IN FOCUS / HUMMA AND PIVOT CRANE HIRE
HUMMA A WELCOME ADDITION FOR PIVOT CRANE HIRE
For a company like Pivot Crane Hire, they can continue to grow what they offer to customers in the pick and carry market with the recent arrival of the Humma 35 tonne. THE HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM OF SAM and Lorien Welch have faced numerous challenges since starting their business in September 2020. Starting the business during the Covid pandemic was always going to place great demands on the duo, but a strong background in mining, civil construction, and business generally ensured they were prepared for the leap and would overcome the hurdles they encountered. “There was an opportunity in the market to do things differently, we wanted to jump in and capitalise on that and we wanted the flexibility of running our own business,” Welch said. The opportunity was to grow the pick and carry offering in Queensland and northern New South Wales, by providing customers a variety of options including the new Humma UV35-25 35-tonne crane. “We have a diverse customer base, and the work can range from moving precast barriers, to bridgeworks and formwork. The heaviest capacity machine we currently run is our 35t Humma, which allows our team to be agile onsite, but gives us impressive capabilities when performing lifts,” Welch said. It is unsurprising that Welch was drawn to the Humma 35t as it provides the toughness of the mining equipment he is used to whilst ensuring his drivers are comfortable. “We’re quite selective in who we bring on board to ensure they not only have the experience, but also fit with our company culture,” Welch said. “If we want to bring the best on board, we have to ensure we have the best equipment for them to operate, so we always buy the highest quality, and the brand Humma from Peter Dalla Riva and DRA Engineering is testament to this.” www.cranesandlifting.com.au
It is unsurprising that Pivot Crane Hire was drawn to the Humma 35t as it provides the toughness of the mining equipment the Welch’s are used to whilst ensuring the drivers are comfortable.
Peter Dalla Riva, operations director at DRA Engineering, had this to say about the relationship with Pivot Crane Hire. “Sam contacted us in October 2021, enquiring about Humma 35. At the time he was operating two MAC25s. We had recently delivered a Humma 35 Mk3 to Lindores Mobile Cranes and I suggested Sam contact Chantelle Lindores, see the crane, and get Chantelle’s feedback. “Sam was still unsure if he should buy a Humma or stick to MAC25 because he understood the crane but wanted a larger capacity crane with an established performance record. 2021 was the year Humma celebrated 25 years and DRA Group 50 years and, over a number of telephone discussions, I pointed out DRA is a family company and is well respected as a design and build engineering company
with 50 years’ experience with a number of repeat clients. “I told Sam I would like him to buy a Humma, not because DRA was desperate for a sale, but for him to evaluate the performance of Humma 35. I wanted to place another Humma in South East Queensland, Franna’s backyard. I explained the features which are unique to Humma as it is our innovation,” said Dalla Riva. Welch had completed his due diligence, but, in the competitive crane industry, you can’t afford to make a wrong call and he still had some reservations. “I said, take the Humma 35 and, if it does not do what I say it will do over a period of three to six months, return it to us. I reinforced the fact that Humma is a 35t not a 25t and, without the 3,000kg May/June 2022 CAL / 35
