Astec looks to Europe

US equipment manufacturer Astec Industries plans to establish a production facility in Europe this year.
Jeff Richmond, president of Astec's road building subsidiary, Roadtec, told iC that the new plant will be based in Hameln, northern Germany, and will initially manufacture compacting screeds targeting the Germany market.
"We also have plans to develop new roller and compacting lines at the European plant," Mr Richmond said, adding that the facility would be used to stock equipment too.
And the company also had a range of new road building equipment on display at the ConExpo show in March. Roadtec showcased its SX-5 soil stabiliser/reclaimer - a new mid-size machine featuring a 540 hp (403 kW) Cat C15, Tier 4 Interim and Stage IIIB compliant engine for Europe and the US. Weighing less than 60000 lbs (27.2 tonnes), it joins the larger 700 hp (522 kW) model in the company's line of stabilisers/reclaimers and comes with a 96 in (2440 mm) wide cutter drum.
The SX-5 can cut to a depth of 18 in (460 mm), while four cutting speeds and right-hand flush cut allow the machine to be used for a range of projects including stabilising, pulverising, or cold recycling.