REGIONAL REPORT Ӏ ITALY
TEREX Italy is a key country for equipment manufacturer Terex, which produces its rough terrain cranes in Crespellano and its tower cranes (self-erecting, flat-top, luffing jib and hammerhead) in Fontanafredda. GIS gave us the opportunity to speak to Lee Maynard, global sales director tower cranes, and Nicola Castenetto, Business Line Leader SE, regarding the state of business.
How have the last 12 months of business been? Maynard: Exceptional from a top-slewing perspective. We have made significant penetration into the South of Italy, growing our distribution channels, adding new customers to Terex and dramatically increasing our market share.
What do you expect for the next 12 months? Maynard: We see continued opportunities in the north of Italy also during next year with some large projects planned to start. It will, however, also depend a little on the continued support of the Italian authorities in terms of fiscal subsidies and to what level. The south remains good at this stage.
That said with climbing interest rates and possible slowing of residential builds, that’s a watch-out.
Are you launching any new crane products? If so, what and for which markets? Castenetto: It is too early to disclosure all details, but we have upcoming news in all our product lines. New models will be launch starting
from Q4 including a new flat top in the city range, a big self-erecting crane and also a plan of large luffing jib cranes.
How optimistic are companies in Italy for the future of the lifting industry both nationally and internationally? Maynard: I think ‘cautiously optimistic’ would be the term I would use. Again it depends a little on continued governmental support, as well as projects going ahead as planned.
22 CRANES TODAY Lee Maynard is seeing demand for large luffers and flat tops for infrastructure work
JEKKO
Mini crane manufacturer Jekko used GIS to showcase lithium-ion battery versions of its SPX telescopic mini cranes. These comprised: two models of the SPX328, the company’s latest model, equipped with an electric jib and runner jib respectively; an SPX532, equipped with hydraulic jib; and an SPX650, also equipped with hydraulic jib. In addition, the company showed its JF line of tracked articulated mini cranes. On its stand were: a JF235, one of Jekko’s newest models, equipped with a jib; a JF545, equipped with jib and a two- seater basket; and a JF990, the largest of all Jekko’s mini cranes. Jekko also displayed its 5-10-20
tonne lifting beams, for industrial handling and lifting of manufactured goods, which can extend of telescopically. The event gave us the opportunity to speak to Alberto Franceschini, sales and marketing director regarding the state of business.
When he’s not working Nicola Castenetto tends to his vineyard
What areas of growth are you seeing? Maynard: Significant activity in large luffers and flat-tops globally, driven by large infrastructure projects.
Are there any areas of your business, markets or application sectors in decline? If so, why? Castenetto: There are some challenges in the residential sector; housing need is huge but costs and interest rates are slowing down this sector.
Are there any other issues/challenges you think need to be addressed or highlighted with regards to the Italian lifting industry? Castenetto: Cranes, despite being essential for the success of many construction sites, are not yet fully perceived as the strategic core of the job site activities.
How have the last 12 months of business been? The last 12 months have seen a positive outlook, with a trend of growth common to everyone in the three years of post- pandemic. Not only has the Italian market been very dynamic thanks to subsidies for the purchase of machinery but also the export market has shown a dramatic increase in sales due to positive global economic factors. The increase in demand for mini cranes has ensured that this product has finally become more commonly used in various work environments. Specifically, Jekko had a 20% increase in turnover and consequently in production compared to last year.
What do you expect for the next 12 months? For the next 12 months we expect a consolidation of the numbers achieved in the previous year. We see a positive trend for our sector, but are not expecting a growth rate for ourselves, as the strategy is not to increase production but to preserve a high standard of quality.
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