DEERE TAKING THE LARGER VIEW -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/1/2000
Last Visited: 12/30/2008
"Earlier this year (1999), we announced a strategic alliance with Bell Equipment Ltd. of South Africa," explained Jim White, senior vice-president, marketing & sales, for Deere's Worldwide Construction Equipment Division, at the product rollout.
"Our minority interest in Bell gives us exclusive rights to market a line of articulated dump trucks in the Western hemisphere.
We believe that our product and manufacturing expertise, plus our strong customer support and dealer network, will give customers a new choice in the growing articulated dump truck market."
JDCEC's decision to enter the ADT market was primarily, "because it's been growing," according to White.
"Industry sales have nearly doubled between 1992 and 1998," he said.
"Although sales have tapered off since March (1999), we expect long term sales growth to continue due to initiatives like the TEA-21 federal spending for streets and high-ways.
Also, there's been a shift to larger capacity articulated dump trucks.
When teamed with a large excavator, these machines are very cost-effective in moving materials, in many cases replacing the traditional scraper.
"Which is why I'm also pleased to announce that we are introducing two new models of large excavators, the 550 LC and the 750," White continued.
"The 550 LC will compete in the 50 to 66 metric ton class, and the 750 will compete in the 66 to 90 metric ton class.
These machines offer a computerized engine/hydraulic management system that allows the operator to set power and work modes for the most efficient operation in a variety of applications.
The cabs are wider and more comfortable than their competitors.
And they're available in both standard and mass excavation models."
Similar to its decision to enter the ADT marker, JDCEC is moving into the large excavator market because it's growing, White explained.
"The North American market for the 50 to 90 metric ton excavator class grew by 52 percent from 1994 to 1998, with the 66 to 90 ton class growing the most," he said.
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"When we introduced the C-Series crawlers in 1995, customers liked them because they were so easy to operates," said White.
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Along with its new and upgraded machines, White announced that John Deere Construction Equipment Co. was introducing its Internet-based Customer Personal Service (CPS) program.