Custom cranes to help restore Hippo Valleys sugar supply
PRESS RELEASE
Custom cranes to help restore Hippo Valley’s sugar supply
4 May 2016: Specialist crane and components manufacturer Demag was involved in the successful completion of the R8-million Hippo Valley project in Zimbabwe. The company supplied three 8-ton portal crane via its Zimbabwe-based distributor O. Conolly & Company, as part of the upgrade to restore the sugar cane output in the country.
The low-cost sugar supplier is now able to produce an estimated 700 000 tonnes of sugar cane per year via a railway line. O. Conolly director Ian Conolly explains: “Hippo Valley required reliable lifting of cane bundles from its loading zones on the field and moved onto the rail cars for carrying to the mill. The cranes are designed specifically for cane bundling loading and were installed in the fields.”
In order to reach the desired output, Demag designed the portal of the crane to allow for absolute control of the bundles. The portal crane legs were designed such that the bundles could be moved between the legs and out to the rail cars. “We also experienced some delays due to the extra time taken to install the rails by a supplier, however we were able to finish on time,” adds Conolly.
While it was not easy working in Zimbabwe due to the remote location of the installation, together with market instability resulting from a depressed economy and political instability, Conolly believes that the country offers a good market for the industry. “Many opportunities still exist for future developments and our main focus in the industry has been primarily on refurbishment and maintenance,” he continues.
Demag, which operates a sales and service network in more than 60 countries, manufactures technically sophisticated cranes, hoist units and components. It also offers after-sales services such as refurbishments, inspections, overhauls, repairs, training, consulting and analysis.
Conolly highlights that Demag was chosen for the project, which began in 2012 and was completed in 2014, due to its impeccable reputation in the business. “We have a strong brand, which is known for its design quality, operational reliability and components dependability,” he concludes.
Ends
Notes to the editor
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About Demag
Demag, a Terex Brand, is an internationally-recognised specialist in the design and manufacture of cranes, hoists, drives and handling technology for every application. The company’s extensive offering includes a wide range of solutions for travel applications, load handling at the workplace and material flow in production and storage. Demag’s crane experts always focus on offering customers the greatest possible efficiency, reliability, optimum availability and maximum performance. This customer-focused approach boasts a long tradition of continuous innovation that dates back to 1819.
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Web: www.demagcranes.co.za
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