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Demag (In German Deutsche Maschinenbau-Aktiengesellschaft) was a German heavy equipment industrial group whose individual companies are now scattered. The Demag name can be today found for example as the Demag Cranes and Components and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.

Key Information

The roots of Demag date back prior to its formation, but became Märkische Maschinenbau-Anstalt, Ludwig A.-G in 1906 as the biggest crane building company in Germany employing 250-300 people. The company was a manufacturer of industrial cranes that included types like, bridge cranes, hoist (device), overhead cranes, Gantry crane to name a few. In 1910 came the hour of the Deutsche Maschinenfabrik in Duisburg – known worldwide by its telegram abbreviation Demag (now Demag Cranes & Components GmbH).[1]: 429–430 

In 1973 The Mannesmann group assumed ownership of Demag.

Founding

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The Demag company was formed finally 1910 in Duisburg through the union of the Märkische Maschinenbau-Anstalt L. Stuckenholz AG, the Duisburg Mechanical Engineering AG, and the Benrath Machine Works GmbH.

The Märkische Maschinenbau-Anstalt L. Stuckenholz AG traces back to the machine factory Mechanische Werkstätten Harkort & Co., founded 1819 in Wetter an der Ruhr, already beginning the manufacturing of cranes in 1840.

In 1908, they designed what was then the world's largest floating crane, built for Harland & Wolff in Belfast, which would be used for the building of the passenger liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic.[2]

Starting in 1925, Demag also manufactured excavators. They expanded to manufacture locomotives and railroad cars. During the Second World War, armoured fighting vehicles (in particular Bergepanther) were built in the Berlin Staaken plant.

During the buildup to, and during World War II, Demag-designed halftrack military vehicles, both in unarmored "artillery tractor" models in the late 1930s, the basis for the powertrain of their armored Sd.Kfz. 250, which itself played an important role during the war, with just over 6,600 built by Demag and their subcontractors.

Hydraulic era

[edit]

In 1954, Demag developed their first hydraulic excavators. Demag would soon expand into construction machines, vehicle cranes, moving and conveying engineering (workshop crane and control devices), steel mill technology (complete metallurgical plants, in particular continuous casting equipment), compressors, and compressed air engineering. The company also became a world leader in the manufacturing of injection moulding machines.

As part of the Mannesmann group

[edit]
Demag Overhead crane and hoist (device) Demag Bridge Crane.

In 1973 the ownership of Demag was assumed by the Mannesmann group, based in Düsseldorf. In 1983 Mannesmann-Demag AG and Wean United, Inc. of Pittsburgh, United States, founded a daughter company to produce steel working equipment, Mannesmann Demag Wean Co.

A joint venture with the Japanese manufacturer Komatsu led to spinning off of the large-scale excavation operations and their renaming as Komatsu Mining.

The steel and rolling mill technology division, based in Duisburg, was spun off to Schloemann-Siemag (SMS) and continues today under the name SMS group.

The compressor division was sold in 1996 to CompAir, which was then part of the British Siebe/Invensys group, but has since become an independent company.

Later (1999), the injection moulding manufacturing was merged with that of Krauss-Maffei, which had itself been acquired by Mannesmann from 1989, to form Mannesmann Demag Krauss Maffei and formed part of Mannesmann Atecs (for Advanced Technologies), a holding company for all of Mannesmann's non-telecom activities. Krauss Maffei's general equipment manufacturing and defence portions later passed to Linke/Hoffmann/Busch. The holding company was later named Mannesmann Plastics Machinery or MPM, with primary divisions Demag Plastics and Krauss-Maffei.

