South African Fermel to compete for Swedish Steel Prize 2017

Fermel is a finalist of the Swedish Steel Prize 2017 for its Maverick range of lightweight materials handling vehicles adapted to the mining sector.

The Swedish Steel Prize is an international award that recognizes the best of engineering and innovation in the world of steel. Fermel, a South African company, is one of four finalists for this year’s edition. The award ceremony will be held in Stockholm on May 11th.

Fermel’s LDV Maverick range is suitable for difficult applications in underground mines. Vehicles are almost unrestricted, and can be used for a large number of operations. They are made of approximately 90% high strength steel - combining high strength steel and abrasion resistant steel - offering greater safety and impact resistance. The payload has been increased, up to 2.5 tons more, with no effect on the fatigue strength of the machines.

According to the jury, Fermel has developed a unique range of multi-purpose vehicles that make it safe to transport in the mines. These new vehicles are in line with changes in legislation, stricter safety and will replace vehicles The increases the safety and the payload, allows a better handling of the machine, a better resistance to shocks, a longer service life, all of which are linked to the massive integration of structural steels with a high elasticity and anti-abrasion limit.