Mummy, can I have a material handler?

I was on a ski trip to Germany recently: mountains, snow, pine trees – a picture-perfect winter landscape. Rather than join my husband on the slopes, I took a ‘sky walk’ with my mother and son Robin. Navigating the icy path was quite a challenge.

The most memorable part for my 20-month-old was discovering the interactive kid-sized material handler at the ski resort playground. His eyes doubled in size when he saw another boy pull the levers, sending the crane across the sandbox with its big, hungry jaws opening and closing. Sand was shifted with immense precision thanks to advice from an over-eager father on the sidelines.

Once the driver’s seat was free, Robin bolted forward to climb into it. He was clutching the handles and pressing buttons before I had the time to put a Euro into the machine. It came alive with a loud crank.

My toddler kicked his feet in anticipation. Action! The other boy stayed to watch, cheering on Robin, who obviously had no clue what he was doing. It didn’t bother him one bit, though. A core childhood memory in the making.

It was touching to see the three of them captivated by this fully functional yellow machine, with cabin, lights and Liebherr logo. Extraordinary to find out that this big industrial player also creates miniature models for youngsters. It’s a great way to advance their motor skills while sparking interest in building and technology.

During a previous expo season, Caterpillar gave me a toy truck for a new-born nephew as a birthday present. I now know I’ll have to track down another one for my son at the upcoming Bauma show in Munich. Robin can put it to work in the yard – under close supervision, of course. Boys can be rough…

Did you know that Caterpillar is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year? Its booth at Bauma will feature a total of 48 machines, including 17 new or upgraded models. The all-new D8 dozer is part of the line-up as well as the MH3032 material handler, with updated features to make handling a lot easier.

While we’re on the topic of material handlers, their global market is expected to be worth US$ 350 billion (EUR 324 billion) by 2030. Judging from big investments, industry collaborations and new product launches, the future of the segment holds a lot of promise.

It’s also common to see producers actively recruiting new talent, notably engineers, at trade shows. In tandem, the next generation is growing up with a knack for data and technology. Special summer schools and R&D projects run by recyclers are helping youngsters build the necessary skills to advance their careers.

I’m curious to see what innovations new entrants will come up with. Who knows — one day, Robin may design the blueprint for a new excavator!