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• Cartem Unveils Spreadmaster Chip Spreader At Hillhead 2010

  June '10

  

  Cartem, a name synonymous with supplying quality bitumen handling solutions to the industry has further expanded its already impressive product portfolio through the launch of the ‘Spreadmaster’ chip spreader at the recent Hillhead exhibition. This significant product unveiling, combined with the launch of a new website makes a strong statement for the long-established company as it continues to increase its profile and market share.

  Cartem, part of the Phoenix Parker Holdings group of companies since 2006, has been manufacturing bitumen handling plant and equipment for more than 50 years, having previously added the Ashurst Sprayer Company to its product lines in 1986. Throughout its history Cartem has focussed on providing a comprehensive range of equipment covering all aspects of bitumen handling solutions. The addition of the 'SpreadMaster' has further demonstrated its ability to stay at the forefront of product development and technology in order to provide the most comprehensive range of products to meet the needs of the Surface Dressing industry.

  Speaking from Cartem's extensive production facilities in Leicester, David Emerson, Cartem's Technical Development Director explains the background to the latest developments; “The number of companies supplying chip spreader machines into the industry is limited and we were regularly being asked by customers if we could supply, so of course it was a logical progression to expand our product portfolio to include a chip spreader. Having looked very carefully at this market and listened closely to the customer needs we are confident that we have developed a machine that can really deliver against these demands."

  Certainly, the 'Spreadmaster' looks the part and turned more than a few heads at the launch, but it's more than just a pretty face, as David explains; "We recognise that the competition is well established, so we knew that we needed to bring something more to the end users. First and foremost, our focus has been on functionality and ease of use, so we've provided a very robust and powerful platform that can take the knocks and deliver the loads with ease and we've combined this with state-of-the-art, yet simple to use operator controls. Within the UK we have a market-leading spreading width of 4.4m and a 260bhp hydrostatic drive system to ensure full loads can be laid even on very steep gradients. We've also paid attention to ease of maintenance by providing easy access panels to all routine maintenance areas and critical working parts.

  The control systems are a significant step ahead of the competition, providing the operator with enhanced functional control including infinitely variable spreading width, running speed and independent feed-belt controls to name a few." But operators used to a more basic system should not be put off by the high-tech bells and whistles, as David continues – "anyone capable of operating a mobile phone can drive and operate this machine with the minimum of training. Furthermore, we can provide additional functionality through the system by installing new programs where customer demands require". Although the initial primary target market for this machine is the UK Surface Dressing industry, Cartem have wisely looked beyond this when designing the platform. The machine has been designed in such a way as to allow the forward spreading hoppers to be removed from the chassis, either for workshop repair or for complete replacement with larger hoppers capable of extended spreading width. This means that multiple markets can be serviced from a single main platform ensuring commonality of parts and operating systems.

  Despite the impressive array of features available, this is a new product development for the company and Cartem is not resting on its laurels just yet; "The machine on display at Hillhead is the first unit we have produced and we recognise that we can still make improvements. Indeed, as well as an obvious launch-pad for the machine, we used Hillhead to obtain feedback from industry users and we have received a tremendous response. With this in mind we are already hard at work to make this machine even better and are confident that our customers will not be disappointed with the results."

  The unveiling of the Spreadmaster and launch of the new website, combined with the extensive product range on offer demonstrates that Cartem is well placed as a primary supplier to the Surface Dressing industry. Certainly, if recent response to Cartem's presence at Hillhead is anything to go by, the company can look forward to a bright future.