KCI Konecranes started to contract manufacture cranes at Zaporozhcrane’s factories in 1993. The company said: “Acquiring an ownership stake in the company is the latest step in the formation of a strategic partnership for the purpose of manufacturing heavy-duty cranes for KCI Konecranes. Additionally, the company will continue to supply steel structures for other customers.”
KCI Konecranes acquired the majority shareholding in Zaporozhcrane through a holding company. It aims to reduce its ownership stake below 50%. The other shareholders would consist of the company’s operative management and institutional investors.
“KCI Konecranes sees great potential in Zaparozhcrane”, said Seppo Hoppu, KCI Konecranes’ director responsible for Eastern Europe. “This deal will strengthen our position in the fast growing markets in Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, we will get a very competitive manufacturing site for global markets.”
Zaporozhskij Zavod Tjazhelogo Kranostroenia or Zaporozhcrane, a Ukrainian privately held company since 1994, manufactures industrial and harbour cranes for the Russian and Ukrainian markets. The crane company was earlier owned and managed by the Ministry of Energy of the Soviet Union and has to date produced over 10.000 cranes. It was established in 1928 and is located in Zaporozhje, Central Ukraine by the river Dnepr.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian terminal operator UkrTransKonteiner, KCI Konecranes, and Zaparozhcrane have signed a co-operation agreement to develop the Iljicevski marine merchant port (IMMP) in Ukraine, including a new container terminal.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Transport and IMMP have selected UkrTransKonteiner to become the operator of the new container terminal. KCI Konecranes and Zaparozhcrane will develop container handling technology for the port including new ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes, and rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes.
KCI Konecranes has already supplied IMMP with two STS-container cranes, five RMG cranes, and is currently delivering a new level-luffing crane.
