Liebherr sees “significant” jump in orders; uses start-up culture to launch products
Liebherr says it will add 2,240 employees by the end of this year, seeing what Stefan Heissler, member of the board of directors of Liebherr-International AG, calls a “very significant jump in orders” in 2017.
In the first six months of 2017, Liebherr saw a 6.4 percent year-on-year increase in total sales, Heissler says. “We expect a strong finish to what we anticipate to be a record year,” he says. Heissler made his remarks during a Liebherr press event that took place in late October in Austria.
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EDA: Tax overhaul plans bring benefits, concerns for equipment dealers
Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) says a new plan for overhauling the U.S. tax code could benefit dealers and their customers in a big way. But they’re also worried dealers could be hit hard as tax writers hunt for revenues to pay for reduced tax rates and other reform proposals.
The FY18 tax reform plan proposes a number of provisions for which EDA has been lobbying – including full repeal of the estate tax and a new 25-percent tax rate for pass-through entities, such as partnerships and sole proprietorships, the association says.
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Proposed aerial-lift standards would affect rental dealers
New standards could soon be coming to the U.S. aerial work platform industry that will lead to major changes to the machines, how rental shops deal with their customers and how contractors plan projects.
Manufacturers, such as Genie, are already making plans for the ANSI A92 standards with design changes to their aerial lift products, but they’re also trying to get the word out industrywide to let rental companies, contractors and others know that the changes will affect them as well.
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Dealer Institute offers course to better manage used iron
Dealers understand that having the right inventory is the first step to increasing revenue and profitability. To that end, the Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) is offered a course on how to best manage this key asset.
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Atlas Copco appoints new VPs, strategic manager
Atlas Copco has announced five new staff positions, including four vice presidents and a strategic development manager.
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Construction starts predicted to rise 3% in 2018
Total U.S. construction starts will grow 3 percent next year as the industry moves into “a mature stage of expansion,” according to the 2018 Dodge Construction Outlook.
The pullback will continue in areas of multifamily and hotel construction starts. The increase will be led by continued growth in single-family houses, warehouses and office buildings.
A wild card in the outlook is whether the Trump administration makes good on its promise of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan. Construction should also get a bump from reconstruction following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
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