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Metso opens Cape Town's bulk handling hub

Metso has strengthened its global Bulk Material Handling (BMH) network with the launch of a new regional hub in Cape Town

The facility enhances access to advanced automation technologies and engineering expertise, supporting bulk material handling and port customers across Africa. This development represents another milestone in Metso’s ongoing strategy to expand its capabilities in key markets.

The Cape Town hub reinforces Metso’s presence across Southern Africa, building on an established and growing installed base of equipment in the region. Operating within the same time zone, the hub enables faster technical assistance, more efficient issue resolution, and closer alignment with customer operations.

Facilitating market expansion and advancing talent development

Metso has maintained a long-standing relationship with Transnet, the state-owned enterprise responsible for the country’s port, rail and pipeline infrastructure.

“Bringing technical support closer to the operation is a practical step towards improving reliability and performance, and this partnership with Metso enables us to do that in a more structured and sustainable way,” commented Jabu Mdaki, CEO, Transnet Port Terminals.

“The African market is growing rapidly, and strengthening our regional presence is essential. Metso is well-recognized among the key companies in the region, reflecting our longstanding reputation and trusted partnerships within the local industry,” stated Ian Barnard, president, Africa Market Area, Metso.

The hub employs around 60 professionals who provide a wide range of services across the continent, including lifecycle support, modernisation solutions and technical expertise. Beyond direct employment, Metso also contributes to the local economy through engagement with consultants, suppliers and contractors.

In addition, the facility supports the development of regional industrial capabilities by fostering skills growth, particularly among younger professionals, and strengthening the broader workforce. This investment enhances the operational landscape for Port Solutions in South Africa and across the wider African market.

Full lifecycle support in bulk material handling

With more than 100 years of experience and over 8,000 bulk material handling installations worldwide, Metso continues to play a leading role in the sector.

The new hub builds on Metso’s global expansion efforts, including its recent acquisition of MRA Automation, aimed at strengthening its expertise in advanced automation and digitalisation. These capabilities will now be extended to customers in Africa, enabling the adoption of digital tools to improve reliability and optimise performance. The company has also expanded its footprint in North America with a new engineering hub in Pittsburgh.

Metso’s bulk material handling portfolio includes equipment such as railcar dumpers, apron feeders, belt feeders, conveyors, stackers, reclaimers, ship loaders and unloaders, as well as cable belt conveyors and smart automation systems. Known for its expertise in design, supply and lifecycle services, Metso delivers tailored solutions that address evolving customer requirements across the full operational lifecycle.

Yanmar’s new SV10 mini excavator. (Image source: Yanmar)

Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA has launched its new SV10 mini excavator, designed for space-restricted environments

Developed for the evolving demands of the 0-2 tonne segment, the SV10 focuses on delivering precise control, ease of operation and dependable performance across a wide range of applications.

It is designed for construction and urban infrastructure projects, rental and fleet operations, as well as municipal and landscaping applications.

According to Yanmar, the launch comes at a time when the 0-2 tonne segment accounts for 39% of the construction machinery market and continues to grow, driven by strong demand from construction and rental professionals.

“At the heart of the SV10 is its compactness,” a company statement read. “With an overall width of just 740 mm in its narrowest configuration, the machine can pass through standard doorways and operate in tight indoor or urban environments with ease.

A variable undercarriage also allows operators to extend the width to 990mm for enhanced stability when required, offering the flexibility to adapt to different working conditions.

“Its small swing radius, combined with a 60° boom swing, delivers precise control and positioning in highly restricted areas,” the statement added.

“From indoor renovation and demolition, to urban works and other sensitive environments where precision and minimal disruption are essential, the SV10 is designed to operate where larger machines cannot reach

Despite its compact footprint, the SV10 still delivers strong and reliable performance.

Powered by a Yanmar 3TNV70 engine delivering 9.2 kW of net power, the machine achieves digging forces of 5.2 kN (arm) and 7.6 kN (bucket), alongside a maximum digging depth of 1,800mm.

“A wide working range and compatibility with multiple attachments enable the SV10 to adapt to a variety of tasks, from trenching and landscaping to light demolition and utility work,”the statement added.

“Such versatility makes it well suited to contractors managing diverse projects, as well as rental companies seeking to maximise fleet utilisation.”

