With over 55 years of experience, 1,000 machine units and more than 400 employees across multiple depots, German crane rental, sales and service specialist BKL Baukran Logistik is one of Europe’s largest manufacturer independent, full-service providers of crane solutions.
We speak to its CTO Robert Popp to discover how BKL supports its customers with maintenance, advanced diagnostics, and roundthe- clock emergency assistance.
BKL says its unique approach, combining remote troubleshooting, fully equipped service vehicles, and highly trained technicians, sets it apart in the industry…
CT: What are the key elements in your repair and refurbishment offerings?
Popp: BKL offers its customers a comprehensive range of repair and maintenance services for construction cranes and crane accessories, such as radio remote controls. For this purpose there are specialised repair departments at the BKL locations with competent, factory-trained crane technicians who are on call to assist customers, both over the phone and on site.
In addition to specialised training, BKL’s service technicians have fully equipped workshop vehicles and access to extensive stocks of spare parts to carry out repairs as quickly as possible.
As speed plays a key role for customers, BKL also relies on remote diagnostics: the majority of tower cranes in the company’s own crane fleet are therefore equipped with an electronic crane control system (PLC/bus systems) for error code analysis or have a RDT (remote data transmission) system.
This means that BKL’s crane experts can often help customers and their crane operators troubleshoot quickly and efficiently over the phone. If this is not possible, the service technicians can be dispatched immediately with the appropriate equipment.
A special offer by BKL is the emergency response around the clock in Germany. If danger is imminent, the 24-hour emergency service for tower cranes is also available in the evenings and at weekends to resolve the hazardous situation.
In the area of refurbishment and maintenance, BKL offers various services, such as the inspection of construction cranes, the maintenance of the entire crane or individual components as well as (recurring) inspections with documentation.
Typical work includes, for example, UVV inspections, lubricating ball bearings and the slewing ring, or replacing wearing parts.
With many crane owners facing a skills shortage for service engineers and technicians, it feels like aftersales support from companies like yours has become more important than ever. Does this fit with your recent experiences – are your customers becoming increasingly reliant on you to repair their cranes?
BKL’s services are generally in high demand. The repair departments report that even customers with their own cranes are often making use of BKL services due to the shortage of skilled labour.
However, the range of services offered in this area is also a factor in choosing a BKL crane when purchasing and hiring cranes, as many customers find it important to be able to rely on fast and expert repairs and a 24hour emergency service for tower cranes.
The increasing customer need for services does not only relate to crane repair and maintenance. There is also strong demand for additional BKL services such as industrial assembly and container assembly. In particular container systems are often required on larger construction sites, but not enough skilled personnel are available at construction companies to relocate and assemble the room modules.
How do you differentiate your repair and refurb offering from your competitors? What makes your solutions the best?
The combination of experienced and welltrained technicians, comprehensive equipment and the availability of spare parts as well as the combination of telephone and remote troubleshooting and onsite support make BKL’s repair service particularly fast.
In addition, BKL’s 24hour emergency service for tower cranes is virtually unique on the market.
The customer can therefore rely on the fast help around the clock.
At BKL, customers benefit from the complete package.
How is technology improving crane repair and service activities? Please cite any examples of how you utilise technology and what impact it is having?
There are various tools that make working on a construction crane easier. In terms of technology, BKL uses, for example, various diagnostic devices like a CANBus Tester and insulations meters.
Important instruments on site are also a multimeter and a laptop, which BKL’s crane technicians are equipped with so that they can quickly and easily read out and identify faults – regardless of whether it is an initial or a followup repair.
For cranes that are equipped with an electronic crane control system (PLC/bus systems) or a remote data transmission system, like most of the cranes in the BKL hire fleet, the technicians can read out the fault message in advance, so that they can take the correct equipment or spare parts to the construction site straight away but also help customers troubleshoot quickly and efficiently over the phone.
What benefits are there for the crane owner to deal with you instead of directly with the OEM for repairs and refurbishment?
BKL itself has more than 700 cranes from top European manufacturers and therefore has a wealth of experience, even if, for example, a manufacturer’s service is not available at short notice.
In addition, we offer its customers in Germany an almost unique 24hour emergency service for tower cranes, which also comes to the construction site outside normal business hours if there is imminent danger. Many customers appreciate this complete package.
