ALE climbs to second place in International Cranes & Specialized Transport global transport index
Elevated from fourth place in the 2009 index, ALE's movement up the rankings reflects its substantial investment in equipment and personnel over the past 12 months. ALE's 88,659 trailers - comprising 84,009te of modular trailer capacity, 4,650te in specialized transport capacity and 52 tractor units - reflects its expanded fleet, and its workforce has increased by over 20% since 2009.
The IC Transport 50 index ranks companies by total carrying capacity for specialist transport equipment.
ALE complete world record hydraulic skidding load-out in South Korea
ALE heavy lifting machine named largest single crane in International Cranes & Specialized Transport global index
The AL.SK350, part of ALE's flagship fleet for ultra heavy loads, was ranked the single largest crane by International Cranes & Specialized Transport magazine's 2010 IC50 index of the world's largest crane-owning companies. ALE was also named as having the 4th largest crane fleet in the world based on total maximum load moment rating, climbing 14 places in the ranking from 2009.
"With a capacity of 5,000te and a load moment of 354,000tm, the AL.SK350 will have more than double the load moment of its closest rival. We are delighted it is confirmed as the world's largest land-based crane," said Michael Birch, Executive Director, ALE Projects. "Our ranking in the overall crane fleet capacity index reflects the substantial investment and innovation we have made over the past year, and reflects our stature as a leader in the global heavy lift industry."
ALE announces fleet expansion with new heavy lifting and specialist transport equipment
ALE has announced substantial additions to its global fleet, including a second AL.SK190, its 4,300te capacity ultra heavy lifting machine. The record-breaking crane has a load moment of 190.000tm, a 141m main boom and a 32.1m ballast radius and also features a 600te quick winch system for lifting smaller items quickly. The new AL.SK190 will be completed in the second half of 2011.
"The introduction of the AL.SK190 has given the industry lifting capacities far in excess of anything thought possible," said Michael Birch, Executive Director at ALE Projects. "Even now, two years after it was first launched, no other machine out there has even come close; we out-lift the nearest competitors' crane, which is still yet to be built, by 160%. It's clear from the level of global demand we've had that our clients have already recognised the huge advantages this massive capacity can bring to their projects, which is why we've invested in building a second crane."
ALE has also built a new 650te heavy duty skid shoe for the load-out and load-in of offshore modules, as well as the installation of bridge decks, container cranes and other heavy weight loads. The new skid shoe system's first job is in June 2010, loading-out a 20,000te topside in Korea.
"ALE invented the first skid shoes on the market, and this new skidding system is a compact, versatile piece of equipment that takes horizontal movement to the next level," said Ronald Hoefmans, Executive Director at ALE. "This new investment brings ALE's hydraulic skidding capacity to over 70,000te and total skidding capacity to over 150,000te."
Other new acquisitions include a new-build barge, the ALE 300, and an additional 150 lines of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) with seven new power packs, taking ALE's total SPMT fleet to more than 1,000 axles.
ALE expands global reach in Africa and South America
ALE has announced the opening of two new offices to augment our on-the-ground capabilities in North Africa and South America. The first office, in Casablanca, Morocco, gives ALE its first base in North Africa. The second, in Bogota, Colombia, supports our existing presence in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.
"The new Moroccan and Colombian offices allow us to provide a more complete service in these two key geographic areas," commented Javier Martinez, Executive Director of ALE. "By having a dedicated point of contact we will be able to provide an enhanced level of service to our clients operating in these regions."
For more information on ALE's capabilities in these countries, please contact:
Morocco:
Youness Heddad
e-mail: y.heddad@ale-heavylift.com
Mobile: +212 (0) 661970728
Colombia:
Juan Felipe Correa
e-mail: j.correa@ale-heavylift.com
Mobile: +57 313 671 0832
ALE's latest investment completes record-breaking 1,457.1te heavy lift
ALE constructing new office and expanding fleet in the Middle East
Work on new premises in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi commenced in February and is scheduled to finish at the end of 2010. Further equipment will also be added to our existing fleet in the Middle East, including additional conventional trailer axles, Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) and a purpose-built class 300 barge. The new facility and equipment will enhance our leading position in the Middle East and will complement our planned acquisitions for the region.
Richard Peckover, Executive Director of ALE commented "A special feature of ALE 300 is its above-standard deck loading capacity of 20te per square metre. This will maximise load capacity and minimise load spreading requirements, generally improving efficiency in barge loading operations".
ALE 300 is scheduled to be delivered to ALE in Singapore in December 2010 for onward delivery to the Middle East.
Investment in new crane and SPMT axles increases ALE's capabilities even further
ALE has added a new crane to its fleet. The Terex Demag CC8800-1 has been purchased to bridge the gap between the lifting capacity of the MK1500 and the AL.SK190, leaving the AL.SK190 available for its largest projects.
ALE has invested a considerable €11 million into the crane, which has a maximum load moment of 24002 mt and superlift radii of 19-30 metres.
In further expansion news, ALE has also invested €11 million in purchasing an additional 150 lines of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters, taking its SPMT fleet to more than 1,000 axles and providing even greater transportation capabilities for its clients worldwide.
ALE’s AL.SK cranes shortlisted for innovation award
ALE is one of five entries shortlisted for the Innovation and Development Award for End Users at this year’s ESTA Awards of Excellence. The awards, which recognize leaders in the heavy lifting and transport industry, are organized by the the European Association of Heavy Haulage, Transport & Mobile Cranes - a pan-European association representing mobile crane rental, heavy haulage and abnormal load transport companies - together with International Cranes & Specialized Transport magazine.
“We are proud to have introduced the world’s highest-capacity land-based cranes with our AL.SK heavy lifting machines, and are delighted to be recognized by the ESTA awards for our efforts,” commented Mark Harries, ALE Executive Director.
The AL.SK190 and AL.SK350 have been designed for the lifting and installation of ultra heavy loads. Equipped with a standard quick winch system for weights of up to 600te and a strand jack lifting system for loads of up to 5,000te, they can be relocated on site by skidding or by self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) fully assembled and rigged.
The awards ceremony will take place in April during the Bauma exhibition in Munich.
ALE Announces New Global Brand
After more than 25 years of business, the brand launch marks a new chapter for the company, consolidating its global businesses under one brand and underlining ALE’s core values of ingenuity, responsibility and flexibility.
Mark Harries, Executive Director of ALE, comments: “Our new global brand emphasises our ability to provide all our tailored, end-to-end services worldwide. We look forward to building on our track record for providing services that set industry standards for innovation, safety and flexibility.”
ALE Wins 2009 TopLift Title from International Cranes Magazine
International Cranes’ readership voted ALE the “clear winner” for the 2009 title for its use of the SK190, the largest crane in the world, to lift a 69-meter de-propaniser column at a Saudi Arabian petrochemical plant.
Mark Harries, Executive Director of ALE, said, “We are honoured to be recognised in this manner by our peers. The SK190 represents a new level of innovation in heavy lifting, and this project was an excellent demonstration of its ability to execute complex lifts safely and effectively.”
