Manitowoc is committed to providing smooth crane operations for customers, even at remote and hard-to-access jobsites. In our Looking Up Q&A series, we meet technicians like Victorio Yambao, who travels worldwide to address challenges and ensure uninterrupted operations for our clients.
Victorio Yambao works as a mobile crane service technician in the United Arab Emirates. His main responsibilities include maintaining and repairing mobile cranes to ensure safe and efficient operations.
He stays busy by diagnoses mechanical and electrical issues, conducts regular inspections, and offers technical support to customers. Yambao also provides training to crane operators and technicians on maintenance practices and troubleshooting to reduce downtime and deliver efficient service support.
In a conversation with Looking Up, Yambao shares the challenges and rewards of the job.
Looking Up: Where are you based, and what regions do you cover?
Yambao: I am based in Dubai. Currently, I oversee the Middle East market and English-speaking regions of Africa. In the past, I have covered areas such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Turkey, Tanzania and Yemen.
LU: How long have you been with the company?
Yambao: I have been with Manitowoc since March 2011, for more than 13 years. Before that, I worked for a heavy lifting company for five years, and I spent more than 18 years in the Middle East.
LU: Can you tell us about one of the most memorable or challenging service support jobs you were involved with at Manitowoc?
Yambao: The most memorable and challenging job for me was in Yemen in 2015, specifically for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in a very critical location. From Djibouti, to reach the jobsite, we had to take a two-propeller aircraft, landing on a runway between two mountains. As soon as we touched down, two military cars approached and escorted the plane. The project involved several Grove cranes, including the GMK7450, GMK5170, and GMK4100. We encountered issues with telescope boom, counterweights and suspension, and the customer requested a full inspection of the cranes. The site manager's proactive approach and high expectations motivated us to perform at our best, ensuring we carefully balanced and adjusted our actions to complete the job successfully.
LU: What are some of the challenging aspects of your role?
Yambao: Working across different countries, we meet customers from diverse cultures and nationalities. Adapting to the various cultural nuances and finding the right approach for each customer can be challenging, but it is something I have come to embrace over time. This dynamic environment allows me to continually learn and grow, enhancing my ability to deliver exceptional service.
LU: What’s the best part of being a service support technician at Manitowoc?
Yambao: The best part is the comprehensive training Manitowoc provides. It allows you to gain extensive knowledge in various areas—mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and even computer systems. When I started, I had to learn everything from scratch, but over time, I became proficient in all these areas, which is crucial for being a top technician at Manitowoc.
LU: What makes the training at Manitowoc special?
Yambao: Manitowoc’s training is unique because it goes beyond theoretical knowledge. You need to gain practical experience in the field to become truly competent. The combination of classroom training and hands-on experience is what makes Manitowoc's training so effective.
LU: When you're not fixing cranes, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Yambao: I’m a family man. I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking BBQ, and watching TV together. I've been away from my family on the job for about 15 years, but now that they are here with me, I cherish every moment we spend together.
LU: Do you see yourself continuing with Manitowoc for the long term, and what motivates you to stay?
Yambao: I plan to continue working as long as possible. There is always something new to learn and challenges to overcome. My goal is to continue contributing and sharing my knowledge with the next generation of technicians.