“The main focus of SaMoTer 2023 is on innovation, and in particular two topics of great importance: the ecological transition and the digital transition,” said Maurizio Danese, CEO Veronafiere. “We are delighted to see that the competition awards have also taken this direction. We are preparing the new show which, thanks not the least to SaMoTer Lab and Cantiere Digitale (The Digital Construction Site), will turn the spotlights on to the real and effective implications of new technologies, automation and digitalisation.”

The winners of the competition were presented with their awards at a ceremony for the International Technical Innovation Competition and SaMoTer B2Press, a networking event for exhibiting companies and journalists, which acts as a stepping stone towards the 31st edition.

“The Innovation Award has two objectives: to acknowledge investments made by companies to develop cutting edge machinery and technologies, and to provide sector operators and the trade press a chance to learn about the latest developments,” stated Sara Quotti Tubi. “It is a qualified showcase focusing on technical and technological evolution in the construction machinery sector. Competition entries included machinery, equipment, plant and prototypes characterised by new design and/or practical innovations in use, as well as fundamental improvements to existing machines.”

“I was delighted to see that the SaMoTer Innovation Award attracted impressive participation even by leading global manufacturers, who are always keen to gain ground in terms of competitiveness,” said Costantino Radis, sector journalist and chairman of the jury for the SaMoTer Innovation Award. “This once again confirms SaMoTer's vocation as a platform for international promotion capable of accompanying and supporting progress in the sector.”

The jury of university professors, researchers, technicians and sector experts of proven experience included Costantino Radis, technical journalist (chairman), Maurizio Quaranta, IPAF representative for Italy, Massimo Bardissone, mechanical engineer, Cristiano Costa, technical service manager with Unacea, Enrico Lovera, building contractor, Jean Noël Onfield, technical journalist, Sebastiano Pelizza, professor emeritus, Marco Prosperi, general manager of Assodimi, Alberto Seco, industrial designer, Daniela Grancini, technical journalist and Lucas Manuel Varas Vilachàn, technical journalist. The jury announced sixteen winners this year in the categories of hydraulic excavators, telehandlers, lifting machinery, plant, attachments, software applications and other machinery. A design award was also made.

The winners of the SaMoTer Innovation Award

Develon was the winner of the hydraulic excavator category with its 14W EREV. Wacker Neuson won the compact telehandler category with its TH412e. Merlo was the winner of the medium telehandler category with its 30.7. Magni won the rotary high capacity telehandler category with its RTH 10.37. Airplatform won the platform lifting machine category with its ‘Up&Down’ TB22-9. JMG won the mobile cranes category with its MC-250.09FL. Blend was the winner of mobile plants category with its C022. Ghedini Attachments won the demolition hammer category with its EPB 48. Mantovanibenne won the demolition and recycling attachments category with its SH600R ‘Eagle’ 3. Simex won the road maintenance attachments category with its ART 1000 ‘Asphalt Repair Technology’. Malaguri won the utilities attachment category with its ‘Variable Vibration Device’. Minitop won the track loader applications attachments category with its ‘Tracksformer’. Maestro won the software applications for plants category with its ‘Q-Pilot’. Hidromek won the software applications for operating machines category with its ‘Opera’. Hidromek also won the special design prize. Kato Imer won the track laying transporter category with its ‘Carry’ 107 EP and Carry 105 EP. And finally, Rotair won the utility ‘Other Machines’ category with its MDVN32B and MDVN32E.