First Develon DA45-7 Articulated Dump Truck Sold in Italy

• The first Develon DA45-7 articulated dump truck in Italy has been sold and is operational in the chalk basin of Roccastrada, aiding in the movement of rock in the region's quarries.

• Fibran Group, a Greek multinational with a significant presence in the European construction materials market, purchased the DA45-7 for its quarry operations in Italy's Tuscan Maremma, known for its large and pure chalk deposits.

• The DA45-7 is being utilized by Fibran Group to optimize quarry operations, which includes the movement of earth and chalk rock across their 700 hectares of 'Chalk Valley' that encompasses three active quarries and two under environmental restoration.

• Felice Tirabasso, CTO of Fibran and Gessi Roccastrada, selected the DA45-7 after a thorough evaluation process, valuing its maneuverability, load distribution, and comfort for operators among other features.

• The DA45-7 ADT is designed for high performance with features like a front-mounted turning ring, free-swinging rear tandem bogie, new cab, self-levelling front suspensions, and reduced CO2 emissions, setting new standards in load capacity, control, reliability, and operating costs.

• Fibran's commitment to ecological practices is reflected in their choice of the DA45-7, which aligns with their efforts to minimize environmental impact and integrate Industry 4.0 management systems in their operations.

• Materozzi snc, the exclusive Develon importer for the Tuscany region, facilitated the sale of the DA45-7 to Fibran, with both companies expressing confidence in a burgeoning partnership and appreciation for the after-sales service provided by Materozzi's team.

The first DA45-7 articulated dump truck (ADT) from Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, has been sold in Italy and is at work in the chalk basin of Roccastrada. The machine was purchased as it was seen as the best suited for the movement of rock in the region’s so-called ‘Chalk Valley’ quarries.

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The DA45-7 ADT is working in the province of Grosseto, in the heartland of the Tuscan Maremma, home to one of Italy’s largest chalk deposits, renowned for the purity and the whiteness of its stone. The new machine is owned by Fibran Group, a Greek multinational, with production sites in seven European countries and commercial activities in over 60 countries around the world, which purchased its first chalk quarry and processing plant in the area back in 2009.

In 2021, Fibran acquired Gessi Roccastrada, the company that owned the two largest natural chalk quarries and plants in the Tuscan mining basin. This consolidated Fibran’s presence in the Italian and European markets for dry construction systems and chalk-based building materials. Today, Fibran owns and manages a total of 700 hectares in ‘Chalk Valley’, including three active quarries and two undergoing environmental restoration, with deposits that could potentially be exploited in decades to come.

The acquisition of Gessi Roccastrada allowed the Fibran group to standardise extractive operations at its two production sites, with both benefiting from effective synergies. The quarries serve the following two production sites: Fibran SpA, which specializes in the production of dry construction solutions (coated chalk slabs, grouts, metal devices and accessories) and Gessi Roccastrada, experts in the production of chalk blocks for interior walls and powdered chalk.

The optimisation of quarry machinery plays an important role in the management of extractive operations. The movement of earth and chalk rock is a crucial part of the process and recently required the addition of a new dump truck to the Fibran fleet.

Felice Tirabasso, Chief Technology Officer of Fibran and Gessi Roccastrada, has been recognised as an expert in quarrying operations in Italy and abroad for over 25 years. After a meticulous selection process, his choice fell decisively on the new Develon DA45-7 6x6 ADT, the first to be sold in Italy in the 45 tonne class.

Since the machine joined the fleet, it has been used in the earth moving operations needed to reveal surface rock and manage at least 130 metres of terracing.

At the ‘Chalk Valley’ quarry, the DA45-7 transports both chalk rock and waste soil from surface excavations over an average in-out distance of four kilometres. This type of work demands a fast-moving, highly manoeuvrable vehicle and the DA45-7 has proved to be just the job.

As Felice Tirabasso explains, “Many factors contributed to our choice of the DA45-7 dump truck. A great deal of care went into the selection process, thanks in no small way to Develon’s willingness to show me the vehicle in action elsewhere, in central-northern England in particular, where the machine is also being used in quarrying. One extremely important feature of this machine compared to others on the market, is its separate control of its front axle and free-swinging rear tandem bogie, which enables the vehicle to follow the terrain and prevents slippage and sliding. The DA45-7 is also very simple and robust, with a high load capacity, excellent engine power and an exceptionally comfortable cab, something we pay a great deal of attention to with a view to maximizing operator wellbeing.”

Like all Develon ADTs, the permanent, six-wheel-drive DA45-7 model stands out for the front-mounted turning ring, which ensures equal load distribution even under tight steering. Working in conjunction with free-swinging rear tandem bogie, the machine’s configuration ensures even weight distribution on the tyres and guarantees permanent contact and traction at all six wheels. And even power distribution means excellent performance.

The DA45-7 is equipped with a new cab and self-levelling front suspensions that work independently to suit ground conditions and to give the operator a truly comfortable working environment.