< PreviousT he ever-evolving dynamics of global and regional economies, industries, and customer preferences, as well as new technological developments constantly drive companies to innovate to ensure that they re- main relevant. The pandemic and recent global events tied to climate change have thrown es- tablished and accepted systems into disarray, forcing many businesses to revisit “long-term” plans, particularly in relation to digitization and sustainability. This will be key to recover from the adverse impacts of the pandemic and sustain long-term value, which is true for busi- nesses in every sector. Global supply chains have had to deal with various factors that have disrupted economic activities and day-to-day lives of people. Despite recent socio-economic changes, trucks remain a vital part of the supply chain industry. Today, trucks are accepted as part of ‘essential services’ supporting multiple areas of the society and economy. Customer needs have driven the evolution of trucks since the 19th century and is certainly what has inspired MAN Trucks since its launch in 1915. When we defi ne our ‘customer’, we need to look at the full ecosystem, from supplier through to driver. Typically, their ‘needs’ are more at a functional level, so listening to their feedback is essential to continuously innovate and provide them with vehicles that meet their operational requirements – for today and for the future. The trucks of today are incomparable to the very fi rst cargo carriers built many decades ago. The engines are far more powerful and can now support with carrying heavier payloads, which has also resulted in faster transportation. The trucks themselves can do more than simply run on roads. They have been adapted to serve a wide array of applications across diverse topographies and operating conditions. For example, they operate in mines and infrastructure sites, on airport tarmacs and fi re stations. They can haul heavy and over dimensional cargo and help with last mile By Joerg Mommertz, senior vice president, head of sales – Middle East, Africa & Latin America, MAN Truck & Bus SE, and managing director, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East. INSPIRATIONS AND CUSTOMER NEEDS DRIVING THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRUCKS INSIGHT 20 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021 MAN Truck & Bus and the Port of Hamburg are jointly testing autonomously driving prototype trucks at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg. Joerg Mommertz. deliveries. The cab of a truck has evolved from providing minimal comfort and safety for the driver to becoming a ‘productive workspace’. The driver is no longer just a ‘user’ but a ‘value creator’, and their performance and motivation need to be placed at the forefront when designing the next generation of trucks. It is essential to optimise the ‘workplace’ for drivers through utilizing the latest digital technologies with the aim of enhancing user- friendliness, creating optimum ergonomics and developing a more intuitive and reliable operating system. For example, the implementation of digital mirror replacement systems as well as radar sensors eliminate blind spots, make it easier to manoeuvre and enhance road safety. While the product developments have been led primarily by customer needs, the regulatory environment has also matured leading to enhancements and changes. A key aspect has been the introduction of regulations to address the issue of vehicle emissions and safety. This topic is mandatory for both the manufacturers and customers. It has had the single largest impact on manufacturers in terms of the cost of their products. The emphasis on product development leading to cost of product is inevitable. MAN has used these regulatory changes to ensure better engines deliver optimised fuel effi ciency. The resultant reduction in emissions also have clear environmental benefi ts as well as enhanced safety levels – both inside the cabin as well as on the road. Ultimately, the next generation of trucks need to provide solutions that are technologically viable, fi nancially feasible, operationally effi cient and environmentally friendly. With digitalization being at the forefront of supply chains, the need for autonomous trucks will increase – in fact, 52% of executives in the industry believe that the ‘autonomous supply chain’ will be here by 2025 (Ernst & Young). MAN is gearing up to meet the demands for autonomous driving and have successfully completed practical test runs at the Container Terminal Altenweder in Hamburg. However, while we work towards creating technologically superior products in this space, immediate customer needs will continue to inspire the design and development of products. INSIGHT 21 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021Enhancing your ability to see around corners. — That’s adaptive. ABB Adaptive