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Construction

Powering North African infrastructure growth (Image source: Zoomlion)

China’s Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. has highlighted a series of recent global orders it has completed, including several in Africa

Notably, the company is active in helping to upgrade North Africa’s infrastructure sector.

Zoomlion's heavy-duty crawler cranes are designed for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, it noted in a statement.

“Zoomlion's ZCC32000 crawler crane is supporting Egypt's first nuclear power plant, El Dabaa, by lifting and installing major equipment,” the statement read.

“With a 2,000-ton capacity and a boom height of 168 metres, it delivers strong and precise performance to keep the project on track.”

Separately, the company is helping Morocco to prepare for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, which entails a massive infrastructure upgrade.

“In Morocco, the 800-ton ZCC9800W is handling key lifts at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium for the 2030 World Cup, delivering efficient and stable performance.”

The company also reported deliveries of machinery, ranging from cranes, aerial work platforms, mining equipment, to foundation construction machinery, in support of major infrastructure, energy, and urban development projects in Indonesia Australia, Turkey and the Middle East.

“Zoomlion is building on recent momentum to strengthen its local presence and global collaboration, delivering smarter, more adaptable solutions worldwide,” the statement added.

In an earlier statement, released on 2 July, the company outlined more of its work in Morocco with the ZCC9800W undertaking critical hoisting operations at the stadium site in Rabat, one of the country's key tournament venues.

Designed for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, the ZCC9800W is delivering high-precision lifts of steel components weighing hundreds of tons.

Following the completion of hoisting operations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the ZCC9800W will be transferred to the construction site of Grand Stade Hassan II Stadium, in Benslimane, Morocco, which is projected to be the largest football stadium in the world.

“The crane's performance in Morocco marks a key milestone in Zoomlion's continued advancement in the high-tonnage crane segment,” the statement noted.

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It is expected to launch in the second half of 2025. (Image source: Siemens)

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has partnered with Microsoft to enhance access to building IoT data through greater interoperability between Siemens’ digital building platform, Building X, and Microsoft’s Azure IoT Operations, powered by Azure Arc

This collaboration aims to simplify how organisations connect, manage, and analyse data from various building systems such as HVAC, valves, and actuators, enabling faster onboarding and improved operational insights.

By combining Building X with Microsoft’s adaptive cloud framework, large enterprises across sectors like commercial real estate, data centres, and education can now tap into real-time data such as temperature, pressure, and indoor air quality directly in the cloud.

This paves the way for in-house applications like energy monitoring and space utilisation, supporting more efficient and sustainable building management.

Advancing digitalisation

The integration is built on open standards like the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web of Things (WoT) and the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA), ensuring interoperability and flexibility beyond proprietary ecosystems. Customers benefit from a simplified, vendor-neutral IoT architecture, reinforcing a shared commitment to openness, accessibility, and data security.

Expected to launch in the second half of 2025, the solution is one of the first to offer cross-provider IoT data integration based purely on open standards. It is part of Siemens Xcelerator, Siemens’ open digital platform designed to accelerate digital transformation in the built environment.

“This collaboration with Microsoft reflects our shared vision of enabling customers to harness the full potential of IoT through open standards and interoperability,” said Susanne Seitz, CEO, Siemens Smart Infrastructure Buildings. “The improved data access will provide portfolio managers with granular visibility into critical metrics such as energy efficiency and consumption. With IoT data often being siloed, this level of transparency is a game-changer for an industry seeking to optimise building operations and meet sustainability targets.”

“Siemens shares Microsoft’s focus on interoperability and open IoT standards. This collaboration is a significant step forward in making IoT data more actionable,” said Erich Barnstedt, senior director & architect, Corporate Standards Group, Microsoft. “Microsoft’s strategy underscores our commitment to partnering with industry leaders to empower customers with greater choice and control over their IoT solutions.”