Ease of operation features include improved ergonomics, with repositioned side levers and intuitive controls, for a smooth and comfortable user experience, even for less experienced operators.

This can be valuable in rental environments, where machines must be quickly understood and safely operated by users with varying skill levels.

“The SV10 has been designed to maximise uptime and minimise operational disruption,” Yanmar noted.

“With an operating weight of 1,055 kg and transport weight of 1,180 kg, the machine is easy to transport between sites and quick to deploy, supporting efficient workflows for contractors and rental fleets alike.”

It added: “Straightforward maintenance, including a tilting engine bonnet for fast access to key components, reduces service time and keeps machines in operation longer. Combined with Yanmar’s proven engine reliability and a design focused on low total cost of ownership, the SV10 delivers dependable performance over time.”

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Hamm unveils real-time density-compaction technology

SkyJacks' new tight-space hoisting solution

Volvo CE announces closure of Rokbak business

Smart Compact Pro enhances asphalt quality and reduces construction costs. (Image source: Hamm)

Roller manufacturer Hamm introduces the Smart Compact Pro under the motto “Measure it right. Measure it now.”

For the first time, real-time density is being used as a decisive parameter for qualitative assessment and integrated into automated compaction. Smart Compact Pro makes a significant contribution to extending the service life of road surfaces and, in the long term, reduces construction and repair costs, as well as potential additional expenses for the contractor.

Despite advances in digitalisation, asphalt compaction has so far been heavily dependent on empirical data and the experience of the roller driver. Consistent double passes and the correct use of dynamic compaction were often dependent on the driver’s knowledge. Since 2022, the Smart Compact digital compaction assistant from Hamm has been simplifying the compaction process in asphalt construction by controlling the compaction modes and forces based on the selected layer type – base, binder or surface course – automatically and separately for both drums. The system continuously monitors the asphalt’s physical properties, such as temperature and rigidity, as well as its complex cooling behaviour, to ensure homogeneous compaction by applying the optimum compaction energy and modes in each case. There is even the option of incorporating local weather data.

Hamm is now expanding Smart Compact to incorporate an essential measured value – real-time asphalt density. Industry experts agree that it is the decisive parameter for qualitative assessment during the compaction process and will become the key indicator for rigorously meeting regulatory requirements and minimising financial deductions.

Smart Compact Pro closes this gap by integrating the new “Realtime Density Scan” sensor into the automated compaction process. It determines the asphalt density in real time by measuring the dielectric conductivity of the asphalt mix to be compacted, therefore forming the basis for the correlation with the asphalt density or the porosity. Both parameters are crucial for self-monitoring or control testing. With the help of real-time density, Smart Compact Pro is able to provide construction companies with a decisive advantage by accurately implementing regulatory requirements.

This can significantly reduce potential financial deductions due to inadequate quality in the construction work and also save costs for premature repairs. Using Smart Compact Pro also significantly reduces the costs for extracting drill cores.

In summary, the world-first integration of real-time density into automated compaction represents a significant step forward for asphalt compaction. Even inexperienced operators can achieve optimal compaction results with Smart Compact Pro, with no need for extensive prior knowledge. This offers a significant boost for construction companies in times of an increasing shortage of skilled workers.

Introducing safer, more efficient hoisting in tight spaces (Image source: SkyJacks)

SkyJacks has expanded its access portfolio with the GEDA 300 Z Boiler Hoist designed for tight, confined operations

A solution specifically designed for tight spaces, the new hoist allows for maintenance work in high-value industrial environments such as silos, blast furnaces, co-generation plants and boilers, where service and engineering teams often face access challenges.

Sometimes, access is limited to a 45-cm manhole, which means traditional lifting equipment cannot work effectively — this forces teams to rely on manual handling methods that consume time and require physical effort.

“The reality is that many maintenance teams are working in environments that were never designed for modern equipment,” said Darryn Jacobs, managing director at SkyJacks. “The GEDA 300 Z changes that completely. It enables contractors to introduce efficient lifting capabilities into spaces that were previously hard to reach, without sacrificing safety or performance.”

Industries like energy, mining and manufacturing often perform maintenance in vertical structures, where materials, tools and components must be moved safely between different levels.

