Increasing Capacity with Proven Technologies

For the past 40 years, Construmac has borne witness to a great deal of changes in Mexico, and each administration has made its mark on the industries, according to the company’s Commercial Director of Construction and Infrastructure, Manuel Escobar. “The economic performance of the country deeply influences our growth strategy, and in the past 14 years the economy has been stable, which has allowed Construmac steady growth,” he comments. “Many sectors endure radical seasonality and as a result we are extremely cautious with our investments to ensure our growth and presence.” This strategy means the company is well positioned to persevere in the mining industry, considering this sector’s natural fluctuations. Construmac’s strategic vision has been forced to evolve with its strategy now focusing on bringing new technologies and solutions to the market. “We have new solutions for the crushing market, and we have a new German line called Kleemann offering a range of solutions that can improve the performance and offer important economic savings,” Escobar explains.

The company is negotiating with the Mexican mining market, given the fact that this particular sector is notoriously cautious in implementing new solutions. As a response to the mining sector’s need for specialized technicians and engineers, Construmac has established several branches across the country. The company has three main business areas, crushing, pumps, and surface mining, and for the latter it has recently introduced a wellestablished product line on a global scale into the Mexican market. “It is critical to have a local presence in the states where mining rules supreme, such as Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango,” Escobar comments. “An added value is that our local service team and spare parts are readily available in case of a contingency and combining this with our in depth knowledge of the industry makes us an attractive option.” To attend to demand, Construmac is establishing a new branch in Guanajuato. As it stands, the company’s mining participation is among 5-10 percent and it holds top positions in certain niche segments.

In the crushing segment, most machines are powered by hydraulics, and according to Escobar this is slightly problematic for mining players as they prefer electric machinery. Constumac’s track mounted impact crushers from Kleemann’s MOBIREX series offer this electric component. “Traditional machines have a capacity of 500 tonnes per hour, which is a small volume while our products can take on from 600-1,000t/h” Escobar boasts. “This volume is extremely attractive since it is higher yield and lower costs.” These products have been in the market for over 30 years but the electric component is new and he has witnessed demand from mining operators seeking to lower costs and increase production efficiency.

Construmac also has a joint venture with AMECO, a company owned by Fluor Corporation. Together they have developed a leasing program, which appeals mainly to mining players that do not need a static machine and would benefit from portable equipment. “Our relationship with AMECO is longstanding and we have successfully carried out this rental fleet scheme in the past for the infrastructure industry,” Escobar explains. “Each machine that is leased will be accompanied by a technician that will visit the equipment every month or even every 15 days. The customers will have a service contract and this means that they do not have to worry about maintenance or service of the machines, and their sole focus can remain on the smooth running of the mines.”

Moreover, Construmac is introducing new milling machines from Wirtgen that have been present in the global mining milieu for over 40 years and that the company now wants to introduce into Mexico. “So far, we have two mines that have acquired this product, and the benefits include higher performance and savings in blasting costs and movement of materials,” Escobar states. “The mining industry jealously guards its supply chain and it is by showing the success stories we have collected from other industries that we will convince players of the value of this product.” Moreover, mine operators have come to rely on the Wirtgen 2200 SM surface miner in order to exploit seams of valuable minerals in an economically and environmentally friendly manner. This product includes special cutting drums that are tailored to the job at hand. Construmac used to be a household name in the mining sector and Escobar shares his desire to make this once again a reality by offering new products that speak to the pressing needs of mining operators.