Comments Archive

The winds of change
21 March 2017 The wind-turbine industry has provided the push for some of the most exciting innovations in the crane and special transport industries. From Grove's unique GTK telescoping-tower mobile cranes, featured on the cover of this issue, or Liebherr's giant LTR telecrawler, through to some of the most highly optimised crawlers available, the sector has pushed the boundaries of what can be lifted.

China crisis
16 February 2017 I write this comment as the Chinese New Year is celebrated. Like in many cultures, people in China have a series of traditions that say that, as your new year goes, so goes the rest of the year.

A throw of the dice
23 January 2017 This month, as the year gets underway, we have articles looking back over the past 20 years, and forward to the year ahead. With ConExpo in Las Vegas, we also take a first look at some of the cranes we expect to see at the show.

An ominous future
21 December 2016 At the start of this year, many of us would have been hoping for the upturn in world construction that we've been waiting for since 2009. It doesn't look much more likely now than it did 12 months ago. At the same time, the crane industry faces ongoing challenges from regulators and politicians.

Old and new
21 December 2016 In recent years, we've been working to refine Fleet File. This year, we've not made any further changes to the survey itself. We now have sections for wheeled mobile cranes, rough terrains, crawlers, tower cranes and compact cranes, all split up into capacity classes that broadly indicate the jobs they can take on. I'm pleased to say that we've this year got enough responses to provide a decent snapshot of the industry, without including any...

October surprises
07 November 2016 This month has been surprisingly busy for the crane industry. Often, autumn is the down season for crane launches, falling between the big trade shows in the spring. This October though, we've had four very significant pieces of news.

The power of invention
03 October 2016 This month's issue spotlights some of the innovations, big and small, that drive the lifting industry forward.

At 500, a look to the future
26 September 2016 This month's issue of Cranes Today is the 500th we've published. Looking back over issues of the magazine, it's easy to see how cranes have been transformed by technology, with a wealth of interconnected sensors and electronic control systems making lifting safer and the operator's job more comfortable.

Don't forget to get listed
22 August 2016 Over the past few years, we've been working to refine Fleet File, our annual survey of crane fleets around the world. The 2016 survey is now open, and offers a quick, easy, and free way show the world what cranes you have available.

What did the EU ever do for us?
28 July 2016 I am writing this comment shortly after the UK referendum on the country's membership of the European Union. A scant majority of British voters chose to leave the EU.

MSHA to ban rigging?
20 June 2016 Late in May I received a press release from Sims Crane, announcing that they would be appealing a decision earlier that month by a US Mining Safety and Health Administration judge that would, they say, redefine spreader bars and similar equipment as a 'load', making it impossible to rig them.

A good Bauma?
10 May 2016 This year's Bauma showed some positive signs, for the first time in almost a decade. We saw some exciting new products, heard good sales reports from parts of the industry, and learnt of some positive regulatory news.

Outstanding reach
28 April 2016 We've just received the latest circulation audit for Cranes Today. I'm pleased to say we continue to beat our rivals on all useful measures.

Valuing experience
23 March 2016 More than many industries, lifting values experience. Around the world, certification and training programmes emphasise the importance of time in the cab.

Could Zoomlion run Terex?
15 February 2016 Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen a lot of discussion on financial websites about Zoomlion’s unsolicited bid for Terex. The Chinese giant has stepped in between of Terex and its planned share swap tie up with Konecranes, proposing to buy Terex outright for cash.

This year in Cranes Today
28 January 2016 This looks to be an exciting year for the crane industry, and I hope, for readers of Cranes Today.

The year gone by, and to come
01 December 2015 This has been a good year in many ways for Cranes Today. I think that we've again achieved our editorial mission of keeping crane owners around the world informed of trends in their industry, and advocating for safe and efficient working practices.

A watershed moment?
09 November 2015 This quarter has seen big changes at the top at the US's biggest multiline, multinational, crane manufacturers. At Terex, Ron DeFeo is retiring from the company that he helped put together through a series of acquisitions in the 1990s and early 2000s. At Manitowoc, Glen Tellock is departing from the company after 24 years.

Papers, please
30 October 2015 This month, I've had a series of conversations about documentation. Written records are often a good way to show that correct safety checks have been carried out. A well-designed form can ensure that each check in and inspection is carried out. It can then be used to confirm the results of the inspection, to regulators or to anyone else with an interest.

Putting you in the spotlight
07 September 2015 At Cranes Today, we believe the most important thing we do is giving a voice to everyone in the lifting industry. We aim to make sure that our coverage includes not just the biggest crane manufacturers and their customers, but local hire firms and dealers, as well as smaller manufacturers, equipment and component suppliers. New features we've introduced recently will help us include more of these companies.