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44 | HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| AUGUST 2012
MINI EQUIPMENT & EXCAVATION
Digga Australia has invested US$2.5
million setting up a 3200sqm plant in
Dyersville, the US city made famous by the
Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams, which
will eventually employ 30 office and factory
staff to build gearboxes and augers for the
growing US excavator market.
Digga North America is expected to add
8% revenues to the company in the first 12
months with forecast growth of 20% over
three years.
Supplying drives and augers for drilling
and screw anchoring to the 8 – 50 tonne
excavator market, Digga will supply the
Paladin group, one of the largest
manufacturers of earthmoving attachments
in the US, with gearboxes for its range.
An improving US economy and industry
incentives gave Digga CEO Suzie Wright
the confidence to expand and invest in the
region. She said the excavator market is
one of the most rapidly growing and Digga
screw anchor products would be used in
construction, fencing, sound barriers, ‘any-
where a hole needs to be dug’.
“This expansion will allow us to grow
our US excavator market and as a result we
have ramped up production in Australia
over the last six months.
“Our investment now is in innovation,
engineering and product development. Our
focus is to become a world class fabricator
and assembler so we can control the quality
and give our clients what they need.”
Ms Wright will oversee Digga North
America, while the group’s chief operating
officer Paul Taylor will manage the
Australian business from the company’s
12,500sqm Gold Coast headquarters, where
it employs 200 staff.
“Digga Australia will export product to
our North America operation and also ramp
up its commitment to the domestic
market, which represents the majority of
Digga Australia goes global
our business,” Mr
Taylor said.
“While it is
exciting to be
taking our brand
to the world stage
and to have a base
in the US, we see
enormous growth
prospects
domestically in
mining and
infrastructure.
With our R&D
engineers focused
on new product
development,
some exciting new
products for our core skid steer market will
be launched in early January.”
Four key staff from the Gold Coast will
relocate to the US, including two specialist
engineering and fabrication personnel,
while vice president of sales Alan Wade will
relocate in July to service the growing US
client base and train staff.
For more visit: www.digga.com
HR
Viking Loaders has developed two Mini
Skid Steer Loaders for performance and
value, including the Tradesman Loader
series and the Premium Loader series.
Developed with the demands of the hire
industry and other contractor application
with multiple users, The Viking Tradesman
uses ergonomic mechanical design and
innovative hydraulic design. The Premium
Loader series was developed for full time
contracting. Designed and manufactured
in Ringwood, Victoria; Viking Loaders use
local sub-contractors and suppliers and
feature: 950m wide standard or 740mm
Viking mini loaders for hire
wide, fitted with skinny wheels; 16mm
fabricated steel construction; 20mm
fabricated arms; 8mm belly pan; 1.9mm
dump height; low centre of gravity;
ergonomically designed control layout;
and large operator platform.
Featuring a Kubota 25hp diesel engine
(Kubota D902 Diesel Tier 3), 4 wheel
motors and hydraulic cooler, the Viking
Loader also has a rigid crankshaft centre
line engine mount design resulting in low
vibration and component fatigue.
For more contact: 03 9720 2264 or visit:
www.vikingminiloaders.com.au
HR
Digga Australia will continue to deliver high levels of customer service, while
improving product development