CICA MEMBER PROFILE
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL CICA member Komp Cranes has stuck to what they know best, running smaller cranes and servicing the lighter end of the lifting in Melbourne. KOMP CRANES IS A FAMILY BUSINESS, which was started by Paul and Melinda Keinhuis in 2002. Since 2011, it has been owned and run by Danny Toohey and his wife Barbara. The business focuses on all areas of the construction industry including residential and commercial building and it also services general industry in and around Melbourne. “I have been in cranes and rigging for 25 years and before that, I was in the truck spare parts industry. I basically got into Komp Cranes because I wanted to do it for myself and my family and not work for someone else. It was a case of backing myself and fortunately it has paid off,” said Toohey. According to Toohey, the business focusses on the smaller end of the market and the fleet reflects this. “The major point of difference between Komp Cranes and others, is we remain a small company that ticks all the right boxes when it comes to the smaller end of the market and we specialise in smaller cranes up to three axle all terrains. Currently the fleet includes: • 2.85t Maeda mini crawler; • 3t Unic crane truck; • 13t Kato; • 16t Tadano; • 40t Liebherr; • 55t Liebherr; and • 20t Franna. A 60t Liebherr is on order and is due later this year. Komp Cranes also operates three tray trucks to help with the logistics of the fleet. “We will have up to a 60t capacity in our fleet when the new Liebherr arrives, but we also have the ability to source larger cranes from a variety of other yards when needed,” said Toohey. “The work we do influences the mix www.cranesandlifting.com.au
Barbara and Danny Toohey – the team behind Komp Cranes.
of our fleet because there are plenty of jobs with limited or tight access. For our business it is important that we fully utilise the fleet. For this to happen I have been purchasing cranes that are in demand and which can be sent out in a variety of sizes. For example, our 55t crane can be deployed as a 40t machine if my smaller cranes aren’t available,” he said. According to Toohey, maintenance and servicing of the fleet is the key to crane availability. “I don’t have a fulltime mechanic and I use a mobile crane mechanic for most of servicing and repairs. We also have a fully equipped workshop and with a couple of mechanics in my staff, we can fix most things ourselves if need be. “If we are going to see the cranes fully utilised, it’s important for the fleet
to be well maintained and serviced. At a minimum, we service our cranes to the manufacture’s specification. We generally outsource the truck servicing, because I know a lot of heavy diesel mechanics,” he said. Most of the work for Komp Cranes involves small to large building sites, steel erection and domestic work including the installation of swimming pools and spas. The team also works with arborists and moving machinery in industrial applications. A keen focus on customer service has helped generate long term, customer loyalty, says Toohey. “We have customers who have been using us since the beginning and we still do work for the very first customer who received invoice number one. Most of our July 2020 CAL / 17
