According to a study by the Brazilian Construction and Mining Technology Association (Sobratema), the recovery in sales of construction machinery, which is expected to grow by about 8% this year, has made companies operating in this market more optimistic. One example is thyssenkrupp, which will be at tenth edition of M&T Expo. At the event, which will take place from June 5 to 8 in São Paulo, the company will showcase its large portfolio of Berco undercarriages solutions, which comprises components and undercarriage systems for heavy machinery, such as tractors and excavators, used in construction and mining operations.

thyssenkrupp will also present the New Generation of Berco Undercarriage Retainers and the Positive Pin Retention System, which improve the performance of rolling stock and thus ensures a longer service life. This is due to the new retainer design and lubricant replacement, which ensures that the system operates in extreme service temperature ranges from -40°C to + 80°C. "With this new concept, we have been able to extend the service life of the undercarriage by 60% on the previous project we worked on. This contributes to a significant reduction in the hourly cost of operations," explains Rissaldo Laurenti Jr., sales manager of the thyssenkrupp’s Berco product line for Brazil.

Founded in Italy almost a century ago, Berco was acquired by thyssenkrupp in 1999 and has been established as a global leading brand in the supply of undercarriage systems for heavy machinery. These products are manufactured in plants located in Copparo and Castelfranco Veneto, Italy; Campo Limpo Paulista, Brazil; Hyderabad, India; and Waukesha, USA.

In a recent global move, thyssenkrupp’s Undercarriages business unit, which encompasses Berco's operations, was integrated into the Forging & Machining unit. This merger paved the way for the creation of thyssenkrupp Forged Technologies, one of the largest forged materials companies in the world. Globally, the new structure employs approximately 7,000 people in 18 operating units, distributed among five regions, and has revenues of over € 1 billion.

A broad portfolio of undercarriage solutions

thyssenkrupp, through its Berco’s product line, supplies undercarriage systems in more than 11,000 different configurations and meet machine specifications with an operating weight of 7 to 50 tons. The portfolio also includes compact undercarriage systems for 1.5 to 6-ton machines, such as mini excavators, pavers and compact tractors. "With all the customization possibilities, we can say that thyssenkrupp offers customers a solution, not just a product," adds Laurenti Jr.

With solutions for open pit mines, large quarries and earthworks, thyssenkrupp's portfolio of Berco products for the mining sector comprises systems and components for tracked machines with an operating weight of 50 to 400 tons, a differential compared to other players in the market.

OEMs can also find complete undercarriage systems - rolling stock and hydraulic components, structures, sanders and gearheads - finished and ready for installation on the assembly lines.

In addition to the construction and mining sectors, thyssenkrupp's Berco line products also serve applications in the agribusiness sector (sugarcane harvesters, rice harvesters and forestry equipment), drilling and offshore, among other special applications.