On May 25, a new Russian brand of special equipment, AGB Construction Machinery, is set to be unveiled at Crocus-Expo in Moscow. This information was relayed to socialbites.ca by AGB, the new venture of Almazgeobur, a Russian manufacturer of equipment and spare parts serving the mining sector. The parent company has supplied drilling equipment since 2013 to major operators including Polymetal and Norilsk Nickel.
AGB İş Makinaları is a Russian enterprise focused on the design, maintenance, service, and spare parts supply for road construction machinery. On August 2, 2022, it began testing and licensing the AGB 3CR multifunction backhoe loader. The plant is designed to produce up to 750 units annually, according to the official representative of AGB speaking to socialbites.ca.
The AGB 3CR backhoe loader is built to handle earthmoving tasks, loading and transporting various materials. In addition, it can perform forklift duties at construction sites, warehouses, and industrial facilities. According to AGB, the production and technical base for this equipment is located inside Russia, with a large share of components already localized.
Company plans include a self-contained laboratory for import substitution engineering and ongoing collaboration with designers and engineers from Moscow State Technical University, Bauman, and MADI.
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The Russian backhoe loader offers three engine options and features equal wheelbases on both axles with steering capability. It can perform crab steering, allowing the front and rear axles to turn in different directions simultaneously. The grapple bucket has a 1 cubic meter capacity and supports six functions.
In terms of design and technical characteristics, the AGB 3CR backhoe loader closely mirrors the British JCB 3CX/4CX ECO models. While AGB does not state a direct link, it notes that spare parts for the Russian and imported machines are interchangeable to a large extent, suggesting a strong parts compatibility. In AGB’s words, the interchangeability rate sits around 90 percent.
Representatives from JCB were not immediately available for questions about their operations in Russia. The Russian office indicated that JCB continues to serve the Russian market, though no further comments were provided. Previously, Britain imposed restrictions on the export of goods to Russia, including high-tech and engineering products.
Sergey Burgazliev, an independent automotive industry consultant, believes that delivering specialized equipment to Russia could be organized under a contracted local production schedule. If AGB intends to supply JCB equipment, a third-country entity—such as Turkey—could be established to import unmarked JCB units and rebrand them for the Russian market. This scenario resembles contract manufacturing and may allow continued market presence under a local brand.
The source notes that such equipment would be sold in Russia under AGB’s branding while AGB would handle warranty support and service. It could also be officially certified as manufactured in Russia if the design undergoes approved modifications, but approval from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be needed to acknowledge Russian production. The trend suggests a path for JCB to remain in the Russian market through a localized offering if the parent company decides to stay in Russia. If the decision is to exit, these options may not be feasible.
Denis Smolyanov, deputy editor-in-chief of the Autonews portal, commented that Russia presents a viable market but not a primary target for JCB. If the parent company chooses to maintain a strong presence, rebranding could preserve market access. Conversely, an exit would likely foreclose such arrangements, according to Smolyanov. A separate view from a Moscow-based source emphasizes that the arrangement would rely on goodwill from the foreign manufacturer to permit a local market presence and branding.
Overall, the prospects for foreign equipment delivery to Russia and sale under a local brand hinge on strategic decisions at the parent company level, regulatory approvals, and the ability to provide ongoing warranty and service. The evolving landscape suggests that, while possible, these arrangements require careful navigation of sanctions, export controls, and market expectations. [citation]