Crane built by Demag in 1935

Dissolution as part of Vodafone's acquisition of Mannesmann

[edit]

In February 2000 Mannesmann was taken over by Vodafone.[3]

All of Mannesmann's industrial activities, which had been combined under Atecs (meaning Advanced Technologies) holding company in order to strategically separate mobile communications and industrial activities, were divested to a consortium of Siemens and Bosch. Siemens and Bosch then divested the different units between them and the Demag units became a part of Siemens. These were Demag plastics technology (with Krauss-Maffei), Demag compressor technology and Demag conveyor technology, which included the Demag mobile cranes and the crane manufacturer Gottwald.[4]

Restructuring, purchase and sales by KKR

[edit]

In the autumn of 2001, Siemens sold the core activities of the former Demag (Demag Cranes & Components, Gottwald and MPM) to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).[5] Those that remained were restructured and became part of the new company focus for future growth. For example parts of the conveying engineering activities remained with Siemens under the name Dematic. In 2002 Siemens sold the Demag Mobile Cranes division, which has not been a part of the package sold to KKR, was sold to US based company Terex.[6]

KKR initiated a major reorganization of the Demag Crane & Components organization, including a refocused effort of their product lines. The production and general company focus changed to Overhead cranes, hoists, Gantry cranes, and Portal cranes under the name Gottwald.

In 2006 KKR combined Demag Cranes and Gottwald under Demag Cranes Ag and went public.[7]

in 2011 Terex completed the takeover of Demag when it purchased 82% of the shares of Demag Cranes Ag.[8] Demag became the Terex Material Handling & Port Solutions (MHPS) division.[9]

Where is Demag now?

[edit]

In 2008 KRR sold MPM to Sumitomo Heavy Industries and is known today as Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.[10]

In 2019 Terex decided to sell the Mobile Cranes division to the Japan based Tadano and it became the Tadano Demag Gmbh. In 2020 Tadano Demag Gmbh filed for insolvency.[11] Surviving restructuring Tadano announced that it will drop the Demag brand name in 2021.[12]

In 2017 Konecranes from Finland purchases the MHPS division from Terex. In addition to becoming again a European owned company, Konecranes also revives the Demag name as the MHPS becomes the Demag Cranes & Components Gmbh [13][9]

Notable dates.

