International Tower Cranes 2012

International Tower Cranes 2012 is a unique event devoted entirely to tower crane users, manufacturers, designers, specifiers and buyers.

It is run by the KHL group, publisher of International Cranes and Specialized Transport and American Cranes and Transport magazines, among others.

ITC 2012 will be a top level one day conference and networking reception where the critical issues affecting the tower crane industry worldwide will be discussed. It will be held in Germany at Berlin's five-star Kempinski Hotel Bristol on 11 October.

This year's event follows the successful launch conference in London in 2011, which was attended by more than 150 senior delegates from 60 companies and 17 countries. It brought together leading figures and key players.

Safety, changing legal frameworks, prospects for the world economy and co-operation between users and manufacturers are all central themes. The conference will also hear about the fast developing tower crane rental business in China, as the industry matures following almost a decade of rapid expansion.

In addition, the programme will include a selection of guest speakers from leading tower crane end user companies around the world, who will give their own unique perspectives on the key issues being faced by the sector today.

"Rental companies, contractors and manufacturers will talk about their ability to meet challenges in ways that can give inspiration and provide valuable information to others," said Alex Dahm, the editor of International Cranes and Specialized Transport and the conference chair.

Among the keynote speakers in Berlin are three who will address safety from their own perspectives.

Peter Juhren from Morrow Equipment in the USA was one of the most popular speakers at the 2011 event. He returns to give his views on how to drive safety through training and quality assurance.

Peter Schiefer, CEO at Wolffkran, chairs the Committee for European Construction Equipment's Tower Cranes Division. He will speak on what makes a safe tower crane and the debate about standards.

Tim Watson is acknowledged as one of the industry's leading experts on safety. An independent consultant and advisor to the UK's Construction Plant-hire Association, he will review recent accidents and consider the lessons that can be learned.

Another theme is the continuing rise of the Chinese market and manufacturers. Huang Qun, general manager of Zoomlion's tower crane division, will consider the challenges facing China's manufacturers.

And Xiaofeng Zhang from Hongji Rental Company, will talk about the exciting rise of China's young but growing rental market.

Plus, there will be sessions on developments in wind turbine erection, how to improve relations between users and OEMs, personnel hoists and special application cranes.

"This annual conference can contribute to improving communication of best practice and new ideas between manufacturers, users and their associations, and between different global markets," Alex Dahm added.

For further information, and details of how to book, go to www.khl.com/itc