22.04.2008

Terex enters the underbridge access market

Terex has acquired Hydra Platforms, the Rock Hill, South Carolina based manufacturer of truck and trailer mounted self erecting under-bridge access equipment used for bridge construction, maintenance and inspection.

Terms have not yet been disclosed, the business was previously owned by the McGillewie family led by Garth McGillewie senior and junior.
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A Hydra truck mounted underbridge platform

Hydra will become part of the Terex Road building business and will work with the company’s Bid-Well subsidiary. Bid-Well manufacturers bridge paving equipment in the United States.
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A Hydra underbridge platform

George Ellis, vice president and general manager of Terex Road building said: “Hydra is a leader in a growing market for under-bridge access, more than 93 percent of bridges in the United States were built before 1980 and 25 percent have been designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.”
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One of Hydra's trailer mounted units

“As a result, more funds are being committed for bridge inspection and repair. Hydra Platforms’ products provide a cost effective tool for bridge contractors, engineers and state Departments of Transportation to address this vital public safety aspect of our nation’s aging infrastructure.”

“Hydra Platforms is an excellent strategic fit for Terex since our Bid-Well organization serves the same customer base and, through Bid-Well, we hope to expand Hydra’s national and international reach.”

Vertikal Comment

This seems like a good move for Terex the product is a great fit with its other products and could benefit over the long term form the company’s engineering and manufacturing skills not to mention its international market coverage.

It will be interesting to see how far it plans to take the product range, both in terms of product development and internationalisation of its range.