Historia

Nasza przyszłość ma swoją historię

Historia Konecranes sięga 1910 r., kiedy pod szyldem KONE powstał warsztat naprawy silników elektrycznych.
Konecranes has grown over the years mainly organically but has a strong acquisition track record as well.
Scroll down the timeline to see our history or click here for a detailed view of the company history

1910s

Manufacturing starts in Helsinki

Kone factory in the 1910s
1930s

Developing electric hoists

Kones first electric chain hoist, 1930s
1940s

Expanding to Hyvinkää

Kone factory in Hyvinkää, Finland, 1940s
1950s

Production of harbor cranes start

Kone harbor cranes 1950s
1960s

Establishing a service strategy

Kone service strategy 1960s
1970s

Bulk material handling starts

Kone cranes bulk material handling logs, Finland, 1970s
1980s

Established foothold in the U.S. through R&M Materials Handling in Springfield, Ohio

R&M Materials Handling logo
1990s

Konecranes becomes an independent company

Konecranes independent logo, 1990s
2000s

Entry to the Chinese market and lift trucks

Konecranes lift truck
2010s

Expansion to emerging markets.

Konecranes service worker
2010s

Strengthening digital service delivery by launching the first products under TRUCONNECT® remote services.

Konecranes truconnect
2017

Acquisition of Terex's Material Handling & Port Solutions business

Terex Material handling logo
2020

Purchasing full ownership of MHE-Demag in Southeast Asia.

MHE-demag logo
Year Konecranes history
1933 Finland's KONE Corporation starts to build sizeable Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes. The first customers were mainly from the pulp and paper and power industries.
1936 The company starts to manufacture Electric Wire Rope Hoists. Harbor cranes were added to the product range in 1947.
1950s The harbor cranes business line sees strong growth in the post-war economy.
1962 The first crane Preventive Maintenance Contract is signed.
1973 The company begins to expand internationally and makes an acquisition in Norway (Wisbech-Refsum).
1983 The company establishes a foothold in the U.S. (R&M Materials Handling) in Springfield, Ohio.
1986 Konecranes acquires French Verlinde, headquartered in Vernouillet.
1988 Crane operations are put into the KONE Cranes Division. From 1990 onwards, the focus on establishing technical leadership increases.
1991 The company establishes offices in the UK by acquiring Lloyds British Testing with operations in the UK and Australia. A large restructuring program was launched which carried on until 1994. Among other actions, crane production facilities were cut from 19 to 4.
1994 KCI Konecranes is formed on April 15, 1994, via the listing of KONE Corporation on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
1996 KCI Konecranes is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
1997 KCI Konecranes makes its first acquisition in Germany, buying MAN SWF Krantechnikred.
2000 KCI Konecranes launches a new CXT wire rope hoist for the up to 80t lifting capacity range that immediately becomes an industry benchmark worldwide. The totally new design concept allows KCI Konecranes to strengthen its position in the high-volume market for standard cranes.
2002 KCI Konecranes is the first foreign crane company in China to receive a complete range of business licensees including import and export. The same year it creates a bridgehead in Japan by establishing a joint venture with Meidensha Corporation.
2004 Reach stackers and Lift trucks are added to the product range through the acquisition of SMV Lifttrucks AB of Markaryd, Sweden.
2005 KCI Konecranes' acquisition of R.STAHL AG's material handling division, R.Stahl Fördertechnik of Germany, brings together some of the crane industry's strongest brands and most innovative technologies. Stahl is a significant player in the field of specialized lifting applications.
2006 KCI Konecranes acquires MMH Holdings, Inc and expands its product range. The acquisition also brings new opportunities for growth in Maintenance Services through the large installed base of MMH cranes.
2006 KCI Konecranes launches a new refocused and unified global master brand strategy and identity, and drops the KCI from the brand name. At the same time the slogan Lifting Businesses TM, emphasizing productivity enhancing lifting solutions and services, is launched.
2007 The straddle carrier is added to Konecranes’ product range through the acquisition of all product rights from German straddle carrier manufacturer Consens Transport Systeme GmbH.
2007 Konecranes strengthens its position in the machine tool service (MTS) business by acquiring Kongsberg Automation AS in Norway and Reftele Maskinservice AB in Sweden.
2008 Konecranes increases its shareholding in Meiden Hoist System Company Ltd (MHS) in Japan to a majority stake, aiming to grow its presence in the large Japanese hoist market.
2009 Konecranes moves into a new business segment by making two acquisitions for load-handling solutions with aluminum rail systems and manipulators.
2009 Konecranes introduces an industry shaping industrial crane, SMARTON®, which can reduce power consumption and energy costs by up to one third.
2009 Konecranes acquires 65% of Sanma Crane manufacture Co. Ltd., one of China’s leading hoist and crane manufacturers.
2010 Konecranes and Kito Corporation (Japan) form a strategic alliance, with Konecranes owning 24.4% of shares and votes in Kito.
2011 Konecranes buys WMI Cranes Ltd. (WMI) to strengthen its position in India.
2011 The first TRUCONNECT® remote services products are launched.
2012 Konecranes introduces a new-generation CLX chain hoist that accelerates the work cycle and maintenance, and improves safety and energy efficiency.
2013 Konecranes presents the world’s first hybrid reach stacker for container handling.
2013 Konecranes launches Agilon, a materials management solution for managing, storing, picking and replenishing components in manufacturing.
2013 Konecranes and KION Group close a transaction to collaborate in the container handling lift truck business.
2014 Konecranes increases its ownership in Chinese Sanma to 100%.
2014 Konecranes and its Danish lift truck distributor NC Nielsen deliver the world’s most powerful reach stacker, which has a 100 metric ton capacity, to Jutlandia Terminal in Denmark.
2016 Konecranes receives an order for a 1,200-ton Goliath crane from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
2016 Konecranes sells its Kito Corporation shares.
2016 Konecranes and the Georgia Ports Authority celebrate Konecranes’ 1000th RTG crane.
2016 Konecranes receives an order from the Virginia Port Authority for 86 Automated Stacking Cranes, the largest order in Konecranes' history.
2016 Konecranes signs an agreement with Columbus McKinnon Corporation regarding the divestment of the STAHL CraneSystems business.
2017 Konecranes grows significantly by buying Terex’s Material Handling & Port Solutions business.
2019 Konecranes reinforces its lifting leadership by launching three new products: the S-, M- and C-series.
2020 Konecranes strengthens its market position in Southeast Asia by buying full ownership of MHE-Demag.
2023 Konecranes announces a refreshed purpose, ambition and financial targets. Konecranes aims to become the world leader in material handling solutions creating value for everyone.