English - Nooteboom Giants on the Road Magazine English - Nr. 4 - 2017 | Page 34

GIANTS ON THE ROAD MANOOVR ALTÉAD Four times Manoovr Baetsen bolsters fl eet with Manoovr Th e French AltéAd group was created in 1995 by the purchase of Roblin, a company special- ising in cranes and abnormal transport. In the past few years several companies have been taken over by AltéAd. AltéAd is active on fi ve continents and their fl eet comprises more 3,000 vehicles, including tractors, trailers and mobile cranes. Th ey have over 70 branches, not only in France but also in Morocco, Belgium, Italy and Poland. Th e group overall has more than 2,400 employees. In view of the many advantages of the Manoovr technology, Baetsen has expanded their fl eet with a 5-axle MPL semi low-loader. Th e 5-axle Manoovr has a rated load capacity of 12 tonnes per axle and is therefore, coupled with an 8x4 tractor, ideal for carrying out transports up to 100-tonnes with a long-term exemption. Th e load fl oor of the double extendible trailer is 32 metres long and the steering of the Manoovr can be adjusted when the trailer is extended. By adjusting the steering it becomes much easier to manoeuvre and there is less tyre wear. Th e reduced tyre wear was for Baetsen an important argument to opt for the Manoovr. Th e adjustable neck and double extension option make the 5-axle MPL a multifunctional vehicle. Recent investment by Baetsen in new Nooteboom vehicles includes several Euro-PX low-loaders in various confi gurations as well as few 4-axle Teletrailers. AltéAd has recently bought a large number of vehicles from Nooteboom, including various Manoovr semi low-loaders. Th e latest addi- tions are the 6-axle MPL-102-06(V) and the 9-axle MPL 138-36(VV) including a 3-axle Multidolly. A logical choice in view of the positive experiences with the Manoovr and the advantages of this technology. In total there are four Manoovr semi low-loaders in the AltéAd fl eet. Th e new investment also in- cludes a set of three Super Wing Carriers and various Teletrailers and Euro low-loaders. 34 BAETSEN-GROEP