In these situations, a lack of effective lifting systems can slow down operations, a delay that increases downtime during vital maintenance shutdowns.

Manual handling not only hampers productivity but also raises safety risks and worker fatigue, complicating the ability for teams to meet tight deadlines.

The GEDA 300 Z Boiler Hoist tackles these problems with an innovative modular design.

Each component is lightweight and compact enough to fit through narrow openings, including 45-cm manholes, which allows teams to bring the system into confined spaces more readily.

Once inside, two people can assemble the unit in about 40 minutes, creating a fully functional hoisting system where traditional equipment cannot operate.

“With the ability to lift materials quickly and safely, teams can focus on what truly matters,” said Jacobs. “You’re getting rid of the bottlenecks that usually slow down projects, which ultimately means faster turnaround times and less downtime for the whole operation.”

The GEDA 300 Z has a lifting capacity of up to 300 kg and can reach heights of up to 100 metres, making it suitable for various maintenance and refurbishment tasks.

Its strong construction ensures durability in tough industrial environments, while its compact size is perfect for tight spaces where larger systems cannot operate.

Safety is another benefit, according to Jacobs.

“Safety is crucial in these settings,” he said. “What’s important is that you don’t have to compromise efficiency to achieve it. The GEDA 300 Z is built to provide both, giving operators confidence that their teams and equipment are secure at all times.”

He said industries that will benefit the most from adding the GEDA 300 Z to their maintenance strategies include power generation, mining, manufacturing, petrochemical operations, as well as industrial construction.

In these fields, where maintenance in confined spaces is common, enhancing material handling while cutting down on downtime can significantly boost overall performance.

“The launch of the GEDA 300 Z is about more than just a piece of equipment,” said Jacobs. “It’s about providing our clients with a smarter, safer, and more efficient way to handle maintenance in some of the most challenging environments. When you can reduce downtime, improve safety, and streamline operations at the same time, that’s where true value is created.”

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The Rokbak RA40 at Nigeria Mining Week in 2025 (Image source: Rokbak)

Volvo Construction Equipment has announced the closure of its Rokbak business, a popular brand across Africa, citing continued rising costs and global trade challenges
 
“As part of a long-term strategic shift and due to the unsustainable profitability of the Rokbak articulated hauler business, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) will close its Rokbak business and concentrate resources on its portfolio of other hauling solutions,” it noted in a statement.
 
For more than four decades, Rokbak — formerly Terex Trucks — delivered reliable off-highway articulated haulers to customers worldwide.
 
However, rising operational and supply chain costs, combined with global trade challenges, including US tariffs, have significantly impacted financial performance, making continued operation unsustainable, a Volvo CE statement read.
 
The statement added that Volvo CE remains committed to the ongoing success of Rokbak customers and will provide dedicated support throughout the current phase-out and into the future, including aftermarket support.
 
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal Rokbak customers, dealers, dedicated employees, and supportive partners who have been part of this journey,” said Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE.
 
“Our priority is to honour our commitments and deliver ongoing comprehensive support to Rokbak customers and partners.”
 
Volvo CE said it will concentrate resources on “advancing and launching innovative hauling solutions” and that its Motherwell facility in UK will continue to focus on the development of rigid haulers.
 
This Rokbak closure is subject to completion of a collective consultation process which is expected to be concluded by Q3 2026.
 
Volvo CE added that it will work with unions, government representatives and regulatory bodies to ensure a responsible and supportive transition for employees impacted by the move.
 
Rokbak is a familiar in many of Africa’s toughest markets, in mining, quarrying and major infrastructure projects.
 
Last October, Rokbak and its West Africa dealer HMD presented its robust RA40 articulated dump trucks, available in 28-tonne (RA30) and 38-tonne (RA40) payload classes, at Nigeria Mining Week.
 
Over the past year, Rokbak significantly expanded its dealer network across Africa, with expert partners now offering sales, service and parts support in markets including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.
 
This network ensures access to genuine parts, trained technicians and in-country support – even on hard-to-reach sites.
 
In Zimbabwe, for example, dealer partner Machinery Exchange has established Rokbak service hubs in Harare, Bulawayo and Hwange, for 24-hour parts availability and on-site technical services for mining clients across the country.
 
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