HTC WOLFFKRAN

H TC W O LF F K R AN

HTC acquisition fuels WOLFFKRAN’s international expansion www.wolffkran.com

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P LOA L NF TF K R A N W

or 40 years, the UK’s HTC Plant Ltd and Germany’s WOLFFKRAN have partnered in Europe, and the two global construction heavyweights are now one following an acquisition by the latter which will see the Company edge closer to its goal of being one of the most significant crane manufacturers in the world.

Completed in May, 2015, WOLFFKRAN acquired the UK tower crane rental business, and has subsequently inherited a wealth of expertise, experience and resources to ensure that it does reach goals every bit as lofty as the projects its cranes have helped to build over the years.

With an annual turnover of more than £40 million, a fleet of more than 200 WOLFF tower cranes, a workforce of 370 crane experts and 50 years of market experience, HTC perfectly complements the global growth strategy of the German premium tower crane manufacturer.

The longstanding partnership between the two made the deal even more appealing, while it has also made the transition almost entirely seamless, with no plans to make any changes to HTC’s previous business operations; those which were equally prominent in gaining significant market share in the UK’s construction domain.

The hope for the now rebranded HTC WOLFFKRAN business is that UK customers will benefit most from the strategic fit and long-term investment, as they witness more and more of the notorious, red WOLFF tower cranes grace the London skyline.

The continent’s construction industry has sat up and taken notice as two of the market’s key crane operators combine to tower above the UK’s capital Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Joe Palliser

A logical acquisition

With a fleet of more than 200 WOLFF cranes and nearly 400 crane experts in-house, HTC has long been renowned in the market for offering complete tower crane solutions tailored to its customers’ needs.

This made the acquisition all the

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London’s Skyline Leading the Pack across

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AGRI-TECH SERVICES

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gri-tech Services, specialises in supplying high tech services and products to Agriculture and Industry.

We have been supplying live wind monitoring solutions to the Construction Industry for 15 years.

Construction sites are interested in detailed wind speed data for obvious reasons.

We knew we had to deliver a plug and play system, but also a system which would accurately record historic data, and in parallel display near “real- time data” on the web explains the Company’s MD Simon Turner. We chose to partner with leaders in live monitoring Logic Energy to deliver a bespoke Construction site package T +44 (0)1462 813303

www.agri-tech.co.uk The acquisition of HTC was made all the more logical because of the strength of the UK construction market

more logical for WOLFFKRAN’s own development, as Dr Peter Schiefer, CEO and owner of the Company explained: “The acquisition is a big step for WOLFFKRAN, but a very logical one. It’s totally in line with our global strategy of manufacturing, selling, renting and providing related crane services.

“With HTC we are taking an experienced and highly motivated management team and an extremely skilled workforce on board. And the solid UK construction market was just another driver for our decision.”

The name of the new company will be HTC WOLFFKRAN Limited and reflects the combination of high standing expertise in delivering safe and effective tower crane services from HTC paired with state-of-the-art tower crane technology from the German manufacturer.

Dave Holder, Managing Director of HTC, added: “WOLFFKRAN has been

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the tower crane manufacturer of our choice for decades.

“Its reliable and state-of-the-art cranes are the ideal fit for our ‘be the best’ culture. Becoming a fully integrated part of the WOLFF family fills us with pride and confidence.”

Integrated portfolio

HTC’s crane portfolio predominantly consists of WOLFF luffing jib cranes that – based on their particular construction – are ideal for construction jobs in tight urban spaces, all the more so in countries with stringent overslewing laws such as the UK. Both older generation and new WOLFF luffing jib cranes are currently in operation on various high-profile constructions sites in London, including London Bridge Station, Nine Elms Redevelopment and Nova Victoria Development.

With the integration of HTC’s crane

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DELTA OBSTRUCTION LIGHTING

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elta Obstruction Lighting was the first organisation to use LED based aircraft warning lights and as a result we have built up a reputation for being innovators in LED technology at the leading edge of the design of aircraft warning lights and obstruction lighting.

Delta Obstruction Lighting have collaborated with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to bring unique lights to the marketplace, as well as providing long term installation and maintenance cover for leading communication providers.

