27
A conscious market
F
ollowing the recession that has
rocked the industry in Europe
over last few years, there are now
stronger signs that the European market
is slowly picking itself up again as crane
manufacturers and rental companies begin
to talk about a more stable market.
Crane and transport rental company
Sarens, for example, has experienced
growth in the rental market. In Europe
alone, consolidated turnover grew from
€175 million in 2011 to €188 million (US$
236 million to $254 million) in 2012.
Wim Sarens, Sarens Group CEO, says,
“The group’s substantial increase in growth
during the past three years reflects a
turnover in 2012 of €560 million
($ 757 million) indicating that, despite the
continuing economic uncertainty, Sarens
has managed to increase its customer base
and encourage
many more
customers to
provide Sarens
with continuity
of business.
Our clients
have shown
an expression of
loyalty and support
towards the future
“These include slewing topless cranes with
80 metre jibs.”
Mobile crane manufacturer Tadano
Faun in Germany has also noticed that
customers are looking more seriously into
both the cost of investment and the cost
of operation. More than ever, buyers are
demanding cranes that are reliable, easy
With the European market stabilising, crane manufacturers are offering new models to
meet demands from cost- and quality-conscious customers. LAURA HATTON reports
>
growth and prosperity of the Sarens
Group.”
Tower crane manufacturer and rental
company Wolffkran has also experienced
positive growth. The company says that its
rental fleet has been 100 % utilised over the
last 12 months. Growth has been partly due
to driving demand for tower cranes and a
stable situation in Germany, Switzerland,
Austria and the Benelux countries, the
manufacturer says.
Although business for crane
manufacturers in Europe is starting to pick
up again, the demand from customers is
changing. As Fuochi Giacomo, from Italian
crane manufacturer FM Gru, explains,
“Customers are quality-conscious and are
looking for a product that is more and
more according to operational need.”
“To meet this demand in the last year
FM Gru has developed low-slewing cranes
for easy transport and installation,” adds
Roberto Amber from FM Gru.
Wolffkran tower cranes fill the
skyline in Rotterdam, Netherlands
An FM Gru 2675 TLX-F
working in Turkey on
the construction of a
cooling tower
The Tadano ATF 400G-6
REGION FOCUS: EUROPE
INTERNATIONAL AND SPECIALIZED TRANSPORT
■
OCTOBER 2013
