16.01.2008

Terex Demag to supply 65 cranes to UK army

Terex Demag has confirmed a contract with the Amey Lex Consortium (ALC) to supply 59 units of its 35 tonne AC35 and six units of its 55 tonne AC55-1, All Terrain cranes, as part of the rationalisation plan for the Military of Defence’s fleet of Mobile Cranes.

Amey-Lex is a 50/50 joint venture between Amey and Lex Defence a division of Vosper Thorneycroft which has been established for the sole purpose of delivering the C Vehicle capability, service and support to the British Armed Forces.

The C Vehicle programme is a Private Finance Initiative devised to provide a fleet of modern construction equipment to the British Armed Forces on a worldwide basis.

A key element of ALC’s contract with the MoD, is to carry out a gradual rationalisation of the current MoD fleet with the aim to take it from over 3,800 items down to approximately 2,000 using Whole Fleet Management techniques.

As part of this process ALC quickly identified the need to replace, increase lifting capacity of, modernise and rationalise the existing MoD mobile crane fleet. The selection process to find the best product and supplier to achieve this began in September 2004.

Terex Demag responded to the opportunity to partake in the process by focusing on the specific requirements detailed by ALC which had stated that it was looking to steer away from a custom-designed over specialised product.

With this in mind Terex Demag offered its AC35 and AC55-1 models keeping any optional non standard equipment to a minimum. Terex then had to convince ALC that the durability and flexibility of its standard commercial products met with the needs and demands stated in the equipment and support requirements for Military use.

Only where specific ‘Military functions’ were required did Terex propose any non standard equipment.
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On the test pad

In August 2007, following a factory visit and demonstration, ALC ‘Down Selected’ Terex Demag and its AC35 and AC55-1 as its supplier and equipment of choice.

Technical and User Trials followed at MIRA and the Royal Engineers Trials and Development Unit at Camberley during October 2007.
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Out on the test track

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Water fording was a requirement

The contract to supply 59 AC35s and 6 AC55-1’s along with full technical support was finally signed by the two companies in December 2007.

Terex Cranes France will produce the machines on a special dedicated production line, with the ALC order being treated as incremental business, in order to avoid any negative affect on deliveries of the company’s regular commercial business.

The machines are scheduled to be delivered throughout 2008 and 2009 Product support will be coordinated by Terex Demag UK and supplied by its world-wide network of company stores and distributors.