Liebherr - Africa Celebrates its Anniversary
We are extememly proud to present this commerative publication of a company that has grown from strength to strength in the last five decades. However, this is not something the
company has achieved on its own. We owe most of
our success to our loyal customers.As in the past, the needs and requirements of our customers will continue to be the central focus of our thoughts and activities. Our declared aim is to give our customers a competitive edge by continuing to provide them with the high-quality products and comprehensive service they have learnt to equate with the Liebherr name. In this we are fortunate in being able to rely on the commitment of a highly skilled and dedicated workforce.
Liebherr-Africa would not be where it is today without those employees who are commited to both the Liebherr Group ideals and our product. From day one they have contributed to the success of this company through their enthusiastic hard work, unfailing loyalty and valuable input of innovative ideas.
The de-centrally organized Liebherr Group is divided into company units of manageable size, operating independently. This ensures Liebherr-Africa’s proximity to our customer’s and their unique demands, and allows us the ability to respond flexibly to market indicators in the context of global competition.
The History of Liebherr
Liebherr’s evolution from a small enterprise to an international group of companies is inextricably linked to its founder Hans Liebherr, a master builder and innovative pioneer from the small town of Kirchdorf in Germany. He developed the Group from the most humble beginnings to the global enterprise it is today, leaving a lasting legacy of his impressive life’s work.
In 1949, Dr. Liebherr put into effect an idea that had long preoccupied him in his daily work. What was missing for carrying out the principle tasks during the rebuilding of residential areas and industrial premisesdamaged during the war was a tower crane that could be transported quickly and erected easily.
The huge success of the first, patented crane constituted the company’s foundation stone and, at the same time, paved the way for continous and productive development work.
While Cranes remained Liebherr’s major product during the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, Dr. Liebherr began to turn his design expertise to other earthmoving products. In just 8 short months, he invented his first hydraulic excavator, which would revolutionize the construction industry as it was much lighter and had a larger bucket than other excavators at the time. Dr. Liebherr was constantly looking at new markets and new products to develop and improve.
From there followed designs and innovations in gear cutting machines, concrete mixers and refrigerators. By the end of the 1950’s, the enterprise had grown considerably with several new plants in Germany, one in Ireland and one in South Afica.
From there, the company grew from strength to strength, continually developing new products and conquering new markets - aviation, mobile cranes, wheel loaders, bull dozers and mining trucks. New factories and sales partners were needed in order to keep up with the growing demand for Liebherr’s innovative products and technology. Besides
Europe, new companies were established world-wide: North and South America, China, Thailand, Russia and Inda.
Dr. Liebherr passed away in 1993, leaving his empire to his children Mrs. Isolde Liebherr and Dr. Willi Liebherr.
Today, the Liebherr Group’s holding company is Liebherr-International AG in Bulle, Switzerland.
The Group comprimises over 100 companies with approximately 30,000 employees. It achieved a overall turnover of roughly 7.5 billion Euros in 2007.
The History of Liebherr-Africa
In 1957, following a visit from a Springs delegation, Dr. Hans Liebherr decided to begin with the manufacture of cranes in South Africa, establishing himself in Springs. A group of 15 people consisting of builders, commercialists and technicians arrived from Germany on the 25th February 1958, paving the way for what is now Liebherr-Africa.
Building operations for the factory in Copper Road, New Era, Springs commenced immediately and were entirely executed by Dr. Liebherr’s own building team. This would be one of the first factories to be built outside of Germany.
Crane manufacturing activities also began in 1958 with approximately 13 workers while the building was still roofless. The first crane, a type 118 yard crane was delivered to Concor Construction in February 1959. All in all, 23 Cranes were manufactured in 1959.
In 1960, Liebherr-Africa commenced with the production of the mixer series, reversible drums and pan mixers, manufacturing approximately 40 units the first year. In 1965 the first C-Range cranes were introduced, designed in Germany especially for the harsh South African conditions.
Amongst other products, Liebherr also manufactured and distributed tower slewing cranes, gantry cranes, overhead traveling cranes, truck mixers, batching plants, passenger and goods hoists and fully hydraulic excavators.
By 1974, Liebherr’s annual turnover had increased significantly and there were keen indications of a rapid growth in the excavator market.
The economic growth in South Afica influenced Liebherr-
Africa in its dicision to establish the present, larger factory in Springs, which was completed in 1975. The present factory comprises an area of 20.000m2 including a 1.400m2 office
block.
Investments were also made to improve the service and maintenance section of the organisation, allowing Liebherr-Africa to further increase its manufacturing capacity and thereby increase the local content of its products.
Today Liebherr is a mixed sales company targeting earthmoving, construction, building and cargo handling markets. Besides the Springs head office, Liebherr has branches in Cape Town, Kimberley and Durban and several depots across the country.
In addition, nine agencies represent the company throughout the Republic of South Africa, as well as in neighbouring African countries to which considerable exports have been made.
Liebherr-Africa’s Big 5
The term “Big Five” refers to five of Africa’s greatest wild animals - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era, the term “Big Five” still conjures up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and
experiences.
Imagine watching the sun set over the horizon while a pride of lions stalk their prey. Or imagine watching a buffalo strolling to a water hole with its incredible power and strenght. Or perhaps, consider the rhino, with its extrordinary horns, sturdy body and bad temper; and the leopard with its beauty and remarkable speed and skill to hunt.
Many travellers regard a visit to South Africa as incomplete without having spotted, and perhaps photographed, the “Big Five”.
In the same way certain characteristics of these and other South African wildlife can be applied to Liebherr’s products which are synonymous with a technically advanced programme of machines and services designed with customer benefit in mind. For example, the huge power of the elephant, the stubborness of the rhino, the height and reach of a giraffe and the majesty of the lion all have correlations with our products - trucks, excavators, tower and mobile cranes.
Liebherr is an acknowledged supplier of products and services in numerous fields which are technically innovative and user-oriebtated. Liebherr-Africa’s direct links with the various operations overseas offer the benefit for customising of equipment for specific applications and problem solving technical problems.
Liebherr’s after sales service is as good as its products. Our service workshops are staffed by factory-trained technicians who are fully conservant with our Liebherr equipment.
Our technicians are constantly being trained in accordance with the latest product design and development. Liebherr service technicians are available 24 hours a day and will respond to customer requirements as soon as possible. “Liebherr Service” means experience, reliability, maximum availability of machines, higher production and reduced operating
and amintenance costs.
In our anniversary year, we can confidently say that our products are the best that they have ever been!
