July 2008 International Cranes and Specialized Transport magazine editor's comment

Having been away from the industry for two weeks - for the first time in more years than I care to remember - I have a feeling that I have missed out on what has been happening. That is despite it being the beginning of the traditionally less busy summer (at least in the northern hemisphere) season.

It is unfortunate that much of the news is of crane accidents but, on a positive note, there is an encouragingly strong, widespread and carefully considered response to help reduce future incidents.

There has been little sign of a let up in demand created by construction activity, which continues the sustained hunger for cranes and specialized transport equipment. It continues its rapid growth in, for example, the all terrain sector (see the feature starting on page 27) and in emerging markets. One of those is Russia, examined this month in the feature starting on page 33.

One thing I missed out on while I was away was the impressive ESTA awards presentation and dinner held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I have enjoyed reviewing the coverage in this month's issue, starting on page 15, and I hope you do too. In the photographs it certainly looks as though a good time was had by the 300-plus attendees. I am pleased to report that the already extensive verbal and written feedback received by the time of writing confirms this.

Never one keen to miss out on an opportunity for a good party, I would have liked to go to the ESTA event. I feel, however, that I have a legitimate reason for my absence in that I was having something of a party at home. Apologies now for a brief and uncharacteristic self indulgence on my part - I was somewhat distracted by the arrival of my baby daughter and all that goes with becoming a proud new father.

In response to the announcement of her birth, I was told, "You now have something important in your life." Maybe she will want to help address the problem of a shortage of people joining the industry. I wonder what it will be like in the crane and specialized transport industry in 20 years.