REGIONAL REPORT | WESTERN EUROPE


R Kuenz says demand for IoT and 5G technology and customised cranes is growing


efficiency and hoist manufacturers expect this to continue once business returns to more normal levels. “Customers are demanding the


increasing digitalisation of assets and the incorporation of technologies that facilitate energy recovery,” says Jimeno. “We are incorporating elements that allow our equipment to regenerate the energy it consumes, as well as the application of Industry 4.0 for the remote control of our equipment and an intelligent service that anticipates key element breakdown scenarios or unexpected stoppages that affect our customers’ production processes.”


Nussbaumer says the Internet of Things


(IoT) and 5G are becoming increasingly popular and Kuenz is already using them as a “technology frontrunner” on projects. Kuenz has also noted growth in enquiries


for customised crane systems, says Nussbaumer. It’s a similar story for Liftket. “Since we built our new factory in 2018, we have been expanding our customisation and producing more special devices which use an electric chain hoist,” says Dlugi. He believes it is Liftket’s in-house design


and production process that gives it the flexibility to provide customisation. “We are probably the only company that does everything in-house. We design, develop, engineer, machine, manufacture and assemble the complete product ourselves,” says Dlugi. “We can tell you which colleague built which hoist and what material they used.”


Kuli’s customers are also investing


in green technology, which reduces customers’ costs and lowers CO2 emissions from production. “Especially for higher duties we now offer more and more of our inverter controlled drives, including energy recuperation units,” says Riese. “This means with every braking process you ‘produce’ energy, which is fed back into the grid while at the same time you are able to resign from the need for bulky brake resistors which only convert energy into heat.” At the other end of the technology spectrum, Kuli also supplies spare parts for hoists made more than 50 years ago. “Our business is supplying complete


cranes as well as single hoists or crane components, but another essential part of the business is supplying spare parts to service old equipment, manufactured in the 1960s or even older,” says Riese. “Many of these older cranes and hoists are still running only because we are able to supply parts and services for them. An investment in our products is a real bargain in terms of life cycle costs.” SWF Krantechnik says another continuing trend in Western Europe is less demand for high payloads and a move to individual workstation solutions. Körner says changes in the energy


markets are noticeable. “Due to the general development in the oil and gas sector, demand for ex proofed equipment is rather stagnating. Investments in renewable energies are still relatively stable,” he says. During the pandemic hoist


manufacturers have maintained production


– albeit with a lower order volume – but of course Covid measures have forced them to work differently, and the additional measures have time and cost implications. Some manufacturers have changed shift patterns in their factories, trade shows and company events have been cancelled, meeting customers on video calls, rather than in person, has become the new norm, and travel restrictions have affected field staff involved in assembly and commissioning. This has been made more difficult by each country having different regulations, which have also changed during the pandemic. For some manufacturers, the pandemic has delayed the launch of new products. SWF Krantechnik will soon launch the VECTO jib crane, which Körner says should have been revealed earlier. SWF is offering the VECTO jib as wall- and pillar-mounted slewing jib cranes and in three different designs: an over braced Profile Master PLUS light crane profile made from steel; under braced I profile; and over braced I profile. Körner says the jib is quick and easy to assemble and the series can be equipped with all ATHLO chain electric hoists and CRAFTster manual chain hoists. “The VECTO jib can be used in numerous industries and work environments,” he says, and adds that further models with ProfileMaster PLUS light crane profiles made of aluminium will follow in the near future. Kito Erikkila also has a product launch in the wings – a new portal crane which


www.hoistmagazine.com | May 2021 | 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49