All articles by ky nikitha
ky nikitha
Big changes
The last ten years have been very challenging for large crawler manufacturers, reports Stuart Anderson, president of Chortsey Barr. But, these tough conditions have prompted innovation, offering users more flexibility.
Lifting from below
While the use of cranes underground may be limited, when they are used, specific adaptations are often required. Ian Vallely spoke to tunnelling experts about their requirements, and crane companies who’ve met these demands.
Fast growth
Mini crane manufacturer Hoeflon has changed multiple premises in its 14-year history, as demand for its cranes kept exceeding the capacity of its facilities. Sotiris Kanaris met export manager David Fokker at the company’s new headquarters.
Design for purpose
Sotiris Kanaris visits Nooteboom’s manufacturing plant and talks to Harm van de Logt, sales manager for Benelux, about the company’s products for the crane industry.
Game changer
After years of development, Mammoet’s Focus is currently being fabricated. Sotiris Kanaris visited the company’s office in Schiedam, the Netherlands, and talked to Jacques Stoof, global director market development and innovation, about the new crane.
Folding to fit
Will North visited PM’s facility in Castelfranco, Italy, and spoke to Giuseppe Ceraolo, product manager, about global demand for articulated cranes, Manitex’s acquisition of the Italian company, and Tadano’s subsequent investment in the US firm.
On land and water
In Gothenburg, a Skanska MT Højgaard joint venture used a floating sheerleg and land-based crawler in tandem to lift sections of the new Hisingsbron, or Hisingen bridge.
Competing on technique, not size
For more than a decade, the world’s heavy lift specialists have been competing as to who is going to manufacture the biggest crane with the largest lifting capacity.
Bring the light
As countries around the world look for low carbon energy generation, the traditional power sources of coal and gas may be losing favour but that’s not to say they are on the literal or metaphorical scrap heap yet. Keren Fallwell reports.
Trading places
There are often good business reasons to consider buying second-hand rather than new cranes, although the market remains steady at best and sluggish at worst, reports Ian Vallely.