04.07.2018

First non-American big Grove RT

The first 90 tonne Grove GRT8100 Rough Terrain crane manufactured outside of the USA has been completed and shipped last week.

The crane was built at the company’s plant in Niella Tanaro, Italy. Until now most Grove Rough Terrain cranes, including all large ones were built in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania.

The Niella Tanaro plant produced its first Grove RT in 2005 and has manufactured smaller models for the European and Middle East market including the RT530E-2, RT540E and RT550E. In addition to the GRT8100 the plant will build the 80 tonne GRT880, which will also continue to be manufactured in Shady Grove.
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The first Grove GRT8100 rolls of the production line in Niella Tanaro, Italy

The GRT8100 has a 47 metre five section boom, plus a manual or hydraulic luffing 17 metre bi-fold swingaway extensions, and a six metre insert for a maximum tip height of 73 metres. The first Italian made GRT8100 shipped to the Middle East last week.
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The crane was shipped to the Middle East

Jens Ennen, senior vice president for mobile cranes in Europe and Africa said: “We are confident that our customers in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific will benefit greatly from this decision. Benefits will include shorter lead times, lower shipping costs and preferential import duties in certain countries that recognise the EUR1 certificate of origin, with the specifications and quality level being as high as the rough terrain cranes manufactured in Shady Grove.”

Vertikal Comment

Given the 25 percent steel tariffs and tit-for-tat duties being applied as Donald Trump ups the ante towards an all-out trade war, this move - which clearly would have been based on a decision taken some time ago - looks very astute. One wonders if it might even be logical to ship the European built cranes to North America, in particular Canada and Mexico, in order to avoid the punitive steel tariffs and other duties?

Manitowoc will be feeling very happy with this decision, in light of current developments.