Despite volcanic interruptions in air travel, Bauma 2010 in Munich, Germany, was held April 19-26. Messe Munchen GmbH, organizers of the event, said more than 415,000 visitors from more than 200 countries attended Bauma 2010, down 17 percent from Bauma 2007. Many attendees and several exhibitors were delayed in their travels at the beginning of the event because of flights being canceled due to the ash plume over parts of Europe from the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Bauma, which takes place every three years, is the world’s largest construction equipment tradeshow.

Those attending the show were said to be optimistic about the future. “The mood in the industry shows that in Europe, the bottom of the cycle is now behind us. Confidence has returned,” said Ralf Wezel, secretary-general of CECE, the Committee for European Construction Equipment. “Of course, at the start of the fair, the exhibitors felt the lack of many customers from Asia and America — but in the second half of Bauma, this improved considerably.”

Several equipment manufacturers used the show to make announcements or introduce new products, including:

Atlas Copco introduced three new heavy hydraulic breaker models with PowerAdapt and optimized power-to-weight ratio. The company said the 2,000-kg (4,409 lbs.) HB 2000 offers 10 percent more power than its predecessor, the HB 2200. The new HB 3100 and HB 4700 with a service weight of 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs.) and 4,700 kg (10,361 lbs.), respectively, deliver 5 percent and 13 percent more power than their predecessor models. For more information, visit www.atlascopco.com.

Caterpillar, Peoria, Ill., displayed several new products including the 336E and 374D L hydraulic excavators, the D7E track-type tractor, 434E and 432E backhoe loaders, TH417 telehandler, AP555E asphalt paver, DEM50 demolition excavator, updated 988H large wheel loader and several work tools. For more information, visit www.cat.com.

CNH International Construction Equipment, Lugano, Switzerland, announced its new organization aimed at strengthening its construction equipment operations in Africa, the Middle East and CIS, Asia and Oceania. CNH International Construction Equipment maintains two brands and two separate distribution networks — Case Construction Equipment and New Holland Construction. For more information, visit www.cnh.com.

Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment, Atlanta, launched its DL420 articulated wheel loader to rpleace its DL400. The 49,163-lb. DL420 is powered by a 659-cu.-in., 6-cylinder turbocharged Cummins QSM11 electronically controlled engine with emissions below Tier III regulatory limits. The loader also has a bucket capacity of 5.2 cu. yds. For more information, visit www.doosanequipment.com.

Volvo Construction Equipment, Brussels, Belgium, highlighted its progress in improving the efficiency of its industrial operations. In a press conference, Olof Persson, the company’s president and chief executive, discussed the tough trading conditions in the industry, which in 2009 saw the total world market for construction equipment within Volvo CE’s product segments decrease by 39 percent compared to the same period in 2008.
Despite the economic situation, Persson said the company continued to defend its market share in most markets and product segments, thanks to a strong dealer network and product range. Persson also noted that the company’s efficiency measures are proving effective, such as efforts to shrink dealer inventories, which were reduced by 47 percent during 2009, to balance stock with demand. For more information, visit www.volvo.com.