Digital concrete technology company Giatec has announced a commercial partnership with specialty chemicals manufacturer Sika aimed at accelerating the adoption of data-driven solutions across the global concrete value chain.

The collaboration will combine Giatec’s digital monitoring and analytics platforms with Sika’s extensive global presence and expertise in construction materials. Through the partnership, the companies intend to expand the use of intelligent technologies in concrete production, transportation, placement and long-term performance monitoring.

Sika operates in more than 100 countries and offers a broad portfolio of construction solutions, including high-performance concrete admixtures and advanced building systems. By integrating Giatec’s digital tools into Sika’s global network, the two companies expect to broaden access to technologies that help construction firms optimise quality control, efficiency and sustainability.

Ivo Schädler, Head Construction at Sika, said the collaboration reflects a shared ambition to support the industry’s transition towards more digitally enabled operations.

“By combining Sika’s materials science and construction expertise with Giatec’s innovative digital concrete solutions, we aim to help the sector move away from reactive methods towards proactive, data-enabled decision-making,” he said. “This approach can improve project quality, boost productivity and support more sustainable construction outcomes.”

The announcement comes as the construction sector increasingly embraces digital tools and artificial intelligence. Industry forecasts indicate that the global market for AI-driven construction technologies could expand significantly over the next decade, driven by demand for improved productivity, cost control and environmental performance.

Giatec’s technology ecosystem includes wireless concrete sensors, artificial intelligence-based software platforms and in-transit monitoring tools designed to provide real-time data on concrete behaviour during transport and placement. According to the company, these systems help contractors and producers improve consistency, reduce material waste and make faster operational decisions.

Pouria Ghods, CEO and co-founder of Giatec, described the agreement as a key step in expanding the company’s global impact. He noted that combining Sika’s global reach with Giatec’s digital expertise will help address long-standing challenges related to efficiency, performance and sustainability within the construction sector.

“Together we can deliver measurable value for producers, contractors and project owners by providing greater transparency and insight into concrete performance,” Ghods said.

Both companies are showcasing their technologies and discussing the partnership with industry stakeholders at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, where representatives are presenting solutions designed to support the digital transformation of construction practices.

Prinoth has officially launched its new flagship Panther T23r, describing it as the largest and most advanced rotating crawler carrier in the industry. The debut took place during a press conference at Conexpo-Conagg 2026

The Panther T23r is the first machine to incorporate Prinoth’s newly developed PowerForce undercarriage, an innovation that forms the basis of more than 20 patent applications. The system is engineered to significantly enhance terrain capability, operational efficiency and overall machine performance.

With a payload capacity of 22.5 short tons, the T23r combines high carrying capacity with relatively compact dimensions. The unit measures 9.8 feet wide, 10.8 feet tall and has a total weight of 40 tons. Its 360 degree continuous rotating upper structure, paired with a rounded Hardox steel dump box and telescopic cylinder, allows for precise material placement in confined or restricted worksites where traditional haulers may struggle to operate.

At the core of the machine’s performance is the PowerForce undercarriage. Unlike conventional rigid walking beam systems that transmit terrain shocks directly to the operator and payload, the new design absorbs ground irregularities while optimising power transfer. This enables improved travel speeds, reduced fuel consumption and greater operator comfort.

The Adaptive Independent Suspension System positions eight wheels on individual arms, each offering seven inches of travel supported by hydro-pneumatic shock absorbers. These automatically adapt to load variations, maintaining consistent ride quality whether the carrier is operating empty at 41,200 pounds or fully loaded at 85,400 pounds. 60% of the load is strategically distributed to the centre wheels, enhancing zero-turn manoeuvrability and lowering ground pressure.

Engineers have also introduced an oblong, oval-shaped track configuration that reduces bend points by 50% and doubles the bend radius compared to traditional systems. This approach minimises energy loss during each track cycle, ensuring more engine output is translated into forward motion. The expanded ground contact area further improves flotation in soft terrain and traction on inclines.

Precision track alignment is another defining feature, with pitch accuracy said to be ten times greater than standard crawler carriers. The system incorporates precise link spacing and an auto-centering “fox head” profile, enabling planetary drives to engage 15 teeth simultaneously instead of relying on single-point contact. The combined roller and wheel arrangement is designed to virtually eliminate de-tracking during demanding manoeuvres, reducing downtime and extending track life.

The undercarriage also benefits from an automatic dual-action tensioning system that continuously adjusts track tension according to operating conditions. When lightly loaded, tension is reduced to limit wear. Under heavier loads or when greater traction is required, tension increases automatically. This real-time adjustment is intended to maximise performance while prolonging service life.

The Panther T23r’s dump box has been redesigned with a rounded, deep-section Hardox steel profile to support smoother material discharge and minimise carryback, particularly when handling sticky soils or aggregates. The box has been repositioned closer to the undercarriage centreline, improving centre of gravity and balancing loads across the suspension and central bearing. This refinement helps lower structural stress and overall frame complexity.

