Stahl CraneSystems broadens African reach

These cranes are produced in Europe and then transported to Africa at reasonable cost. The first order built under the new "Crane in a box" principle comprised two double girder overhead travelling cranes that had spans of 20m and 22m and lifting capacities of 10 tonnes and 16 tonnes.

These are in use in the production plant of Eleganza Industries in Lagos, where plastic injection moulded components such as plastic chairs, dustbins or hard-top cases are manufactured.

The four crane beams consists of three segments which are connected by high-tensile bolt joints. Based on this design by Fawel Engineering, crane builders can ship an entire crane in a 40 foot container and save space with just a few steps.

Containers for Eleganza Industries were transported overland to Antwerp in Belgium, transported by ship to Port Apapa in Lagos and then by lorry to the erection site.

The crane technology, CraneKits with SHR 6 (16 t) and SH 5 (10 t) wire rope hoists, was supplied by Stahl CraneSystems. In addition, the German crane technology experts helped their Nigerian sales partner to coordinate manufacture in Europe.

Fawel Engineering is at present working on producing simple single-girder overhead travelling cranes directly in Africa in the near future. However producing ultra-modern crane systems in Nigeria is a distant prospect," the company explained.

It added: "The "crane in a box" principle is basically suitable for all double girder overhead travelling cranes with lifting capacities up to around 50t.

"For Fawel Engineering the successful completion of the project for Eleganza Industries is a great success which the Nigerian is looking forward to building on: two more of his "crane in a box" projects will be completed shortly. Other partners in Africa have already expressed interest in this idea."