11.02.2016

Tadano up eight

Japanese crane and aerial lift manufacturer Tadano has released its third quarter results, which indicate a year to date improvement of eight percent.

For the nine months to the end of December revenues were ¥299.1 billion ($2.6 billion) eight percent higher than last year, while net profits were ¥29.7 billion ($262.4 million) an improvement of 8.5 percent.

Looking at the third quarter - sales improved 3.2 percent to ¥149.7 billion ($1.3 billion) thanks to higher sales of mobile cranes and aerial work platforms in Japan offset by lower shipments of loader cranes. Total revenues in Japan increased 7.3 percent to ¥72 billion($636.7 million).

Overseas sales declined marginally to ¥77.7 billion ($687.6 million) due to slower sales in North and South America, partially offset by improvements in Europe and the Middle East.

Net profits for the quarter were 4.5 percent higher at ¥15.2 billion ($134.4 million)

Vertikal Comment

Another excellent result from Tadano which is has been benefiting from a more favourable exchange rate, but also it is beginning to show the strength of its growing product and geographic strength. It is the only major crane manufacturer to have a very strong position in both North America and Japan, while it is finally beginning to gain so real momentum in Europe, where while it is well established, and well respected it still has a great deal more potential and still lags behind the largest local producers.

Product wise it is now very well placed with a line of Rough Terrain cranes which are leading the way in the USA – the home of the Rough Terrain crane. While in Europe its G series of All Terrains are greatly appreciated by those who run them, its growing range may well help bring new customers on board, while it has added further capacity at its German plant to cope.

It still has some serious gaps or weaknesses in its distribution network and brand awareness which leaves it plenty of growth potential going forward.