MSG Krandienst has trusted Grove all-terrain cranes to keep the company competitive in Germany’s construction industry for 15 years.
MSG Krandienst (MSG) has established itself as one of the leading crane rental companies in a very competitive German market. When the Kehl, Germany-based company was founded in 1994, MSG had 22 employees, 17 cranes and three trucks to its name. Today, it has expanded to four locations, three of them in Germany and one in France. MSG’s current fleet consists of some 40 cranes, 20 heavy-duty trucks and various heavy-duty trailers, and the company boasts 120 employees.
MSG has grown into a rental crane leader in the industrial construction, port handling, petrochemical and wind energy segments. A big part of that success is MSG’s 18-year relationship with Grove cranes, which compose nearly 50 percent of the company’s fleet. According to Björn Jatz, managing director of the company, the flexibility of Grove all-terrain cranes makes them especially well-suited to the German construction industry.
“Here in Germany, it’s important for us that we have compact cranes that can take a lot onboard, so we don’t have to drive with an additional vehicle for ballast transport,” he said. “There are usually many short-term jobs, and cranes sometimes have several jobs per week (or even per day). The taxi configuration of Grove cranes is great for us, and every Grove model we’ve purchased has been ideal for our market.”
MSG has been investing in Grove all-terrain cranes since 2000, when it purchased a 300 t (350 USt) GMK6300. The company has continued to add numerous Groves to its fleet and is always interested in new technology that comes to market. In fact, Manitowoc has repeatedly turned to the German rental house for Voice of Customer (VOC) research while designing new models such as the GMK6400.
“We are very pleased that we were able to give a lot of design input to Manitowoc, especially for the GMK6400,” Jatz said. “Crane companies like us became involved in the concept development at a very early stage. The GMK6400 was even presented to the public for the first time at bauma 2010 wrapped in MSG colors.”
Among the company’s fleet are the GMK4100L-1, GMK5130-2, GMK5150, GMK5250, GMK6400 and GMK4080 all-terrain cranes. When asked why MSG continues to invest so heavily in Grove cranes, Jatz cited the company’s attention to detail in axle load compliance, as well as its bold approach to advancements.
“In contrast to many other manufacturers, the team behind Grove has put emphasis on compliance with axle loads,” he explained. “Axle loads take precedence throughout all phases, from designing and configuration of the crane to delivery and weighing. Grove is not afraid to take risks and rely on new technology, either. Some examples of this include the split hook block, the single-engine concept and other intelligent crane concepts.”
“We are very pleased that we were able to give a lot of design input to Manitowoc, especially for the GMK6400. Crane companies like us became involved in the concept development at a very early stage. The GMK6400 was even presented to the public for the first time at bauma 2010 wrapped in MSG colors.” — Björn Jatz
Interestingly, one of the best-loved Grove technologies is the Megatrak suspension system, which has proved extremely useful to MSG on job sites with difficult terrain.
“The Megatrak suspension system is a very good feature for us,” Jatz said. “It helps with ground clearance, which comes in handy on uneven terrain. When we encounter dirt heaps on the job site or have to drive off road, we’re confident that our Grove GMKs will be able to handle it.”
Most recently in January of 2018, MSG purchased another GMK6400. The 400 t (450 USt) all-terrain has been put to use lifting heavy loads for plant construction, assembling precast concrete components, in wind energy applications and for petrochemical maintenance.
MSG has even used its newest GMK6400 on one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe: the “Grand Paris” metro line expansion, which involves the construction of four new metro lines and the extension of two existing lines in the Paris metropolitan area. A total of 200 km (124 mi) of new tracks will be built underground by the time of the project’s completion. MSG’s operators used the GMK6400 to help lift a 200 t (220 USt) tunnel boring machine in Champigny for the project.
“Thanks to its compact dimensions and high load capacity, the GMK6400 was well-suited to the narrow, cramped working conditions found throughout France,” Jatz explained.
The relationship between Grove and MSG comes down to more than just technology and success on prestigious jobs. In accordance with The Manitowoc Way, Manitowoc has made it clear over the years that MSG’s input is valued. When MSG speaks, Manitowoc listens.
“The people at Manitowoc listen to customers and respond directly to customer requests,” Jatz concluded. “Grove has a broad product range that is constantly evolving. The brand is always ahead of the curve on new technology trends, and when designers develop a new GMK model, we are always among the first to know. Grove all-terrain cranes have been invaluable assets for us, and we’re proud to be involved in their design and adoption.”