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Volvo CE committed to the shift to circular construction (Image source: Volvo CE)

As Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) dealer Babcock completes its first articulated hauler rebuild in South Africa, Anders Eriksson, service market manager for Africa at Volvo CE, explains why more fleet owners across Africa are turning to machine rebuilds as a smart, sustainable way to maximise value and embrace the circular economy

Earlier this year, in South Africa, our dealer Babcock completed its first full rebuild of a Volvo A40G articulated hauler, stripping the machine to the chassis and building it back to Volvo standard with a new powertrain. It’s a significant step – not just for Babcock, but for the many contractors and fleet operators across Africa who are starting to look at their machines differently.

Instead of asking, “When should I replace this?”, more and more customers are asking, “How much more can I get from it?” And increasingly, the answer is: quite a lot – especially with a Volvo certified rebuild.

Making the economic case for rebuilds

The rebuild process is about protecting your original investment. You already own the asset. You know its history. And with a rebuild, you can restore it to a high-performing, reliable state – without the financial burden of buying new or even used equipment.

For our customers across Africa, that’s an appealing proposition. It lowers your total cost of ownership, reduces downtime, and helps you get more value from every machine in your fleet. Rebuilt machines typically benefit from lower depreciation, more favourable insurance costs, and – thanks to the known history – more predictable operations.

For many businesses, especially in today’s economic climate, that can make a serious difference.

When is the right time to rebuild?

There’s no single answer. The decision depends on the application, the environment, and the maintenance history of the machine. But in general, we see machines become eligible for rebuild between 10,000 and 20,000 operating hours.

Before any rebuild, our trained Volvo technicians carry out a detailed health check of the machine. From there, we work closely with the customer to recommend the right scope of work – whether that’s a powertrain overhaul or a full-scale rebuild with structural restoration, a renewed cab, and retrofitted upgrades.

With proper planning and scheduling, a typical rebuild takes around 12 weeks. We ensure all components and parts are ordered in advance, so there are no surprises or delays once the machine is in the workshop.

Performance without compromise

There are some common misconceptions around machine rebuilds. When completed to Volvo factory-approved standards, rebuilt machines deliver excellent productivity and uptime. You’re not extending a machine’s life by simply fixing or replacing a few components; you’re proactively restoring it to top performance – and often upgrading it in the process.

Just as importantly, rebuilds reduce the risk of unplanned failures. When a rebuild is complete, customers have peace of mind. The machine is known, serviced, and backed by a warranty on all major components. And because the rebuild is planned, site teams can schedule around the downtime instead of reacting to it.

A circular solution that makes practical sense

The environmental benefits of machine rebuilds are also gaining attention – not just in Europe, but in Africa too. By reusing large structural components and restoring major systems, rebuilds dramatically reduce the energy, raw materials, and transport emissions associated with buying new equipment.

To give just one example: rebuilding a used engine saves around 56% in CO2 emissions compared to producing a new one. For a transmission, that figure is closer to 60%. And when you consider how much copper, aluminium and bronze is built into every large machine, the resource efficiency of a rebuild becomes even more compelling.

This matters for customers facing increasing pressure to report on sustainability performance or align with ESG goals – particularly in mining, infrastructure and public-sector projects.

Growing demand across the region

At Volvo CE, we’re seeing increased interest in rebuilds throughout Africa and the Middle East. Articulated haulers, wheel loaders and large excavators are especially well suited for rebuilds – not only because of their durability, but because the cost of full replacement can be significant.

What’s even more encouraging is that many customers who try a rebuild once come back again. They see the benefit – financially, operationally, and environmentally – and begin to integrate rebuilds as a standard part of their fleet management strategy.

With trusted Volvo dealers like Babcock now delivering rebuilds locally, customers in South Africa and beyond can access this service closer to home, with full transparency and support. And we’re proud to support this shift. Because when a machine still has more to give – and the right partner is there to help extend its life – rebuilding isn’t just an option. It’s the right thing to do.

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Pictured (left to right): Général Birame Diop, Armed Forces Minister (Defence), with Franziska Cusumano, CEO Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks at Daimler Truck and Cheikh Ibrahima Cisse, President GTS Senegal. (Image source: Daimler Truck)

Daimler Truck has signed a Letter of Intent with Global Truck Systems (GTS) to establish a local truck assembly plant in Senegal
 
As part of the agreement, Daimler Truck will serve as the exclusive supplier of dismantled truck kits (CKD – Completely Knocked Down) and act as the project’s technology partner. GTS will lead the assembly operations, in a joint venture with the Senegalese government.
 
