CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > November 2019 21 LIEBHERR FACTORY VISIT: 2 Niki and John were next taken to the mobile crane final assembly facility where from a base chassis at one end of the large hall, the complete crane emerged, having had all component parts added along the way before emerging at the other end to go to the pre- release area. Within the assembly hall was the production processes to make all of the required hydraulic hoses and pipework with electrical harnesses production within another adjoining production room. Whilst in this section, the group crossed the path of Willi Liebherr, Co-Head of this vast family-run company on one of his walk- arounds. During the tour of this section, Arran showed the group the various types of exhaust systems for the engines and the methods they need to go through to meet latest exhaust emission standards. He mentioned that the engine exhaust system for the latest stage V costs more to produce than the engine itself. The next stage of the visit was to another fabrication area that from raw steel, produced the gargantuan booms and jib sections used on the company’s range of heavy crawler cranes before viewing the assembly of the parts to form the complete crawler crane. Following lunch, Niki and John were taken to the mobile crane test bed where Michael had arranged a surprise for Niki which was the chance to operate one of the company’s prototype 110 tonne capacity mobile cranes undergoing extensive trials - the first non-Liebherr employee to do so. With a typical load attached, Niki under the guidance of one of the testing staff, put the crane through its paces. This was followed by a chance to drive an all-terrain crane and another wheeled mobile crane around the Ehingen site. The final parts of the programme of an already long day was to visit the pre- release section where cranes underwent a customisation process according to their customers’ specification before delivery, and the renovation workshops where used cranes were refurbished for resale. The programme concluded with Niki being presented with Liebherr apparel and a model crane as a lasting memento of the visit. Following the visit, Niki commented: “My experience of the Liebherr factory will be one I will always remember and cherish. It gave me great insight into the world of crane production and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity and would personally like to thank everyone at Liebherr for arranging the visit. “This has been a great chance for me to further my knowledge in my career which I am very passionate about. What really stood out to me about Liebherr’s production processes was their attention to detail and right from the start of my trip, they went above and beyond to ensure I had the best experience possible,” he continued. John Young of Select Plant Hire said: “We at Select Plant Hire were extremely proud that Niki won the Lifting Technician Star of the Future accolade and it was a tremendous compliment that Liebherr chose to sponsor the award. The visit to their factory at Ehingen however took the award to another level and Arran and Michael at Liebherr proved to be very welcoming. “The whole factory experience was well thought out and thoroughly professional. Throughout the visit, Niki continually commented that he couldn’t believe the opportunity he’d been given through winning the award. This opportunity I know will stay with him forever and that in the tradition of the Stars for the Future, Niki will rise to the challenge and take the lifting sector through the next generation. We thank both Michael and Arran at Liebherr and to the CPA for arranging this very special prize and the whole experience. As crane people this is something we will never forget,” John continued. Arran Willis of Liebherr-GB Ltd, who organised the visit, added: “We as a company have always been proud to support apprenticeships and encourage the next generation of lifting sector personnel and are pleased to have sponsored the CPA Lifting Technician Stars of the Year award. It was a pleasure for us to have provided the programme for Niki to spend the day at our Ehingen factory and demonstrate how our products are made and tested, and we are delighted that he thoroughly enjoyed his day with us.”