Potain has been at the forefront of introducing Tower Cranes to the Indian market, with a history dating back to 1980. Over the years, we’ve fostered a culture deeply rooted in safety principles and uncompromising quality standards.

In 2023, the Tower Crane industry is on the verge of a historic milestone. Discover how they adapt to infrastructure development, customise solutions, enhance safety, and utilise advanced tech while staying cost-effective despite supply chain fluctuations.

How does ongoing infrastructure development impact your business, and how do you adapt to it?

This year has proven to be exceptional for the Tower Crane industry, as it has achieved an unprecedented milestone. For the first time, the market is expected to soar to an impressive 850 units, marking a historic high that was previously unattainable.

How do you customise tower crane solutions for diverse global markets?

While Tower Crane is considered a standardised product, the availability of a diverse range of tower models is paramount to cater to the unique needs of different construction and infrastructure projects. Our portfolio offers over 60 Tower Crane models, spanning from 5 tons to 80 tons, including Hammerhead, Flattops, and Luffing varieties. Our recently introduced Hydraulic Luffers have achieved remarkable success in the Indian market.

What safety challenges in tower crane operations do you address?

Potain has been at the forefront of introducing Tower Cranes to the Indian market, with a history dating back to 1980. Over the years, we’ve fostered a culture deeply rooted in safety principles and uncompromising quality standards. Our customers trust the Potain brand, recognising it as synonymous with gold-standard excellence.

Safety is a cornerstone of Tower Crane operations, from design and manufacturing to installation and operation. This unwavering commitment to safety is not confined to our India operations alone; our parent organisation, Manitowoc, has implemented a range of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies, including SLAM techniques and “The Manitowoc Way,” across our global network of eight factories, including our facility in Pune. This comprehensive approach has been efficiently managed and executed, cultivating a heightened safety ethos among all our employees.

Importantly, we extend these core safety values to all our stakeholders, including vendors, customers, crane operators, and our Plant and Machinery teams, fostering a safety-conscious ecosystem.

How do advanced technologies enhance crane performance and safety?

The new version of luffing jib cranes combines modern hoisting technology with a special design to fit into small spaces, perfect for city-building projects. The new design has some great features. It has a short weathervaning radii of only 10 meters, meaning it can fit into tight spaces. A smaller counter-jib makes the rear slewing radius just 7 meters, allowing for easy positioning in confined spaces. The jib can also be lifted almost upright, saving even more space.

The crane’s cab, where the operator sits, can be placed on either side of the tower head, making it adaptable to different job requirements. Setting up and taking down the crane is quick and easy. All hydraulic functions are integrated into a single package but can be separated into two lighter packages if needed. The crane comes with pre-installed derrick and wind-sail plates, removing the need for extra equipment and making operations smoother.

Transporting this crane is also cost-effective and simple. Its parts are lightweight and compact, easy to move. They can be transported using standard containers or trucks, making the logistics uncomplicated. Even the biggest part of the crane, including the maximum jib, can be transported with just four containers or trucks, reducing the challenges of moving such a large piece of equipment.

How do you maintain cost-effectiveness, and what are the related procurement challenges you address?

Our factory and operational teams have excelled in cost management, consistently keeping expenses optimal. This accomplishment is made possible through the collaborative efforts of our vendors, both within India and on the global stage, who play a crucial role in safeguarding the cost efficiency of our products, thereby limiting any significant impact on the selling prices of our cranes. As a result, our customers not only appreciate but are highly content with the exceptional value for money that they receive when choosing Potain as their crane provider.