While the tower cranes market has been somewhat subdued crane manufacturers have remained energised. OEMs continue to innovate, rise to changing challenges, and leverage new opportunities. Undoubtedly the biggest recent tower crane news was Raimondi’s acquisition of Terex.
“We completed the acquisition earlier in November 2025,” says Luigi Maggioni, group CEO, Raimondi. “Following this, a delegation from the Raimondi senior leadership team undertook a series of roadshows across the acquired businesses to help create alignment on vision, priorities, and execution.”
He also provides an update on how Terex cranes will be branded moving forward. “We are adopting a phased approach that will be rolled out in the upcoming weeks,” he says. “The transition will be gradual and market-driven, calibrated by regional maturity and dynamics; it is designed to ensure continuity while building a coherent international framework.”
LATEST PRODUCTS
Before this, Raimondi introduced the T87, the latest in its T series, and is promising a new model in that range this March.
“While differing in lifting capacity, both models reflect our ongoing work on smart engineering and improved operational efficiency,” says Maggioni.
Simultaneously, Raimondi is working on the wider flat-top segment, including developments within the recently integrated Terex Cranes portfolio. “These models will further expand our offering in terms of lifting performance and will be presented to the market in a phased manner over the next months,” he adds.
Manitowoc’s Potain brand has launched several new cranes over the past year. The most significant is the MR 819 luffing jib crane; the largest Potain luffing jib ever built. It has a maximum capacity of 64t and up to 70m of jib. It also has a powerful new winch, Potain Connect remote diagnostics, and the company’s new Ultra View cab. At Bauma 2025 Liebherr launched updated luffing jib cranes in its HC-L series: the 440 and 620.
The 440 HC-L is available in two lifting capacity versions: the 440 HC-L 12/24 and the 440 HC-L 18/36. The larger 620 HC-L is aimed at big construction projects with its 18/36 tonne lifting capacity. Both models offer fast load handling in one-fall operation, which has a positive impact on construction time for building heights of 100m and higher.
Quick re-reeving for two-fall operation also facilitates the lifting of heavy components.
“These cranes provide significant added value for the customers,” says Philipp Weckerle, head of product management.
“For example, the 620 HCL sets the industry benchmark for out of service radius with 12m.”
Using Liebherr’s Load-Plus technology, lifting capacity can be increased for specific load charts.
The 440 HC-L also offers a 52% increase in jib head lifting capacity of up to 1.65 tonnes, while the 620 HC-L achieves an increase of up to 3.25 tonnes – a 76% increase on the 542 model it replaces.
The crane series is the first to make use of aramid guying for luffing jib cranes. This lightweight material reduces weight on the jib, which increases lifting capacity. FM Gru was also at Bauma, launching updated topless cranes with improved capabilities, including increased tip lifting capacities, more powerful engines and reduced energy consumption.
Besides this, its latest fully new product remains the FM 2065 TLX topless model, launched in 2023. This featured improved load capacities and higher speeds, a 10% increase in tip loading capacity, and an anticollision system. It also offered a load position memory system, maintenance platforms under the hoisting and trolley motors, and increased commonality of parts with the rest of the TLX range.
“Our technical background, our experience and engineering/ manufacturing skills had been crucial in the realisation of this product,” says Giacomo Fuochi, sales director. “Our customers have already appreciated its versatility and technical performance.”
Jaso Tower Cranes recently launched the J235.10, a 10t flat top that completes its range, sitting between the 165.8 launched at the last Bauma and its established 12t model, the J235.12. Like the 12t version, it is ideal for light modular and wet concrete construction applications. And it is easy to transport as the components all fit in standard HC40 containers.
On the luffing side its J638PA, launched in 2024, continues to win new admirers. This offers a load capacity of 32t (70,500lbs) and a maximum tip load of 7.2t (15,900lb) at full reach. It features Jaso’s Optimus Line package of smart technology to boost performance.
“Customers wanted a lighter boom and a solution tied to a specific load chart around the 600 tonne-metre range,” says Theodor Huitema, area sales manager.
Another Bauma debut was the STL 257, a traditional, 20t luffing crane from Stafford Cranes. It features a foldable A-frame and counter jib platforms which Stafford says streamlines logistics. To meet a range of project needs, Stafford offers two hoisting motor options: a 67kW motor with a hoisting speed of up to 155m per minute, and a 110kW motor capable of up to 240m/min. An auxiliary winch comes as standard, along with remote access capabilities for technical diagnostics and maintenance support, minimizing downtime and maximising operational performance.
