Features Archive
Archive of features from the global cranes industryFeatures By Date
February 2021
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Getting bigger all the time
Stuart Anderson, president of Chortsey Barr Associates, analyses the evolution of the global offering for large rough terrain cranes from the first 80t machine in 1978 to today, with 24 models offering capacities of 90t or higher in the market.
Higher learning
Training and certification for crane operators have until recently been national or state concerns. Now they are going continent-wide and crossing borders. Julian Champkin reports.
New opportunities
Rainer Auerbacher, member of the board, resort Transport Technology at Goldhofer, talks to Sotiris Kanaris about trends in the special transport market, solutions for crane transportation and products in the pipeline.
Keeping things moving
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Faymonville Group has introduced a number of products to the market over the past year. Sotiris Kanaris talks to product manager Rainer Noe and sales director Arnold Luxen.
Innovation through collaboration
At the end of 2020, it was announced that Kamag SPMTs can be used as ballast trailers. Head of global marketing, communication and business development at TII Group Volker Seitz talks to Sotiris Kanaris about this solution and other new innovations.
Core strength
Cable manufacturer FibreMax is expanding its factory and production output to meet increased demand for its products. Sotiris Kanaris talks to sales and marketing manager Duco Handgraaf about how the company’s products are moving from niche to mainstream.
January 2021
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Towering upwards
Tower cranes are ubiquitous; every city seems to have several on its skyline. But getting them erected to do their tasks—and dismantling them afterwards—calls for the help of all terrain cranes. Julian Champkin finds that owners of each type of crane need to talk.
Reaching the limit?
The wind turbines are getting bigger, leading to the deployment of higher capacity cranes for their installation. Are we reaching the limit as to the way the crane industry can serve this market? Sotiris Kanaris reports
USA keeps lifting
The USA has been one of the worst hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic globally, which has inevitably affected construction activity with delays in projects and downtime. In addition, the sector faced the uncertainty that accompanies a presidential election.
Family heritage
With heavy lifting at the core of its business, Lampson International developed its own Transi-Lift cranes to meet demand for lifting capacities up to 3,000USt. Simon Hastelow talks to director of PR and communications Kate Lampson.
Continuous growth
Morrow Equipment Company operates from 23 locations worldwide and maintains the largest fleet of tower cranes in North America. Simon Hastelow talks to Peter Juhren, president and chief operating officer, about the current US rental market.
December 2020
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Staying on track
The truck-mounted crane is a simple solution to many lifting problems. Julian Champkin finds a growing market for a flexible friend.
Planning ahead
Lift planning software originally gave crane operators and contractors the ability to document tricky lifts and explore any parameters that could become a safety issue. Now, they are so versatile with added 3D rendering that the plans can even be used as marketing aids when competing for a contract. Simon Hastelow reports.
Booming market
The mobile crane market in Australia and New Zealand performed well in 2020, despite the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic. In the case of Australia, the government has played a key role. Sotiris Kanaris reports.
Strong and flexible
Simon Marr, managing director of the Men from Marr’s, talks to Sotiris Kanaris about designing heavy lift luffers and providing solutions to demanding projects around the world.
Floating five-axle crane
Crane contractor Movitram Grúas delivered an LTM 1220-5.2 to the mountainous and forested coffee region in Colombia to install a bridge, with the 220t Liebherr all terrain crane travelling 8km on the Rio Cauca on a barge.
November 2020
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Simple can be beautiful
Julian Champkin looks at the knuckleboom market and finds that though sophistication can be sought-after, and increasing size brings new roles, there is still a demand for the basic and simple.
On the comeback trail
Fibre ropes of one kind or another have been used for millennia before iron took over. Steel wire has enjoyed a monopoly in some sectors for almost two centuries. But is fibre about to mount a historic comeback? Simon Hastelow reports.
Past and future
Alexander Jost, managing director of tower crane manufacturer Jost Cranes, talks to Sotiris Kanaris about the company’s past, present and future.
Focus on technology
BKL has grown to become one of the largest crane rental companies in Europe. CEO Jörg Hegestweiler talks to Sotiris Kanaris about the company’s strategy and trends in the German market.
