
In Europe Liebherr has noticeably increased order intake. Once again, Europe was the largest market worldwide, where 50% of all Mobile Harbour Cranes were purchased. An animated course of business further strengthened competitive position. It was followed in a notable distance by the Middle East (17%). Third place was taken by Africa (13%) followed closed up by South America (9%). North America, India and Far East are sharing the remaining 11% quite equally.
The worldwide rise in demand for Mobile Harbour Cranes had a positive impact on the development of sales. Customer base is widely spread all over the world and very balanced. Top selling countries in 2008 were Spain and Kuwait with 13 machines delivered each. Brazil & Turkey (6 machines each) increased their importance as sales markets and were positioned just before Nigeria, UAE and Russia (five machines each) in third place. These seven Nations account for over 50% of the total global consumption of Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes. In addition, Liebherr continued to develop its worldwide presence with new entries on the global map, i.e. Angola, and Latvia coming on board. As a result, Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes are now present in no less than 83 countries.
Liebherr will further expand its global presence in major markets. Liebherr considers the future sales markets to still be in Europe, but also in the Middle East deliveries have developed in a very positive way and in Africa growth has been higher than average. In the short and medium-term Liebherr will expand direct sales in these markets and will further strengthen its leading competitive position.
In 2008 Liebherr founded Liebherr Africa with its registered office in Durban, South Africa. With this subsidiary to Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Liebherr further expands its sales and service activities in Africa.
Paying the needed attention to the still growing market for Mobile Harbour Cranes in southern Europe and to serve its customers locally Liebherr has founded 2 new sales and service stations in Turkey and Romania. In addition, the company optimises spare parts logistics in the group to reduce delivery times and stocks worldwide.
In the expired year all signs pointed toward innovation. Liebherr's technical expertise in the areas of load distribution, chassis stiffness, suspension geometry, electronic systems calibration and engine and transmission design were combined in the market launch of the new LHM 180 and LHM 280 to ensure the dynamic performance has the ultimate handling balance. Like their "big brothers," the smaller cranes now all feature higher luffing, slewing and hoisting speeds as well as technical up-grades; that will save the customer money and make the crane a more environmentally friendly machine. A total of 13 delivered LHM 180 and LHM 280 cranes plus 1 unit LPS 180 (portal solution) shows that the new cranes were very well accepted in the market.
In 2009 the LHM 120 will follow. With a max. lifting capacity of 42 tonnes and a max. outreach of 30 meters this machine completes the new LHM "lightweight range".
Top selling models in 2008 were the LHM 500 with 40 and the LHM 400 with 32 machines accounting for over 70% of the total scope of delivery. Through the application of the principles of total commitment, quality and excellence, the Liebherr Mobile Harbour Crane has established itself at the forefront of maritime engineering and technology.
"Liebherr intends to further expand its role as a technological trendsetter through its unabated focus on innovation. Liebherr has know-how which is unparalleled in the industry. Liebherr's core of area of expertise "lifting" is complemented by automation and dedicated software solutions for Mobile Harbour Cranes. In addition, Liebherr recognised the importance of service very early on and has developed into a full-service supplier; the service segment is operated by Liebherr-Werk Nenzing and its subsidiaries, which offer cross-functional service for all aspects of Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes. Liebherr will continue to promote this area in the future and Liebherr will also continue its value and growth-oriented strategy in the financial year 2009", concludes Leopold Berthold, Sales Director Liebherr Port Equipment.
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