Astec Industries makes European move

US giant Astec Industries has purchased manufacturing and office space in Hameln, near Hannover in Germany, as part of its intention to grow its presence internationally. A new company has been formed, Astec Mobile Machinery GmbH, headed up by director Michael Pottkaemper. It will be staffed by German personnel, including engineers, service technicians and sales staff. The intention is for the Hameln facility to become a European hub for most Astec Industries companies over time, including the mobile crushing and screening equipment from KPI-JCI and Astec Mobiel Screens.

Initially, it will be the Roadtec subsidiary that will be pioneering a European presence with its range of road construction equipment. Roadtec is already using the new facility to develop a tamper bar screed, which will enter production at Hameln in the first quarter of 2012.