Alex Weijers, owner of AW Trucks Ltd, says his company’s prime aim is to supply quality new and used concrete pumps at an affordable price to the New Zealand market.
AW Trucks specialises in the distribution of Sermac concrete pumps, which are world renowned for their functionality and reliability.
Alex, originally from Holland, gained a Diploma in Automotive Business Management before heading to New Zealand over 30 years ago. He originally set up a business importing used trucks, but six years ago he changed tact and began importing used concrete pumps after he got a request from a friend to import one.
“A few years ago, Sermac approached me and it went from there. We thought it was a good option to specialise in a new product.”
Sermac is a 20-year old Italian manufacturer of concrete pumps, pump/mixers, stationary pumps, placing booms and shotcrete equipment, and annually produces over 500 boom pumps. It is now one of the main producers of concrete pumps in the world, producing boom pumps from 21-65 metres vertical reach.
Sermac is currently the number one selling concrete pump in Australia, with around 70 Sermacs operating just in a city like Melbourne.
Alex believes that if you sell one of the best concrete pumps in the world it is very important it is matched with a quality truck, to ensure he’s offering the best package available. For this reason he has always stuck with Isuzu.
“Isuzu is my number one choice because of its fuel efficiency.”
He says the combination of the pump and the truck works really well and has amazing fuel economy.
“The truck drives the pump, so it’s extremely important the truck and pump combination is fuel efficient. Some days it could be running all day.”
Alex says the Sermac 5-stage 37-metre pumps on the 8x4 Isuzu CYH400 trucks have proven to be an excellent combination with a fuel efficiency that is hard to beat.
Earlier this year, Alex sourced his first Isuzu truck from CAL Trucks in Hamilton and was extremely impressed with the service.
“Not only did CAL supply me with a new Isuzu truck, they also completely adapted it for the concrete pump.”
CAL’s specialist service department means Alex doesn’t need a third party involved to prepare the truck for mounting.
“In the past we had to send the trucks to Mt Maunganui to be prepared; now it can all be done by Commercial Autos before we take delivery of it.”
CAL Trucks has recently expanded its servicing department including a 2000m2 addition to its workshop and an extension of the parts and service facilities. It now has an extensive workshop and is renowned as a one-stop-shop for all its clients’ Japanese trucking needs.
Alex admits he originally went to CAL Trucks because John Weatherley had moved there.
“I have always dealt with John; he’s knowledgeable about the Isuzu product and great to deal with.”
AW Trucks imports approximately six new Sermacs a year for concrete pump operators and concrete placing companies all over the country. Two of the biggest pumps were recently sold in Queenstown and Canterbury. These pumps are used for both residential and commercial projects.
Alex says the 5-stage Z-fold booms are perfect for larger commercial jobs, because the boom can unfold inside a building.
“The more stages the pump has, the less head room it needs to expand.”
For the mounting and commissioning of new concrete pumps Alex has teamed up with Counties Diesel Services Ltd, a company managed by his son Jamie, who has been factory trained at the Sermac factory in Milan, Italy. The prices of the pumps are attractive too, with packages at a price up to 35 percent lower than prices quoted by some competitors for a similar pump.
Alex believes the new Sermac pumps, combined with the Isuzu trucks, will continue to sell well with the introduction of the emissions laws.
“The market for used concrete pumps is dying because of the new emissions laws. The used imports have pretty much come to a halt.”
He believes it’s no longer economical to re-fit an old pump onto a new truck.
“An old pump is continual maintenance. They have a lot of wear and tear. If you buy an old one, you’re always repairing and replacing parts – almost a daily routine. With a new pump you have got years before you need any major repairs, all you have to take care of is routine maintenance and servicing.” The pumps for the New Zealand market are assembled in Gimhae, South Korea, with components mainly imported from Italy and Germany.