Menzi Muck in Bhutan

Read the following report about a Menzi Muck working in Bhutan (PDF)

Another TV appearance for Menzi Muck

On 28 May 2006, RTLII broadcast a special report about the Menzi Muck mobile walking excavator in its "Welt der Wunder" programme, which celebrates scientific innovations throughout the world. The programme was recorded on 10, 11 and 12 May 2006, when a three-strong TV crew were invited to see how Switzerland's excavator manufacturer, which leads the field in terms of technology, manufactures and applies its products.

The science programme "Galileo" also showed a report about the Menzi Muck, but without the involvement of Menzi Muck AG. The subject of the report was a Konrad Stadelmann site in Sibratsgfäll owned by (AT).

Menzi Muck live on "Wetten, dass..?"

The German TV show which inspired the UK version "You Bet!"). The appearance of a Menzi Muck on last Saturday's edition of "Wetten, dass..?", presented by Thomas Gottschalk, attracted a great deal of attention. Watched by some 17 million viewers, the scene could not have been set more impressively for  the excavator from Rheintal, in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. The task set by this outdoor bet in Kulmbach (Oberfranken, Germany) was to clamber up and over a concrete cuboid 4.5 metres high in record time. Prior to the programme being recorded, only the theoretical feasibility of the task had been CAD-tested by the engineering department in Widnau. Its engineers concluded that although the challenge would push the excavator to its absolute limits, with a very experienced driver, it ought to be possible to scale a vertical wall 4.5 metres high. Despite not having actually tested their theory in practice, the team set off for Kulmbach with an all-wheel-drive Menzi Muck A91. Menzi Muck AG had received little notice of its appearance on the prestigious programme, which offered a major advertising opportunity. In actual fact, the bet had been suggested to ZDF (the German television channel responsible for producing the programme) by a German excavator driver and plans had originally been made for another excavator to take up the challenge. After initial testing failed, Menzi Muck was asked to take over with approximately three weeks' notice. So, in the middle of last week, a "Menzi Muck A91 4x4 plus" weighing some 10 tons was transported from Widnau to Kulmbach, accompanied by Arnold Schnyder, who it was intended would instruct the German excavator driver. However, at the last minute, the German driver was forced to pull out, so Arnold Schnyder, from Vorderthal in Switzerland, suddenly had to take on his mantle. Live, in front of a crowd of approximately 30,000 and with millions watching on their TV screens at home, “Excavator Arnie” passed the test with flying colours. His relaxed approach combined with his experience at the wheel of many a Menzi Muck vehicle meant that he was more than able to withstand the pressure with ease. The question now is will he, like Thomas Gottschalk, be made an honorary citizen of Kulmbach? ZDF's requirements in respect of advertising and product placement were strict. Virtually all branding material had to be removed from the vehicle. As well as being made to wear neutral overalls, when interviewed, the driver was not permitted to mention the brand name “Menzi Muck”. The huge number of Menzi Muck fans who had travelled to Kulmbach and waved their flags during the broadcast led to the camera crew virtually blanking the crowd. After 1992, when Paul Accola appeared on the programme, this was Menzi Muck’s second appearance on "Wetten, dass…?”

Find out more by reading the press reports and watching the video >>

Record results for Menzi Muck

Menzi Muck AG ended the year with record results. Consolidated turnover increased from 26.2 to more than 31.5 million Swiss francs. To find out more, read the report published in the Rheintalischen Volkszeitung (PDF).

A project worth billions with Menzi Muck technology

The construction of a huge gas pipeline measuring 1200 km on the ocean bed at depths of up to 1000 metres is currently underway between Norway and the United Kingdom. Technology provided by the Swiss excavator manufacturer Menzi Muck AG is proving decisive.

It is intended that the new gas pipeline will supply 20% of the UK’s energy requirement. An underwater excavator designed specifically for this project is ensuring that operations run efficiently, with the result that with a lead time of 24 months, the pipeline should be ready for commissioning in 2007.

When looking for a partner to provide the requisite underwater excavator, the attention of the project’s management team was drawn to Menzi Muck AG. As the technology and market leader for mobile all-purpose excavators, Switzerland’s only manufacturer of excavators was deemed the ideal partner to help the project on the road to success.

A ship measuring more than 350 m in length and housing a pipe-laying system is being used at surface level. Two custom-designed excavators work at depths of up to 1000 metres to make ready and level out the ocean bed. Important components such as the boom and undercarriage have been designed using the know-how and technology of Switzerland’s own Menzi Muck. Designed in St. Gallen (Rheintal) and featuring corrosion-resistant materials such as titanium and aluminium, these have proved vital to the implementation of the project.

As conditions when working underwater differ also in respect of tool selection, instead of conventional tools being used for excavation work, obstacles are being cleared using water jet-based and suction functions. If necessary, the underwater excavator can also be fitted with cutting and demolition tools. The excavator is remote-controlled via radio by an operator working on a control vessel. Underwater cameras and 3D measuring systems provide operators with the information they need.