‘Lifting Q&A’

25 April 2008

Harri Ahola, Senior vice president, Hiab Loader Cranes

Harri Ahola, Senior vice president, Hiab Loader Cranes

How long have you been in the industry?

Three years.

What has been the most significant development in your time?

There has been a very positive market trend during these years.

What is your favourite crane ever?

The big foldable cranes with many extensions and jibs are very impressive.

Is the crane industry safe?

It is regulated with several norms, and the trend is to make the solutions always safer and safer. In advanced cranes, like in Hiab, there is a lot of integrated intelligence controlling crane functions for optimal safety and efficiency of operations.

What disappoints you most in the industry?

Related to previous question, it is to the end users’ benefit, that the regulations are strictly fulfilled. This is one of the leading principles of Hiab designs, but it is still not the approach inside the whole crane industry.

Where do you see the industry in 20 years?

Evidently there are rising markets, which in time will have more importance and, together with market growth, the efficiency and safety becomes more important instead of basic solutions.

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