Bringing it all together for a project
The market for crane selection and use remains complex – MyCrane will continue to simplify matters. All-rounders who know all about heavylift cranes have to know the industry, the customers and the technology well. Piet Kraaijeveld can offer this, having worked in Europe, Canada and Dubai for decades. At the construction equipment trade fair Bauma 2022 in Munich he told Christian Doepgen about his new challenge as MyCrane COO and the opportunities of the platform and the markets.
What industry experience can you look back on, Mr Kraaijeveld?
I worked for Mammoet for approximately 20 years, but have also been active for players such as Ritchie Bros. My work took me from the Netherlands to Canada and Dubai, amongst many other places.
How did you come to join MyCrane?
A former work colleague kept me informed about the development of the project, and in the end MyCrane’s concept convinced me. I’ve now been working for the company as COO since summer 2022.
What does MyCrane offer providers?
The world – including crane suppliers’ customers – is becoming ever-more digital. It’s difficult for suppliers to establish digital environments for clients, so we offer them a platform on which they can move forward on the digital road map. On top of this they benefit from access to further clients.
How do you make a difference?
Our ‘crane selection’ module, for example, gives our customers the opportunity to formulate a precise request. Suppliers submit detailed bids, which the customer can compare. In this two-step process, a user can bundle 80% of the time-consuming procurement process. Our new inspection app is another example. It’s available free of charge in 35 languages and makes use of AI to check a crane’s location as well as the authenticity of its registration documentation.
How do you assess suppliers?
We select our thousands of suppliers very carefully. Our monitoring process includes an app that also determines the geographical location of a crane by GPS.
In which regions is MyCrane active?
We’re present in the UK, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Qatar and the USA. We’re also set to launch operations in Saudi Arabia and Australia in 2023, amongst other places. We’ve also developed a franchise system. Our ‘Vision 2030’ envisages eradicating every white spot remaining on the global map.
Are you expanding your spectrum?
Yes; we’ve just launched a marketplace as an attached microsite, where everything from spare parts to personnel can be traded. Demand here has proven us right.
Is MyCrane aware of ecological issues?
Absolutely. In the 80 to 250 t class you have the option of choosing 100% emissions-free, electrically-powered cranes. These units can be used worldwide.