Between heaven and earth — The modern crane and Wolffkran Published by Wolffkran GmbH
15 April 2008
The story of the first 150 years of German tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran is set against the world events of the same period.
Between heaven and earth — The modern crane and Wolffkran: the story of a real passion is illustrated with high quality photographs and diagrams.
Published with German and English text in one volume, the story starts with Friedrich August Wolff and his move from manufacturing of medical instruments and tin products to the production of cast iron after he saw the success of the industry in England. Early products included steam rollers, engines, decorative ironwork and chains.
By the 1890s the Wolff family was producing cranes, excavators and loading platforms, and the range included a 10 tonne railway crane and an electric slewing crane for quarries and stockyards. In the Twentieth Century, the company survived two world wars and the destruction of its home town, Heilbronn, to develop a light bottom-slewing crane in 1952. The partnership with MAN in Nuremburg in 1953 allowed expansion to meet demand from the post-World War II growth in Europe.
Enquiries should be addressed to Gunther Grabowsky, managing director, Wolffkran GmbH, Austrasse 72, Heilbronn 74076, Germany or e-mail him at: g.grabowsky@wolffkran.de
