Bigge acquires majority stake of Empire Crane

Bigge Crane and Rigging, one of the nation’s largest crane sales and rental companies, has acquired majority stake in Empire Crane Company. The alliance between Empire and Bigge’s fleet of over 1,800 cranes and 21 maintenance facilities is now available to customers on the East Coast.

Bigge and Empire Crane made their partnership official at ConExpo 2023.

Empire’s partnership with Bigge and the expansion of Empire into the Gulf, Mountain and West Coast regions will help bring more sales support to its customers across the U.S. and globally. Crane buyers will now access dealer pricing and priority ordering for crane manufacturers, including Tadano, Kobelco, Liebherr, Manitowoc, Potain, Peiner, Terex, Comedil, Broderson, Merlo, Magni, Xtreme, Manitex and Jekko. 

“I’ve known Paul and Luke for over 20 years. They’re the two most trusted Principals in the crane and equipment sales business,” said Weston Settlemier, CEO, Bigge Crane and Rigging Co.

“Furthermore, the Lonergans are the two best partners Bigge has ever had. I personally have been promoting the benefits of principled partnerships for over 12 years and the Bigge/Empire collaboration will be the standard by which all future partnerships are judged.”

Empire President Paul Lonergan echoed Settlemier’s sentiments, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with Bigge – the pillar of excellence in the crane business for over a century, and, like us, to be in business with a family-owned company with common business values. This strategic alliance provides our customers access to Bigge’s extensive sales inventory and over a century’s experience building and maintaining the Perfect Fleet of cranes.”

Bigge and Empire Crane are also co-exhibitors at the ConExpo conference in Las Vegas, currently taking place in Las Vegas.

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