Grove Rough Terrain (RT) cranes have contributed substantially over the years to the whole infrastructure development throughout the Gulf, both in oilfield exploration and development, and in refinery, industrial and general construction.
It is no surprise, therefore, that it continues to be the major marque, with more than 50 per cent share of the entire RT crane market, having shipped more than 60 units to the Middle East so far this year.
And its importance is also apparent in other essential support service industries too - such as cargo handling, for both imports and exports.
In Saudi Arabia, the largest private cargo-handling company, the Jeddah-based Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Co. has recently expanded its equipment fleet in a $2 million deal concluded with Grove's Saudi dealer, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, for eight new Grove RT cranes.
They are four 30 tonne-capacity RT530Es and four 45 tonne-capacity RT650Es, and are the first of Grove's new 'E' series RT cranes to be delivered in Saudi Arabia.
''We already operate a large fleet of RT cranes in our extensive freight handling operations in the ports of Jeddah and in Dammam,'' said Eng. Dakheel Saad Al Nagem, managing director of Gulf Stevedoring.
''Cargo handling in these busy ports is an intense, round-the-clock application for any handling equipment, and utmost reliability is essential.''
Similar sentiment is expressed by Mohammed Ali Al Sulaiti, general manager of M/s. Qatar National Cement Company (SAQ), which has just taken delivery of its first RT530E in Qatar, supplied by Grove's Qatar dealer, Mannai Trading Company. ''This is also a tough, continuous operation in arduous working conditions, where performance and reliability go hand in hand,'' said Al Sulaiti.
''We cannot afford to have machines which could break down and disrupt the cement production process, and we know from experience that we can depend on the Grove crane.''
Further endorsing its leading position in the Gulf crane market, Grove has also successfully introduced the versatile 'All-Terrain' (AT) crane concept, with its German-built GMK range of multi-axle cranes, from 35 to 300 tonnes capacity, and with lift-height capability in excess of 100m.
''One of the great features of the Grove cranes, both RTs and ATs, is the high level of commonality in components, and in operating and control systems, across the range - making them ideal fleet machines, and highly suitable for local conditions. Operators and mechanics alike can easily familiarise with each model because of their similarity,'' explained Srini Kadaba, sales and marketing manager for Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo in Saudi Arabia.
He went on to explain the value of the mobility of the multi-axle AT cranes, especially for widespread operations.
''With the excellent road communications now throughout the Kingdom, the fully-equipped AT cranes can travel long distances independently and economically. And when on site, with all-wheel-drive, they have the traction and manoeuverability to be able to perform just as well off-road, and with long booms and high lift capacities.
''It adds great flexibility and efficiency to crane operations, and customers who recognise this advance, have the edge in winning new contracts,'' Kadaba said.
One of the newest operations to benefit from this line of thinking is Johnson Arabia, a specialist crane rental operation which has been set up in the Gulf, with a mixed fleet of RT and AT cranes, up to 200 tonnes capacity.
Latest additions include three new 100 tonne-capacity GMK5100s and another 200 tonne capacity GMK5200 - and these are on top of the three GMKs and three new E-series RT cranes purchased earlier in the year.
