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THE LUCK OF THE IRISH FOR MATBRO
00:00 16 Mar 1995
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In less than 20 weeks, Matbro, the UK manufacturer of loaders and
telescopic handlers, has set up a new power base for the
manufacture of its products.
The company has also unveiled a new telescopic handler - the TS270 with an impressive 2.99m turning radius, and upgraded its TR250 pivot steer handler to include powershift transmission.
Based in Dungannon in Northern Ireland, Matbro's new factory is the company's 1995 answer to last year's production shortfalls. Faced with an upsurge in demand, in common with many manufacturers in 1994, Matbro's existing production unit in Tetbury, struggled to keep up with demand.
Lower labour costs together with a good supply of skilled young workers, in an area dogged by high levels of unemployment, drew Matbro's attention from Tetbury to Dungannon - also the home of its parent company Powerscreen International - as a possible source for new units.
Built at a cost of œ6.8 million - much of the capital raised via grants from Northern Ireland's Industrial Development Board - the company's new facility is already producing 20 units a week. Currently employing 85 people, the unit is expected to increase its workforce to 150 over the next 12 months.
The factory will not, according to sales director Brendan McGrath, erode business at Tetbury, but merely enhance it.
To date, two models from Matbro's eight product line-up are rolling off the new unit's production lines - the TS260 and TS350. As a result of a recent five year contract won from Ingersoll-Rand, a large number of the TS260 units emerging from the factory are painted in I-R colours and badged as I-R VR50s.
By the beginning of 1996, Matbro's LS series of wheel loaders will join the plant's production schedule.
Production of Matbro's latest telehandler, the TS270, and upgraded TR250 remains in the hands of workers at Tetbury. Powered by a Perkins 1000 series 4-cylinder high torque rise diesel engine the TS270 - which is not a replacement for the TS260 - can be naturally aspirated to 56kW unit or as a turbocharged 72kW machine. Respective list prices of these two models are œ27,218 and œ28,065.
As well as a four speed torque convertor power shuttle transmission and limited slip differentials, the TS270 is the only machine of its kind, according to Matbro, which offers a turning radius under 3.0m.
Width of 2.23m, three steering modes, and low overall height of 2.25m are features likely to win approval from users on sites short of space. Despite its small dimensions, the machine can lift a 2.7t load to a height of 5.5m, and reach forward 3.1m with a 1.5t load. Visibility from the TS270's 940mm wide cab is enhanced by a low boom pivot point and sloping engine canopy.
Hydraulic power is provided by an 81 litre/min gear pump with boom controls via the standard multi-lever controls or an optional four-function single lever joystick control.
Asked whether the Irish site, part of which was originally owned by parent company Powerscreen International, could be a future site for the production of Benford machines, (Powerscreen International acquired Benford last year) McGrath was unable to comment.
To date Matbro's production facility takes up five acres of the 20 acre site, leaving plenty of room for expansion.
Back in the Tetbury, Gloucestershire manufacturing plant, the upgraded TR250 - now known as the TR250 powershift plus - is Matbro's revamped pivot steer handler, complete with powershift transmission. It is not only better placed to attack the small end of the wheel loader market, but it also sets it apart from competitor Sanderson's 525 pivot steer machine, claims McGrath.
Approximately 4% more expensive than its predecessor, the new model, powered by a Perkins 1000 series high torque diesel engine developing 79kW at 2200rpm, now features Clark transmission and rigid drive axles. Like the TS270 it also offers power braking - if the engine cuts out the operator is still able to use the brake.
Hydraulic power comes from a 100 litre/min variable displacement pump, driven by the engine's crankshaft.
Details: enter 702 on card
The company has also unveiled a new telescopic handler - the TS270 with an impressive 2.99m turning radius, and upgraded its TR250 pivot steer handler to include powershift transmission.
Based in Dungannon in Northern Ireland, Matbro's new factory is the company's 1995 answer to last year's production shortfalls. Faced with an upsurge in demand, in common with many manufacturers in 1994, Matbro's existing production unit in Tetbury, struggled to keep up with demand.
Lower labour costs together with a good supply of skilled young workers, in an area dogged by high levels of unemployment, drew Matbro's attention from Tetbury to Dungannon - also the home of its parent company Powerscreen International - as a possible source for new units.
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Built at a cost of œ6.8 million - much of the capital raised via grants from Northern Ireland's Industrial Development Board - the company's new facility is already producing 20 units a week. Currently employing 85 people, the unit is expected to increase its workforce to 150 over the next 12 months.
The factory will not, according to sales director Brendan McGrath, erode business at Tetbury, but merely enhance it.
To date, two models from Matbro's eight product line-up are rolling off the new unit's production lines - the TS260 and TS350. As a result of a recent five year contract won from Ingersoll-Rand, a large number of the TS260 units emerging from the factory are painted in I-R colours and badged as I-R VR50s.
By the beginning of 1996, Matbro's LS series of wheel loaders will join the plant's production schedule.
Production of Matbro's latest telehandler, the TS270, and upgraded TR250 remains in the hands of workers at Tetbury. Powered by a Perkins 1000 series 4-cylinder high torque rise diesel engine the TS270 - which is not a replacement for the TS260 - can be naturally aspirated to 56kW unit or as a turbocharged 72kW machine. Respective list prices of these two models are œ27,218 and œ28,065.
As well as a four speed torque convertor power shuttle transmission and limited slip differentials, the TS270 is the only machine of its kind, according to Matbro, which offers a turning radius under 3.0m.
Width of 2.23m, three steering modes, and low overall height of 2.25m are features likely to win approval from users on sites short of space. Despite its small dimensions, the machine can lift a 2.7t load to a height of 5.5m, and reach forward 3.1m with a 1.5t load. Visibility from the TS270's 940mm wide cab is enhanced by a low boom pivot point and sloping engine canopy.
Hydraulic power is provided by an 81 litre/min gear pump with boom controls via the standard multi-lever controls or an optional four-function single lever joystick control.
Asked whether the Irish site, part of which was originally owned by parent company Powerscreen International, could be a future site for the production of Benford machines, (Powerscreen International acquired Benford last year) McGrath was unable to comment.
To date Matbro's production facility takes up five acres of the 20 acre site, leaving plenty of room for expansion.
Back in the Tetbury, Gloucestershire manufacturing plant, the upgraded TR250 - now known as the TR250 powershift plus - is Matbro's revamped pivot steer handler, complete with powershift transmission. It is not only better placed to attack the small end of the wheel loader market, but it also sets it apart from competitor Sanderson's 525 pivot steer machine, claims McGrath.
Approximately 4% more expensive than its predecessor, the new model, powered by a Perkins 1000 series high torque diesel engine developing 79kW at 2200rpm, now features Clark transmission and rigid drive axles. Like the TS270 it also offers power braking - if the engine cuts out the operator is still able to use the brake.
Hydraulic power comes from a 100 litre/min variable displacement pump, driven by the engine's crankshaft.
Details: enter 702 on card
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