The crane rails specialist has acquired a Dutch crane inspection, components supply and service and repair company as it bids to become a leading player in the port crane services market
This acquisition reinforces Gantrex’s position in the Dutch market and in Europe’s leading port, Rotterdam, where there are more than 100 ship-to-shore cranes and 300-yard cranes.
Belgium-based Gantrex, majority-owned by Argos Wityu since 2015, is a global leader in engineering solutions for crane rails and specialty rail tracks. Its products are used in many different applications and end-markets including ports, shipyards, steel mills, aluminium smelters, railway depots and heavy industries. With an annual turnover of around €113M, it employs some 450 people in more than 20 countries, catering for more than 3,000 customers.
The port crane services solutions (PCS) portfolio is focused on the repair and maintenance of port cranes and has grown both organically and through the acquisition of ABS Consultor in 2022. Liftcom is the second such acquisition and will function as the second PCS hub for the North-Western region in Europe.
Liftcom was founded by Jethro Van Eersel over 15 years ago in Rotterdam, and today its customer base extends beyond Dutch borders. It mainly focuses on inspecting, maintaining, repairing and moving of new and operational port equipment. It carries out load testing, periodic inspections, life cycle analyses, accident recovery and refurbishments of port equipment on a daily basis.
Maarten Impens, Gantrex Group CEO, said: “Liftcom was created from a market need to provide reliable, top-quality services where safety is non-negotiable, quality is uncompromising and customer satisfaction is paramount. From the first conversation with Jethro, it was clear that we share the same purpose at Gantrex. To maximise customer’s productivity and crane lifetime, all the while maintaining impeccable safety standards. I have rarely seen such dedication and commitment, and personally very much look forward to working alongside Jethro and his team.”
Maarten Meijssen, Managing Partner at Argos Wityu, said: “Strengthening the presence of Gantrex in the PCS market in North-Western Europe with a leading Dutch player is an excellent achievement for the group towards becoming a global player for Port Crane Services.”
Jethro Van Eersel, Liftcom Managing Director: “After 16 years of relying on our own strength, knowledge and persistence, the time has come in 2024 to join forces and knowledge and seek cooperation with a partner who thinks about quality and core values in the same way as we do. Gantrex was already known to us as a good supplier with high-quality products, so when we were asked to think about collaboration, it quickly fit with our ideas.”
Alberto Beraza, Gantrex VP SW-Europe & Latin America, said: “The Liftcom spirit is perfectly aligned with the ‘Gantrex 4.0’ strategic plan to grow in the Port Crane Service business, especially in an area where the port activity is extremely high, demanding and competitive. It’s another great step to be a worldwide reference in this exciting market.”
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