It joins a growing range of luffing cranes including the STLH 85, a hydraulic 4t machine offering an out-of-service radius of just 3.6m on the full jib length of 40m. Stafford says this makes it ideal for small projects with a tight footprint.
Its bigger brother is the STLH 150, a 10t version with an out-of-service radius of 5.1m on the full jib length of 50m. Going larger still is the STL 757, a 42t machine with a maximum hook reach of 70m and 7t tip load capacity.
Other recent developments include Stafford’s deluxe operator cabin, featuring ergonomic seating, full HVAC systems, USB outlets, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speakers, and an integrated fridge and microwave. It also has air conditioning and a coffee machine.
GROWING COMPETITION
The market is also becoming increasingly competitive, with OEMs from China and India rapidly growing their tower crane portfolios.
In some cases they can offer comparable products at lower prices. For the Spain-based Saez Group this means that remaining competitive is a challenge for western OEMs – but one that they can overcome. “We think that European manufacturers, sooner or later, will have to invest heavily in welding robots if we want to stay competitive,” says Juan Ballester from the Saez sales team.
Potain’s most recent addition was the MCT 105, introduced at the end of 2025. Manufactured at its factory in Pune, India, it is aimed at customers in that local market and surrounding countries. It is a topless crane based on Potain’s popular MCT 85 but offering greater reach and lifting capacity. Its maximum capacity is 5t and it can handle 1t at the end of its 60m jib.
From its factory in Zhangjiagang, China, it also introduced the MCR 505, a luffing jib crane with a maximum capacity of 25t, which can be fitted with jibs of up to 65m. It has a compact 15m out-of-service slewing radius, making it ideal for tight or crowded job sites.
Indian manufacturer Action Construction Equipment (ACE) officially launched its FT 6040 flat top tower crane at Excon 2025, held in December. This 60m flattop crane features automation upgrades, and advanced sensor integration. Its modular architecture, lightweight high strength materials and real-time digital monitoring are designed for high stability, while it also comes with anti-collision protection and precise load management for use on congested, high-wind job sites.
Meanwhile, XCMG Tower Cranes will mark its 70th anniversary next year. The company launched China’s first six tonne capacity tower crane back in 1957. It now exports to more than 100 countries. Part of the wider XCMG Group, today it offers a product range covering luffing jib tower cranes from 80 to 3,500 tonne metres, and flat-top tower cranes from 63 to 55,000 tonne-metres.
It recently unveiled its latest luffing crane, the XGL3300-220S, specifically designed for wind turbine installation. It provides a hook height of up to 220m and a maximum lifting capacity exceeding 200t, which XCMG says makes it the world’s largest wind power tower crane. It can install onshore wind turbines below 210m hub height and up to 15 MW capacity.
The XGL3300-220S adopts a dual base-frame parallel operation configuration, enabling operation in wind speeds of up to 14 m/s, which it says shortens the overall construction schedule of wind power projects. Compared with all-terrain cranes and crawlers, the required installation area is only 1,984 sq m and it has a ground bearing pressure requirement of just 0.1 MPa. The typical installation cycle is approximately 31 hours, and it needs 25 transport vehicles for relocation.
Features include a dual braking system, hoisting speed of 20m/min and clamp-type mast sections for quick assembly and breakdown. It includes XCMG’s intelligent control system for real-time monitoring of the hook, hoist, and cab.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Along with increased competition, the integration of new technologies continues at pace. “The tower cranes market asks for automation, digitalisation and energy saving,” says FM Gru’s Fuochi. “Our topless tower cranes are able to fully respond to these needs. We keep investing in R&D to stay ahead of the construction market’s challenges, introducing modern, technologically advanced, and sustainable solutions.”
He cites FM Gru’s Eco power System as an example of an integrated technology, which improves energy consumption without compromising performance. “We have studied and developed new systems/ components that have been integrated into the existing mechanics and structure of tower cranes, ensuring excellent results and high quality.”
“The biggest trend right now in the European markets is remote connectivity and the acquisition of data from the tower cranes, to make them safer and more efficient,” says Saez’s Ballester.
Saez has developed what it calls SDS (Saez Direct Service) an app that offers its clients realtime data on their fleet of cranes. Metrics include which cranes are operational, which are resting due to high winds, and even which ones are down due to faults. It also provides details on hours worked per week or month.
