14.02.2008

Hiab Opens Advanced Crane Testing Centre

Hiab has opened a state-of-the-art crane-testing centre at its loader crane production facility in Hudiksvall, Sweden. Claimed to be the most advanced of its type in the world the test centre has taken three years to develop with an investment of up to €2.5 million and is a core component of Hiab’s commitment to sustain quality and technical leadership in the global crane industry.

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Hiab's new state of the art test lab

Almost 700 tons of cement was used to create the reinforced floor, which rests on 137 concrete support pillars sunk eight metres into the ground to deliver enhanced stability under extreme test conditions. The facility is also equipped with special workbenches and rails that permit tests to take place outside on the very largest cranes.

“The new facilities will enable Hiab to continue its pioneering development of cranes and related technologies and speed the time-to-market of exciting new pipeline innovations,” says Harri Ahola, Hiab Cranes senior vice president.

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Harri Ahola(L) and Mattias Berglund

Ahola emphasised that the Hudiksvall-based centre will also be used to test the quality and performance of parts delivered by suppliers to Hiab and other business areas of the Cargotec Corporation.

“The new test centre is a very clear indication of how we are future-proofing our commitment to retaining our leadership in the crane industry,” he said.

The latest test facilities increase the existing centre at the Hiab Hudiksvall factory in northern Sweden by one-third - now measuring 2000 sq metres with a roof height of 10 metres. Unique sound dampening walls ensure the working environment is well within the most stringent European workplace legislation.

“The equipment and layout of the new test centre will enable us to evaluate 10 years of real life work environments, in any part of the world and in any environmental conditions, in just 3 – 4 weeks,” according to Mattias Berglund, head of the test laboratory at Hiab Hudiksvall.


“The first test centre was opened at Hiab in the early 1980s and the facilities have played a major role in ensuring the company’s ability to constantly stay customer focused by bringing new generations of cranes to the market as rapidly as possible.”

Berglund notes that the past two decades have seen huge advances in crane technologies with a complete overhaul of the crane park delivering new load handling abilities undreamt of before. This approach is reflected in the launch in 2007 of the Hiab XS 1055 loader crane, which claims to delivering lower fuel consumption, less contamination and improved profitability as well as being the longest and highest Hiab crane in the marketplace today.

Hiab believes future technical development in the load handling business will revolve around such factors as getting more power output from existing engines, providing more comfort and safety for crane operators and reducing CO2 emissions. One key role of future research at the Hudiksvall test centre will be about how to achieve more power from the same steel with less fuel.