Cooperation Agreement for IHC Backhoe Dredgers Between IHC Merwede and Liebherr-France

IHC Engineering Services, part of IHC Merwede, and Liebherr-France (Mining and Marine Excavators division) have announced that they have entered into a cooperation agreement. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding joint activity in relation to product development, sales and global service of IHC backhoe dredgers.

This collaboration is a perfect match between two such strong brand names: IHC Merwede, the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment; and Liebherr-France (Mining and Marine Excavators division) the world market leader for the design and manufacture of hydraulic backhoes.

The range of IHC backhoe dredgers compromises of stationary dredgers that can be used for a wide range of marine operations, fitted with Liebherr excavators and fully adapted for continuous use in maritime environments.

The pontoon can be partially lifted out of the water so that the dredger is firmly held in place by the ground. The pontoon is equipped with three spuds for lifting and positioning the IHC backhoe dredger: two fixed spuds are positioned close to the excavator; and the third spud, together with a hydraulically operated spud carrier, is positioned on the opposite side of the dredger.

The collaboration between these market-leading partners confirms Liebherr-France’s (Mining and Marine Excavators division) and IHC Merwede’s combined ambition to design and deliver backhoe dredgers for their customers with the lowest cost of ownership. With their respective global presences, both partners offer their customers a worldwide service network.

IHC Merwede has renowned expertise in dredging techniques, research and development, and in-house products, such as spud carriers, hydraulic systems, electronic equipment, IHC Excavator Positioning Monitoring etc. Similarly, Liebherr-France (Mining and Marine Excavators division) carries its own expertise as an acknowledged supplier of technically innovative, useroriented products and services. Together, they offer the dredging industry a unique product – an integrated design in which the excavator, pontoon and other equipment integrate successfully to reach the most economic solution in terms of production, operational cost and efficiency.

Company profile Liebherr-France (Mining and Marine Excavators division)

Liebherr is not only one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction machinery, but it is also an acknowledged supplier of technically innovative, user-oriented products and services in numerous other fields. Liebherr Mining and Marine Excavators division at Liebherr-France is part of the Liebherr Group of companies.

Company profile IHC Merwede

IHC Merwede is focussed on the continuous development of design and construction activities for the specialist maritime sector. It is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment – with vast experience accumulated over decades – and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction.

IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for engineering and manufacturing innovative vessels and advanced equipment, as well as providing life-cycle support. Its integrated systematic approach has helped to develop optimum product performance and long-term business partnerships. The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities.

IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Technological innovation will remain the company’s underlying strength through its continuous investment in research and development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard a sustainable environment.

[mappress]

Source: ihcmerwede, September 8, 2010