02.09.2017

Arcomet goes bigger

Belgian tower crane specialist Arcomet will unveil a new, larger self-erecting crane, the A50 Eco later this week.

The new crane is substantially larger than anything the company has produced before, with a 50 metre jib, seven different hook heights up to 36 metres and a maximum capacity of 8,000kg. The company clams that it incorporates “smart technological solutions and innovations” and can work on 32, 40 or 63 amp power supplies. The design features and running gear on the new crane will be transferred to the rest of the Arcomet crane range over the next few years.
While most of Arcomet’s revenues come from tower crane rental, it has been manufacturing self-erecting cranes since 1968, well before it began its rental business in the 1980s. It claims to have seen sales of its own cranes almost double over the past couple of years. More details on the new crane can ber seen in the video below.
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Arcomet's new crane has 8,000kg capacity, a 50 metre jib and maxmium 36 metre hook height

Marketing and product manager Gerd Vandecruys said: “We offer a robust range of self-erecting cranes, with the latest control technologies and the ability to work on a 32 amp power supply. After all, that is the trend for the future. Construction companies are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain a 63 amp power supply from the network operator. With low power consumption and the introduction of the A50 Eco’s innovations we are taking our product line to the next level.”

Chief executive Philippe Cohet added: “We have more than doubled our production in just two years and have refocused on the Northern Part of Europe and North America, a decision that has proven to be very successful. We are facing record high utilisation rates in the rental business and we are currently implementing a renewal plan for our fleet through major investments in new cranes.”

In a separate move, Arcomet has also merged its Belgian used crane sales division with that of its affiliated French company Matebat. Gerd Vandecruys will head up the new group, having been promoted to sales director used cranes. The joint venture is expected to sell over 100 used cranes a year.

Cohet said: “In a multinational rental company, the used cranes department is about more than just selling cranes. It is a part of a strategic process in which today’s decisions will shape our fleet of tomorrow. This requires more than just sales management, it calls for an analytical approach. We see fleet management as a cross-functional effort where we will decide which cranes to buy and which cranes to sell, while aiming to anticipate on the needs of the continuously evolving construction markets. It is also about finding that sweet-spot in the life of a crane where it makes the most economical sense to divest it.”