Cranes Market

Market Overview

The global cranes market size was valued at USD 33.61 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 56.29 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Cranes are utilized for lifting and carrying heavy goods with the help of a hoisting mechanism equipped with hoist ropes, wire ropes, chains, or shelves. There are many types, including bridge cranes, overhead traveling cranes, girder cranes, pedestal jib cranes, and crawler cranes. A crane is a mechanical device with a hoisting mechanism attached with wire ropes, hoist ropes, sheaved ropes, or chains. Cranes are used for material handling applications on construction sites and industrial settings.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Growing Focus on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to Augment Market Growth Prospect

The lack of government funding is one of the most significant obstacles to developing infrastructure, particularly in developing countries. Building new infrastructure is a significant factor contributing to the rapid expansion of urban areas. The infrastructure gap is caused by insufficient financial resources and inefficient channels for mobilizing resources effectively for national development. In several nations, public-private partnerships (PPPs), also known as public-private partnerships, have effectively channeled private funds toward infrastructure development.

Better Time Management, Greater Focus on the Service and Aftermarket Sectors, and an Increase in Real Estate Values

Cranes have a relatively short working life, so significant players in the industry like Manitowoc and Liebherr are concentrating on developing real-time diagnostics and repair, parts and training, and other services to increase consumer confidence and lengthen the working life of cranes. Predictive maintenance and real-time health monitoring can decrease mobile cranes’ downtime, saving money. Adding cranes and hoists on industry floors can significantly boost productivity for lifting and transporting applications compared to floor-based lifting and transportation equipment such as forklifts and scissor lifts.

Due to the high real estate and rent costs, distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing facilities have started concentrating on optimizing space and time for various activities. Cranes that travel overhead, gantry cranes, and girder cranes can all be integrated into ceilings to enable higher stacking. This allows for greater utilization of vertical space and maximizes the volumetric area of storage facilities. In addition, the decrease in foot traffic on the industry floor results from eliminating floor-based transportation. As a result, it is expected that the aggregate impact of all of these factors will propel the expansion of the global cranes market.

Market Restraining Factors

Finite Availability of Skilled Workers and Unstable Prices of Raw Materials to Hinder Market Growth

Manufacturing companies have been forced to increase employee wages due to the industry's increased demand for skilled labor. As a result, manufacturing companies have incurred high expenses solely on the workforce. Organizations suffer from a severe staffing shortage, which makes workers overworked and dissatisfied with their jobs. In addition, the use of overhead cranes in industrial landscapes is becoming increasingly widespread, which is expected to increase the demand for skilled, trained, and qualified labor at the factory site.

Aluminum and steel prices have recently increased, which has raised the price of manufactured goods overall and affected the price of valves and electronic parts. The administration in the United States has raised tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum derivatives. The production of cranes requires a significant amount of steel, thus posing a significant barrier to expanding the crane market.

Key Market Opportunities

Automation in Cranes to Spur Market Opportunities

Crane systems that are both autonomous and automated enable remote access to machines that function without the need for human operators. Artificial intelligence and connectivity sensors allow for the remote monitoring of mobile cranes. Providing real-time information about the boom's angle, the load weight, the horizontal reach, and the efficiency of the crane eliminates the possibility of human error. Remotely controllable cranes decrease the possibility of mishaps and fatalities. Consequently, automation in mobile cranes is anticipated to generate lucrative opportunities for the growth of the cranes market.

Regional Analysis

The global cranes market is segmented into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Asia-Pacific is the highest revenue contributor to the global cranes market and is estimated to reach USD 25.55 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. China holds the largest share of the Asia-Pacific cranes market, followed by Japan. Due to the rapid infrastructure development, countries including India, South Korea, and Vietnam have high growth potential. Moreover, Chinese mobile crane manufacturers, such as SANY Global, XCMG, and Zoomlion Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., hold the largest crane market share.

