Hiab wins an order to supply 200 loader cranes to Chausson Matériaux in France

CARGOTEC CORPORATION, PRESS RELEASE, 12 DECEMBER 2013 AT 10:00 AM (EET)

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has won a contract to supply 200 loader cranes to Chausson Matériaux, one of France's largest independent buildings materials suppliers, based in Toulouse in the south of France.

Hiab will supply five medium-capacity models from its XS range. All will be provided with the HiPro operating system and Combidrive remote control. The HiPro operating system enables the crane to carry out up to seven functions at once, with speed, accuracy, precision, and a predictable operational function every time, allowing for fast, safe unloading.  

The cranes will be delivered during 2014 and early 2015. The order is to enable Chausson Matériaux to equip its 80 recently acquired new dealers with Hiab equipment, and to upgrade existing Hiab equipment throughout its 320-strong dealer network. Chausson Matériaux currently operates a fleet of 400 Hiab cranes, which will increase to 550 with the delivery of this order.

"As a company, we deliver premium quality building products on a just-in-time basis to our customers. We therefore need reliable, high quality equipment to achieve this, backed up by a no-quibble, fast maintenance service," said Pierre-Georges Chausson, Managing Director of Chausson Matériaux.

Carrosserie Serignac, Hiab's dealer in Toulouse, has had a business partnership with Chausson Matériaux for 60 years, with Chausson Matériaux working exclusively with them since 1955. Carrosserie Serignac has developed a bespoke solution for Chausson Matériaux, whereby they equip their delivery trucks with a strengthened sub-frame and lightweight bodywork, allowing the trucks to increase their payload by up to 250kg. This enables delivery vehicles to transport the maximum load size possible, and reduces costs when scheduling deliveries to customers.  

"Chausson Matériaux has very specific requirements from their delivery vehicles, so we have created specialised solutions just for them," said Thibaut Serignac, Managing Director of Carrosserie Serignac. "Our long relationship with our customer means that we have a detailed knowledge of their needs, so we can provide a seamless support service to them."

The Combidrive remote control function, which Chausson Matériaux specifies as standard, allows the driver to position himself close to the cargo and unload it with precision and accuracy. Because cargo is routinely lifted up to 15 metres, and often with a long outreach, Combidrive enables the driver to work with much greater control. It has no delay, so he feels in touch with the crane; and a soft movement, allowing him to operate it with confidence and safety.

Hiab's network of 20 dealers and 70 service centres across France means that trained technicians can carry out routine service and repair work locally. This facility is imperative to Chausson Matériaux, to enable its own nationwide network of dealers to offer an efficient service to its customers. Crane downtime is reduced to a minimum, whilst reliability and safety is upheld.

Hiab's Vice President for Market Area West Europe, Thierry Aubry, said: "We are very proud of being Chausson Matériaux's preferred supplier. They are constantly growing and are a key player in the French materials distribution industry. Our focus is to fully support Chausson Matériaux in the management of their fleet to ensure the smooth operation of their deliveries on a daily basis."

For further information please contact:
Thierry Aubry, Vice President, Market Area West Europe, Hiab; tel. +33130517477, e-mail thierry.aubry@cargotec.com
Lotta Clausen, Communications Director, Hiab; tel. +46 372 378138, e-mail lotta.clausen@cargotec.com

Hiab is the world's leading provider of on-road load handling equipment. Our product range includes loader cranes, forestry and recycling cranes, demountables, truck-mounted forklifts and tail lifts. We aim to set the industry benchmark for customer satisfaction by providing products and services that meet customer needs globally. Hiab's workforce numbers 3,000 people.  www.hiab.com
 
Hiab is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 3.3 billion in 2012 and it employs approximately 10,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com