[edit]
  • 1819 The present-day Demag Cranes & Components GmbH founded under the name Mechanische Werkstätten Harkort & Co. in Wetter an der Ruhr. First Steam powered[1]: 411–416  crane produced by Ludwig Stuckenholz company. Now Demag Cranes & Components GmbH.
  • 1840: Demag Cranes & Components starts full production of Overhead cranes in Germany.
  • 1906 The present-day Gottwald Port Technology GmbH founded under the name of Maschinenfabrik Ernst Halbach AG in Düsseldorf
  • 1910 Successor companies to Mechanische Werkstätten Harkort & Co. become part of Deutsche Maschinenfabrik AG (Demag: Demag starts production of Electric motor hoist.
  • 1956 Leo Gottwald KG builds the first mobile harbor crane
  • 1969: Demag introduces the first AC motor with a sliding rotor on its crane product in the USA.
  • 1988 Mannesmann takes over Leo Gottwald KG and integrates it in Mannesmann Demag AG
  • 1992 Restructuring of the Mannesmann Demag Group and spin-off of Mannesmann Demag Fördertechnik AG in Wetter
  • 1996 Mannesmann Demag Fördertechnik AG takes over the Mobile Cranes segment from Mannesmann Demag AG in Duisburg.
  • 1997 Mannesmann Demag Fördertechnik AG is renamed Mannesmann Dematic AG
  • 2000 Mannesmann Dematic becomes an integral part of the Atecs Mannesmann AG Group; spin-off of Demag Cranes & Components GmbH (Wetter); Mannesmann taken over by Vodafone; Siemens AG and Robert Bosch GmbH acquire Atecs Mannesmann; the mechanical engineering division of Atecs Mannesmann AG, to which the current segments of Demag Cranes belonged, remains in the Siemens Group
  • 2002 Demag Cranes & Components GmbH and Gottwald Port Technology GmbH taken over by Demag Holding S.à r.l (Luxembourg), in which private equity investment funds advised by KKR hold an 81% interest and Siemens AG holds 19% interest
  • 2005: Demag Crane & Components Corp. produces the first "Smart hoist" with self-diagnostic capability.
  • 2006 Consolidation of Demag Cranes & Components GmbH and Gottwald Port Technology GmbH under the umbrella of Demag Cranes AG and IPO and 23 June 2006.
  • 2010: Demag becomes the first company to receive the industry certification by HMI.
  • 30 June 2011: Terex gains 67% of Demag Cranes.
  • 2017: Finland based Konecranes acquires Demag Overhead division in Wetter and Gottwald Port Cranes division from Terex and changes the name to Demag Cranes & Components GmbH[14]
  • 2019: Japan based Tadano acquires the Demag Mobile Cranes business from Terex changes the name to Tadano Demag GmbH.[15]
  • 2020: Konecranes acquires MHE-Demag after purchasing Jebsen & Jessen’s stake.[16]
[edit]
  • Example of steam powered overhead crane from 1875, produced by Ludwig Stuckenholz AG, Wetter an der Ruhr, Germany. Design developed by Rudolf Bredt from an original installation at Crewe railway works[1]
    Example of steam powered overhead crane from 1875, produced by Ludwig Stuckenholz AG, Wetter an der Ruhr, Germany. Design developed by Rudolf Bredt from an original installation at Crewe railway works[1]
  • Circa 2010 Double girder top running Demag bridge crane operated via radio control. Radio control is often used when handling steel coils.
    Circa 2010 Double girder top running Demag bridge crane operated via radio control. Radio control is often used when handling steel coils.
  • Demag sliding rotor motor concept with main motor and creep motor. This type of configuration was mostly used in hoists found on Bridge Cranes from 1925 in the "N" series hoist to present day.
    Demag sliding rotor motor concept with main motor and creep motor. This type of configuration was mostly used in hoists found on Bridge Cranes from 1925 in the "N" series hoist to present day.
  • Demag gantry crane of the North Sea stations in Emden, Germany Author, Frisia Orientalis.
    Demag gantry crane of the North Sea stations in Emden, Germany Author, Frisia Orientalis.
  • Crane located in Tsingtao China. Giant crane supplied by Demag. During the war a large blast destroyed the foundation dumping the crane in the sea, where it remained for 5 years, until the Japanese brought it up again, and repaired the systems completely.
    Crane located in Tsingtao China. Giant crane supplied by Demag. During the war a large blast destroyed the foundation dumping the crane in the sea, where it remained for 5 years, until the Japanese brought it up again, and repaired the systems completely.
  • A Demag crane suspended above a factory floor handling textile machines in a company called Textima. Photographs by Roger and Renate Rössing from 1951
    A Demag crane suspended above a factory floor handling textile machines in a company called Textima. Photographs by Roger and Renate Rössing from 1951
  • Circa 2010 Demag Overhead crane and hoist (device) being used in typical machine shop. The hoist is operated via a wired pushbutton station, known as a pendant, to move the system and the load in any direction
    Circa 2010 Demag Overhead crane and hoist (device) being used in typical machine shop. The hoist is operated via a wired pushbutton station, known as a pendant, to move the system and the load in any direction

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Demag

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Demag Cranes & Components is a German engineering company specializing in the , manufacture, and supply of industrial cranes, hoists, crane components, and drive solutions, with a history tracing back to 1819. Originally established as Mechanische Werkstätten Harkort & Co. in Wetter an der through a between Friedrich Harkort and Heinrich Kamp, the firm initially produced steam-powered machinery, including early ship and crane chains for ports and rolling mills. Over two centuries, Demag evolved into a global leader in technology, pioneering innovations such as conical-rotor motors and advanced hoist systems that enhanced safety and efficiency in industrial operations. Headquartered in Wetter, , the company serves diverse industries including automotive, , metal processing, and , offering products like overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and enclosed rail systems engineered for high reliability and load capacities up to several tons. Its emphasis on robust, low-maintenance designs has positioned Demag as a preferred supplier for heavy-duty applications worldwide, with ongoing advancements in electric drives and .

