Wheel loaders cementing productivity in Hanoi

An Phuc Manufacturing and Commercial is a small construction materials producer in Hanoi, Vietnam, that supplies ready-mix concrete to construction contractors. Established three years ago, the company has boosted production levels and revenues with two SDLG LG952H wheel loaders taking charge of its vital material handling operations.

Although best known for its natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, Vietnam is also a leading global producer of construction materials. It is currently the world’s seventh largest cement producer, with most of this consumed domestically. Thanks to increasing foreign investment in the country’s real estate sector, and strong government support for infrastructure development, demand for ready-mix concrete is on the rise. An Phuc is one of the local companies benefiting from this increase in construction activity and the three year old company has already reached annual revenues of US$280 million.

“For a small business like ours, low overheads and minimal downtime are essential to ensure a profitable and sustainable business,” says Nguyen Van Luc, owner of the An Phuc cement plant.

To illustrate how fast the Vietnamese market can change, Van Luc explains that over half of the company’s 500 000 m³ production for this year will be allocated to a single customer – a real-estate developer that requires 300 000 m3 per year. To add to the challenge, the customer needed the full amount delivered over a three month period. It’s market demands such as these that have forced An Phuc to reevaluate its production operations and, in particular, its material handling capabilities. After assessing the price and productivity of several options, the company opted to invest in two new SDLG LG952H wheel loaders to support its growing business.

From its base in Hanoi, An Phuc produces ready-mix concrete from quarry aggregates at its onsite plant. Here, 1000 t of gravel and sand are transported every day from the nearby River Hong to the plant, over 50 m away. Once the aggregates are dumped at the plant, the two SDLG LG952Hs then load and transport the aggregates 20 m from the dumping site to the mixing plant.

The 5 t-rated LG952H features a 150 kW Weichai engine and delivers optimum breakout force, ensuring a full bucket every cycle for better productivity and efficiency. The machine’s long wheel base and high tipping load mean it remains stable even on rough terrain, while the machine’s components are designed to endure the heavy-duty wear and tear of the job site.

Vietnam has a warm and humid climate, which can make equipment operation uncomfortable – especially during the dry season between May and September. This makes the air-conditioned cab on the SDLG machine much appreciated: “The machines’ cab has built-in climate control that helps reduce fatigue for our operators, especially in extreme weather conditions,” says Pham Van Quyen, operations manager at the site. “This ultimately keeps our operations moving more efficiently.”

“Since we purchased the SDLG wheel loaders, our productivity has increased by 40% compared with our previous solution,” he continues. “The machines are now an indispensable component in our efficient management system, helping us hit our targets on time and on budget.”

On average the machines work 40 hours per week, transporting 1680 m³ of aggregates per day.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/19012016/sdlg-wheel-loaders-cementing-productivity-hanoi-338/