“Also, the remote connectivity helps you to troubleshoot the cranes faster and more efficiently, giving you information of what type of error the crane has detected, or sending you notifications when a crane needs to pass its safety inspection,” adds Ballester.
“We have been hiring a lot of young engineers to develop all of these online services and applications, and most of the engineering positions that we are trying to fill at present have to do with programming or automation.”
Digitalisation is a driver for Raimondi as well. “We are progressively digitalising our entire product range through a gradual implementation of our advanced operating system, ConCore,” says Maggioni. “The expansion of our tower crane portfolio through the integration of Terex cranes aligns seamlessly with this digital strategy, as they also boast technologies such as T-Link and TEOS.”
In addition, Liebherr has led on introducing driver assistance features on its self-erectors. These include Sway Control, Vertical Line Finder, Positioning Pilot, Guided Hook and Sway Control Plus. It recently won the 2025 EuroTest Prize for occupational health and safety in Germany.
But could we see them on other types of tower crane in the future? “We are the pioneer of the driving assistance in this case,” says Liebherr’s Weckerle.
“Seventy percent of the customers are buying it with the self-erecting cranes. This system will be also available for our top slewing cranes in the near future.
“At the end of the day, we want to ensure that the crane driver can focus on the load and not on correcting the crane. While many drivers are highly skilled, they have to focus on several things at once. We want to help them have more focus on the load, because that brings much more safety and efficiency to the construction site.”
Meanwhile, digitalisation will also ultimately lead to automation, according to Jason Han, XCMG Tower Cranes’ product manager for the EU market. He cites Liebherr, which has carried out unmanned lifting trials in specific closed environments and pilot projects, validating the feasibility of tower cranes performing standardised lifting operations without on-board operators.
“It is important to take a rational view that, constrained by complex site conditions, multi-crane coordination, safety responsibility allocation, and regulatory requirements, fully unmanned tower crane operation will remain a long-term objective,” he says. “However, it is clear that the industry is rapidly entering an era of remote operation and semiautomated construction.
“Through remote control centres, digital twin technology, and real-time monitoring systems, operators can manage and control tower cranes in safer and more controlled environments, providing new solutions for high-risk and high-intensity construction scenarios. This trend will profoundly reshape tower crane product design, construction organisation methods, and rental service models.”
He notes that higher specification tower cranes already include intelligent features such as automatic anti-collision systems, automated hoisting and luffing path planning, one-click lifting, automatic anti-sway, and auto return functions. “Through multi-sensor fusion, real-time algorithm processing, and redundant safety logic, these systems significantly reduce the risk of human error while improving lifting accuracy and operational stability,” Han adds. “The maturation of these technologies is driving a shift in tower crane operation from experience-based manual control to system-assisted and collaborative operation.”
Through its European R&D Centre, XCMG is investing in technologies like unmanned operation, modularisation, and digitalisation. “The company has brought together a team of highly experienced structural, electrical, and control system engineers with decades of expertise in the tower crane industry, establishing robust and mature R&D capabilities in key areas such as safety architecture, intelligent control, and system integration,” says Han.
One area it is currently exploring is 5G remote control technology in tower cranes. Using high-bandwidth, low-latency communication networks, it can provide real-time operational status, lifting parameters, with on-site video feeds transmitted to ground-based control terminals.
“This enables operators to perform precise lifting operations from an air-conditioned control room at ground level, without the need to climb tower structures tens of metres high,” he says. “This approach not only significantly improves the working environment and occupational safety of operators, but also effectively reduces high-altitude operational risks and operator fatigue.”
Meanwhile, based on a modular platform architecture, XCMG Tower Cranes is integrating remote control, intelligent sensing, and redundant safety systems into a unified solution. It says this lays a solid technical foundation for the realisation of semi-automated and higher-level automated operations in the future.
However, new technologies can also bring new challenges, which is why Stafford Cranes is holding back in certain areas. “There is a strong move toward more advanced electrical systems, driven in part by new electrical codes that will soon become mandatory,” says Patrick Stafford III, business development director.
“That said, we are deliberately not moving to fully PLC-controlled cranes at this stage. Instead, we believe it’s important to retain core manual functionality as a reliable backup. Feedback from our customers has been consistent: fully PLC-controlled systems can be difficult for technicians to fault-find, especially on cranes from manufacturers that have gone entirely in that direction.
