The first Grove rough-terrain cranes assembled in Manitowoc’s newest factory in Passo Fundo, Brazil, have been delivered to the first two customers: Servi-Sá Auto Crane Rental & Services, and Machinery and Engineering Lauer. The companies both received Grove RT765E-2 rough-terrain cranes.
Both companies are using the cranes to help build a factory for Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), a steel company in Volta Redonda, Brazil. The $1.2-million factory expansion is expected to produce some 100,000 t of rebar wire rods each year.
Joel Sá, the owner of Servi-Sá, says the company has been using Groves extensively and has great trust in the cranes.
“For a project as big as the CSN factory, we needed proven tools to complete the job,” he says. “As we’ve been using Groves for several years now, we knew they would be the best cranes for the construction. And the fact that the crane was made right here in Brazil makes it an even better choice.”
The 60 t capacity Grove RT765E-2 rough-terrain crane is extremely mobile, making it ideal for a variety of general infrastructure applications. It features four-wheel, multi-mode steering and a Full Vision cab that helps operators maneuver through rugged jobsites. Its 33.5 m Megaform boom design offers greater rigidity that helps lift heavier loads.
Before the cranes could be delivered, a team of Manitowoc engineers traveled to the plant in Brazil and performed some 50 hours of rigorous testing on the two cranes. The goal was to ensure cranes from Passo Fundo were consistent with the high standards of all Manitowoc products.
Mauro Nunes da Silva, general manager of operations for Manitowoc in Brazil, says the delivery of Passo Fundo’s first cranes is an important milestone in the company’s growing commitment to the Latin American market.
“The fact that these first two rough-terrain cranes from Passo Fundo are heading straight from the factory to a major job site reflects both the boom of Brazil’s economy and Manitowoc’s smart decision to build new cranes here,” he says. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team for continuing to achieve such important milestones for the company and for our customers here in Brazil.”
