We have received the sad news that one of the great mobile crane pioneers, Carlo Locatelli, of Locatelli Gru has died.
He passed away on Sunday February 16th following a period of ill health, and more than 18 years after handing over the ownership and management of the business he helped build. He leaves behind his wife, daughter Claudio and three grandchildren, on whom he apparently doted.
Carlo Locatelli
The Locatelli crane company was founded by Paulo Locatelli in 1954, with young Carlo becoming involved very early on while training as an engineer. The company originally built basic industrial/municipal and lattice boomed cranes for use by companies in the immediate area.
Locatelli began with cranes like these
But in 1962, under the growing engineering influence of Carlo, the small business introduced its first telescopic crane, an Italian version of the American style ‘cab down’ Rough Terrain cranes being pioneered by Galion and Pettibone. They were almost certainly the first Rough Terrain cranes to be designed and built outside of the USA.
The company was the first non American manufacturer to design and build Rough Terrain cranes - Carlo is on the left
A swing cab Rough Terrain crane arrived in 1977 and around that time the company began talking to UK based Coles cranes, introduced by the distributor Movimat which sold cranes from both companies. In 1995 Locatelli singed a contact with German manufacturer Krupp to supply Krupp branded Rough Terrains on an OEM basis. The relationship lasted a good few years.
Carlo began handing over the day to day management of the business around 17 to 18 years ago and then in 2007 the family agreed to sell the business to Venpa 3, following discussions with sister company CTE. In 2011 the business was acquired by the Plana Group made up of local investors in the Bergamo area, where Locatelli is based and has its roots. Plana remain the current owners of the business.
Carlo Locatelli celebrates ‘his company’s’ 70th anniversary
Last year Locatelli celebrated its 70th anniversary and Carlo was there to join in with former and current employees and their families. A comment we have received said: “Carlo Locatelli was a great pioneer of the crane industry. He leaves an invaluable legacy, of genius, humility and passion. A passion that has accompanied an extraordinary career, marking a precise and glorious era for the mobile crane market in Italy.”
Carlo's engineering influence remains - last year Locatelli unveiled its largest RT to date, the 100t Gril 110.100
The company statement said: “Engineer Carlo Locatelli, was a fundamental figure in the long history of Locatelli Crane. After almost 20 years of new management, his entrepreneurial spirit and innovation continue to live on in the machines we produce and the values we carry forward every day.”
“Thanks to his commitment and determination, Locatelli Crane has built solid foundations, allowing us to achieve the standards of excellence that distinguish us today. The new Locatelli crane team together with the Plana Impianti Industriali Group remember him with esteem and gratitude.”
“His name will always remain an important part of our narrative.”
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