While advances in technology will eventually make full PLC control more practical, we don’t believe the industry is quite there yet. ” ROPE SWITCH
Fibre rope adoption remains a key trend in this market. Liebherr launched its third-generation fibre rope at Bauma 2025, and it is gaining traction. “We now have more than 300 cranes rolled out and six years of field experience,” says Weckerle.
This extensive real-world data has given Liebherr even more confidence in the product. “We have increased our performance guarantee for the total service life from 10 years to 14 years,” he adds. “Compared to a conventional steel rope, we are talking about five or six times longer lifetime. in the past six years, from those 300 cranes we have had 40 reported damages where the fibre rope was installed. With a steel rope you cannot repair it, you have to replace it. But we repaired 80 percent of those 40 cranes in about 15 minutes, it is incredibly quick and easy.
“This really helps ensure maximum uptime for our rental customers and we are very focused on demonstrating its benefits to the rental market.”
Some of those rental partners are highly engaged. “They are pushing us to do even more with the fibre rope,” says Tobias Scholz, head of market management.
“They want us to do more by adding it to even more models because they all see the benefits.”
He adds, “Innovation is only good if it is applicable and it is accepted by the market. We always believed in this technology. It had a development time of nine years before we launched it, and now we have six more years of experience with our customers.
Liebherr is also looking to implement a rope shortening service. “We are working on a fibre rope shortening solution for cases when a fibre rope cannot be repaired,” adds Weckerle.
In addition, the company is launching a conversion kit so customers can retrofit fibre rope to their existing steel rope cranes, adding flexibility over the crane’s lifecycle. The solution also enables conversion in the opposite direction, supporting resale into different markets.
“Our priority is clearly to support the shift from steel to fibre rope, while also giving customers confidence that their investment remains versatile and marketable over time,” says Weckerle.
OTHER TRENDS
Beyond that, while tower cranes sit within construction equipment, they experience different market drivers and trends to the wider industry.
“We are not as strongly challenged on alternative drive solutions as other areas,” says Scholz. “We already have efficient electrical drives. There is always pressure to become more efficient, though.”
In general, Liebherr sees two key trends: more efficiency and more safety which are often pushed by construction contractors and government legislation. This in turn is one driver for increased adoption of digital technologies.
“There is a clear trend towards digital data,” says Scholz. “Our industry is faced with a shortage of skilled and qualified personnel at a time when it is trying it implement even higher safety. This is a distinct challenge, but the data can help.”
The crane is also in a unique physical position on a construction site. “The crane is overlooking the entire site,” says Weckerle. “After all, the building will never be taller than the crane. So, the crane can be a black box for all those operations below.”
Data is proven to improve efficiency. “Profit margins are often tight, so expectations are high for optimisation of construction workflows in order to progress a project more efficiently and more profitably,” says Scholz. “As a result, our customers are coming to us to ask what they can get out of the data from our cranes.”
Liebherr is looking to offer more data, especially on load movements. “No other manufacturer today is making that data transparent,” says Weckerle.
“We can tell them what the crane is moving, how much it lifted, as well as what wind speeds occurred and how they impacted delays.
“We want to do even more with this data. For example, today this crane lifted 20 precast wall sections. From this, the construction company knows that all walls are in position on that floor. So now they have an accurate status report on the project at the end of each day. We are currently developing one or two new digital solutions aimed in this direction.”
Liebherr’s LiDAT platform is now more than a decade old and continues to be enhanced. “The new gold is data,” adds Scholz. “ It helps our customers with safety, efficiency, and profitability.”
Another trend is the continued growth of the rental sector. “Rental is growing as a business model, worldwide,” Scholz says. “In response to that trend, for sure we are developing more products designed for rental usage.”
Weckerle adds, “80 to 90% of our customers are rental companies, so it makes sense to design our products for this market. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t focus on the construction site anymore.
In fact, we are providing greater transparency on the material lifted by our cranes. For example, we are focussed on differentiating between how data can help a rental fleet manager and how it can help the construction company.”
Underpinning these developments is Liebherr’s investment in modernisation. It is ploughing tens of millions of Euros into its Biberach site in Germany to renovate and expand the production plant. It will take place in five phases, with a completion date of 2034.
The first phase includes demolishing or upgrading factories which have stood for more than 40 years. They will be replaced by highly automated facilities capable of manufacturing around 500 top- slewing cranes, over 200 mobile construction cranes and 3,000 tower sections per year. Modular production processes will help ensure Liebherr can react quickly to changing market conditions.
