Potain Celebrates 30 Years of Tower Crane Manufacturing in China
Potain is celebrating a significant milestone: 3o years of tower crane manufacturing in China, which began in 1996 at its original facility in Zhangjiagang. To commemorate the occasion, Manitowoc hosted a special ceremony attended by employees, customers, and partners. Aaron Ravenscroft, president and CEO of Manitowoc, was the guest of honor at the event, emphasizing the facility’s strategic importance in Potain’s global network.
Over the last three decades, local Potain tower crane manufacturing has played a key role in supporting China’s construction industry, while also supplying cranes to customers across emerging markets. The factory has introduced advanced tower crane technology to China and developed locally manufactured cranes tailored to regional requirements.
Cranes manufactured in Zhangjiagang have been used on a wide range of major infrastructure projects, including, most recently, a Potain MCT 385, which helped construct the world’s tallest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou in Southwestern China. The factory also produces some of the industry’s most trusted high-capacity tower cranes for emerging markets, including the Potain MCT 2205, and MCT 1105. These models are helping to shape the skylines of cities such as Dubai and Perth, Australia, and have earned notable industry awards in recent years.
Improved design and streamlined operations
For three decades, the Potain factory in Zhangjiagang has been a leader in the design and manufacture of tower cranes in China. Recent investments have helped streamline its operations and expanded production capacity to meet evolving demand across construction cycles.
During the 30th anniversary celebrations, Potain recognized the contributions of employees past and present and held a dedicated ceremony for staff to reflect on three decades of success in safety, quality and operational excellence.
“Over the past 30 years, the Potain team in China has built strong manufacturing expertise and deep customer relations,” said Brian Wang, senior vice president, emerging markets, Manitowoc. “By combining global engineering standards with local insight, the facility continues to deliver reliable lifting solutions for customers in emerging markets.”
The facility continues to invest in manufacturing capabilities, product development, and sustainability initiatives to support evolving construction needs. It’s also a hub for providing world-class customer support to tower crane owners across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and CIS countries. As Manitowoc’s transformation from a product-focused company to a customer-centric business continues, Zhangjiagang will continue to expand its suite of lifting services and aftermarket solutions.
Into the future, the Potain facility in Zhangjiagang will remain a cornerstone of the company’s global manufacturing network, supporting both domestic demand and export growth while maintaining Manitowoc’s commitment to quality, and customer support.