Origins and Early Development

Founding and Initial Innovations (1819–1910)

The origins of what would become Demag trace to , when Friedrich Harkort and Heinrich Kamp founded Mechanische Werkstätte Harkort & Co. in Wetter an der Ruhr, , with backing from the Prussian to and adapt English industrial technologies for local . In June of that year, Harkort journeyed to Britain to hire engineers and procure machine tools, enabling rapid operational startup. By 1820, the workshop delivered its initial products: patterned after James Watt's designs, which powered early regional industrialization including and . Expansion followed in 1826 with the establishment of Westphalia's inaugural puddling plant for steel production at Wetter Castle, integrating with to support heavier machinery demands. In 1830, parallel development occurred when Ludwig Stuckenholz launched a forge in the area, laying groundwork for specialized crane fabrication as steam power enabled larger lifting mechanisms. Harkort retired in 1834, transferring ownership to Kamp and rebranding the firm as Mechanische Werkstätte Kamp & Co., which sustained focus on steam-driven equipment amid growing demand for port and rail infrastructure. A pivotal predecessor emerged in 1862 with the founding of Maschinenfabrik Bechem & Keetman in Duisburg by August Bechem and Theodor Keetman; its debut outputs included durable chains for ship anchors and early cranes, serving ports and soon attracting orders from Austrian rolling mills for material handling components. Crane specialization advanced in 1867 when Rudolph Bredt affiliated with Stuckenholz's operations, emphasizing hoist and crane designs that garnered international orders for reliability in industrial settings. By 1887, innovations in drive systems materialized with the introduction of Germany's earliest electrically powered crane by one of these entities, transitioning from steam dependency to more precise, efficient electric motors for overhead and bridge applications— a shift that halved operational costs and boosted load capacities in factories. In 1896, Wilhelm de Fries established Benrather Maschinenfabrik near , initially producing steam engines before pivoting to crane-related machinery, further diversifying the technical base for future mergers. These interconnected firms—Harkort/Kamp, Stuckenholz-Bredt, Bechem & Keetman, and de Fries—collectively innovated in integration, chain durability for heavy lifts, and nascent , amassing expertise in that positioned them for consolidation into Deutsche Maschinenfabriken (Demag) in 1910, amid Valley's industrial boom.

Formation and Hydraulic Era (1910–1930s)

Deutsche Maschinenfabriken (Demag) was established in 1910 in , , via the merger of three specialized firms: Märkische Maschinenbau-Anstalt L. Stuckenholz , which specialized in cranes and hoists; Duisburger Maschinenbau , focused on chains for cranes and marine applications; and Benrather Maschinenfabrik, known for engine production. This consolidation integrated complementary capabilities in , enabling Demag to produce integrated systems for heavy lifting and , with an initial emphasis on -powered and early electric cranes derived from predecessor innovations like the 1887 electric-drive crane. In the ensuing decade, Demag expanded its facilities to manufacture bridge cranes, gantry cranes, and wire-rope hoists, capitalizing on Germany's industrial growth in and . The company supplied large-scale equipment internationally, including a giant tower crane for the port in (now ), , demonstrating its capacity for robust, high-load systems capable of handling maritime infrastructure demands. Hydraulic technologies featured prominently in and pressing machinery, building on pre-merger advancements such as the 1863 supply of a 300-hundredweight —often augmented with hydraulic accumulators—for mills, which facilitated precise heavy operations essential to Ruhr Valley industries. By the and early , Demag advanced toward hybrid mechanical-hydraulic designs in cranes and material conveyors, enhancing efficiency in factories and ports through improved control mechanisms and load capacities. A notable project in 1930 involved providing and crane systems for the tower in , , then Europe's tallest structure at 100 meters, underscoring Demag's role in landmark construction amid post-World War I economic recovery. These developments solidified Demag's reputation for durable, high-precision equipment, though the era also saw challenges from economic instability, including the 1929 crash, which temporarily curtailed expansion but prompted refinements in cost-effective hydraulic pressing for automotive and machinery sectors. ![Demag gantry crane of the North Sea stations in Emden, Germany][float-right]