“This is a foundational modernisation of our production site,” says Scholz. “It is a huge investment and a strong commitment to manufacturing in Germany. It will help Liebherr act flexibly and efficiently in response to market changes.
“We are also reviewing our modular production methods, because this goes hand in hand with delivering the next generation of tower cranes in the best way possible. This is also our main product development centre, and we believe that retaining those skills on site is the right way to develop a more modular crane concept.
“Rental companies want more modular products so the future will be a new range of tower cranes, a modular family that will be produced out of this facility.”
Weckerle adds, “This can be simple things, for example having one crane controller for the entire series instead of six. We want to further increase common spare parts usage. And there will be no isolated product developments anymore, we’ll be looking from the perspective of the entire crane series. For spare parts, it means customers can significantly reduce the amount of stock they have to hold. We started this process about four years ago and it will shape the next 10 years, for sure.”
Another benefit of modularisation is familiarity for service engineers. “If you are trained on one crane, you are able to service the entire crane family,” says Scholz. “We are already living this philosophy; what we are working on now is taking it to the next level.”
Raimondi sees a common thread tying together all the industry trends: added value. “The tower crane market is evolving rapidly toward smarter, more sustainable and more flexible solutions to deliver value throughout the entire lifecycle of the equipment,” says Maggioni. “Digitalisation and automation are becoming essential to improve safety, productivity and fleet management.
“Additionally, the ability to offer a complete after-sales ecosystem, including responsive service and spare parts availability, is fundamental with customers expecting proximity, reliability and long-term support.”
Raimondi’s focus is on two key areas: digitalisation and integrated solutions, along with smart, flexible design. This is reflected in the T Series, including the recently introduced T577, T207 and T87, which has been standardised to enable modularity and interchangeability of parts and mechanical components.
For Potain there are significant regional variations in market drivers. “It’s fair to say, many markets are looking for higher capacity machines,” says Le Besnerais, VP of marketing & development tower cranes, Manitowoc. “Bigger projects are driving this – for example, modern data centres or nuclear power stations – and also the shift to prefabrication, with more structural components transported to site ready-made.”
To address this trend, it has updated its larger models. This includes the introduction of the topless MDLT 1109 and luffing jib MR 819 in its European range, and the topless MCT 1105 and MCT 2205 cranes, plus the MCR 815 luffing jib crane in its Asian range.
“These new cranes significantly extend our product offering in the high capacity segments: above 800 tm for luffing jib cranes and above 1,000 tm for topless cranes,” adds Le Besnerais.
He notes that Potain is also seeing a shift towards digitalisation, with customers keen to access more crane data. “We are addressing the shift to digitalisation through our Potain Connect system,” he says. The platform is offered on its European range of cranes and gives customers insights via Connect Assist. This is a 4G-enabled app that Potain says improves the user experience and provides convenient access via a handheld device.
“We’re also changing the issue of powering our electric cranes on site,” he adds. Potain offers electric powerpack solutions that can replace diesel generators, available for top-slewing tower cranes. “This allows projects to save energy and reduce their environmental footprint,” he says. “Power saving options such as these combine well with our established mechanisms, such as our efficient hoists with PowerControl functionality, to allow users to set the power needs of the hoist to match the job site.” Another way it addresses sustainability is via the EnCORE rebuild and refurbishment programme. “Through EnCORE it’s possible for customers to enjoy the productivity benefits of a Potain tower crane for many decades, backed with one of the industry’s best global service networks,” says Le Besnerais.
For Jaso, its latest model addresses several of the key trends in tower cranes. “What our customers are asking for is standardisation of components, versatility, and performance optimisation,” says Huitema. “The 10t and 12t models share a lot of the same components, although obviously they have different rope pulleys. But it makes things easier from a spare parts perspective because inventory is optimised.
“Our customers also want a versatile crane that can be employed in different applications, with standard components.
“Another major trend is the growth of lifting prefabricated parts for modular construction.
“This is driving demand for higher load capacities. It is all about bigger cranes. We have moved from 10t-40m to 10t-50m and now the demand is 10t-60m.
This also reflects the demand for more versatile cranes; the rental companies want a crane that can be used in more applications.”
This is partially driven by the shortage of construction workers.
