InfraStructures - September 2008 The Mighty Red Giants in Paradise

The Mighty Red Giants in Paradise

Just 15 months ago WOLFFKRAN, the German crane manufacturer of tower cranes, started operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The joint venture between WOLFFKRAN and the Kanoo Group has proved to be immensely successful. Today WOLFFKRAN Arabia has its famous red cranes located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and in Oman. A rental fleet of approximately 40 cranes is in operation on some of the most spectacular construction sites in the Middle East and is anticipated to increase to almost 100 by the end of this year.

Rapid progress has been made throughout the entire region, with WOLFFKRAN Arabia winning a number of prestigious projects from major contractors, to provide cranes at some truly magnificent landmarks and developments.

The Gulf region boasts some of the most exciting and innovative construction projects worldwide. The buildings average a much greater height than those in Europe or America, with architectural designs which are luxurious, fantastic and futuristic. The region is witnessing the creation of some of the greatest icons of the 21st century. For these reasons the demand for WOLFFKRAN's red giants has increased tremendously, since they initially became available to the Arabian market.

One such icon has to be the prestigious Trump International Hotel and Tower building on Palm Jumeirah. The WOLFF tower cranes for this development will have operational heights of nearly 300 m.

Another prominent job site is the Motor City in Dubai. At the moment four tower cranes with a jib radius from 60 to 70 m are in action. By the end of this year a further six more tower cranes will be erected.

WOLFFKRAN Arabia has four tower cranes with trolley jibs in service on the Burj Dubai site, where the world's tallest skyscraper is being constructed, indeed it is also the highest man-made structure, and has not yet finished growing. WOLFFKRAN Arabia has erected some of the highest freestanding cranes in the UAE on this particular job site - the lowest crane will climb to around 120 m - with the highest going in excess of 200 m.

On YAS Island, Abu Dhabi, a Formula one racetrack with hotel and conference center is under construction. The racetrack has to be finished for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next year. Six WOLFF tower cranes with a radius jib of 60 m are in use for this project.

Since last year there are two XL tower cranes with trolley jibs in service for the musical hall development in Muscat-Oman. The project is expected to be completed by August 2009.

The joint venture partnership between WOLFFKRAN and the Kanoo Group for the sale and rental of WOLFFKRAN tower cranes throughout the UAE is proving to be a winning combination. The Kanoo Group is a family run business with more than 100 years experience and is extremely well established throughout the entire Middle East. Another of the Kanoo joint venture companies is Johnson Arabia, which runs a large fleet of mobile cranes in the UAE.

Source: WOLFFKRAN AG