February 2 - Significant orders for Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) in 2011 from emerging economies, as well as the market introduction of the new LHM 420 model, helped Liebherr-Werk Nenzing stabilise its bottom-line in what it describes as a "challenging" wo

In March 2011, Liebherr unveiled its latest LHM 420 model, the successor of the LHM 400, to fill the gap betweenLHM 550 and LHM 280 models. The LHM 420 is available in two variants with maximum lifting capacities of 84 and 124 tonnes.

Last year, Liebherr delivered a total of 49 mobile harbour cranes in 4-rope configuration for dedicated bulk handling. This confirms positive market developments with 216 deliveries in the past five years.

Sales for Liebherr peaked in 2008 with 102 MHCs sold worldwide. The following year, sales dropped by 30 percent before stabilising in 2010, providing a solid base for a successful 2011, says thecompany. During 2011, Liebherr supplied 85 mobile harbour cranes to customers worldwide. In terms of turnover Liebherr's Mobile Harbour Crane department achieved total sales of EUR263 million (USD345.1 million), a jump of 25 percent compared to 2010.

Ten percent of MHC deliveries were to the largest client - eight units to Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd - while other significant deliveries were made to Indonesia Port Corporation, Indonesia, with four units; Egyptian Sponge Iron & Steel Company, with three units; and, Usaha Era Pratama Nusantara, Indonesia, with three units.

In 2011, Europe remained by far Liebherr's biggest market, accounting for 30 percent of total sales, down eight percent compared to 2010. Followed by Latin America (20 percent), India (16 percent) and Africa (14 percent), the ranking is the same as 2010, with small upturns in percentage terms.

Promising, is the development in the Far East and Asia, driven by Indonesia and Singapore, with a gain of nine percent and North America doubling up to eight percent.