“Young people prefer to work indoors or in covered areas and modular construction offers this,” he adds. However, there remain regional differences in adoption of modular construction. “In my home country of the Netherlands, it is all about prefabrication,” says Huitema. “In Germany and Spain, it is still more about wet concrete, but it is changing.”
Other infrastructure projects are also driving demand for heavier capacity cranes. “There is a trend toward heavier-capacity flat-top and luffing cranes, particularly for data centre, modular, and large civil construction projects,” says Patrick Stafford III. “We are increasingly seeing demand for cranes with capacities of 100 tonnes and above.”
Beyond that, Stafford sees increased focus on training and safety. “One interesting project involved a request from an operator training school,” he adds.
“It asked us to design a double operator cabin with dual controls – one set for the instructor and one for the student – allowing the instructor to override the student’s inputs if needed. It’s a good example of training requirements influencing crane design.”
ACE largely serves the Indian market, but it is experiencing many of the same drivers as elsewhere.
“The tower crane market in India is steadily moving towards higher capacity, value-engineered and application-specific solutions, driven by the growing complexity of infrastructure and high-rise construction,” says Manish Mathur, CEO – Cranes. “Demand is increasing for cranes designed for precast construction, bridge piers, girders, and projects requiring greater free-standing heights.
“One key trend is greater market segmentation and product maturity, with OEMs offering modular configurations and specialised models rather than standardised solutions. This reflects a more performance and lifecycle-cost driven buying approach. ” He notes that safety and digitalisation are also gaining prominence, with modern tower cranes incorporating advanced features such as load monitoring, anti-collision systems, and real time diagnostics.
“Overall, the market is evolving towards smarter, safer, and more specialised tower cranes, supported by a stronger emphasis on operator training and operational discipline,” he adds. “Tower cranes today must operate in congested sites, at greater heights and under challenging weather conditions, making stability, visibility, and load control critical. We are responding to these industry trends by reengineering tower crane solutions around site realities rather than just lifting capacity.”
SERVICE SOLUTIONS
Repeatedly, manufacturers stated that aftersales service is becoming the key differentiator.
“There is less difference in performance between crane manufacturers, so now the customer is looking more closely at your service provision and spare parts,” says one industry expert.
Saez Group says it is investing in new and more intelligent crane designs as well as focusing on service. “We also try to maintain a high-level of quality, and a good after-sales-service,” says Ballester.
“After all, the most important factor is for the clients to be satisfied with the product and the service they receive from us.”
Liebherr acknowledges that aftersales service is becoming more important in this regard. “Of course, the crane’s performance parameters have to suit the customer,” says Weckerle. “Beyond that, in Europe and many other markets now, the customer is interested in what services around the crane you can offer.
“If we look back 10 or even 50 years, we know that the customer was very focused on comparing performance metrics of cranes. But in recent years the focus of the customer has shifted towards looking more closely at service provisions and spare parts.”
For XCMG, it is about the cost implications of down time, which can often have a domino effect on a construction site. “Once a tower crane on a project is forced to stop operating due to equipment failure or safety issues, it often creates a chain reaction across the entire construction schedule, directly leading to project delays, increased costs, and even contract disputes and overall project risks,” says Han. “Therefore, the core value of a tower crane is no longer limited to the sale of the equipment itself but rather lies in the manufacturer’s ability to ensure the safe, stable, and reliable operation of the equipment throughout its entire lifecycle.
“This reality requires manufacturers to shift from simply selling equipment to delivering comprehensive solutions, providing users with sustainable operational safety through high reliability design, redundant safety systems, standardised installation procedures, and professional maintenance and service systems.
“Ultimately, the essence of future competition in the tower crane industry will not be about who sells more machines, but about who can keep equipment operating safely, reliably, and efficiently on job sites for longer periods of time.”
KEY DIFFERENTIATORS
For FM Gru, it is also a matter of trust. “A strength that characterises our company is certainly experience,” says Fuochi. “FM Gru has been producing tower cranes for over 60 years. The founding families Fuochi and Milanesi, reached the 4th generation, still lead FM Gru today.”
Part of that trust is due to its control over production. FM Gru’s entire manufacturing process, from engineering to final testing, takes place at its headquarters of Pontenure in Italy, giving it Made in Italy status.
“With a strong focus on R&D, we strive to introduce solutions that anticipate future market needs while prioritising sustainability, safety, and the continuous improvement of our technologies,” says Fuochi. “Our mission is to provide high-quality, innovative, and safe lifting solutions.”
