KCI Konecranes has acquired German crane service company KUBI GmbH.
KUBI, established in 1990, specialises in maintenance services for large cranes in terminals. KUBI primarily serves inland terminals, but is active also in seaports. The company name is an abbreviation for Kran- und Baggerinstandsetzung (maintenance of cranes and dredgers).
Mikko Uhari, president of Konecranes’ VLC division, said: ‘Through the acquisitions of Noell Service in 2000 and several smaller service businesses, KCI Konecranes is today well positioned in the German market for port crane services. With the acquisition of KUBI, KCI Konecranes becomes the largest operator in this market.
‘This acquisition will strengthen KCI Konecranes’ presence in the southwestern parts of Germany and especially in the German inland terminals. The inland terminals represent an interesting growth area as the cargo traffic on the rivers in central Europe is increasing rapidly. By applying the maintenance concepts and management tools of our port service group, KCI Koneports, we will be able to capitalise on the ongoing trend for outsourcing of services in the inland terminals.’
Konecranes said that KUBI focused on the inland terminals along the rivers Rhein, Main and connected canal terminals. Customers include P&O Rhenenia, Rhenus, Duisburg Container Terminal and several municipal terminals.
KUBI has more than 30 employees and had sales in 2002 of EUR 6m.
The acquisition also includes the brand names and associated product documentation of Mohr & Federhaff and Ridinger, of which there is a large installed base of cranes, Konecranes said.
Located near Frankfurt in Lampertheim, KUBI will form the southwest Germany branch office of KCI Koneports and the company will be a subsidiary of Noell Konecranes.
