Bobcat can now offer its customers an even more complete package of material handling solutions. (Image source: Bobcat)

After the addition of Doosan forklifts to Bobcat's compact machine portfolio, the company has indicated its intention that the forklift line will benefit from the innovations that it has developed in recent years for its compact machines

Bobcat has confirmed that the focus of its R&D approach in this area will be in improving connectivity, performance, sustainability and safety. Thanks to the acquisition of sister company, Doosan Industrial Vehicle, Bobcat can now offer its customers an even more complete package of material handling solutions. The rebranded Doosan equipment builds on the existing compact loaders and telehandlers from Bobcat, which can be equipped with attachments such as buckets, grabs, bale clamps, dump hoppers and pallet forks, so they can be used in many industries for material handling and logistics work.

The forklift range alone consists of dozens of models, including diesel forklifts with a lifting capacity of 2 to 16 tonne; LPG forklift trucks with a lifting capacity of 1.5 to 7 tonne and electric forklift trucks with a lifting capacity of 1.5 to 10 tonne.

The ranges of machines fit together seamlessly and share the same philosophies behind their design. In this way, they have the same focus on robust, powerful machines that can work long hours and require little maintenance. Optimal comfort, ease of operation and safety for the driver are also important principles for R&D.

Product development has led to a number of interesting innovations at Bobcat. These include the electric machines that Bobcat has presented to the market in recent years, with the E10e and E19e mini-excavators now available for purchase in Europe, the fully electric T7X track loader in a limited launch in North America and the S7X skid-steer loader and the recently revealed TL25.60e electric telehandler concept machines, being the most eye-catching. In addition, the MaxControl remote control for machines and MachineIQ for remote monitoring of machines have also been introduced.

But the company has indicated that developments will go even further. Vijayshekhar Nerva, responsible for innovation at Bobcat EMEA, confirms the four key principles for R&D outlined above. The first is connectivity. Companies have access to enormous amounts of data that are important for their activities and that data must be available in real time and in the machines as well. It also concerns the performance and productivity of machines. They must function optimally when carrying out work. The third principle is sustainability. This not only concerns emissions, but also the use of sustainable, robust materials in the production of machines and ease of maintenance, so that machines last longer.

Prioritising safety and efficiency

At Bobcat’s recent Demo Days event for the EMEA region, visitors were able to see the very latest developments in the fourth segment of safety and efficiency. They included new Operator Presence technology that leverages a 3D time-of-flight (ToF) camera to monitor users' movements and the cab environment, enhancing safety by preventing unintended machine actions. The Pedestrian Detection Camera uses AI-enabled processing capabilities to differentiate between humans and surroundings, reducing unnecessary operator alerts.

Bobcat’s transparent OLED (T-OLED) screen technology, developed with LG and BSI Research, enables operators to access various functionalities without taking their eyes off the worksite. This technology facilitates advanced applications like real-time virtual reality (VR) simulations for utility line mapping.

Going electric

Bobcat has recently showcased innovations for logistics and material handling. These include prototypes of the B18NT electric forklift truck with 3 wheels and a lithium battery and the B30X-7 Plus hydrogen forklift truck.

An important expansion now on the market is the new NXE series of electric forklift trucks with 4-wheel drive. The series consists of forklift trucks with a capacity of 6 to 10 tonne, which are suitable for heavy applications in container transport, machine construction and industry. These zero-emission machines can work an entire day on a battery charge and are of course very suitable for work in factories and warehouses. The machines offer excellent visibility and (in Bobcat style) a lot of comfort and features as standard that make operation easier.

The new airport will help establish Ethiopia as a global aviation hub. (Image source: Ethiopian Airlines)

One of Africa’s leading airlines, Ethiopian Airlines Group, has signed a technical advisory and consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners), a partner with architects Zaha Hadid Architects, for the design and supervision of a mega airport city

The state-of-the art airport city will be located at Abusera in Bishoftu city, just 40 km from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. When completed, it will have the capacity to serve 110 million passengers each year (four times the current capacity of Bole International Airport). It will be delivered in phases, with the first (allowing the site to handle 60 million passengers) expected to be completed in 2029.