Europe holds the second-largest market share for cranes, behind Asia-Pacific. This is because Europe is a significant crane manufacturing region, with Konecranes Plc, Liebherr-International AG, Cargotec Corporation, and Mammoet holding the largest market share. In addition, European manufacturers are more concerned with the emission control of heavy machinery such as cranes. Consequently, electric cranes are in high demand in the region. Thus, these factors collectively contribute to the expansion of the European cranes market.

Segmental Analysis

The global cranes market is segmented by mobility, type, and business type.

By Mobility

Based on mobility, the global cranes market is classified into static and mobile cranes.

The static segment is the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. Overhead traveling cranes, tower cranes, bridge cranes, girder cranes, and portal or pedestal jib cranes are static crane types. These cranes cannot be transported without being disassembled. Static cranes with high load carrying capacities, such as tower cranes, bridge cranes, and girder cranes, outperform any mobile crane. In addition, tower cranes can operate at extreme heights and provide exceptional stability for challenging lifting operations. Such product launches will likely stimulate market expansion in the crane industry. Mobile cranes are highly efficient and easily transportable from one construction site to another. They are frequently mounted on wheels or crawlers for speedy transport over any terrain. Due to their small yet powerful lifting capacities, mobile cranes such as truck cranes are highly demanded in urban environments. It can transport loads over large construction sites and on barges. Thus, the numerous benefits associated with mobile cranes significantly contribute to expanding the global market.

By Type

Based on type, the cranes market is classified into overhead traveling cranes, transporter cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, tower cranes, and portal or pedestal jib cranes.

The transporter, gantry, and bridge cranes segment are the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. Gantry and bridge cranes are commonly used in industrial settings such as auto assembly, steel fabrication, ports, and shipbuilding. On the other hand, transporter cranes are also known as mobile cranes or truck cranes and are commonly used in construction, utilities, and other industries. The utility industry's major drivers are aging power generation infrastructure and the need for digitization.

Furthermore, the shifting landscape of electricity generation from non-renewable to renewable resources is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the industry's expansion. The components of a tower crane are the base, mast or tower, and slewing unit. The maximum unsupported height of tower cranes is approximately 265 feet, and their maximum reach is approximately 230 feet. In addition, portal or pedestal jib cranes are frequently utilized in workstations and large factory assembly lines. The demand for tower cranes in the construction industry is substantial. These infrastructure development projects are anticipated to stimulate the global market for cranes.

By Business Type

Based on the business type, the global cranes market is classified into original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarkets.

The OEM segment is the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. Most companies that produce mobile cranes, like Liebherr-International AG and Tadano Ltd., are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These organizations generate the most significant revenue in the global cranes market. Automation software providers, engine manufacturers, and other component manufacturers aid OEMs by providing cutting-edge technologies.

Incorporating "Industry 4.0" and automation into the manufacturing process has proven beneficial for OEM companies in the cranes market. Cranes' service life is increased by providing efficient after-sales services by industry leaders. Cranes are costly machinery, and routine maintenance is required to prevent breakdowns and accidents. Due to the size and expense of cranes, contractors typically rent equipment for small construction sites. The demand for rental services contributes to the expansion of the aftermarket cranes industry.

Recent Developments

• June 2022- Manitowoc launched the new version of Potain MCT 565 for short-jib applications. Manitowoc has introduced the Potain MCT 565A, a more compact but equally high-performing version of the 32-t capacity MCT 565 M32 – the second-largest topless crane manufactured at Zhangjiagang, China facility after the Potain MCT 805.
• May 2022- Liebherr-Mischtechnik GmbH and FBR cooperated to commercialise bricklaying robot. Liebherr-Mischtechnik and the Australian manufacturer FBR cooperate in developing a mobile bricklaying robot. The robot, named Hadrian, masons buildings quickly and efficiently.
• March 2022- TICT in Nigeria ordered two Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes. Tincan Island Container Terminal Limited (TICT) has ordered two eco-efficient Konecranes Gottwald ESP.8 Mobile Harbor Cranes for their operations in Lagos, Nigeria. Booked at the end of 2021 for delivery in June 2022, it is the first order of a Generation 6 crane for Africa.