The machine is equipped with a newly designed cab featuring a near centre-mounted operator seat for improved visibility, especially to the right side where ground crews typically operate. Standard features include an air-ride seat, 7 inch touchscreen display, ergonomic joystick controls for dumping and rotation, intuitive steering wheel and foot throttle system, sun visor and cruise control to reduce fatigue over long shifts. An optional buddy seat is available.

“Customers are pushing farther into remote, sensitive and high-consequence environments,” said Frank M Gangi, product manager for the Prinoth Panther. “With the Panther T23r, we set out to give them a machine that feels completely in control on those sites, with a payload and undercarriage that lets them haul more in fewer passes while protecting the jobsite and the machine.”

A public unveiling ceremony will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at 4:30 PM PST at the Prinoth booth #W43845 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Panther T23r will remain on display at the booth from March 3 to 7.

Road construction equipment manufacturer Wirtgen has introduced the W 200 F, a new-generation large milling machine designed to improve efficiency, operational precision and sustainability in road rehabilitation projects.

The machine forms part of Wirtgen’s latest portfolio of intelligent cold milling machines, developed to help contractors achieve a balance between productivity, milling quality and operating costs. With flexible milling widths of 2.0 m and 2.2 m and a maximum milling depth of 330 mm, the W 200 F is suited to a wide range of road maintenance applications, from removing surface layers to full-depth rehabilitation and fine milling tasks.

At the core of the machine’s capabilities is the company’s MILL ASSIST control technology, which automates many operational adjustments typically carried out manually by machine operators. Milling operations often require continuous parameter changes due to varying road surfaces and working conditions. These include adjustments to milling speed, drum rotation and water flow.

Using digital monitoring and real-time data analysis, MILL ASSIST automatically optimises these parameters while the machine is operating. According to Wirtgen, the system identifies the most efficient balance between production output and resource consumption, allowing the equipment to respond dynamically to changing site conditions. The automation helps reduce fuel use, water consumption and tool wear while also lowering noise and carbon emissions.

The W 200 F also introduces a revised operating interface designed to simplify machine control. Instead of monitoring several separate displays, operators can now access key operational data through a single 7-inch control panel that provides an overview of machine performance and milling progress. A secondary 5-inch panel manages the LEVEL PRO ACTIVE levelling system, which ensures precise surface results during milling operations.

LEVEL PRO ACTIVE is fully integrated with the machine’s control system and includes automated functions to improve productivity. For example, the system allows the machine to automatically raise itself when passing over obstacles such as manhole covers. It also assists operators when positioning the machine for subsequent milling passes, helping to maintain consistent surface quality.

Another notable feature is the optional Multiple Cutting System (MCS), which allows milling drums with different tool spacings to be replaced without additional tools. Using this system, a milling drum can be removed and replaced in approximately 15 minutes. The ability to quickly change drums enables contractors to adapt the machine to different project requirements and minimise downtime.

In addition, the W 200 F supports rapid replacement of entire milling drum assemblies. Pre-assembled units with different milling widths can be swapped in around one hour, allowing contractors to respond more quickly to changing project specifications on site.

Technology firm Krank has introduced the Inspeq Platform, a modular operational layer designed to provide control-tower oversight of inspections, work order execution and fleet operations without replacing existing enterprise systems.

The platform is aimed at asset-intensive sectors including mining, construction, energy, utilities, insurance and heavy industry, where frontline teams face mounting pressure to maintain safe operations while improving efficiency. Despite widespread use of CMMS, EAM and ERP systems, many organisations continue to rely on fragmented, paper-based or disconnected inspection workflows, resulting in delayed reporting and slower decision-making.

Inspeq has been developed to bridge this operational gap. Rather than displacing established systems, it integrates with them, connecting frontline inspection activity directly to management in a unified, real-time environment. The platform consolidates inspections, work orders, site data and asset-level intelligence, enabling senior leadership to gain visibility across distributed operations without disrupting existing processes.

According to Khurram Mumtaz, Chief Technology Officer at Krank, the system was built around the realities of frontline conditions, including remote sites, harsh environments and limited connectivity. “We have developed the Inspeq Platform around what frontline teams need most on the job. It helps them catch issues faster, assign work instantly, and deliver the right insights to the right people at the right time,” he said.

A central feature of the platform is its Remote Work Orders capability, which allows senior inspectors or specialist technicians to conduct and supervise inspections remotely. Using live video calls, experienced personnel can guide on-site staff in real time, directing inspections and capturing high-definition images and video evidence. Findings are logged centrally as the inspection progresses, enabling reports to be completed remotely.

The approach is intended to maximise scarce technical expertise by extending oversight across multiple sites without requiring physical travel. Krank said the feature reduces travel costs, shortens inspection turnaround times and promotes consistent quality standards across geographically dispersed assets.

Inspection findings within Inspeq feed directly into live work order execution, ensuring that defects are addressed promptly and accountability is clearly assigned. Pre-start checks, maintenance schedules, discrepancy reporting and asset histories are consolidated within a single operational layer.

By sitting above existing enterprise systems, Inspeq aims to improve data accuracy, accelerate response times and reduce administrative burdens while supporting digital transformation without workforce retraining.

Krank said the platform was shaped by frontline feedback to create a scalable, mobile-first solution capable of aligning asset data, inspections and operational insight in real time.