LeeBoy is best known for its durable and reliable asphalt pavers, machines that are comparatively simple and yet productive. Chris Barnard is now CEO of LeeBoy. He said that the firm’s pavers tend to be bought by smaller contractors rather than bigger companies, a fact that has influenced its designs. Barnard has a lot of experience of the construction machinery sector, having previously served as President and CEO of Wacker Neuson Corporation from November 1997 to December 2015.
He said that the firm’s customer profile influences the type of technology the company offers. He said, “About 60% of our customers have one paver.”
Technology is becoming more readily available for construction machines but LeeBoy is cautious about what it offers. Telematics provides an important tool for construction companies, however Barnard commented, “The contractors are irritated because every telematics system is different. They’ve tried to standardise them through the AEM but everyone is scared to give up data. Somebody’s got to get out and provide a single database for all machine data.”
He continued, “We have to go away from individual solutions and let users have multiple use of single source data. The industry has to change its mind on this.”
Bob Grail, LeeBoy’s president and COO added, “We are telematics capable but we haven’t found a common platform yet.”
Barnard explained, “We don’t want to go down the road of putting in technology for the sake of it.”
He said that more advanced technology is coming to the construction sector, “I think it’s coming and we’ve got to figure out how to get there. But it’s got to be customer-based.”
According to Barnard, the key is in making technology work for the customer, with economic factors being a priority. He said, “You’re going to be able to generate savings for the customer over time.”
That said, Barnard is aware of the benefits of a connected worksie. And he said, “Rolling a paver off the line is just the beginning. Why can’t the paver be talking to the truck and the asphalt plant?”
He continued, “A linked machine helps the added value process. How do you make more money by streamlining the customer’s logistics. How can we make them more money?”
The company is already offering some technology solutions that are simple to use and are based on standard platforms. Grail said, “We’re there today with data on a tablet.”
Connecting the machines is only one aspect and Barnard said that the manufacturer, dealer and customer also have to have better lines of digital communications. Barnard said, “Technology is going to be the core of how we’re going tomake more money for our dealers and our customers. We need to be ahead of the curve and apply that technology to the person using the paver. And we need to involve the dealer for that whole dealer-customer link.”
Some technological developments have delivered additional and unexpected benefits too. Grail added, “Tier 4 has allowed us to take it further as you can capture more data.” But Barnard pointed out that being customer focussed is crucial. He said that as a manufacturer, it is important to pose questions to the customer base, “What is the customer looking for? How can we use technology and make it cost-effective?”
He said that practical solutions are essential and commented, “Our contractors are in a very competitive business. They need data, but it’s got to be cost-effective data.” Barnard explained that the present speed of technological development is impressive and said, “It’s a fascinating time to be in the industry. We don’t see technology as a threat, we see it as an opportunity; It’s a journey and we’re working closely with contractors and dealers. We’re joined at the hip to be effective.”
The company is considering its options with regard to the use of machine control technologies from suppliers such as Topcon and Trimble, particularly as lower cost solutions for these systems come to market. He said, “I hope the cost of the technology to help the customer will continue to come down.” It’s fascinating to see how fast that is happening.”
However, he added that there is still a market for entry-level pavers, which LeeBoy will continue to feed.
