Mining and quarrying equipment specialist Pilot Crushtec last month launched a new range of mobile and compact crushing and screening equipment from mining equipment manufacturer Metso, which is well suited to local economic conditions.

Pilot Crushtec CEO Sandro Scherf says that contracts in the industry have been getting smaller over the past few years, owing to the prevailing business environment. However, conversely, once agreements are concluded, there is greater need for haste and there are also greater expectations of high service levels.

“This is where the traditional and trusted reputation of Metso stands our partnership, and our clients in Southern Africa, in good stead. The quality and performance of its equipment are well known and recognised, while the new mobile range, called Nordtrack, [meets] many of the demands . . . [of] regional clients.”

The move to smaller and mobile plants is not only a local trend but also a global one, says Metso Nordtrack director Vesa Tuloisela, who also played a key role in the selection of the equipment for the range.

“The . . . 19 machines were initially designed by McCloskey Equipment, nine units of which were selected for the Southern African market, [and their introduction is part of] our move to diversify our range from only hard-rock processing – for which we are renowned – to softer aggregates and recycling applications.”

There has been a demand for Metso to widen its offering, and its acquisition of Canadian mobile crushing equipment company McCloskey has provided the opportunity to fulfil this demand, through the addition of midmarket products to the Metso stable, says Tuloisela.

The new additions of mobile screens, jaw crushers, scalpers and tracked stackers to the Metso Nordtrack range complement the tried and tested Lokotrack range by offering alternatives, and allow Pilot Crushtec to compete in segments and expand into applications where it was not traditionally active, says Pilot Crushtec sales and marketing director Francois Marais.

The main target segments for the new machines are recycling and demolition, as well as sand, gravel and asphalt applications. As an example, the Nordtrack J-90 mobile jaw crusher, which weighs 24 t, can process 150 t/h to 200 t/h of materials and is perfect for small and medium-sized operations, confirms Tuloisela.

Scherf adds that Pilot Crushtec has the expertise, experience and capacity to address a myriad of technical requests and support the new machines in the field across the African continent.

“The broader range [enhances] our ability to supply customers with new machines that are more cost effective for their operations without compromising on our service levels, as well as support and, thereby, grow our base of contractor clients.”

Pilot Crushtec will focus on the aggregates, commodities and recycling sectors.

“The broader portfolio diversifies our customer base significantly. Most of our products work seamlessly with one another. The biggest opportunity we foresee will be in the mobile screening market, where the Nordtrack range has a variety of sizes that will cater for a broader range of applications and customer budgets,” he explains.

Further, Pilot Crushtec aims to use the new range to dramatically improve the average service levels in the market category. This approach harks back to the company’s founding in 1990, when it provided solutions hitherto unavailable in the market, says Scherf.

“The Metso Nordtrack mobile portfolio is designed to make crushing and screening businesses more productive, provide reliable service levels and generate a faster return on investment. “Pilot Crushtec provides customers with off-the-shelf availability, plug-and-play features and the extensive Pilot Crushtec and Metso support network,” Scherf concludes.