CEO DIARIES
automatic crane whose control system was awarded with an innovation price. This was the starting point for our ‘smartER’ control system with energy recuperation and remote access. When celebrating 100 years of KULI in 2022, we looked back on numerous projects of bridge and gantry cranes as well as of crane components we delivered to more than 120 countries in the world, from the desert to the Antarctic, and from the jungle to the different fields of industry.
What do you like about the industry? I really like the combination of building large steel structures within tiny mechanical engineering tolerances and making them functional with clever control technology. The basics are similar to what I enjoyed playing with as a child. But, of course, our products are larger and technology is nowadays far more sophisticated. Furthermore, the people in the industry somehow are like a family. In Germany, we say that once you have found a fascination for cranes, you will never change the branch again. Despite all the enthusiasm for technical solutions, customer benefits must always take centre stage. Sometimes there can be simpler, suitable options alongside complex and high- level solutions, which some people refer to as German overengineering.
But that is the fascinating thing – to find the best solution in so many different applications based on the broad possibilities we have.
Why should people want to join and work in this industry? The crane industry offers meaningful work with real impact – building the backbone of modern infrastructure. At our company, with over 100 years of tradition, employees become part of a team that values craftsmanship, innovation and long-term thinking. It is an industry where you can grow, learn from experienced professionals and see the results of your work in action. We foster a culture of respect, equal opportunity and open dialogue. Joining this field means contributing to something lasting – and being recognised for it. We spend a significant amount of life time at work – regardless of how many hours a week we work. That’s why it is important to have a fulfilling job. In our company, the work is very varied due to the vertical range of manufacture and numerous opportunities to realise projects. There is something new to learn every day. At the same time, there are different requirements and mentalities in the numerous industries and countries that we have to adapt to. The best prerequisite for working in our company is an enthusiasm for technology. We regularly provide apprenticeships to people to fascinate them to work on cranes in various positions.
The results of this work are solutions for lifting loads in a safer and more environmentally friendly way than without them – or otherwise the transport would not even be possible. Whatever you think of in everyday life – everything has to be transported. Without our industry, the world we live in today would simply not be possible. It is also a great feeling for the entire
KULI team when, for example, locally a crane can move smoothly on a poor old crane runway thanks to contactless electronic track guidance. Or globally, to deliver a crane that supports climate protection by running in an installation that filters CO2
from the air.
What are your expectations for the industry going forward? Any trends or challenges that you foresee? It is fascinating where the industry has come from and how similar today’s goals are. In materials handling, the aim was always to maximise efficiency. In ancient times when building up the pyramids, it was the question of workforce. Even with the further development of cranes, muscle power was guiding. Historically, a boost in the development of cranes was only driven forward by electrification. In fact, the predecessor of our company electrified the first cranes in Germany more than 120 years ago. Today, we are minimising the
Dr Oliver Kempkes in the mechanical workshop of KULI (with raw wheel block housings and rotors out of the own motor fabrication). 26 | July 2025 |
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