Wacker Neuson is extending its partnership with telematics and IoT specialist Trackunit for a further five years and will expand the cooperation to include Trackunit鈥檚 Kin tracking device for non-powered equipment and attachments.

The technology is used by Wacker Neuson to deliver its EquipCare customer platform for fleet and data management. The use of the Kin devices will provide owners with greater visibility on its smaller equipment and machine attachments.

Wacker Neuson is expanding the digital tools available to its customers. (Photo: Wacker Neuson)

Approximately 15,000 new items will become part of Trackunit鈥檚 Bluetooth network in the first year as part of the deal, and Wacker Neuson will be able to also connect more than 50,000 of its Battery One units.

At the same time, the OEM has entered a long term partnership with German construction software company OneStop Pro to develop additional digital products to 鈥渃onnect with customers more directly鈥�.

One of the first integrated products is the cloud-based EquipCare Pro software, which allows customers to manage, schedule and evaluate all their machines, equipment and bulk items, regardless of manufacturer or brand.

鈥淲e use digital technologies strategically to make our customers鈥� day-to-day work easier and more efficient,鈥� said Alexander Greschner, chief sales officer of Wacker Neuson, 鈥淚n order to be able to offer the best solution for our customers, we have positioned ourselves in such a way that we can develop and operate digital products based on our own IoT backend.

鈥淲e have built up the relevant expertise in-house. In addition, we work with partners who are established on the market and can quickly develop suitable solutions together with us.鈥�

On using Trackunit鈥檚 Kin to connect batteries, Greschner said; 鈥淲e are already selling a lot of battery-powered equipment, and this will help us keep track on those smaller pieces of equipment and power units.

鈥淭his will have a direct impact on the health and lifecycle of our machines and batteries, directly benefitting the customer.鈥�

Trackunit CEO Soeren Brogaard said the company was excited about strengthening its partnership with the Wacker Neuson; 鈥渨e believe collaboration is key to building the network and enabling the development of the ecosystem.

鈥淭he more transparent the industry is and the more we can share data, the more we can effect change on downtime. This in time will enable the industry to restore its former reputation as a force for progress as we find better, cleaner ways of doing business.鈥�

Interview: Wacker Neuson Chief Sales Officer on growth for the future Alexander Greschner, Chief Sales Officer, Wacker Neuson, highlights their current 鈥� and future 鈥� direction to Catrin Jones