Mid-20th Century Expansion and Challenges

World War II Involvement and Post-War Recovery

During , Demag AG shifted significant production capacity toward military applications, designing and manufacturing vehicles such as the , which functioned primarily as unarmored artillery tractors and saw extensive deployment by German forces from the late onward. The company also contributed to armored vehicle assembly, including recovery variants like the at its Berlin-Staaken facility, and fulfilled a major contract from the Army High Command in October 1942 to produce 3,000 Panther tanks at the plant. To meet labor demands, Demag increasingly relied on forced workers, comprising prisoners of war, civilians from occupied territories, and inmates from the Demag-Panzerwerke subcamp of , where approximately 2,500 prisoners were exploited for tank production. Additionally, Demag supplied heavy-lift equipment for naval and port operations, including Schwimmkran floating cranes built in 1941 for the and tower cranes deployed in overseas facilities like Tsingtao, , some of which endured wartime damage such as structural collapses from blasts. Post-war, Demag confronted Allied occupation, facility dismantlement for reparations, and denazification processes, which disrupted operations across its sites. The Falkensee subcamp barracks, for instance, were repurposed as a facility for refugees from eastern territories until late 1948. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the company pivoted back to civilian output, resuming manufacture of overhead cranes, hoists, and excavators to support industrial reconstruction amid West Germany's economic recovery. This refocus aligned with broader reindustrialization efforts, as evidenced by Demag cranes in use by 1951 for handling machinery in East German factories like Textima, signaling operational continuity and adaptation to peacetime demands.

Product Advancements in Cranes and Machinery (1940s–1980s)

In the aftermath of , Demag prioritized the reconstruction of its manufacturing capabilities for industrial cranes and heavy machinery, shifting toward more efficient electric and hydraulic systems to meet Europe's rebuilding demands. By 1954, the company introduced its first hydraulic excavators, exemplified by the B504 model, which integrated a crawler with 360-degree slewing of the , establishing a foundational design for subsequent hydraulic excavator generations. This innovation marked Demag's expansion into construction equipment, leveraging hydraulic power for improved mobility and precision over cable-operated predecessors. The 1960s saw significant advancements in crane modularity and hoist technology. In 1963, Demag launched the KBK modular crane construction kit, a lightweight system using standardized aluminum profiles and components for single- and double-girder suspension cranes, enabling customizable installations up to several kilometers in length for assembly-line applications. Complementing this, the company introduced the P-series wire rope hoist around 1961 for the North American market, incorporating a microspeed motor for fine load control, which remained in service decades later due to its durability in machine shops and overhead crane setups. By 1965, the PK Junior chain hoist further supported the KBK system, facilitating easier integration for loads up to several tons in industrial environments. During the 1970s, Demag emphasized mobile and telescopic crane innovations. In 1970, the firm debuted the Ovaloid boom design for its mobile cranes, featuring a rounded cross-section that enhanced structural integrity and reduced weight compared to traditional lattice booms. This culminated in 1975 with the introduction of the world's largest telescopic boom crane at the time, capable of handling extreme lifts in construction and heavy industry, reflecting Demag's focus on scaling capacity amid global infrastructure booms. Throughout the era, refinements in sliding rotor AC motors—evolved from earlier designs—improved hoist and travel drive efficiency in bridge and gantry cranes, supporting higher speeds and precise positioning in factories. These developments solidified Demag's position in overhead traveling cranes, wire rope hoists, and related machinery, with systems like double-girder bridge cranes becoming staples for steel handling and manufacturing.

