Published September 2001

Brokk machines make demolition easier, safer

By John Wolcott
Herald Business Journal Editor

Demolition work can be dangerous for those who are tearing down buildings, gutting interiors for remodeling or simply ripping out floors in cramped spaces, such as restrooms.

Contractors who have discovered the mobile, remote-controlled robotic equipment sold by Brokk Inc. of Monroe find the machines are an innovative solution to many demolition situations, but the units aren’t well known in the Northwest.

The Swedish-built machines are guided by an operator with a remote-control box fitted with two joysticks. The unit often is worn on a belt cinched to the operator’s waist. The machine can be operated up to 30 feet away, connected to the remote box by an electrical umbilical cable. Wireless units directed by radio signals are even more versatile.

Also, because the powerful machines’ work is controlled remotely, operators are freed from the jarring vibrations of jackhammers and other demolition tools normally used by hand.

Brokk’s machines not only keep operators out of dangerous places, they also dramatically reduce the time needed for demolition work compared to using conventional equipment.

And when it’s time to move Brokk units to a new work location, operators simply walk along behind while they direct the rubber-treaded robots to the next room or even up stairs, since the tracked vehicles can easily negotiate steps.

“We’re the only distributor in the United States for these Swedish machines, selling mostly to wholesalers. A lot of our business is on the East Coast, not here,” said Administration and Marketing Assistant Kimberley Wade. The American branch of the Skelleftea, Sweden-based company was known as North American Sales up until January, when it changed to Brokk Inc.

Northwest businesses that have bought Brokk machines for specialized demolition work include Democon of Lynnwood and Nuprecon of Redmond, which soon will be moving into new offices in Quadrant’s Snoqualmie Ridge Business Park.

“We don’t just like them, we love them,” said John Hennessy, President of Nuprecon. “They’re just great. They’ve reduced a lot of time and labor on our jobs. Now we center a lot of our business around these machines. Also, the service we’ve gotten from Brokk throughout the years has been outstanding. We really enjoy doing business with them.”

Hennessy said Nuprecon’s Brokk robots are used primarily for interior gutting of buildings, with the biggest job so far being Seattle’s old Frederick & Nelson building interior, a key part of its transformation into the new Nordstrom flagship store.

Nuprecon’s Operating Manager, Morgan Skogard, said the company just bought another Brokk robot, expanding its arsenal to six.

“We use them all the time for concrete demolition, and with a grapple and shear for all kinds of demolition. There’s a huge safety factor for operators but the machines also can get into areas you can’t put a normal-sized excavator. Because they’re mechanized, we can get a lot of production out of them to minimize labor costs at today’s higher pay rates,” he said.

For Brokk, the versatility of the mobile, robotic demolition machines is a significant marketing advantage.

“We sell the machines for excavating, building bridges, roads, tearing up concrete, even for the nuclear industry, since the units can work remotely at some distance from the operators,” Wade said. “A government contractor at the Hanford Reservation has been using one in a radioactive area where people can’t work safely.”

Five models of the robots come in a variety of sizes, with an array of attachments. Three-part arms on the units provide flexibility and precision operation. Prices range from $32,500 for the compact Brokk 40 to $124,500 for the larger Brokk 330.

In general, size determines how much each machine can tackle and how fast it can work. Except for the Brokk 250 — which is mounted on wheels — the other four models operate on tracks, steel ones for the 330 model and rubber tracks for the Brokk 40, 90, 110 and 180. Most units also are fitted with hydraulic outriggers for operating stability.

“As for training, most of our customers already have units and are replacing them or buying more, but if a new company needs help, we send Tom Bouta out to train them,” Wade said, referring to the company’s expert in operating, repairing, refurbishing and modifying Brokk products. “Companies also send people here for training. If there are problems in the field, we fly wherever we’re needed, 24 hours a day.”

For more information, contact Sales and Marketing Director Mike Martin at Brokk Inc., 1144 Village Way, Monroe, WA 98272, call 800-621-7856 or 360-794-1277, send e-mail to kimberley@brokkinc.com or visit the firm’s Internet Web site, www.brokkinc.com.

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