Potain remains a market leader in the tower crane industry. “It is telling that Potain cranes are typically the most sought-after cranes on the used market,” says Le Besnerais. “Our reputation was built on performance on the job site. This is where all customers and contractors will look first when assessing the success of a crane.”
He says that Potain cranes have always offered long reach and strong lift capabilities, thanks to industry-leading structural design and some of the most advanced hoisting, slewing, and trolleying mechanisms. “Maintaining these important performance characteristics has kept us at the forefront of the industry,” Le Besnerais adds.
“But customers continue to invest with Potain for a number of other reasons. Our designs focus on efficient transport and ease of assembly and disassembly. As part of Manitowoc, we offer a range of customer support services that help crane owners get more return on investment, through parts, maintenance, training, and lift solutions for planning.”
At Raimondi, it starts with listening to the customer. “We have structured a feedback scheme that allows us to understand evolving client needs and region specific requirements,” says Maggioni. “We operate not only as a manufacturer, but also as a dealer in selected markets, giving us a distinctive, end-to-end perspective on the crane lifecycle.
Another element in its success is that it tailors and adapts products for different applications and regions. Maggioni gives a recent example of the deployment of the highest climbed luffing jib crane in the GCC region. “Our team adapted solutions to predetermined limits to ensure performance, safety, and reliability in a demanding environment,” he says.
“Ultimately, our competitive edge comes from combining customer driven innovation, responsiveness, and technical excellence.”
While the marketplace grows more competitive, Jaso still sees that rental companies do not buy solely based on pricing. “Of course, cost reduction and performance optimisation are important,” says Huitema. “We have to more or less align with what the Asian competitors can offer. But I firmly believe in the combination of product and service. This is still a personal business and Jaso has always taken a personal approach – not just spare parts but the whole of aftersales service. That includes being responsive to calls and providing engineering support.”
In this way, Jaso says it helps its customers get the best return on investment from its cranes. “We work with the rental companies to provide solutions that help them offer a better product to their end customers,” Huitema adds.
For Stafford Cranes, it is a combination of product quality, customer support, and long-term partnerships with clients. “As a family-owned and operated business, we also take a longterm view of the market, focusing on relationships and reputation rather than short-term gains,” says Patrick Stafford III.
“Engineering capability is another area where we stand out. In addition to our in-house engineering team at our Portugal factory, we leverage the expertise of world-renowned tower crane engineer Lorenzo Nizzolini through our Milan-based design office.
This allows us to provide direct engineering support to clients and help solve even the most complex project challenges.”
When it comes to customer support, Stafford’s global footprint is a benefit. “We provide 24/7 customer service, supported by service centres across multiple continents, which allows us to respond at any time of day regardless of a customer’s location,” he adds.
“We also give our customers flexibility when it comes to maintenance and servicing – spare parts are available directly from third-party suppliers, so customers are not required to purchase parts exclusively through Stafford.”
RETURN TO GROWTH
Despite all this innovation, it is no secret that the tower cranes market has experienced a downturn over the last two years or so, due to economic headwinds.
“We would like to see the markets return to their former levels,” says Scholz. “There is still demand for construction and infrastructure projects, but also some uncertainty remains.
“Europe is still our main market, and we see an upturn coming. Also, in this business, a downturn tends to happen very quickly, but the return to growth is much slower. Some markets like the Netherlands and Italy are already at okay levels but, of course, could be better. In Australia we’ve seen continuous growth, although it is now slowing a little, but we expect that to continue.”
Liebherr operates its own rental company in Australia, offering cranes with operators for hire. “We understand the Australian market and expect our business model of offering the complete package to continue to be successful.”
Jaso retains a cautious outlook.
“In Europe, major markets like France and Germany are still recovering, while the situation in the USA has significantly restricted opportunities in that market,” says Huitema. “However, there are still some brighter spots. It is not really about specific countries – there are opportunities in every country, we just have to pick the cherries where we can.”
Jaso’s diversification helps in this regard. “We sell in a lot of markets, but also we have our own rental company, so we don’t have all our eggs in one basket,” says Huitema. “Rental is still primarily focused on our home market of Spain but for our key customers we will provide solutions wherever they need them. “We are cautious about 2026 but the market changes very quickly. What is important is that we have the capability to react fast to changes.