Corporate Integration and Restructuring

Mannesmann Group Period

In 1973, the Group acquired a majority stake in Demag AG, completing full ownership by 1983 through progressive share purchases. This integration bolstered 's machinery and plant construction division, with Demag's contributions accounting for roughly 30% of the group's external sales by the mid-1970s. Demag was subsequently renamed Mannesmann Demag AG, enabling synergies in engineering sectors such as cranes, , and . During this era, Demag expanded internationally as a key pillar of 's diversification strategy, focusing on industrial equipment amid post-war economic recovery and global trade growth. Notable advancements included the 1980 launch of the RS wheel block system by Radblock Mannesmann Demag Fördertechnik, enhancing efficiency in operations through modular, compact designs for heavy-load transport. In 1989, Mannesmann acquired AG, integrating its expertise to scale Demag's plastics processing machinery division and achieve stronger in injection molding and technologies. By 1992, Demag's operations were consolidated under Demag Mannesmann Material Handling AG in Wetter, , streamlining production of cranes, hoists, and electric motors for industrial applications. This period marked Demag's evolution into a global leader in crane systems, with output emphasizing reliability in sectors like and , supported by 's resources for R&D and markets. Ownership transitions began accelerating in the late 1990s as prepared to divest non-core assets ahead of its 2000 acquisition by .

Vodafone Acquisition and Partial Dissolution (1990s–2000)

In the mid-1990s, Demag operated as a diversified industrial group under AG ownership, encompassing cranes, plastics machinery, and other divisions, with ongoing internal restructurings to enhance international focus. In 1997, Demag Fördertechnik AG, responsible for technologies including cranes, was renamed Mannesmann Dematic AG to reflect its global orientation and integration of acquired logistics expertise. The pivotal shift occurred in late 1999 amid Mannesmann's growing focus, which clashed with its legacy industrial holdings like Demag. On , 1999, AirTouch PLC launched a hostile takeover bid for valued at approximately 141 billion euros, aiming to consolidate European mobile operations but prompting concerns over the fate of non-core industrial assets. Mannesmann's management resisted, accelerating plans to demerge its and automotive divisions—including Demag-related businesses—from telecom activities as a defensive measure to preserve industrial autonomy. On February 4, 2000, Mannesmann's supervisory board accepted an improved offer totaling around 180 billion euros in stock, marking the largest corporate acquisition in history at the time and granting Mannesmann shareholders 49.5% of the combined entity. , prioritizing synergies, initiated divestitures of Mannesmann's industrial portfolio, including Demag's operations in cranes, , and plastics processing, which led to the partial dissolution of the unified Demag structure by mid-2000. This breakup separated Demag's components into standalone or acquired entities, ending its conglomerate form under telecom ownership and facilitating sales to specialized buyers, though core telecom integration proceeded without industrial drag. The process highlighted tensions between Mannesmann's diversified heritage and 's focused strategy, with industrial units like Demag's arm positioned for independent continuity amid the telecom boom's fallout.

Siemens Acquisition, KKR Purchase, and Subsequent Sales (2000–2010)

In April 2001, acquired Demag's crane and components businesses as part of its €7.3 billion purchase of Dematic AG from the Atecs- group, aiming to bolster its and divisions. This integration brought Demag under ' ownership amid broader restructuring following 's divestitures after its 2000 acquisition by . To focus on core competencies and divest non-strategic assets, sold Demag Mobile Cranes GmbH & Co. KG to in May 2002 for $150 million in cash, subject to adjustments; the deal received regulatory approval and closed in August 2002, transferring production of all-terrain and cranes to the U.S.-based manufacturer. In July 2002, Siemens announced the sale of Demag Cranes & Components GmbH, Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, and five other units (including MPM, Stabilus, and Demag Glass) to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) for €1.685 billion ($1.69 billion). The transaction, completed in September 2002, consolidated the businesses under a new Luxembourg-based , Demag Holding s.a.r.l., with KKR acquiring an 81% stake and Siemens retaining 19% for potential upside participation. This move allowed Siemens to exit industrial crane manufacturing while KKR pursued value creation through operational improvements and portfolio rationalization. KKR restructured the holdings by merging Demag Cranes & Components with Gottwald in 2005 to form Demag Cranes AG, focusing on synergies in overhead, portal, and port crane technologies. The entity launched an on the in June 2006, initially targeting up to €463 million but downsized to €270.7 million due to market conditions, reducing KKR's stake from full control to about 29%. Further divestitures followed: KKR sold Stabilus , a gas spring and damper producer, to Montagu in September 2004 for an undisclosed sum. In August 2007, KKR and offloaded their combined 33.2% stake in Demag Cranes AG for €232 million ($308 million), accelerating KKR's exit strategy. KKR completed its full of the Demag portfolio by December 2007, including the sale of Argillon Group—a ceramics and catalysts firm—to a strategic buyer, yielding an overall return estimated at four times the initial investment. These transactions marked a shift from conglomerate ownership to specialized private equity-driven optimization and public market access for Demag's core crane operations.

