Top 10 tower crane companies 2021

International Cranes and Specialized Transport magazine has published its annual list of the world’s largest tower crane-owning companies.

Companies are ranked according to their IC Tower Index, which is calculated using the combined total maximum load moment rating, in tonne-metres, of all the tower cranes in each company’s fleet.

And for 2021, despite concerns about how a Covid-impacted year would affect the rankings, we have seen a rise of 11.7 per cent, something of a relief given the trying circumstances that have impacted industries worldwide. In fact, everything else was up this year too – more cranes, more employees and more depots.

Last year the Index total passed the 5 million mark for the first time and this year it has exceeded 6 million for the first time. Among the top five companies the percentage rise is even higher than in this year’s top 20, at 14.8 %.

So, with the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic anticipated to be now considerably reflected in the index, let’s take a look at how the top 10 companies fared on the IC Tower Index ranking…

10. Neremat
Coming in this year at 10 with an IC Tower Index of 132,189 tonne-metres is Belgian independent supplier Neremat, provider of all rental and sales of top slewing and self erecting cranes. The firm falls one place from last year’s ninth place ranking. The firm currently employs 3,500 people and has maintained its 17 depots despite a reduction in its fleet over the past few years.

9. Van der Spek
Following on is Netherlands-based company Van der Spek, which has risen to ninth, up one place form 2020. Operating internationally, Van der Spek has seven depots, 210 employees and a fleet of 531 tower cranes, a fleet increase of 66 in the past year.

8. Maxim Crane Works
Holding eighth position on this year’s Index with a total of 148,290 tonne-metres is Maxim Crane Works. The company, which has a fleet of 425 tower cranes and operates 63 depots across the USA, retains its position from 2020.

7.Wolffkran
Wolffkran retains its place in seventh, after dropping from six last year with an IC Tower Index of 228,966 tonne-metres. The Switzerland-based company has a worldwide fleet of 827 towers stationed across 21 depots. Its fleet has been seen plenty of action this year, with contractor Estermann hiring three Wolff tower cranes to help construct the BäreTower in Switzerland in June.

6.Morrow Equipment
Based in Oregon, USA, Morrow Equipment has also retained sixth position from 2020 after moving up the ranking from seventh place in 2019. Over the past year the company has reduced its fleet of tower cranes to 569 but has an increased Index of 244,102 tonne-metres.

5. Tat Hong Equipment Service
An IC Tower Index of 321,491 tonne-metres sees the China-based tower crane division of Tat Hong retain fifth position for the second year running. Operating across the Asia-Pacific region with a fleet of 1,090 tower cranes, the company boasts the Matagarup Bridge in Australia, The National Centre for Exhibition and Convention in Shanghai and China’s Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge among its projects.

4. Uperio
France-headquartered Uperio is a non-mover again this year with an Index of 336,419 tonne-metres, rising from 325,815 last year. The company has 25 depots and 2,090 tower cranes in operation worldwide.

3. Liebherr Tower Crane Division
With a fleet of 1,640 tower cranes, 24 depots and a worldwide staff of 2,500, Liebherr Tower Crane Division again holds onto third place in this year’s ranking. While the Germany-based company’s 2020 Index figure was calculated at 461,900, this year it boasts a figure slightly down at 461,500. The company’s ongoing streamlining of its assets means it retains its strong position.

2. NFT
Based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, NFT once again takes second place again this year. The company achieved an IC Tower Index of 1,528,550 a further jump from the impressive 1,455,766 tonne-metres from 2020, as it remains hot on the heels of the top spot.

1. Shanghai Pangyuan Machinery Rental
Retaining its number one spot for the second year running is the largest tower crane rental company in China and the world, Shanghai Pangyuan Machinery Rental.

The company, which operates worldwide, has a fleet of more than 9,000 tower cranes and is supported by 3,937 staff. Shanghai Pangyuan reported a 2021 Index figure of 1,893,282, an impressive increase from its 2020 figure of 1,462,105.

Last year the company’s managing director and chairman Mr Chai Zhao, spoke exclusively to KHL in an interview that gave insight into how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected the construction industry in China.

To view the complete IC Tower Index and an in-depth analysis download the September 2021 issue of ICST for free!