Vermeer to sell Conmeq electric skid-steers in Europe

Vermeer Corp. has entered into a distribution agreement with Conmeq Construction Equipment & Machinery to sell Conmeq-branded electric mini skid-steer loaders through Vermeer industrial dealers in Europe.

In another move intended to expand its portfolio of electric machines, Vermeer Corp. has entered into a distribution agreement with Conmeq Construction Equipment & Machinery B.V., to supply Conmeq-branded electric mini skid-steer loaders to be sold, serviced and supported through Vermeer industrial dealers in Europe. No financial details were provided.

Based in Budel, The Netherlands, Conmeq manufactures a fully electric, rubber-tired mini skid steer model, the AS15, with a 500 kg 1100 lb.) lifting capacity. It can be equipped with three, five or seven stackable batteries that provide 8.1 to 13.9 kWh and as much as 8 to 10 hours of operating time at maximum capacity, the company said.

The stands-on AS15 uses a fully electric propulsion system, based on 10.8 kW synchronous electric motors at each wheel, that Conmeq said is unique to the electric compact loader market. Unlike electric over hydraulic systems, this configuration offers more direct power to each of the four independent wheel motors, offering efficient battery usage and high expected run times. The only hydraulic components are the boom functions and the auxiliary hydraulic feature.

The Conmeq AS15 has been in production at the company’s Budel facility since late-2020 and has been sold through independent dealers in the Benelux region. With this agreement, Conmeq is now delivering units to be sold through those existing distribution partners in Benelux and exclusively through Vermeer dealers across the rest of Europe this fall.

“Bringing a fully electric loader to market with Conmeq is another important step in the Vermeer strategy to rapidly offer electric options for our customers who are demanding emission-free, high-performing equipment,” said Doug Hundt, president of Vermeer Industrial Solutions.

“These electric mini skid loaders with their compact size and cleaner running capability are well suited to help increase productivity and reduce labor for indoor demolition, interior construction and other applications where zero emissions and minimal noise are required.”

The AS15 will not be immediately available in markets outside of Europe as it is currently configured to match the needs and regulations of that market. As the company focuses first on Europe with this product, Vermeer said it will continue to build out its electrification strategy globally.

This is just the latest move by the Pella, Iowa-headquartered manufacturer to bolster its electric range. Late last year, the company acquired electric-powered horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and fluid systems technology from Dutch manufacturer Normag.

Through that acquisition, Vermeer assumed the rights to develop, manufacture and distribute the established fully electric HDD rigs, generator sets and fluid management systems, which had been operating across Europe under the Normag brand.