Global tower crane leader, Potain, has appointed Gauteng-based Crane & Hoist Equipment as its official distributor in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
“With about 80 years of combined experience in this sector, focusing on Potain equipment, we are certainly very proud of this close partnership
with a world player of this stature,” says Brenden Crous, managing director of Crane & Hoist Equipment SA.
“The management and staff of our business have a long relationship with Potain products, which we will leverage to the benefit of our customers.”
A major producer of tower cranes and self-erecting cranes since 1928, Potain offers over 60 models in a variety of product ranges. Over 100 000 Potain cranes have been sold and installed around the world.
“With at least 200 Potain cranes in active service in South Africa alone, we can see that the local market is very loyal to this strong brand,” says Brenden. The company’s direct sourcing from Potain in France will make life easier for customers and prices more competitive.
“We place a priority on safety and compliance and being part of the Potain family also gives us direct access to their global expertise. We are, of course,
a registered lifting machine entity (LME) with the Department of Labour, and believe in close compliance with OEM specifications in all our work.”
Expertise on tap
Crane & Hoist Equipment SA was formed in 2017 by a management team that together have amassed over 40 years in the tower crane sector. This team includes sales director, Louw Smit, and operations director, Danie Roos. Their experienced staff includes two Potain-certified master technicians, accredited lifting machine inspectors (LMIs), and qualified riggers and electricians.
“We even have in-house training capacity which is certified by Potain, so we are able to train our own staff and customers’ staff,” adds Brenden.
Strong relationships with key customers in the local market has meant that Crane & Hoist Equipment SA has been busy since day one, mainly in rentals, servicing, anchoring and jacking but also in crane sales.
The company already boasts its own fleet of seven tower cranes suitable for medium-sized and small projects, where 5 to 8 ton lifting capacity is required with 50-60 metre jib lengths.
Far afield
Beyond its Gauteng base, the company has also recently been active in several KwaZulu-Natal residential developments and its experts have been called on from as far afield as Ghana, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Potain itself has also collaborated with Crane & Hoist Equipment to assist with a commissioning project in Guinea.
In addition to Potain’s GME and GMA ranges, the company offers specialised cranes such as the giant MD3200; this model has a maximum capacity of 85 tons and can lift 26 tons at 85 metres, and boasts a hook height of some 104,5 metres.
Crane & Hoist Equipment SA
Louw Smit
Tel: 083 413 7524
Email: louw@che-sa.co.za
www.che-sa.co.za