Execution™ The ability to see around corners and anticipate potential obstacles is key to setting an accurate scope and price at the beginning of your capital projects. As the only solution that offers 360° vision into your project — and the only true end-to-end solution — ABB Adaptive Execution™ can make a world of difference for your projects. See how at new.abb.com/process-automation/energy-industries/adaptive-execution Adapt Nowimproves the world beyond it. Electrifying your mine also — ABB Ability ™ eMine. For your world, and mine. Electrifying a single mining truck can help save the coral reefs by lowering the oceans’ CO 2 absorption by up to 1,000 tons a year. Just imagine electrifying your entire mine. ABB Ability™ eMine makes that goal a reality. Building on decades of experience and expertise, we fully integrate electrification and digital systems from the mine to the port. Which ultimately lowers your environmental impact and operating costs, while raising your productivity. From planning to implementation, you can trust ABB to help change the current. For your mine as well as the world around it. Let’s write the future of mining. Together. new.abb.com/mining/emineUD TRUCKS GET EURO 5 UPGRADE COVER STORY 24 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021their environmental impact while improving effi ciency, uptime, and total cost of ownership compared to their previous models. The UD Trucks Euro 5 range bolsters the manufacturer’s ‘Better Life’ purpose – to be better for logistics, the planet, people, and business. The launch of these models in the GCC comes ahead of the introduction of new regulations in markets such as the UAE which currently follows the Euro 4 emission standard, and Qatar, which will be adopting Euro 5 emission standards by mid-2022. U D Trucks, a member of the Isuzu Group, has launched the Euro 5 versions of its heavy-duty Quester and medium-duty Croner trucks in the Middle East. The new trucks feature signifi cant upgrades aimed at minimising COVER STORY 25 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021 The ESCOT AMT has built-in intelligence that selects the right gear automatically and quickly at any given time, which eliminates the drivers’ need to shift an average of 1,000-1,500 times a day. Both the Euro 5 and Euro 3 models of the Quester and Croner trucks feature a new 5-inch LED instrument cluster with a built-in fuel coach, which provides feedback to the driver in real time about driving techniques and how to improve safety and fuel effi ciency. As the fi rst truck manufacturer to commercialise selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology in 2004, UD Trucks has the advantage of off ering a tried and tested system in developing markets. The SCR system injects diesel exhaust fl uid (AdBlue) on the exhaust gas from the engine, resulting in harmless nitrogen and water vapour. The Euro 5 trucks with SCR reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 60% and particulate matter emissions by 80% compared to their Euro 3 versions, and reduces NOx emissions by 43% compared to Euro 4 versions. The SCR emissions treatment provides other benefi ts such as reduced operational costs due to higher fuel effi ciency, longer service intervals, and lower maintenance requirements; higher power and torque through optimized combustion without increasing the size of the engine; and longer engine life due to a cleaner and more robust engine confi guration with lower sensitivity to sulphur content in the fuel. Mourad Hedna, president of UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa (MEENA), says: “In the rapidly-changing trucks industry, launching the Euro 5 trucks is a core focus for UD Trucks. The Quester and Croner Euro 5 models refl ect UD Trucks’ ‘Better Life’ commitment while ensuring that our customers are ready for any new regulation. With our proven SCR technology to fulfi l Euro 5 emission standards, we off er what we consider to be the most sustainable COVER STORY 26 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021 Mourad Hedna, president of UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa. The Euro 5 trucks with SCR reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 60% and particulate matter emissions by 80% compared to their Euro 3 versions, and reduces NOx emissions by 43% compared to Euro 4 versions. which eliminates the drivers’ need to shift an average of 1,000-1,500 times a day. The Euro 5 Croner is available in three models - MKE, LKE and PKE - with wheelbase variants that off er up to 21 diff erent confi gurations to suit the specifi c demands of various industries. The truck’s fuel effi ciency has been improved, in part due to a more aerodynamic cab design that reduces drag by 5% compared to previous models. The cab of the Croner comes with numerous active and passive safety features to protect the driver, cargo, and surrounding traffi