- The Wittrock, Ulferts, and Ulferts & Wittrock groups are modernising their mobile crane fleets
- This corporate network regularly orders mobile crane packages from Liebherr
- The order includes crane types equipped with the new LICCON3 mobile crane control
Dozens of branches throughout Germany, long-established companies, well-known names in the crane, heavy haulage and work platform industry such as Herrmann & Wittrock, Titschkus & Wittrock, Ulferts, and Ulferts & Wittrock – at the end of last year, this corporate network once again ordered a crane package from Liebherr. Around 50 mobile cranes with three to six axles will be delivered to various locations throughout Germany from spring to autumn.
These three independent groups of companies have traditionally worked closely together: the Wittrock Group, the Ulferts Group and the Ulferts & Wittrock Group,” explains Temmo Niekamp, who is Managing Director of the Ulferts Group alongside Hermann Ulferts. Together with Marcus Wittrock, he also manages the Ulferts & Wittrock Group. Marcus Wittrock is also Managing Director of the Wittrock Group alongside Oliver Herrmann.
Fleet modernisation
The companies in the group regularly order mobile cranes from Liebherr. The latest package includes around 50 cranes with three to five axles from the LTM series as well as units from the compact LTC 1050-3.1. Marcus Wittrock says: “We want to impress our customers by using modern equipment. It’s therefore important for us to regularly procure new cranes that are at the cutting edge of mobile crane technology. Liebherr has been a trustworthy partner for us for many years. We decided to go ahead with the new purchases, even though the current economic trends in Germany are not viewed positively. However, we are taking a long-term approach and showing courage and confidence in our industry.”
Oliver Herrmann adds: “New cranes also relieve the burden on the workshops in the branches. We are currently replacing cranes built in 2019. This means that hardly any of our cranes are more than four years old. Demand for new cranes also arises due to new projects and site expansions, such as in Bayreuth and Schwedt, as well as new locations, including Halle.” “Some of the new machines are also intended for Wittrock-Trading,” reports Marcus Wittrock.
The new orders also include mobile cranes equipped with the new LICCON3 control: the LTM 1100-5.3 and LTM 1110-5.2 cranes were ordered with extensive equipment, such as a central lubrication system in the chassis, LED driving lights, a central locking system with radio key, a rear-view camera and a lighting package.
Rich history
The history of the corporate group goes back to 1909, when Hermann Titschkus founded a haulage company with a horse and cart. Crane hire began in 1970 with the founding of Mennen & Wittrock. Ulferts GmbH was founded two years later. In 1989, the group of companies was expanded with the founding of Ulferts & Wittrock.
Various company startups and takeovers then followed. In 2002, its business areas were expanded to include work platforms and forklifts. Today, the individual group companies with numerous locations throughout Germany operate more than 200 mobile cranes with load capacities of 30 to 700 tonnes, crawler cranes with load capacities of 130 to 650 tonnes, as well as mobile construction cranes. The vast majority of these cranes come from Liebherr. The company’s fleet also includes a total of around 3,500 pieces of equipment that include work platforms, forklift trucks and telescopic handlers, as well as various heavy-duty lorries.