News
Terex Celebrates 40th anniversary of mixer truck business with new design

August
13, 2012, Fort Wayne, Ind. – During the second half of 2012, Terex is
celebrating the 40^th anniversary of manufacturing front discharge
mixer trucks by restarting its new truck assembly line in response to improving
market conditions.

August
13, 2012, Fort Wayne, Ind. – During the second half of 2012, Terex is
celebrating the 40^th anniversary of manufacturing front discharge
mixer trucks by restarting its new truck assembly line in response to improving
market conditions. The company recently signed a substantial new truck order
with a large ready mix concrete producer operating in multiple Midwestern
states that will carry over into 2013.

“This initial order is for 65 trucks built with various axle
configurations to meet market requirements, and production starts in the fourth
quarter of 2012,” adds Rinas. “Several other loyal customers have begun
reserving production slots for both the last quarter of 2012 and first quarter
of 2013.”

In late 2011, the long-depressed new mixer truck market
prompted Terex to shift focus from new truck production to its glider truck
program and supporting aging customer fleets. At the same time, the Fort Wayne
production facility received much needed modernizing. The product, processes
and production of trucks were upgraded, lean manufacturing principles were
implemented, and employees received training on lean manufacturing.

Improving market conditions and quote and order activity
have re-energized new truck manufacturing at the Terex Fort Wayne facility. “We
will be hiring new team members for welding, assembly, engineering and
support,” says Eric Parent, human resources manager for Terex Roadbuilding.
Hiring has begun and will continue through August and September so new team
members can be fully trained by the start of new truck production.

The assembly line workers will be producing a revamped front
discharge mixer truck design, the product of more than eight months of intense
engineering effort which includes both truck and mixer upgrades. “We began the
redesign process with a comprehensive customer outreach program to identify and
prioritize enhancements,” says Rinas. “We believe our customers will be
impressed with the design changes, especially with regards to servicing.”

A
prototype of the new Terex front discharge mixer meeting stringent EPA
emissions standards will be completed by September, with full-scale truck
production slated for the fourth quarter. With statistical market data showing
upward trends in the housing market and ready mix concrete consumption, Rinas
comments, “We see this as the start of market improvement for mixer truck
production, and we look forward to ramping up production at our Fort Wayne
facility to meet the growing needs of our customers.”

“Ready mix concrete producers,” he continues, “are operating
with aging truck fleets and repair costs are escalating to keep these older
trucks on the road. Our customers are at the beginning of a major fleet
replacement cycle, which will require both new trucks and glider products.” The
Terex glider program allows customers to upgrade existing trucks by recycling
major components, such as the engine and transmission, rather than purchasing
new trucks.