Rock Zone UK launches at Plantworx

A large Rock.Zone Rockwheel drum cutter trenching. Image: Rock.Zone

For the launch, the company brought a range of products to the show, including a lightweight version of its drum cutter, Rockwheel.

Other attachments in Rock.Zone’s portfolio include the crusher bucket Rockcrusher and screener bucket Rockscreener.

Some might question the timing of the Rock Zone UK launch, given the UK’s soaring interest rates and out-of-control inflation – as well as the fact that many manufacturers are seeing business levels static or falling.

However, the company’s managing partner, Robert Piasecki, is confident that the time for expansion is now.

His rationale is that “In a recession, you have fewer people, you have fewer financial resources, fewer new machines.

“In this case, you concentrate on what you can do that’s effective… using a Rockwheel, for example, which is three times faster than a hammer for an accurate trench. Also, you don’t have the noise, and you don’t have the vibrations. If you choose the right attachment for the job, you get it done faster and you save money.”

Rock.Zone UK's Robert Piasecki. Photo: Rock Zone

He added, “When the pace of the excavator market is going down, dealers are focusing on smaller things.”

Piasecki explained that Rock.Zone has a dedicated division in all of its most important markets, but the UK arm of the company was, until now, managed by the engineering firm Webster Technologies.

Piasecki acknowledged the work being done by Webster, in terms of developing units, but also admitted that there was a need for more sales focus in the country.

‘Recession is not a barrier to growth’

He said, “You can only focus on a market, in my opinion, if you dedicate people and have a ground-based company dealing with product on stock, improving availability, [giving customers] better direct contact with the manufacturer and finding dealers in the region.”

With the introduction of the smallest version of the Rockwheel, weighing just 66kg, designed for use on excavators from 1 tonne, the company’s strategy becomes clear.

Having grown its UK-based sales team from one to four, Rock Zone’s primary focus will be on establishing dealers and growing market share within the UK’s growing rental market.