Features Archive
Archive of features from the global cranes industryFeatures By Date
January 2020
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Carrying the weight of the world
One of the most anticipated events of the year will be the Expo 2020, which will take place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The event will open in October and run for 173 days, during which attendees will have the chance to explore 192 country pavilions.
Beyond Oil
Think Middle East, and you think oil. But many other sectors in the region need lifting gear, as Julian Champkin discovers.
A real alternative?
Telehandlers are increasingly being used on construction sites, sometimes doing jobs previously performed by small mobile cranes. Their continuous technological evolution is playing a part in it. Sotiris Kanaris reports.
How low can you go?
Julian Champkin talks to manufaturers about the competing advantages of flat-tops and hammerheads, and the emerging new class of low-tops.
Miner player
From an apprenticeship in Doncaster’s coal mines, to CEO of one of the world’s leading tower crane manufacturers, Duncan Salt’s career shows the opportunity offered by the crane industry. Will North spoke to him at the company’s HQ in Switzerland.
Shuffling the deck
ConExpo has dealt a new hand to visitors and exhibitors at this year’s show: the outdoor Gold and Silver lots attendees are used to are being replaced by a new lot, in a new location.
Powering the future
Two Liebherr LR 11350 crawler cranes were used to erect the prototype of the most powerful offshore wind turbine in the world in the Dutch port of Rotterdam.
December 2019
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Convergent evolution
At ConExpo in 2017, Faymonville announced it would acquire Cometto. With the three-year anniversary of the deal coming up in 2020, Will North spoke to Cometto head of sales Giovanni Monti about the integration of the Italian company.
Big and booming
Big in America, little-known elsewhere, the boom truck is a telescopic crane mounted on a standard commercial truck chassis. It is the crane of preference for construction and utilities in the US. But new owners, new entrants, even new countries of origin are coming into the market. Julian Champkin reports.
Easier, safer, faster
John Bensalhia finds out about the latest developments in operator assistance technology.
Tradition and modernity
On the year of its 100th anniversary, Tadano opened its Kozai Plant, designed to take it to the next generation of smart manufacturing. Sotiris Kanaris visits the brand-new facility in Takamatsu.
Back on the global stage
In 2019, Kato has launched a number of cranes across different product lines. Sotiris Kanaris visits the company’s Tokyo office and discusses about the updated portfolio and international presence.
Strong global presence
Over the decades, Kobelco has introduced products that enjoyed commercial success in many international markets. Sotiris Kanaris visits the Okubo plant, the heart of the manufacturer’s crane manufacturing.
New Era, New Strategy
Sotiris Kanaris visits Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Cranes’s (HSC) Nagoya plant and learns about the company’s vision.
Spreading the word
Liebherr's Aleksandra Meissner, general manager of the company's mobile construction crane (MK) line, is sure that these cranes, rather than being a niche product, have a role to play in every fleet. Will North spoke to her in Biberach earlier this year.
November 2019
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Turning without taglines
To turn and control a hanging load, taglines are used. Taglines are risky, but no alternative has seemed available. You wait years for a solution, then two turn up at once. Both are from Australia. Julian Champkin looks at the devices from down under that may turn lifting upside down.
The way the wind blows
Sotiris Kanaris talks to special transport manufacturers about how they are serving the ever-changing wind energy sector.
Cutting edge expertise
David Collett is president of ESTA, the European mobile crane and special transport association, and MD of the eponymous UK special transport firm. Will North interviewed him about the challenges posed by longer, heavier, wind farm components, and collaboration between the transport and wind energy industries.
Built in Italy
GIS in Piacenza has established itself as the key show for the Italian lifting industry. Will North attended, and spoke to a number of Italian—and Italy-based—crane manufacturers.
Terex launches first hydraulic luffer
During a customer event at a testing yard in Polcenigo, Italy, Terex has shown for the first time three new tower crane models, one of which is the company’s first hydraulic luffer.