Production is expected to begin as early as 2026, with vehicles reaching customers the following year.
 
The plant will assemble various Mercedes-Benz truck model series, tailored for government use — such as the Ministry of Defence, fire brigades and police — as well as private sector needs including waste collection, construction, logistics, and transportation.
 
“The CKD delivery, transfer of know-how and technical support reflect our partnership-based approach with the German Federal Government and the Republic of Senegal,” said Franziska Cusumano, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks.
 
The Senegalese government is supporting the project by providing industrial land, offering customs and tax incentives and facilitating local workforce training. The project aligns with the country’s broader strategy to expand domestic production and meet growing mobility needs.
 
GTS will take an operational lead on the project and be responsible for setting up and running the assembly plant. This includes recruiting and training personnel, planning production facilities, assembling vehicles from CKD kits and equipping them with specialised bodies such as cranes or container frames. GTS will also oversee sales operations.
 
Daimler Truck will ensure a reliable supply chain, enforce quality standards and manage technology transfer under the agreement. It will also provide long-term service support, ensuring the quality of locally-assembled vehicles.
 
Michael Dietz, CEO of Daimler Truck Middle East/Africa, said that through this strategic partnership, the three partners are laying the groundwork for sustainable automotive manufacturing in West Africa. “This project signals our long-term commitment to West Africa,” said Dietz. “Through local assembly, job creation, and technology transfer, we aim to contribute to regional economic development.”
 
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The system offers a dynamic vertical reach of 3 metres. (Image source: COBOD)

COBOD International, in partnership with Technische Universität Braunschweig, has launched the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, expanding the scope of 3D printing in construction

Unveiled during the grand opening of the Digital Construction Site at TU Braunschweig, the system merges COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer with a telescopic vertical extension and robotic arm designed for the Shotcrete 3D Printing Process (SC3DP).

Shotcrete, a concrete-spraying technique typically used in complex structures such as tunnels, retaining walls, and swimming pools, forms the basis of the SC3DP system.

However, the telescopic unit’s versatility allows it to host multiple tool types beyond shotcrete, including sanding equipment, paint spray guns, and insulation tools, transforming the 3D printer into a multifunctional robotic platform.

A 3D printing aid

The system offers a dynamic vertical reach of 3 metres, enabling the robotic arm to operate on printed structures situated up to 3 metres below the X-axis.

This functionality allows users to print, reinforce, and finish complex, double-curved concrete walls with precision and geometric freedom. Reinforcement can either be embedded after concrete placement or applied by spraying around prefabricated reinforcement meshes.

The launch was attended by Helga Kühnhenrich, Head of Research and Innovation in the Construction Industry at Germany’s Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), who highlighted the growing industry focus on automation to cut costs and reduce labour dependence.

According to COBOD, the robotic system can even be equipped with a gripper to automatically install prefabricated elements such as aerated concrete blocks or bricks, features traditionally outside the scope of standard 3D printing setups.

With this, the company aims to redefine what construction robotics can achieve, merging digital precision with functional adaptability.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen, general manager and founder of COBOD International, said, “For years we have had the vision of making multifunctional construction robots on the basis of our 3D construction printers. Seeing the first materialisation of our vision here makes me very proud. With this new technology we offer automation of many more construction processes than just printing of concrete walls. With our new COBOD robotic arm at the end of the telescopic arm there is an endless amount of construction tasks that our printing system can now automate and expedite to the benefit of our global customers.”

Professor Harald Kloft for Structural Design at ITE explained, “Our partnership with COBOD is a decisive step towards the digital construction site of the future. 3D printing enables automated, digitally controlled processes of simple as well as very complex tasks, like the fabrication of reinforced double curved walls. The ability to make complex, individualised, material efficient and low waste construction solutions makes 3D printing ideal for the construction industry, as it brings together economic, environmental and social aspects, such as the reduction of physical stress.”

 

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