CPA Bulletin

52 CPA Bulletin > December 2018 www.cpa.uk.net LEIBHERR RENTAL Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH has opened a new development and demonstration centre at the Kirchdorf manufacturing site in Germany. In the future, this is where all new Liebherr construction machines andmaterial handlers will be developed, tested and checked to ensure that they meet customer requirements as closely as possible. There is no comparable validation centre anywhere else in Europe. A test hall, a large test site with a 1.2 km test track and a demonstration area are located on a total area of 12.68 hectares. In total 2,700 tonnes of steel were installed in the hall. In addition, approximately 135,000m 2 of soil were moved on the test site, which is the equivalent of almost 243,000 tonnes. OFFICIAL OPENING On 2nd October, the new development and demonstration centre was officially opened by Technology Manager Werner Seifried with Liebherr family member and member of Liebherr-International AG’s Board of Directors, Jan Liebherr, cutting through a red steel girder with scrap shears from an LH 30 Mmaterial handler. With the construction of a development and demonstration centre unique to Europe, Werner Seifried and his team are proud to have created something special that has a promising future. He described the €30 million investment in the site where the company had its beginnings as a ‘massive sign of confidence in the Kirchdorf-based Liebherr employees’ from the Liebherr family. Werner Seifried also emphasised that ‘Liebherr’s innovative products are tested for the future using the highest standards and ultimately will be able to withstand tough conditions in day-to-day use by our customers.’ Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH’s Sales Manager Rudolf Arnold welcomed an audience of approximately 1,400 guests from all over the world with a trilingual speech. He emphasised that with the new development and demonstration centre Liebherr will not only continue to develop the factory but that ‘the successful implementation of future-oriented technologies would be possible with this pioneering investment’. During the launch day, guests were treated to a diverse programme of events. Following four impressive machine show demonstrations, where a broad product portfolio could be seen in action, experts were available for guests to talk to. Further details about the development and demonstration centre and information on current industry trends were shared across a range of presentations and guided tours of the factory proved particularly popular: guests were given the opportunity to find out about individual production processes and to see Liebherr’s exacting quality standards for themselves. TEST TRACK EXPERIENCE A particular highlight of the day was the test track experience. Those who wanted to take part were driven in an off-road vehicle over different parts of the track in order to experience the test conditions that will be used for the Liebherr construction machines and material handlers of the future. A newdevelopment and demonstration centre for Liebherr