Everything in yellow: the Bomag product range stretches from the 132-lb (60 kg) tamper to the 56-ton refuse compactor.
Driving progress
Expertise and innovation have been the trademark of this “hidden champion” from Day 1. One example is the Economizer. The measuring instrument for compactors, such as tampers, vibratory plates or rollers, continuously determines the degree of compaction during the work. A scale with 10 yellow LEDs tells the operator when the optimum compaction has been reached. After all, it is a main contributing factor in the road’s life expectancy.
In 2001 Bomag introduced Asphalt Manager, the world’s first system for automated control and optimization of asphalt density. It was a milestone in measurement technology. Even today Bomag, which became a part of the French Fayat Group in 2005, is seen as an innovator in the industry. The Boppard company is committed to basic research, and operates the largest development center for compaction technology in the world.
Matthias Knapp
Matthias Knapp looks at freeway construction sites in a different light these days.
“As there are often Bomag construction machines doing the work, being stuck in a traffic jam has become more interesting,” says Matthias Knapp. The market manager has been working at Wörwag since 1998 and oversees industrial and powder coatings in the ACE (Agricultural & Construction Equipment) and Trailers sector.
The cooperation with Wörwag began in 1987.
Werner Böh, a sales rep at the time, and Richard Wörwag introduced a 2K polyurethane primer that was far superior to the coating system previously in use. The product convinced management. “A producing company like us is dependent on reliable suppliers and a dependable supply chain. We have both,” emphasizes Volker Laux, General Manager Purchasing at Bomag. “Wörwag is one of our oldest suppliers. We are looking forward to continuing our cooperation.”
In 1989 Wörwag first presented powder coatings at Bomag. “At first there was a lot of skepticism. It disappeared pretty quickly when we reduced the pre-set coating time from 45 minutes to twelve in a test,” Böh remembers. As it is a one-coat system, the transparent finishing coat is not required. Bomag built a powder coating facility that started operating in 1990. The components coated here can be subsequently coated with special colors—without any surface roughening. Sales Manager Sven Pechwitz on the subject: “Besides the leaner process, this marked a breakthrough in the collaboration with Bomag.”
“Feedback from the users and long-term observation of the utilized machinery result in frequent new coating requirements,” explains Market Manager Matthias Knapp.
Today many Bomag components are coated with powder coatings from Wörwag.
Liquid coatings are now only applied to heat-sensitive parts, components from external suppliers and small series with special colors. A pillar of Bomag’s work is the UV coating on the inside of the roller drum casings. About 250 to 300 tons of highly weather-resistant powder and liquid coatings in Bomag Yellow and RAL color 7021 (black gray) are used annually. The heavy equipment manufacturer has obtained its coatings exclusively from Wörwag for years. “Many joint projects, for example in China and Brazil, have cemented our relationship,” says Pechwitz.
In view of the extreme demands on the construction machinery, high surface resistances and corrosion protection are the most important criteria that the coating systems must fulfill. “Feedback from the users and long-term observation of the utilized machinery result in frequent new coating requirements,” explains Market Manager Matthias Knapp. “A lively dialog with Bomag and their suppliers often leads to new collaborative developments.” Only those who stay innovative are ready for the future.
Sixty percent gradeability
The same applies to Bomag machinery—starting with 132-lb (60 kg) tampers to the tandem drums to the 56-ton refuse compactor. That is also evidenced by two new products: a drum with a gradeability of 60 percent (31 degrees) and an asphalt milling machine with a working width of 7.2 ft (2.2 meters). Thanks to the distinctive color made by Wörwag, you can recognize them from quite a distance. The yellow machines are on the road.
Bomag GmbH
Founded: 1957 in Boppard, Germany
Employees: 2,500 employees worldwide, ca. 1,400 of them in Boppard
Sales 2015: around 680 million Euros
Application areas and product lines: compaction (tampers, vibratory plates and drums, multi-purpose compactors), asphalt construction (tandem drums, combination drums, pneumatic tire rollers, road pavers), earthworks (single drum rollers, soil compactors), recycling and stabilization (cold milling, cold recyclers, soil stabilizers)
Locations: six subsidiaries in Germany, twelve country companies. More than 400 dealers in over 120 countries.
Text: Michael Thiem
Photos: Bomag GmbH