You also have to be creative to win the business, perhaps with finance or buy-back options. This is becoming the new norm for European crane manufacturers.” Conversely, FM Gru says growth is ongoing. “Currently we observe a high demand and sales growth of topless tower cranes in Italy and in Europe,” says Fuochi.
This is echoed by Saez Group. “Italy has been our strongest market in 2025,” says Ballester. He cites Italy’s strong government support for new tower crane acquisitions, via its dedicated Industry 5.0 programme. Saez meets the sustainability criteria as its Eco+ energy system uses supercapacitors, a high-powered type of battery that captures energy when lowering loads to reuse it for lifts. “They offer energy savings of between 27 and 33%, depending on the model,” says Ballester.
In addition, Saez says its local market in Spain has been quite strong, as well as other Northern European markets.
Similarly, Stafford Cranes has been very strong in Portugal, where its factory is based. “Portugal is currently our strongest market by a significant margin,” says Patrick Stafford III. More than 50% of our production last year was delivered into the Portuguese market, driven by sustained construction activity and continued investment across multiple sectors.”
It is also seeing encouraging momentum in several other regions. “North Africa is shaping up to be a promising market this year, supported by large-scale infrastructure and development projects,” adds Patrick Stafford III.
“Eastern Europe and Ireland are also showing positive growth, with steady demand tied to ongoing civil, commercial, and industrial construction.”
By contrast, the North American market is relatively slow at present. “In addition to fewer active projects, recent and ongoing tariff measures in the United States are contributing to the slowdown, increasing costs and adding uncertainty for buyers when it comes to importing large, capital-intensive equipment like tower cranes,” he says.
For Raimondi growth is coming from those areas with strong investment in infrastructure. “We are currently experiencing solid momentum in the Middle East and in specific European areas, where infrastructure investment, urban development, and energy related projects continue to drive sustained demand for lifting solutions,” says Maggioni.
He also notes that the Terex acquisition unlocked new opportunities in markets where Raimondi’s presence was previously more limited, particularly North America, Africa and Northern Europe. “Our expanded range, combined with a strong local presence and after-sales support, including our hubs in North America and Saudi Arabia, is a key pillar of our growth strategy,” he adds.
Potain sees a similar picture. “The Middle East has seen high levels of demand in recent years, driven by a range of government infrastructure programs and private-sector real estate investments,” says Le Besnerais.
“Europe is beginning to rebound after several flat years, and we see pockets of opportunity in other markets too.”
Meanwhile, ACE is investing heavily in R&D to meet changing customer demands. “This integrated approach allows us to offer solutions that are competitive, dependable, and tailored to real-world requirements,” says Manish.
Domestically it has a significant footprint, with more than 125 sales and service locations across India, supported by 14 regional offices. It already exports to more than 40 countries.
ACE sees the strongest demand momentum in India and key international markets across the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia and Latin America. “These regions are witnessing accelerated infrastructure development, urbanisation and industrial expansion,” says Manish.
“Several factors are driving this traction. The evolving global trade landscape has opened up new opportunities for Indian OEMs, particularly in high-value segments such as construction equipment, where customers are looking for reliable, cost-efficient, and globally compliant solutions.
“Backed by in-house R&D, advanced manufacturing capabilities and a strong understanding of real-world applications, we are well positioned to address diverse market requirements. This combination of global-standard products, competitive value proposition and strong after-sales support is enabling us to scale our presence and capture sustained growth across both domestic and international markets.”
XCMG has also seen strong demand in recent years in India, as well as Saudi Arabia. “Although the growth drivers in the two countries stem from different development backgrounds, they both point to a large-scale and sustained cycle of construction investment,” says Han. He points out that India is the world’s most populous country but has lower levels of urban living than China. As that changes, it will drive demand.
“This type of construction demand – characterised by large volume, long duration, and intensive construction cycles – directly drives market demand for small- and medium-capacity, general-purpose tower cranes,” he says.
In contrast, the growth in tower crane demand in Saudi Arabia is primarily driven by national-level strategic investment programmes.
Under the framework of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is advancing a series of mega projects, including new city developments, super large integrated complexes, and transportation and energy infrastructure. This is creating demand for high-end, large capacity, long-jib tower cranes.
“Overall, India represents a long-term, large-scale incremental market, while Saudi Arabia reflects high-end, project-driven demand,” he concludes. “Together, the two countries are set to become key engines of future growth in the global tower crane market.”
