As a global market leader in heavy-duty modular trailers and hydrostatically-powered modular transporters, Goldhofer has set itself the goal of developing individual cost-effective solutions for customers whose business involves transporting loads weighing between 50t and over 10,000t. It has accordingly remained committed for decades to the continuous development of its internationally acclaimed modular systems deployed for all transport operations under the most demanding conditions. Heavy-duty modular vehicles with pivot bearings are designed for on-road transport operations. With its reinforced frames, it is also ideal for in-plant working at high axle loads.
The innovative design of Goldhofer‘s Faktor 5 more than convinced its customer Lee & Muirhead, and the result was the seventh bridge to be produced by Goldhofer. One of the keys to the success of Faktor 5 is its sensational payload to deadweight ratio. Unlike many conventional high girder bridges, Faktor 5 can handle payloads of up to 500 tons with a deadweight of only 100 tons. That is unbeatable efficiency for operations involving ultra-heavy and oversized cargos like generators and transformers for the powergen industry.
Referring to Goldhofer’s Indian operations and expectations from this market, Mr. Jean-Philippe Martin, Director of Sales for Asia, says: “Following the delivery of the first Goldhofer Faktor 5 high girder bridge to India at the beginning of 2016, the year has been relatively quiet. Even the promising windpower market has so far been restrained. The Indian market continues to be of importance for us. We are now ready to go with our next innovation by the name of ADDRIVE and are anticipating considerable demand in the Indian market, too. We are expecting the first orders to come in 2017 and are confident that the market will then recognize the merits of this innovative system. ADDRIVE is an intelligent solution that combines the advantages of a towed module with those of a self-propelled modular transporter, and in doing so it meets the highest specifications in terms of versatility as well as tractive force, speed, availability and economics.”
The outstanding feature of ADDRIVE is its versatility in terms of the potential range of applications. Both as a self-propelled vehicle and as a towed module, it is always the optimum solution. For users, this means much faster and simpler vehicle mobilization from the start and therefore much greater efficiency in daily working. For that reason alone, this vehicle is predestined for the Indian market. In a country where road conditions vary so much, it has the power to deliver a flexible response from steep gradients to faster bypass roads. That means the rig always has enough traction to maintain good progress even in a critical situation without the need for an additional tractor unit.
Answering a question on his company’s future plans for the Indian market, he says: “We are optimistic about our prospects in the Indian market, especially as we are expecting to score with further innovations in the course of 2017.”