Ring Power Crane, a dealer in the U.S., visited the Grove factory in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, bringing along 15 customers to witness the manufacturing process of all-terrain cranes firsthand.
Andrew Kurz was extremely impressed. He has returned to the United States after visiting the Grove factory in Germany and back to work at Ring Power Crane in Jacksonville, Florida. He’s vice president of sales at the longtime Manitowoc dealer and has a lot of experience with Grove all-terrain cranes. Having seen Grove’s detailed manufacturing process and commitment to building quality cranes up close, he’s even more enthusiastic about the GMK range.
Kurz led a trip that included Ring Power Crane team members and several of its customers. They hailed from across the southern U.S., including Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas. The opportunity to tour the factory is a key benefit from Manitowoc demonstrating an unwavering commitment to building quality relationships with Grove crane users.
In a conversation with Looking Up, Kurz shared his experience of visiting the factory in Wilhelmshaven and what impressed him most.
Looking Up: Tell us about your recent trip. When did you go and who accompanied you?
Andrew Kurz: We took the trip this past April. It was a big customer trip with about 40 of us, including spouses. We had around 15 customers and their spouses join us, making it a great opportunity to build relationships on multiple levels.
LU: What was the main purpose of visiting the Grove factory?
AK: It was all about enhancing the customer experience. We’re big on customer experience at Ring Power, so we wanted to show our top all-terrain crane customers what we do and give them exposure to the manufacturing process. It’s a significant investment, but it’s worth it for the relationships we build with both customers and manufacturers.
LU: Where did you stay, and which factory did you visit?
AK: We stayed in Amsterdam and visited the Manitowoc all-terrain crane factory in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Amsterdam was the closest city with enough to entertain our group.
LU: What were your impressions of the manufacturing process?
AK: It was really impressive. The process blends proven generational quality with updated technology, creating a great combination of old and new. The facility, engineering, and innovation all exceeded our expectations.
LU: How was the customer support from Manitowoc during the trip?
AK: The support was excellent. The entire team at the factory, from sourcing parts to engineering and assembly, was present. We had full access to ask questions and discuss everything during the tour. They really made sure our customers' needs were addressed.
LU: Were there any specific models you were excited to see?
AK: We were there to see the entire GMK all-terrain range since our customers buy almost all the models. We also got to see the new GMK4080L, which was just coming to market. It was great to get feedback on that.
LU: What kind of work do your customers use Grove all-terrain cranes for?
AK: Our customers use them for a wide range of projects, from roadwork and bridges to vertical construction and the utility sector. You’ll see these cranes working on power delivery, power plants, data centers, and even lifting air conditioners onto high-rises. They’re incredibly versatile.
LU: How would sum up the trip?
AK: We really got the full experience from the factory — what they do there, how they build the machines, what makes them special to the industry, what makes them special to the customer. We got to understand the overall quality of the cranes and learn more about what our customers are used to buying and operating. It was just a great experience.
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