Spierings back up and running

Having filed for bankruptcy on 14 June 2010 in several departments, mobile folding tower crane manufacturer Spierings in the Netherlands, is fully back up and running.

Leo Spierings has issued an explanation of what went on as a result of the world economic crisis. Spierings Cranes and Spierings Sales were spared from bankruptcy and the service and parts departments stayed open. New crane production restarted on 1 July. The workforce was already reduced from 230 to 150 employees in 2009 and now it is down to 40.

For 2010 production of 103 cranes was planned and almost all of those had a signed order. The recession continued to bite, however, and orders were cancelled. Early in 2010 the revolutionary City Boy hybrid power crane was shown for the first time but, despite strong interest, buyers were not forthcoming.

Since 1 July 2010 Marcel de Jong has run the general management of Spierings Cranes while Leo Spierings retains 100% ownership of the whole Spierings group. De Jong will use his experience in manufacturing to improveme efficiency and increase the company's return on investment.

All outstanding orders from 15 June, after the bankruptcy filing, are still in place, Spierings said. The first new Spierings SK498-AT4 was delivered in August to Hardeman Isolatie from Kootwijkerbroek in the Netherlands. Also ordered were three used cranes.