As well as sales, the new setup includes spare parts and service provisions for the Spanish market. Sales, parts, and service and repair will be offered as separate services for ‘faster and better targeted responses to customers’, Manitowoc said.
Manitowoc already operates a team of sales and service personnel in Spain, and will be adding more local crane professionals to its workforce. Services were previously handled from headquarters in Madrid, but will be available with a quicker response time with a new regional system.
Dealer Mopsa previously handled distribution of Grove mobile cranes in Spain.
“Having a larger Manitowoc Crane Care team based around Spain means that Manitowoc will be able to improve its field service operations,” said Orlando Mota, Manitowoc’s general manager for Iberia, who will head up the new operations.
“The requirement for workshop repairs is declining, but customers can now call on the extensive services we offer.”
Manitowoc has been selling its crawler cranes direct to customers in Spain. Potain tower cranes will continue to be sold by long-standing Spanish dealer Ibergruas.
Back office services for the Spanish mobile crane market, such as administration, will be handled from Manitowoc’s regional office in Baltar, Portugal. All warranties for Grove mobile cranes sold by Mopsa remain valid and will be covered by Manitowoc Crane Care.
“We are excited about this new arrangement,” said Frans Vanwinkel, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Manitowoc in EMEA. “Under the new setup, we will be closer to our customers and offer better support, which is an important factor especially under the current market conditions.
“The potential of the Spanish market means that a direct relationship between customers and manufacturer is instrumental to the success of both. The relationship with former Grove distributor Mopsa has worked well and we would like to thank them for their contribution. We now have the opportunity to take our mobile crane business to the next level here.”
