KCI Konecranes Launches Innovative New Wire Rope Hoist Design

KCI Konecranes has developed a new range of wire rope hoists for the lower end of the product range. The wire rope hoists are based on a totally new design concept. With this new design KCI Konecranes will strengthen its positions in the high volume market for standard cranes. The new design adds safety and efficiency and improves the use of factory space. The commercial launch will take place in the Hanover Fair starting 19th of March, 2000.

The new wire rope hoists are intended for cranes and modernisations in capacities up to 3.2 tons. It is estimated that 60.000 units, close to 40 % of all standard cranes and wire rope hoists, are lifting loads of less than 3 tons. This high volume market covers almost all fields of industry, from assembly shops to general manufacturing and from steel distribution centers to maintenance cranes. The value of the global markets for standard crane and wire rope hoists is over EUR 2 billion.

The competitiveness of the new product range enhances KCI Konecranes' pursuit to increase market shares globally in the light load area. It will boost new equipment sales as well as modernisations.

KCI Konecranes' new design represents a totally new approach within the lifting equipment industry. The company has filed 11 main patent applications for the innovations. In traditional designs the rope drum and the rope diameter are minimized. KCI Konecranes' new design, the CXT, uses a rope drum large in diameter but short in length. The large diameter rope drum means less wear on wire ropes and lower maintenance costs. There are also several other advantages such as more efficient use of floor space under the crane, as well as the space around the crane. The crane can operate closer to walls and lift the load higher. This adds flexibility for factory layout and material flow planning.

Speed control and motor technology are crucial elements in the improvement of the efficiency and safety in material handling.
KCI Konecranes has developed an integrated motor and inverter controls for the new CXT product range. This is the first time stepless speed controls are incorporated as standard features in this capacity range.

In line with the Group's strategy the key crane components are produced in Konecranes' own production plants.

The new CXT product range is part of KCI Konecranes' Standard Lifting Equipment Business Area.

KCI Konecranes is one of the leading crane companies in the world. The KCI Konecranes' activity is organized along three Business Areas: Maintenance Services, Standard Lifting Equipment and Special Cranes. In 1999, Maintenance Services represented 42 % of Group sales. Standard Lifting Equipment and Special Cranes, represented 34 % and 24 % respectively. In 1999, Group sales were EUR 591 million, with well over 4000 employees in 34 countries all over the world.

For further information, please contact:
Arto Juosila, President, Standard Lifting Equipment, tel. +358-20 427 3000

Matti Ruotsala, Director, Technology, tel. +358-20 427 2007

Downloadable high-resolution image:

img100300.exe TIF-format file for PC, self-extracting EXE-file (1MB)
img100300.sit TIF-format file for Macintosh, Stuffit-file (1MB)
img100300.jpg JPEG-format file (1000x656 px) (271kB)