NEWS - ASI A P AC IFIC
Manitowoc opens new facility in the Philippines Manitowoc has opened a new 2,900 sq m facility in the Philippines to stock parts for Potain tower cranes - including popular models such as the MCR 160, MCR 225 A and MCT 205 - and also parts for Grove mobile cranes such as the RT530E-2, RT765E-2 and GMK6300L. Located in Molino, Cavite, south of Manila, it incorporates a warehouse and a workshop. Construction of the facility was completed in July this year and Manitowoc staff have already moved in. “We want to provide the highest levels of support for our Grove mobile cranes and Potain tower cranes. The opening of this new warehouse is the latest example of our commitment to customers in the Philippines, following the expansion of our sales team earlier this year,” said Michael Macatangay, Manitowoc’s sales director for the Philippines. An open house was held in August to celebrate the unveiling of the new facility, attended by over 40 customers. Cranes on display at the event included the Potain Hup 32-27 self-erecting tower crane, Grove RT530E-2 rough-terrain crane and GMK3060 all-terrain crane. The Hup 32-27 self-erecting crane offers a maximum capacity of 4 t and can lift 1 t at its jib end. It has a hook height of 27 m and a jib of 32 m, and customers were able to see demonstrations of this crane during the open house. The 60 t capacity GMK3060 combines a powerful, six-section Megaform boom that features the new boom configuration mode to save time at the jobsite and make set-up easier. The crane was also the first
LEFT AND BELOW: The Grove RT530E-2 rough-terrain and GMK3060 all-terrain cranes (left) and Potain Hup 32-27 self-erecting tower crane on display during the open house. BELOW LEFT: The event also saw handover ceremonies to celebrate deliveries to two customers.
from Manitowoc to feature its Crane Control System (CCS). For the RT530E-2, maximum capacity is 30 t and its foursection, full power boom is formed of 100 k.s.i. steel to reduce weight while maximising structural capacities. It is also equipped with CCS. Apart from seeing the models on display and live demonstrations of the Hup 32-27, there were handover ceremonies to celebrate deliveries to two customers – Port-Link Container Yard Corporation and
P.A. Alvarez Properties & Development Corporation. “The demonstration of the Hup 32-27 crane was really useful. The jib was unfolded in front of us and we could witness first-hand how fast and easy it was to operate the crane. We are excited with our purchase of the Hup 32-27 and are certain this Potain crane will help improve the efficiency and reliability of our work,” said John Go, president at Port-Link Container Yard Corporation. n
Bangkok MRT Blue Line extension starts operation Bangkok’s MRT Blue Line extension has officially begun its operation. By extending the existing line from Hua Lamphong to Lak Song, this new railway line will be able to accommodate up to 500,000 passengers per day, alleviating the heavy traffic congestion in the Samphantawong district (Bangkok Chinatown) and significantly improving access to this district for the public. Arup served as lead consultant on the project. The company was working with Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD) on Contract 1 for two underground stations, Wat Mangkon and Sam Yot (locally known as Wang Burapha) and two intervention shaft structures in the centre of Chinatown, covering various services including civil and structural, geotechnics, architecture,
building services, alignment, fire engineering, tunnel ventilation and passenger movement analysis. Arup said that a brand-new look with multi-storey above ground buildings incorporating entrances, concourses and retail areas has been given to Wat Mangkon and Sam Yot stations to reflect the architectural shop house style of the Rama V period, bringing new elements as well as aesthetic design to the existing MRT stations. According to Arup, the Blue Line extension also has one of the deepest underground stations in Bangkok, with its formation level of the base slabs at approximately 26 to 30 m below ground level and are ground bearing on the aquifer sand and clay. n
18 NEWS.indd 18
18/10/19 2:32 PM