headaches when crossing borders. Furthermore, Australian Design Rules (ADR) are more restrictive for trailer axle loads than other locations, such as Europe and the USA. For most AC manufacturers this means additional axles and formulating a specific design just for Australia, which increases the purchase cost of the plants.

In 2013 Ammann was asked by Dante Cremasco, Executive General Manager-Roads Infrastructure of Downer Group, to conduct a tour of regional markets. The plan was to talk to the operators and local production teams to gather all their “wants” and “needs” to fully understand the restrictions, obstacles and bottlenecks for their operations.

Downer was a proper partner on this project because it is an industry leader in roads infrastructure, mining and rail services and operates more than 35 asphalt plants in Australia. Downer also embraces technology and consistently brings ideas to Ammann in attempts to develop new solutions that better the industry.

Cremasco provided the first input. “As a producer in these regional markets, we see many peaks and troughs of production and at the same time we need high flexibility to produce all types of mix designs, including a high percentage of cold mix,” he said. “We need to bring to the regional and project areas the latest in technology like recycling, warm mix, toner pave and oxides; as well as reducing carbon footprint, capital investment, civil costs and transport / logistic costs.”

After Ammann conducted the tour and heard firsthand from the markets what was “really” needed, the goal was set and summarised thusly:

To develop a European-built modular plant with the latest technology, focused on energy efficiency and minimal to no waste, compliant to Australian standards in all aspects and sized for easy transport using standard Australian trucks (flatbeds and low loaders) whilst maintaining a price tag that is competitive with plants manufactured in Asia.
Paul Vandersluis, Managing Director of Ammann Australia, was active in the project from the start.

“In close collaboration with the Australian customers, local Ammann staff and design engineers from Ammann Germany, we were able to incorporate all of our local knowledge and experience from Australian operating conditions, with specific Australian focus on zero harm, reduced plant maintenance costs, ergonomics, eliminate production waste (plant start/ stop) and then incorporate it with the latest European technology,” Vandersluis said.

“There was no stone left unturned in this project, with every detail reviewed from a practical aspect to make the operator’s life so much easier. It was a massive R&D project, but the successful outcome is market-changing and will fill the void that the regional and project markets have been eagerly waiting for.”

The result of the R&D and design is the new Ammann ACT 140 ContiQuick.

To answer the most common question, what does the ACT 140 ContiQuick offer that many others may not?
High-quality asphalt, thanks to the continuous twin-shaft mixer
Ability to perform smaller production runs without waste
Fast set up with minimal in-ground civil costs
Australian Standard Compliant
Latest technologies to produce hot, warm and cold mix and utilise recycling
Flexibility to manufacture asphalt with various additives
Ammann’s global-leading as1 control system, including the latest options like Eco-view and Auto Loadout
100% European manufactured
Priced as a viable investment for regional markets
Transportability and production without any compromises

Ammann’s dynamic approach to formulating this design proves that the best way to grow and innovate is by working closely with customers and catering to their present and future needs. Per Ammann’s motto, “Productivity Partnership for a Lifetime,” the new ACT 140 ContiQuick once again highlights Ammann’s commitment to the industry.

ABOUT AMMANN

Ammann is a sixth-generation, family-owned business that produces asphalt and concrete mixing plants, compactors and asphalt pavers at nine production sites in Europe, China, India and Brazil. Its core expertise is in road building and transportation infrastructure.

CUSTOMER INPUT BEHIND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PLANT

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