“The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritise environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline's commitment to innovation and sustainability,” remarked Ethiopian Airlines' group CEO, Mesfin Tasew. “With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to elevate African aviation and strengthen partnerships, marking a significant advancement for the region's air travel infrastructure.”

Features of the mega airport city include a 1.1 million sq m terminal with passenger facilities, 126,190 sq m airline support facilities and more than 100,000 sq m of cargo and airport support facilities.

Dar director of operations in Ethiopia, Tariq Al-Qanni, commented, “We are privileged to be collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines on this visionary new airport, which will provide vital global air connectivity, accelerate economic growth in Ethiopia, and elevate Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s most strategic and most competitive aviation group.”

Hyde Johannesburg marks a major milestone for Ennismore as the brand’s first hotel in Africa. (Image source: Ennismore)

Ennismore, a lifestyle and leisure hospitality company, and Kasada, a leading independent real estate private equity platform, have announced the signing of Hyde Johannesburg

Located in the heart of Rosebank, Hyde Johannesburg represents Ennismore’s first hotel in Johannesburg, the first Hydr hotel in Africa and Kasada’s first investment in the city. It will boast 131 rooms (including 31 suites), a gym and will undergo a renovation to create a bohemian feel that reflects the Hyde brand.

“Hyde Hotels have a sense of mystery and freedom, with that feeling that anything can happen, and we are incredibly excited to bring this unique lifestyle hospitality experience to Johannesburg,” remarked Louis Abi Abboud, chief development officer and deputy head of IMEAT at Ennismore. “We are proud to be once again partnering with Kasada to bring an Ennismore brand to Africa for the first time and to open in a new global destination, further expanding the reach of our network.”

Currently, Hyde Hotels operates in Miami, Dubai, Ibiza and Bodrum and has a growing pipeline with upcoming openings in London, Perth and Queenstown. This investment further strengthens Kasada’s position in South Africa, where it has already made three investments in Cape Town. Kasada’s portfolio now consists of 20 hotels in operation or under construction across seven African countries.

Olivier Granet and David Damiba, managing partners and co-CEOs of Kasada, commented, “We’re thrilled about bringing Kasada’s expertise as the leading hospitality investor and owner on the continent to one of the best lifestyle hotels in Africa. As a committed and responsible investor in South Africa, we see this investment as a key opportunity to further our dedication to supporting economic and socio-economic growth through the tourism and hospitality sectors.

“We look forward to working closely with Ennismore to make Hyde Johannesburg the best lifestyle hotel destination not only for Johannesburg but also for the African continent.”

The project will extend and modernise the Moroni and Boingoma ports. (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$135mn package to the Union of the Comoros in East Africa

The significant funding (provided by the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility) will support the Maritime Corridor and Regional Trade Facilitation Project (PCMFCR) and help to extend and modernise two ports on the island as well as establish a special economic zone.

With around 90% of freight to and between the three islands transported by sea, the upgrades to the ports (two of three located in the Union of the Comoros) is thought to be essential to its continued economic development. The project will improve the Union of the Comoros' national and international connectivity by upgrading port infrastructure, promoting regional integration and creating an ecosystem conducive to the development of value chains.

“The project, which has just been approved by the Boards of Directors of the Bank Group, aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of the ports of Moroni and Boingoma to meet current and future needs,” said the Bank's director general for eastern Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo. “It will help develop local value chains in fisheries and agriculture sectors, and facilitate inter-island and regional trade. This is a flagship project of the Plan Comores Émergent, which will certainly help to improve the living conditions of the Comorian population and reduce Comoros' vulnerability to climate change.”

To accommodate ferries and fishing boats, the port of Moroni will be expanded by a new 240 metre quay and the port of Boingoma by a 136-metre quay. The project will also support the modernisation of the customs administration, the establishment of a national single window for trade and business facilitation, and the development of a special economic zone to support import and export logistics.

Furthermore, 10 fisheries product stores equipped with solar-powered cold rooms and refrigerated island transport solutions will be constructed. These will be adapted to women’s need and will support female cooperatives by providing them with deep-freezing equipment for the production and processing of fisheries and agricultural products.

The project will be co-financed by several institutions including the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Agence Française de Développement.

There is growing logistics demand in East Africa, a trend acknowledged by leading logistics operator, AGL. Discover how they are seeking to meet this growth by clicking here.