State of the Industry 2019

Opportunities and challenges remain for automation, connectivity and alternative power sources in the heavy-duty equipment industry.

October 11, 2019

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Automation, connectivity and alternative power sources continue to be among the dominating trends within the heavy-duty vehicle industry. As the technologies advance, the opportunities they can bring—such as improved machine performance, ease of operation and reduced emissions—have increased. They also present many challenges in how manufacturers can best implement them into their designs. Our State of the Industry interviews provide insight into how OEMs and suppliers are working to overcome these challenges and make the best of the opportunities available now and in the future.

Interview topics for 2019 include:

Global Markets
Government & Trade
Diesel, Electric and Other Power Alternatives
Data, IoT & Connectivity
Automation & Smart Systems
Industry Consolidation
Challenges & Opportunities

All of this year's full-length Q&As can be found below.

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM): Dennis Slater, President

Bosch Rexroth: Terry Hershberger, E-Systems Team Manager, Mobile Hydraulics

B&R Industrial Automation: Sean Grieve, Business Development Manager

Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE): Riccardo Viaggi , Secretary General

Cummins Inc.: Eric Neal, Executive Director

Dana Inc.: Jeroen Decleer, Vice President of Global Off-Highway Sales, Product Planning, and Strategy

Danfoss Power Solutions: Eric Alström, President

Eaton: Astrid Mozes, Vice President, Power & Motion Controls

Hatz Diesel of North America, Inc.: Michael L. Hartoonian, President and CEO

HED Inc.: Paul Ludwig, President and CEO

Innovusion: Steve Ehrsam, VP Marketing and Sales

John Deere Power Systems: Michael Lefebvre, Manager, Worldwide Marketing Support, and John Radke, Manager, Worldwide Customer Support

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association/Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (MEMA/HDMA): Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President

Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc.: Josh Swank, Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Sciemetric: Derek Kuhn, President and General Manager

SKF Americas: Michael D’Argenio, Vice President, Digital Transformation & Customer Experience

Southco, Inc.: Bob Straka, General Manager, Transportation

Topcon Agriculture: Brian Sorbe, VP of Global Production Solutions

Volvo Penta of the Americas: Ron Huibers, President and CEO

Infrastructure funding is a silver lining for many in the construction equipment industry.

Heavy Equipment Markets are Down in 2020 and Hopes up for a Better 2021

Negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have made 2020 a year to forget for most in the heavy equipment industries.

The majority of safety functions described by the new ANSI standard will require the use of a sensor to deliver the necessary values.

Sensors Play Critical Role in New ANSI Standard

Use of various sensor technologies will be necessary to meet the safety functions described by the new ANSI 92.20 standard.

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The Pros and Cons of Industry Consolidation

Continued consolidation in the heavy-duty vehicle industry has helped address many complex technological challenges while also enhancing the OEM and supplier relationship.

Webasto’s HFT 300 and HFT 600 high-efficiency air cleaners use medical-grade HEPA-14 filtration media.

New Products Ensure Safety in Time of COVID

Manufacturers in the heavy equipment industry are developing new products to keep people safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Volvo Penta Press Release Volvo Penta Powered Electric Fire Trucks 4

Volvo Penta-Powered Electric Fire Trucks to Begin Customer Testing

Three fire trucks featuring Volvo Penta electric drivelines are on their way to fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai to begin real-world customer testing.

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Inmotive Introduces Two-Speed Transmission for Electric Vehicles

The transmission can help extend electric vehicle range by up to 15% and is scalable for use in a variety of applications.

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Takeuchi Introduces TB257FR Compact Hydraulic Excavator

A side-to-side offset boom combined with tight tail swing enables the excavator to rotate fully with very little overhang, aiding use in confined spaces.

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Design & Engineering Insights: B&R Says Changing Workforce is Helping Drive Automation

The desire for more productive heavy equipment and a younger generation entering the industry is increasing expectations for advanced technology such as automation.

