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Basra, Iraq
UK heavy lift and transport specialist ALE has opened its first office in Iraq, in the southeastern city of Basra. Although the firm has had a presence in the...
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China builds for growth Stuart Anderson recently toured a selection of Chinese cranebuilders on behalf of Cranes Today. He reports on the staggering growth in capacity, and what it will mean for the worldwide industry.
Winners sell at home, heroes sell overseas Exhibitors at BICES, once seen by many as China’s ‘domestic’ construction equipment show, are increasingly setting their sights on export markets. Kevin Walsh reports from Beijing
That was the year that was At the start of the year, it looked like 2011 might be the year that would mark a turnaround from the global financial crisis. With developed economies in crisis, that hope disappeared. Over the next two pages, Cranes Today’s regular writers consider some of the highs and lows of the year.
On top of the world The economic thaw in Sweden, Norway and Finland in recent years has allowed more renewable power, oil and gas, and infrastructure construction projects, with government spending supporting construction. Lifting firms hope the Eurozone economic crisis won’t break their winning streak. Cristina Brooks reports.
Building big in Belgium A new dealer agreement will see Manitowoc and NIBM looking to build their business in Belgium. Will North spoke to both companies about the deal, and their plans for the country.
The road to recovery James Bond might be the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of Aston Martin, but a new high-yield bond is the current financial hero of the company. Carl Friedmann met Aston Martin CFO Hanno Kirner in the company’s state-of-the-art facility in the English countryside to discuss its plans to drive long-term growth in the current economic climate.
Hiap Tong Crane and Transport Hiap Tong Corporation started trading in 1978, selling motor vehicles, before specialising in crane rental and heavy transport ten years later. From there the family-owned business has moved on from focusing solely on the saturated Singapore construction equipment market to set up locations in China, India and Malaysia. Kevin Walsh interviewed Patrick Ng, executive director of operations and sales, Hiap Tong
BICES preview The 2011 Beijing International Construction Machinery Exibition (BICES) is expected to feature more than 880 exhibitors and attract more than the 78,600 visitors that came to last year’s exhibition. With so much to see, savvy visitors will pinpoint the cranes they want to see ahead of time.
Debt drama derails growth The year started well in the US, with manufacturers and users reporting the first signs of growth. After a summer of squabbling in Washington and instability on Wall Street, a lot of that optimism is receding. Nicole Robinson reports
Investing in Russia Russia has seen a recent surge of investment, both locally and from overseas. Stuart Anderson looks at some recent deals.
Local heroes Stuart Anderson assesses the fortunes of local crane builders in Russia and the CIS since the fall of the Soviet Union
Mediterranean explorers set sail for new worlds Facing stagnant domestic demand Mediterranean crane companies are revising their sales strategy and looking to exports. Murielle Gonzalez Oisel reports
Sarens Belgium
What a difference a year makes Researching this year’s Fleet File, Nick Hart spoke in detail to several companies about their experiences over the last year. Here, he compares stories from rental companies around the world.
Betting on Brazil With sustained demand expected beyond one-off events like the Olympics in 2016, and a position at the heart of South America, Brazil is proving an attractive market for investment by overseas crane manufacturers. At ConExpo, Will North spoke to Manitowoc’s EVP for the Americas, Larry Weyers, about the company’s plans for the country.
Credit where credit’s due Crane rental firms are no different than most in that they need a strong economy to survive and thrive.
Explosive growth Murielle Gonzalez Oisel finds out how mining investments worth $74bn are pointing the way to recovery in South America’s leading economies.
Australian connection In Australia’s two-speed economy, rental firms who’ve relied on residential construction have suffered. Those with the fleet to fulfil the infrastructure needs of the country’s booming minerals extraction and energy sectors have flourished. Kevin Walsh reports
Polish crane industry rises from recession Following the regional pattern, Poland’s construction industry was hit by the economic downturn, pulling down the country’s crane industry as well. However, recent signs of improvement suggest that the rapid recovery of the private sector and government-funded infrastructure projects ahead of the Euro 2012 football championship could put the local crane market back on track, reports Jaroslaw Adamowski.