T 0161 785 4940 E lighting@thinkdelta.com

www.deltaobstructionlighting.com

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23 years experience

Precision Irrigation

Precision Farming

Weather & Climate

24/7 Technical Support

www.agri-tech.co.uk

+ 44 (0) 1462 813 303

info@agri-tech.co.uk

Protecting city skylines since 1984

Innovators in LED Lighting Technologies Since the unfortunate Helicopter accident in London back in January 2013 authorities and building consultants are strict on meeting regulations in line for the use of Aircraft Warning Lights on cranes.

Company Address: Delta House, Wrigley Street Oldham, OL4 1SL Email: lighting@thinkdelta.com Tel: 0161 785 4940

www.deltaobstructionlighting.com

Roche Building 1, Basel. The WOLFFKRAN team closely cooperated with both the logistics specialists of the contractor and the architects of the building to ensure every step of the build was done logically and safely

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fleet, WOLFFKRAN’s global rental fleet will surpass 750 tower cranes, underlining its position as one of the largest tower crane rental companies in the world, comprising a complete tower crane package with the single focus of providing its customers for every need.

Unparalleled in the industry

When analysing the true benefits that the UK will reap as part of this more concerted amalgamation, prospective customers needn’t look any further than its Central European neighbours; many of whom have had their cities’ infrastructures enhanced thanks to WOLFFKRAN’s influence.

In Cologne, Germany, the highest freestanding WOLFF crane helped renovate the TÜV Rheinland highrise in the centre of the city. At 130 metres, the high trolley jib crane was commissioned by Bilfinger Hochbau GmbH, and will fit the building with a new, modern glass facade over the course of the next two years.

While a hook height of 130 metres is usually comfortable for a tower crane, a freestanding 130 metre hook height is a challenge. At the TÜV Rheinland construction site, however, this was the only possibility.

“We couldn’t place the crane close enough to the building to tie it to the building,” explained Carsten Druske, Branch Manager of WOLFFKRAN Dortmund. “Further, none of the surrounding buildings had a flat roof

HTC WOLFFKRAN SERVICES: Comprehensive range of WOLFF luffing jib & saddle jib tower cranes Crane selection and advice, including customised solutions Site visits & logistics planning Cranes in customers’ colours Manufacturer & engineering expertise Efficient erection time Road closure & traffic management arrangements HTC mobile cranes Strict adherence to hse guideline CAD facilities CITB approved training centre PPM (preventative planned maintenance) programme & crane servicing Independent examinations Advertising on cranes

Baustelle construction site, Köln, Cologne

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Crane accessories

TOWER STAFF CONSTRUCTION

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ower Staff Construction Ltd is a company specializing in five main sectors placing professional and qualified candidates on contract, permanent and temporary assignments. We manage assignments in a number of skilled disciplines from hourly paid contractors through to senior appointments. In addition to this we have specialist divisions in skilled and semi-skilled labour in a variety of industries.

Our clients benefit from clear tangible cost savings, experienced, qualified candidates and on-going bespoke recruitment solutions to fulfil their specific needs. We provide highly skilled, experienced and professional operatives, specialising in crane personnel for the construction industry throughout the UK.

www.towerstaffconstruction.co.uk

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> Construction Recruitment > Lifting Operations Personnel > Personnel > Trades & Labour Phone: 01472 350 498 Mobile: 07899 731 158 Fax: 01472 898 780 www.towerstaffconstruction.co.uk info@towerstaffconstruction.co.uk

The Shard Tower, London Bridge

that could support the 152 tonne heavy crane. Actually, these couldn’t even support the scaffolding.”

“Our technical support department achieved remarkable structural calculation, unparalleled in the industry.”

Equally showing that skyscrapers aren’t just reserved for Dubai or China, Basel’s Roche Building 1 has similarly benefited from WOLFF’s influence in 2015.

Measuring 178 metres high, Marti AG employed WOLFF tower cranes to raise the building which required a hook height of 204 metres; the tallest crane used in the history of Swiss construction.

In addition to its impressive height, it was also the unique design of the Roche Building 1, with a tapering silhouette at the top, which required a sophisticated crane concept. To tackle these challenges, the WOLFFKRAN team closely cooperated with both the logistics specialists of the contractor and the architects of the building to ensure every step of the build was done logically and safely, while also epitomising a collaborative philosophy within WOLFFKRAN that is sure to stand the new acquisition in good stead.

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HTC WOLFFKRAN LIMITED Grange Mill Lane, Sheffield, S9 1HW Tel: 01709 559 668 Email: info@htcplant.com

www.wolffkran.com