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Mecalac Launches Compact Railroad Excavator

The 216MRail excavator is purpose-built to be compact for enhanced agility, safety and operator visibility.

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Epiroc Battery-Electric Mining Equipment Completes Field Trial Near Arctic Circle

A Boomer E2 Battery, Scooptram ST14 Battery and Minetruck MT42 Battery have completed field testing in Europe's largest gold mine located in Northern Finland.

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New Study Finds Batteries Made From Deep-Sea Rocks can Reduce Carbon Emissions

A peer-reviewed study commissioned by DeepGreen finds making electric vehicle batteries from deep-sea rocks can reduce climate change impacts compared to land-based ores.

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NFI Begins Piloting Volvo VNR Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks

NFI will demonstrate the ability for battery-electric trucks to transport freight under a variety of operating conditions.

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Caterpillar Hybrid Engine Concept Optimizes Machine Performance

The Cat C18 hybrid concept captures and re-uses surplus energy to help improve machine performance.

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New Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G Utilizes Solid-State Batteries

The new electric bus is equipped with solid-state batteries which offer high energy density for increased power and longer life.

The Wacker Neuson battery-powered EZ17e mini excavator produces zero emissions.

Leveling-Up Construction Equipment with Electric Power

Electrification is the future. Companies can reap the benefits by beginning the transition now.

The Kenworth 270E is now available for order.

Kenworth K270E and K370E Battery-Electric Vehicles Available for Order

The zero-emission trucks utilize a DC fast-charging system capable of fast re-charge in 1 hour.

Volvo Trucks Delivers Vnr Electric Trucks To Dhe

Dependable Highway Express Begins Piloting Volvo VNR Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks

The company will demonstrate the ability for battery-electric trucks to successfully transport goods in daily routes as part of the Volvo LIGHTS project.

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Mack Trucks to Begin Production of LR Electric in 2021

The LR Electric features Mack’s fully integrated electric powertrain with twin electric motors and four NMC lithium-ion batteries.

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Design & Engineering Insights: Parker LORD Sensing Technologies Aid Autonomous Vehicle Development

As technology advances, sensors are becoming more precise to enable improved safety and operation of autonomous vehicles.

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Scania Launches Commercial Electric Truck Range

The range includes a fully electric and plug-in hybrid truck which can be customized for various urban transport needs.

A rendering of The Smart Factory @ Wichita.

Deloitte and Wichita State University Launch Smart Factory

The Smart Factory @ Wichita will demonstrate how Industry 4.0 can make an impact to spur innovation and enable smart factory capabilities.

Batteries used in Volvo Buses will find a second life as energy storage units.

Electric Volvo Bus Batteries Get Second Life

Volvo Buses is partnering with Stena Recycling subsidiary Batteryloop to reuse bus batteries as energy storage units in other applications.

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Balluff Says Smarter Sensors Will Provide Better Machine Insights

Advanced sensor technology will create smart systems with more processing power and improved data collection capabilities.

The Freightliner eCascadia is undergoing field tests with customers in the U.S.

Daimler Electric Vehicles Log Over 7 Million Kilometers

Customers using battery-powered, locally carbon dioxide-neutral trucks and buses have logged several kilometers on public roads.

Smart cab technology to be developed will incorporate IoT-enabled sensors and Sy-Klone air filtration expertise to better monitor and manage operator cab air quality in real-time in the most extreme industrial work sites.

Sy-Klone Awarded Contract to Develop Smart Cab Air Quality System

NIOSH and the CDC have awarded a contract to conduct research on the application of smart technology in a machine operator enclosure to manage air quality.

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Manitou Adds New MLT 420 Compact Telescopic Loader to North American Offering

The telescopic loader can navigate in confined spaces and offers the advantages of a loader, telehandler and industrial forklift combined in one machine.

Volvo Penta’s fully electric terminal tractor is doing real work at a harbor in Sweden.

Electromobility in the Off-Road Industry

Volvo Penta says more is needed yet for electromobility to take off, including charging infrastructure and an increase in the pace of technological change.