c. Both the Euro 5 and Euro 3 models of the Quester and Croner trucks feature a new 5-inch LED instrument cluster with a built-in fuel coach, which provides feedback to the driver in real time about driving techniques and how to improve safety and fuel effi ciency. UD Telematics Services allow transportation companies to maximise effi ciency with real-time vehicle tracking and geo-fencing. Other than the engines, the Euro 3 trucks receive the same upgrades as the Euro 5 models, such as the new instrument cluster, ESCOT automated manual transmission, fuel coach system, body builder module, and UD Trucks Telematics Services. The rollout of the Euro 5 Quester and Croner trucks began from October 2021 onwards in UD Trucks’ key growth markets across Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Within UD Trucks’ MEENA markets, the Euro 5 models will be available initially in the UAE and Qatar. Other markets such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Iraq, will get the improved versions of the Euro 3 Quester and Croner models. transport solutions for customers in this region. For markets that not yet ready for Euro 5, we off er plenty of upgrades on the engine, transmission and cab of the Euro 3 models, designed specifi cally to improve the sustainability of using those vehicles. These new vehicles are also available with a range of services for customers to monitor their vehicle utilisation, performance and driver behaviour as well as a choice of service agreements to give them peace of mind.” The Euro 5 Quester delivers up to 460 hp and 2250 Nm torque with the 11-litre GH11E engine. When combined with the ESCOT automated manual transmission (AMT), the fuel economy of the trucks is improved by 10% compared to the previous Quester model. The ESCOT AMT has built- in intelligence that selects the right gear automatically and quickly at any given time, COVER STORY 27 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021O.RENTALS TAKES DELIVERY OF ITS FIRST BAUER DUTY- CYCLE CRANE 28 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021 CRANESO .rentals, the rental and leasing arm of Al Shirawi Enterprises, has taken delivery of its fi rst Bauer MC 96 duty-cycle crawler crane for dynamic compaction projects. The Bauer MC 96 joins O.rentals’ growing rental fl eet of crawler cranes making their mark across the world. With its base in the UAE, O.rentals boasts a global clientele that spans across Asia, Africa and North America. In addition to various land reclamation projects across the GCC, O.rentals has supported ground improvement projects as far as Mozambique, Turkmenistan, Singapore and Mexico. Thani Al Shirawi, CEO of O.rentals and vice chairman and group deputy managing director of the Al Shirawi Group, says: “Our customers require dependable ground improvement services anywhere in the world, across even the most remote locations. This creates logistical and operational challenges that they rely on O.rentals to overcome. We off er maximum uptime through our skilled team of engineers and expert operators. Depending on intricate project requirements, O.rentals off ers an on-site team of repair engineers anywhere in the world to carry out maintenance and repairs for the duration of the job. We ensure spare part availability globally through our reliable relations with OEMs and safeguarding customers and projects with minimum downtime. With the combination of our reliable ground improvement services and Bauer’s dependable MC 96 crane, we will be able to serve more rental customers anywhere in the world.” Christian Gress, member of the board, Bauer Maschinen, comments: “Our duty- cycle cranes are synonymous with reliability and productivity, and our partnership with O.rentals will help extend this promise to more rental customers worldwide. This partnership has been in development for a while, and we are glad to have met the highest standards demanded by O.rentals for ground improvement projects.” Hermann Schrattenthaler, executive director–Middle East & Africa, Bauer Maschinen, adds: “Bauer’s traditional core competency in specialist foundation engineering has been expanded to encompass three distinct business segments: construction, equipment, and resources. Machinery and equipment made by Bauer has been a byword for top performance and quality as well as for continuous innovation.” The Bauer MC 96 is powered by the Cat (Left to right) Hermann Schrattenthaler, executive director–Middle East & Africa, Bauer Maschinen; Christian Gress, member of the board, Bauer Maschinen; K.C. Pingle, divisional head of crane rentals, O.rentals; Thani Al Shirawi, CEO of O.rentals and vice chairman and group deputy managing director of the Al Shirawi Group; Shahram Houssmandfard, managing director, Bauer Equipment Gulf; and Rajesh Ramdas, service manager, O.rentals. 29 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comDECEMBER 2021 CRANESNext >