18.05.2011

Stirnimann commits to Potain

Stirnimann, the Grove and Potain distributor in Switzerland has renewed its distribution contract for Potain tower cranes.

The company, which is based in Olten, both sells and rents tower cranes and has handled the Potain account since 1986, following Potain’s acquisition of BPR-Richier. Stirnimann had been the Richier dealer while Potain had its own operation in Switzerland. When Potain fully merged the brands it elected to give the combined account to Stirnimann and eventually closed its own operation. The company has been the Grove distributor since the mid 1970s.

Klaus Kroeppel, Manitowoc’s vice president of sales for Central and Eastern Europe said: “One of the foundations of Manitowoc’s industry-leading sales and service operations is its solid dealer network. We are delighted to continue our strong and successful partnership with Stirnimann because they are a dependable partner, offer local expertise and support customers so they get the most from their cranes.”

“The company has an excellent reputation in the industry and the capability to deliver and service our cranes across Switzerland. Our two companies know each other well, and we look forward to a profitable future together.”
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(L-R) Burkhard Lichtner of Stirnimann, Glen Tellock of Manitowoc, Katharina Lichtner and Fritz Oschwald of Stirnimann, Philippe Cohet and Eric Etchart of Manitowoc.

Fritz Oschwald, managing director of Stirnimann added: “We see our collaboration with Manitowoc as a long-term partnership. Every day, we appreciate the value of working with a global specialist in the lifting industry. Manitowoc has always supported us efficiently and involved us intimately in the development of many cranes.”

“Both Manitowoc and Stirnimann share the same belief that the distributor adds real value in the market, by responding swiftly and knowledgeably to the needs of our customers. Because Potain cranes are so robust, versatile and easy to install, they are popular in Switzerland, where contractors often need to place cranes in tight urban areas or hard-to-access mountainous regions.”

Founded in 1915, Stirnimann has locations in Bonanduz and Préverenges in addition to its Olten headquarters.