One Size Doesn’t Fit All: The Importance of Customization in the Boom Truck Market
Due to the overall growth of the boom truck crane market and its subsequent expansion into more industries, the notion that "one size fits all" no longer applies. Advancements in technology and the increasing number of work applications have pushed truck mounted crane users to demand customized equipment that can serve specialized needs across multiple jobsites. No matter what the company’s experience is with boom trucks, properly selecting specifications, features and options when ordering a crane ensures it maximizes the company’s return.
Crane users are finding it increasingly beneficial to be proactive when deciding what they want. "We are firm believers that you should build the perfect piece of equipment from the ground up with everything you can to make the job easier and more efficient," said David Happ, Operations Manager at Marquis Tree Service. With this in mind, crane manufacturers are investing more in technology and innovative solutions.
Increased capacities and boom lengths are only part of the equation in the evolving boom truck crane marketplace. In recent years, customers are finding the real growth in the market to be around increased options tailored to their unique needs. Crane manufacturers are listening, and the future is customization.
Different work applications demand varying degrees of customization. For example, tree care companies might require custom storage solutions for slings and cribbing, while oil and gas companies might require cargo space and capacity for transporting well head components. Many electric utility customers require application specific options, such as personnel platforms, radio remote controls, jibs and accessories. A boom truck crane, in many cases, is a significant investment and will be in a fleet for many years. Why not purchase exactly what you truly need and want?
Marquis Tree Service designed a flatbed customized for their Altec Crane, allowing them to add critical additional storage space on the crane. The company also added a custom lighting package to aid their workers at night and improve jobsite safety.
Sussex Crane bought a 38 ton boom truck and upgraded the outrigger configuration by adding extended vertical down-jacks. With this upgrade, Sussex requires less cribbing during set-up on the jobsite, allowing the crew to not only reduce set-up time but also minimize operator fatigue by avoiding the need to haul and install the cribbing. Sussex also designed a small and seemingly simple customization for its crane: an iPod docking station in the crane cab. This option increased operator comfort and made for a more enjoyable day on the job.
In addition to the increased work efficiency associated with a crane customized to the user’s unique jobsite needs, many buyers are looking to customized equipment to better represent their company and increase brand awareness.
Sussex Crane recently purchased a boom truck crane with a custom-painted green boom with its logo on the side; the crane has a unique appearance and is instantly recognizable in its market. Changing the aesthetics of a crane can have a huge impact on the company’s identification in the market and helps differentiate them from the competition.
Not only can custom cranes save companies money in the long run, they can save them time. Happ explains benefits of the easy set up and use of Marquis Tree Service’s custom boom trucks.
"If you can customize a piece of equipment that saves five minutes of set up and you’re setting your equipment up three to four times a day, any customization will pay for itself in a few months,” he says. This also eases employee stress, increases job efficiency and allows the company to accept more jobs.
In addition to time, Marquis has reduced costs over the years by simply adding extra storage to their crane, eliminating the need for a support truck and the inherent costs associated with an extra vehicle on the jobsite.
Customization also allows a customer to purchase equipment that mirrors the truck that is being replaced, resulting in less training time required and more time working to complete jobs.
Jeffrey Meredith, Vice President of Sussex Crane, explained, "I think some people could be scared by the word ‘custom’, possibly because they don’t think they have the time or just don’t understand the process. When I purchased my crane, the sales and engineering team guided me through the whole process. We even had meetings to go over details where I was able to visualize my truck, change the colors and adjust features.” He adds that deciding on a custom crane was an excellent experience.
Still, there are some situations when a stock unit is the ideal purchase, such as when a buyer needs a unit quickly and is adding only a few simple boxes. Otherwise, a custom crane can save time, money and add value.
"I think there was a place in the industry ten years ago where cranes could be a single use piece of equipment. Now, they are multi-functional, custom work stations that can serve multiple purposes, providing a greater benefit to customers across multiple applications," said Carlos Batista, Market Manager for Altec.
Crane users are gradually rejecting the status quo of the ‘one size fits all’ crane for purpose built units customized to their specific needs. Regardless of a company’s motivation, custom cranes offer lots benefits to all.
For more information about Altec Cranes and other Altec equipment, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.