Grabs leader captures Asia's growing heavy-lifting industry

Quick and efficient loading and unloading of cargos have never been as important as in today's globalised world - particularly in Asia where ports work nearly round-the-clock. At the centre of it all are the industry's heavy lifters: cranes and various lifting accessories called grabs.

"One of the worst things that could happen at any port is that a ship cannot load or unload because a crane or grab fails," says Sebastian Brandes, CEO of grabs expert Salzgitter Maschinenbau AG (SMAG). "A high percentage of crane failures results from faulty lifting devices. More than reducing risks, however, investing in a quality grab can also increase productivity."

While the grab has outlasted less effective solutions, SMAG has continued improving its products. "The shape and design of the grab, the power of the motor and how the whole unit is engineered can enhance crane performance by as much as 35 per cent," Brandes says.

Leveraging 60 years of expertise, SMAG offers the widest range of grab varieties in the world, and easily customises models through application engineering. Providing peace of mind for port and terminal operators as well as ships that carry their own cranes and grabs aboard while plying global routes, it also has the largest international repairs and spare parts network.

SMAG looks to a future in which it keeps the best of German engineering but adds all the benefits of being a truly global company. SMAG's operations on the mainland through a joint venture include the full scope of its services from design to production to sales.

"Our vision is to cement our position as the global leader in heavy-duty crane lifting accessories," Brandes says. "Asia is the key to realising that - and SMAG will be there to grow with our clients."