Having been in the crane business for a century, Kuli Hebezeuge – Helmut Kempkes sets out how it is evolving for the future.

Oliver Riese is export manager, at Kuli Hebezeuge – Helmut Kempkes GmbH, a German manufacturer of cranes, hoists and lifting equipment. Here, he talks to Hoist about technology, training and the company’s offer.

TECHNOLOGY

“German manufacturers are at the forefront of crane technology, with innovative designs and features.

“Beside all the well-known trends, such as automation and digitalisation, Industry 4.0 or smart solutions, for example, we [at Kuli] are currently experiencing a significant increase in demand for specialised but also heavy cranes, often coming with features such as high energy efficiency, remote maintenance or advanced monitoring.

“This could involve [us] investing in technologies that enable efficient and remote maintenance, as well as offering advanced monitoring systems that allow for better data collection and analysis.

“We [also] look into ways to improve the overall usability of a customer’s cranes, such as providing better user interfaces and making sure that their cranes are compatible with a variety of existing and emerging technologies.

“In the next decade, the market is likely to continue to be unpredictable and volatile as economic and political situations continue to reshape the business landscape. We can expect to see a shift towards digital and automated services and processes, especially [because of] a rapid lack of skilled workers. Taking this into consideration while trying to ensure consistent working flows, there will probably be more reliance on data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence – which is a big issue right now – and machine learning might also [enter] the crane business in order to allow for more efficient processes and more accurate predictions. As the market will continue to evolve in the next decade, especially driven by the imponderables of the global situation, the key to success will be staying ahead of the curve and adapting quickly in order to remain competitive.”

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

“To meet the demands for efficiency requirements we recommend investing in modern, energy-efficient cranes and implementing a comprehensive maintenance programme to ensure all parts of the crane are operating at peak efficiency. Refurbishing cranes in this or other regards is an increasing market for Kuli as well.

“Additionally, we strive to make… cranes as energy-efficient as possible, as this will help to reduce operational costs and improve customer satisfaction. High cost savings are possible with our energy recuperation units, especially in conjunction with heavy-duty equipment.”

SUSTAINABILITY AND DIVERSITY

“At our company, sustainability and diversity are of utmost importance. We have implemented several practices to ensure that our activities and products are as sustainable and equitable as possible. We have adopted a ‘green’ policy that guides us in reducing our environmental impact. For example, we were able to reduce our power consumption by 30% within the past couple of years. We try to reduce the use of raw material by improving our designs. We also have a ‘diversity and inclusion’ policy that promotes workplace diversity and inclusion, as well as a comprehensive antidiscrimination policy. We are also focusing on our suppliers, ensuring that all of them are compliant with general sustainability and diversity requirements.”

GERMANY

“The German overhead crane market differs from international markets in that it is largely composed of locally based manufacturers. In contrast, the European and international markets are dominated by more international companies. This means that the German market is very competitive, as domestic companies have to compete with larger challenges in the international environment. It also means that the overhead crane industry in Germany is typically more specialised, with manufacturers focusing on a narrow range of unique products and applications. This allows for greater customisation of overhead cranes, as well as more tailored customer service.

“German crane manufacturers are [also] commonly known for their highquality products, which are robust, reliable and durable.”

TRAINING

“The situation in Germany to find skilled workers in general is getting more and more critical. Therefore, we have to focus on more in-house training in order to educate people for special demands. Moreover, crane users and crane manufacturers in particular have to ensure that their operators are familiar with all relevant regulations and safety guidelines by providing regular safety training and implementing a safety management system to help ensure that all crane operations are compliant.

“There should be more training for crane employees as this would help to reduce potential hazards and consequently it would also lead to a reduction of operating costs.

“Establishing a regular maintenance and inspection service – for example, conducted by Kuli crane experts – can help to ensure that the crane is running safely and efficiently.

“We can also help by supplying robust products, which are easy to maintain, and increase our stock… for the supply of spares.”

CUSTOMER ADVICE

“Make sure that you understand all the details of the crane product or service you are interested in before you make a decision – especially if you invest larger amounts for your intralogistics, you should always be aware of the product’s lifetime costs. These are not only based on initial costs but also on maintenance charges, structural impacts based on wheel loads, vibrations or lateral forces, for example, or on hook approaches in order to use the full capacity of your working area.

“The most important consideration for a crane customer when choosing a supplier is safety over the whole lifetime. It is important to ensure that the supplier is experienced in order to ensure that the crane is operating safely at minimum running costs. Additionally, customers should look into the quality of the crane and its components, the supplier’s customer service and support, and the supplier’s ability to meet the customer’s specific needs and budget.”

KULI

German crane manufacturer interview: The Kuli conversation