YBA Kanoo, Manitowoc’s Saudi distributor, showcased the US firm’s Grove Rough Terrain crane range to over 70 customers at an Open Day event in the eastern city of Dammam.

It was the first time Kanoo had presented almost the entire Grove Rough Terrain crane range at an event in the Middle East. Models on show included the RT530E-2, RT 540E, RT550E, RT650E, RT765E-2, RT770E and RT890E. Senior representatives of Manitowoc also attended the event.

“Manitowoc is in a privileged position in the Middle East with a well-established support network and products that are well-suited to the demanding industries in the region,” said Waleed Raouf, Manitowoc’s regional sales manager for the Middle East.

“The Middle East has shown huge potential for cranes over the past decade and we are seeing this trend continue.

“We believe that it’s now more important than ever to reinforce our position throughout the region. As we continue to introduce new products and develop even better services and machines, we are excited to see what opportunities lie ahead.”

At the event, crane operators were invited to participate in hands-on field testing to assess the performance and durability of the new cranes. This was followed by a presentation highlighting Manitowoc’s focus on innovation and velocity and a presentation on the entire Grove range with particular focus on the RT550E, RT770E and one of its newest models, the GRT8100. The event ended with a laser show in tandem with crane demonstrations.

Ajit Nair, general manager for crane business in the Arabian Gulf at Kanoo, said the Open Day was a great opportunity to remind customers of his company’s presence throughout the Middle East.

“The Grove Open Day provided an excellent chance for us to present Manitowoc’s new innovations. The event was even more exciting due to the fact that it gave customers a taste of what Manitowoc plans to unveil in the coming months. Additionally, because Saudi Arabia has one of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world, we wanted to demonstrate our ongoing support to our customers within these industries, as well as emphasise our dedication in helping them find cranes that are best suited to their needs,” he added.