MOTHERWELL-based articulated hauler manufacturer Rokbak is aiming to expand its operations in France and Germany.
Since the company’s rebrand last year, the firm has strengthened its team with around 200 new employees.
One of those is Paul Culliford, regional sales manager EMEA, who revealed that France and Germany are ‘historically strong markets’ for the business. “We are seeing an increase in demand and we are currently looking to expand our dealer network in France and Germany to support our customers and strengthen our presence in these important hauler markets,” he added.
Rokbak said that in 2020, there were around 200 units sold – across all brands – within the articulated hauler market in France. In 2021, that increased to in excess of 300 and it looks to be a similar number in 2022. In Germany the numbers were around 150 in 2020 and 2021, heading towards 200 in 2022.
A major project on the radar in Western Europe is the rail connection between France and Italy. The Turin–Lyon high-speed railway is under construction between the cities of Turin and Lyon, with the aim of linking the Italian and French high-speed rail networks and will be 170 miles long.
The core of the project is its international section, which will cross the Alps through the Mont d’Ambin Base Tunnel between the Susa Valley in Piedmont and Maurienne in Savoie. The estimated total cost of the line is €25 billion and it will involve extensive earthmoving and construction.
“This is exactly the type of project Rokbak’s RA30 and RA40 are designed for,” Paul explained. “Large infrastructure projects require robust and reliable equipment that delivers high productivity and low total cost of ownership in tough conditions.”
Rokbak already has machines working on French and German job sites. In Germany, an RA30 is working at a gravel pit for earthworks specialist Erdbau Schrader, sold through one of Rokbak’s German dealer’s, Klarmann-Lembach.
“It’s been great to spend time visiting our French and German dealers and customers,” Paul said. “A couple of our dealers have recently held open days and it has been nice to get feedback on the new brand and talk to customers about why there has never been a better time to buy a Rokbak articulated hauler.”
One of Rokbak’s French dealers, Framateq, recently inaugurated a new site in Perpignan. Another dealer, the Manu Lorraine Group, held an open day Walygator Park in Maizières-les-Metz.
“Rokbak’s articulated haulers are reliable, simple to operate and easy to maintain,” explained Mathieu Godard, president of Framateq. “They are fuel efficient and deliver low total cost of ownership, which is what our customers want. We have a strong articulated hauler market in France and we have recently opened a new site to better support our customers and expand our operations, so it’s great that Rokbak is prioritising our market and sees the same potential as we do for growth.”
Working with dealers and customers is Paul’s priority. He has close to two decades of experience in the articulated hauler industry – including a previous tenure with Rokbak before the company rebranded – and is fluent in English, French, German and Spanish.
“It’s a great opportunity and an exciting time to come back to Rokbak,” he added. “Since relaunching the brand, we’ve found that there are a lot of dealers and customers interested to learn more about our articulated haulers, and I’m looking forward to working with them.”
