Displaying items by tag: bulk handling

US: Martin Engineering has launched its two-wheeled Martin Gen 4 Railcar Opener. It is designed to aid bulk handlers to unload unprocessed and processed bulk materials from rail transport to facilities, including cement plants and terminals. The fourth generation product is intended to improve ease of use and reduce potential hazards for workers.

Features of the latest version of the railcar opener include simple manoeuvrability and lateral turning wheels for moving capstans, outrigger support and height adjustment. A ‘stepped’ drive tip is also intended to improve the gate opener’s contact with the capstan. This new design boosts efficiency, leading to less demurrage from stalling and a safer workplace.

Marty Yepsen, Business Development Manager for Railcar Unloading Products at Martin Engineering said “We’re excited about the 4th generation of this model because it’s been painstakingly designed over years using real-world feedback from customers.” He continued, “The nearly effortless single operator design transforms a hazardous and gruelling job into a comparatively routine and risk-free task,” Yepsen concluded. “Field tests have shown that the Gen 4 not only improves efficiency, which lowers demurrage, but it also increases safety and reduces labour costs. All this drives down operating costs and boosts ROI.”

Martin Engineering builds products for bulk materials handling. The company has its headquarters in Neponset, Illinois. It runs subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Spain, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK and the US.

UK: Heidelberg Materials UK and Turners have entered into a 50/50 joint venture for bulk cement haulage, with the haulier distributing the producer’s bulk cement from autumn 2025. Heidelberg Materials UK will transfer its bulk cement distribution business and employees into the JV, which will have a board with representatives from both companies.

Heidelberg Materials UK CEO Simon Willis said “Heidelberg Materials is constantly looking into ways to optimise its operational model and deliver the best value for customers. As a result, we have decided to create a joint venture arrangement with Turners for the distribution of our bulk cement. Our aim is to enhance the distribution of our bulk cement and upgrade our fleet and operations. Partnering with Turners, which we already have a strong working relationship with, will enable us to be more efficient by leveraging its broad logistics experience, systems and network.”

The JV is expected to take effect no sooner than 26 October 2025. Heidelberg Materials UK operates more than 300 sites across aggregates, concrete, asphalt and contracting, cement and recycling, employing over 4000 staff.

Germany: Aumund Group has integrated the Dutch bulk material expert ESI Eurosilo into its operations, effective 25 June 2025. The acquisition strengthens Aumund’s position as a full-range bulk material handling provider, adding vertical storage systems to its portfolio.

CEO of AUMUND Group Pietro de Michieli said “By integrating ESI Eurosilo, we are adding a strategically important component to our offering – safe, space-saving and environmentally friendly storage of bulk materials.”

North America: Sweden-based Bruks Siwertell successfully delivered three new road-mobile ship unloaders to two cement industry customers in North America, including one in Mexico, in November 2023. Both customers selected the supplier’s 10 000 S Siwertell unloaders. One of the cement producers now has four such units in operation, and the other now has one.

Bruks Siwertell project development engineer Pedro Alfaro said “The US is seeing a huge rise in demand for cement, and our technology is helping operators meet these volume increases in the most sustainable way possible.” He continued “Road-mobile units ensure minimal dust emissions and enclosed and spillage-free conveying, and offer excellent through-ship capacity and the flexibility of being able to move between sites. We are also one of the few companies able to supply a ship unloading solution that can discharge cement from vessels directly to trucks.”

US: Cemex USA has commissioned a new 225t cement unloader for handling dry bulk materials from ships at the Port of Palm Beach in Florida. The port says that the producer invested US$7m in the equipment. It is decorated with a mural of a manatee cow and calf, dedicated to local conservation charity Friends of Manatee Lagoon.

Images here.

US: Beumer Group has acquired the Hendrik Group for an undisclosed sum. It plans to expand its portfolio of bulk material transport with a focus on alternative fuels and raw materials for both the cement and mining sectors. The technology it is buying will also give it capabilities in the bulk handling of hazardous materials.

Markus Schmidt, the chief executive officer of Beumer Corporation, said “The Hendrik Group specialises in the efficient and environmentally friendly transport of bulk materials. This aligns very well with our goals of bringing sustainable products to the market and improving our customers’ carbon footprint.”

The Hendrik Group is a US-based manufacturer of air-supported belt conveyors. It was founded in 1983 by Henk Hartsuiker and is based in Woodbury, Connecticut.

North Korea: State-owned Cheonnaeri Cement has completed a successful upgrade to its 1Mt/yr Cheonae cement plant in South Hamgyong Province. Korean News has reported that the upgrade involved the replacement of the plant's clinker cooler, burners and clinker and raw materials handling systems. A new bucket conveyor has more than doubled raw materials handling capacity.

Cheonnaeri Cement reportedly plans to further expand the capacity of the plant.

Germany: Global Cement is attending Powtech 2023 in Nuremberg, Bavaria, on 26 – 28 September 2023. Powtech is the International Processing Trade Fair for powder, bulk solids, fluids and liquids. Find us at Stand 2-524 in Hall 2.

Spain: Italy-based CICSA Group has concluded a deal to acquire chains supplier CADERSA. CADERSA serves the Iberian and Central and South American markets, including the cement industry. CICSA Group said that the acquisition will 'complete' its range of chain solutions for bulk materials handling applications. It noted CADERSA's 'deep' expertise, ranging from round steel link chains to pin and bush chains.

The group said "Through this operation, we leverage clear synergies and great product complementarity, while accessing new markets and new industries."

Australia: Italy-based Bedeschi has started a new subsidiary in Australia. Bedeschi Australia’s head office is based in Perth with satellite offices in Port Hedland and Brisbane. The company is intended to target the mining, port and agricultural sectors. Uwe Zulehner has been appointed as the chief executive officer of Bedeschi Australia.