Two Arocs 4148 with concrete pumps at Bombeos de Hormigón Almargen

The Costa del Sol is living up to its name. At midday, temperatures rise to 30 degrees and humidity reaches 70 per cent – extreme conditions on the building site. At a height of 52 metres, a concrete pump owned by Bombeos de Hormigón Almargen S.L. is shifting concrete. 170 cubic metres of concrete an hour. It is set up on an Arocs 4148 8×4. "A technical masterpiece," is how Managing Director Juan Gónzalez describes it.

And a masterful move for the business too. Since the company purchased the truck-mounted concrete pump three months ago, its regular customers have been asking for its services more and more. Bombeos de Hormigón Almargen S.L. is one of only a few firms in Andalusia specialising in leasing truck-mounted concrete pumps with a driver/operator. "In this sector, considerable investments are necessary", explains Juan González. But it's worth it: recently, the company acquired not one but two Arocs 4148 mounted concrete pumps reaching heights of 52 and 40 metres respectively. 

Bombeos de Hormigón Almargen S.L. has been in existence for 20 years and has its headquarters in Campillos (Málaga) with branches in Córdoba and Seville. The company operates across Andalusia and works both for private and public contractors. One of the projects it was part of was construction of the high-speed railway track between Antequera and Granada – with an international, European track width, electrified at 25 kV, and with a steady maximum speed of 300 km/h – and the company is now involved in redevelopment work at Granada railway station. 

"Optimisation of costs is vital in this sector. The low consumption values and the long maintenance intervals of the Arocs play a major part in that calculation," says Juan González. He knows the business like the back of his hand. "At the end of the day, it's the vehicles and the employees who make the difference between profit and loss." That's why he always buys the best vehicles on the market and employs motivated staff.

The concrete pumps were built by Dicom Machinery, a Spanish manufacturer. Project Manager Fernando Servillera oversaw the purchase of the pumps: "They comply 100% with the needs of the customer, and, together with the Arocs, they are the perfect solution."

The company's customers include major companies such as Avintia and Dragados as well as public contractors such as the Ministry for Infrastructure and Traffic, and Ferrovial. Some are also private contractors. Juan González makes the point that since 2015, the construction of private accommodation has been booming. One example is the construction of 154 flats at Los Álamos beach in Torremolinos. And it's there, on the building site, that Manuel Martín's remote control device, which he has hung around his neck, is emitting a signal. That means that his colleague at the concrete mixer can stop the flow of cement. They have finished cementing the floor of this apartment complex – but the next complex will follow shortly.

Manuel makes use of the short break to list some key facts about the Arocs: 16-gear G280 automatic transmission, 353 kW and a power take-off with 2300 Nm torque at 1,200 revolutions per minute. "The truck guarantees absolute efficiency and makes the work easier. You are always on the safe side with the Mercedes-Benz brand," says Manuel.

For Juan González, the safety of the driver and of the vehicle comes first – both on the building site and on the road. "Because of its equipment, its sturdiness and its technical features, the Arocs is the best and the safest truck available for the construction business," he assures us.

Contact.

Juan González,
Bombeos de Hormigón Almargen S.L.

Email: bombeosalmargensl@gmail.com

Photos: Begoña Tremps