30.06.2008

Freo goes with Manitowoc

One of Australia’s fastest growing rental companies, Freo Cranes, has taken the first deliveries in a A$20 million ($18 million) order with Manitowoc.

The order for 15 Grove all-terrain cranes is the single biggest in the 35-year history of Freo Cranes. It is also believed to be the largest single order for All-Terrain cranes ever placed in Australia.

Tony Canci, managing director of Freo Cranes, said his company had always planned to choose a single manufacturer for its growth strategy.

“We were looking for a single supplier for the next stage in our expansion plan,” he said. “It allows us to standardise on training for operators and technicians and also allows us to share ancillary parts for optimum storage and cost efficiency. After the tender process we chose Manitowoc because it’s a brand we know and trust and we get excellent service from our local dealer WATM, which is a good, solid family-run company. That was important.”
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One of Freo's new cranes

There are three models making up the 15 crane order: The 80 tonne GMK4080-1, the 130 tonne GMK5130-1 and the 220 tonne GMK5220. The first crane delivered in the order was a GMK5220 which arrived in Australia in mid-March.

Commenting on the choice of cranes Canci said: “The GMK5220 has a 68 metre boom which is excellent for a five axle machine. It is perfect for work in refineries, petrochemical plants and reaching over buildings in built-up sites. The additional boom length means we don’t need to move it so often, or need fit a fly jib and overall it just saves time.”

“We will use the GMK4080 to complement our 50 tonne truck crane offering, but eventually we see it becoming the preferred choice over the once dominant 50-55 tonne truck mounted crane,” he said.

“In this respect the GMK4080 is well placed to become the new crane of choice with its 51 metre boom and ability to carry 9.3 tonnes of counterweight in a road legal configuration. Our customers are always demanding the best in terms of performance and ability and the GMK4080 represents a competitive advantage over traditional lifting solutions.”

The new cranes will be divided between Freo’s six depots with some also going to subsidiary company Global Cranes. The order takes Freo’s fleet to 150 cranes comprising a mix of Rough-Terrain cranes, All-Terrain cranes and crawler cranes.