Liebherr adds handlers to its rental division

Liebherr will add around 20 of its new telehandlers to Liebherr Mietpartner locations in Germany this year as part of the launch of the product. Machines will also enter Liebherr's rental network in Switzerland and Austria before being rolled–out into France and Spain.

“It's a new product, and we will bring it into the market ourselves”, said Guido Kahlert, Liebherr Mietpartner's sales manager. The machines will initially enter rental locations run by Liebherr itself in Germany, although will also enter Liebherr dealer rental operations.

Liebherr has launched 10 m and 13 m handlers. Dr Gerard Dobler, Liebherr marketing and product manager for telehandlers, said the machines “are very, very rugged, strong machines. They fit perfectly into Liebherr's earthmoving philosophy.

“For customers who use a machine just 300 hours per year to move pallets of bricks, they probably won't be looking at these machines. We're aiming at more sophisticated applications were you need a safe, strong, reliable machine”, said Dr Dobler. Applications will include waste handling and recycling, as well as construction. Liebherr estimates that the specialist applications market is around 5 to 10% of the total European market of 26000 machines per year (excluding agriculture). Dr Dobler said the aim would be to produce 300 machines per year within three years.