Vermeer Corporation has entered into a distribution agreement with Conmeq Construction Equipment & Machinery B.V., to supply Conmeq-branded electric mini skid steer loaders to be sold, serviced and supported through Vermeer industrial dealers in Europe.
Based in Budel, the Netherlands, Conmeq manufactures a fully electric, rubber-tired mini skid steer model, the AS15, with a 500 kg lifting capacity. The Conmeq AS15 has been in production at the company’s Budel facility since late-2020 and has been sold through independent dealers in the Benelux region. With this agreement, Conmeq is now delivering units to be sold through those existing distribution partners in Benelux and exclusively through Vermeer dealers across the rest of Europe this fall.
“Bringing a fully electric loader to market with Conmeq is another important step in the Vermeer strategy to rapidly offer electric options for our customers who are demanding emission-free, high-performing equipment,” said Doug Hundt, president of Vermeer Industrial Solutions. “These electric mini skid loaders with their compact size and cleaner running capability are well suited to help increase productivity and reduce labor for indoor demolition, interior construction and other applications where zero emissions and minimal noise are required.”
The AS15 is configured using a fully electric propulsion system that is unique to the electric compact loader market. Unlike electric over hydraulic systems that are more common, this configuration offers more direct power to each of the four independent wheel motors, offering efficient battery usage and high expected run times. The only hydraulic components are the boom functions and the auxiliary hydraulic feature. Additionally, the electric system uses a stackable, rechargeable battery power system, meaning more batteries can be added onto the unit to increase run time between charging.
With the growing need for cleaner-running equipment, particularly in Europe, Vermeer is building an electric equipment focus that is dedicated to rapidly bringing practical, electric technology to market, first in Europe and then other developed markets where electric-powered equipment demand is growing. The AS15 partnership builds on the company’s decade-long history with stationary and semi mobile electric products and the recent acquisition of electric horizontal directional drilling systems technology.
The AS15 will not be immediately available in markets outside of Europe as it is currently configured to match the needs and regulations of that market. As the company focuses first on Europe with this product, Vermeer will continue to build out its electrification strategy globally. This includes continuing the global commercialization of innovative electric horizontal directional drilling systems and exploring how to quickly bring electric compact equipment options that fit the demands of markets in other regions of the world.
