From left to right: Marco Guariglia, Managing Director Sales Liebherr Tower Cranes; Sanela Zanko, Managing Director KranTehnik EU; Mario Zanko, Technical Director KranTehnik EU; Jochen Schwarz, Area Sales Manager Liebherr Tower Cranes.

Liebherr Tower Cranes has appointed KranTehnik EU as a new partner for eight Balkan countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia). With the appointment, Liebherr Tower Cranes says it’s taking a decisive step towards modernising the crane market in the region.

Liebherr says the partnership will combine its proven crane technology with strong local expertise, service capability, and training with the aim of making modern tower cranes the new standard on construction sites across Croatia and the wider Balkan region.

Specifically, the two companies are looking to significantly reduce the average age of the region’s tower crane fleet and to support contractors in the transition towards modern, reliable crane technology. Over the next five years, the two companies aim to lower the current average fleet age from 25-30 years to approximately 15-18 years. This, says Liebherr, is a milestone that would represent a fundamental shift for the Balkan construction industry.

“We see our role as helping contractors understand and trust modern crane technology,” says Mario Zanko, founder of KranTehnik EU. “We want the Balkan market to see modern cranes not as a risk, but as a reliable, fully supported solution that makes their work easier and their sites more efficient.” According to Liebherr, tower crane usage in the Balkans is dominated by top-slewing cranes, particularly hammerhead and flat-top models, which form the backbone of larger residential and infrastructure projects. In parallel, self-erecting cranes are widely used by small and medium-sized contractors due to their transportability and fast installation. “This mix in crane requirements makes Liebherr the perfect partner for us,” adds Zanko, “as the partnership can offer us cranes in all sizes and variations, perfect for an array of various construction projects.”