Liebherr targets African market

In 2007 Liebherr set a new record by delivering 11 mobile harbour cranes to various African customers, with three units sold in Tunisia, two each in Benin and Nigeria and one each in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Namibia. Africa accounted for 13% of the year’s total sales, an 83% increase over 2006 when six units were sold. Over the past last five years the number of Liebherr MHCs in Africa has more then doubled, reaching 42 units in total.

The reachstacker market also showed dynamic growth, with seven machines sold in 2007. The biggest single order was from the Angola-based company Empresa Portuaria do Lobito, which signed a contract for three LRS 645 units in September 2007. Other customers included Intels of Nigeria, MOFED from Tanzania and the Egyptian Ministry of Defence.

Nenzing has forged partnerships with both national and international port companies, and has now set up a local business unit to help grow its presence in Africa. Gordon Clark, who has more than 17 years with Liebherr and ten years’ experience of sales in UK and Irish markets, will move to South Africa to head up the unit, which is expected to be fully operational by the middle of this year.