Modern Operations and Legacy

Current Successor Entities and Brand Continuations

Demag Cranes & Components , based in Wetter, , serves as a primary successor entity for the industrial crane and hoist segments of the original Demag operations, functioning as a wholly owned of Konecranes Plc since January 2017. This followed Konecranes' acquisition of Corporation's and Port Solutions business, which encompassed Demag's overhead cranes, components, and related services, for approximately €1 billion in cash and shares. The Demag brand persists in this context for high-performance industrial cranes, hoists, drives, and light crane systems, with ongoing product development, such as the relaunch of the Demag DH hoist series in March 2025 featuring enhanced drive concepts and extended service life. Konecranes maintains Demag's focus on reliable, modular solutions for manufacturing and logistics, supported by a global service network. The mobile cranes division, formerly Demag Mobile Cranes , was divested by to Japan's Tadano Ltd. in August 2019 for an enterprise value of about $215 million, including manufacturing facilities in , , and Shady Grove, . Tadano operated the unit initially as Tadano Demag, producing all-terrain and crawler cranes, but initiated a consolidation in April 2021 to unify under the Tadano marque, phasing out Demag naming to streamline and product integration while retaining technical expertise and production capacity. This shift ended direct Demag continuation in mobile lifting equipment, with Tadano emphasizing unified innovation in capacities up to 1,300 tonnes. Regional variations include MHE-Demag entities in , integrated into Konecranes post-2017, where the Industrial Products division—covering hoists, cranes, and components—was divested to Jebsen & Jessen Group in February 2023 to enable specialized focus amid market demands. In markets like and , Konecranes operates joint branding as Konecranes Demag Private Limited since 2019, blending Demag's legacy with Konecranes' service capabilities for customized solutions. Separate continuations exist in niche areas, such as Mannesmann Demag for pneumatic tools and , preserving pre-Mannesmann Demag heritage independently.

Key Milestones and Innovations Timeline

  • 1819: Establishment of Mechanische Werkstätte Harkort & Co. in Wetter, , by Friedrich Harkort and Heinrich Kamp, importing English technology to initiate industrialization in the region.
  • 1840: Commencement of overhead travelling crane manufacturing, with early focus on crane components and production specialization.
  • 1867: Rudolph Bredt joins Ludwig Stuckenholz firm, shifting emphasis to cranes and hoists, achieving international acclaim for designs.
  • 1887: Production of the world's first crane equipped with an electric drive, boasting a 150-tonne load capacity and 19.5-meter reach, installed at Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg.
  • 1890: Development of the first overhead travelling crane incorporating separate electric motors for long-travel and hoist functions, enhancing precision and efficiency in material handling.
  • 1910: Formation of through the merger of Maschinenfabrik Marki, Duisburger Maschinenbau AG, and Benrather Maschinenfabrik, consolidating expertise in heavy machinery including cranes.
  • 1963: Launch of the PK chain hoist series, branded "Junior," revolutionizing lightweight load handling in industrial settings.
  • 1988: Milestone achievement of manufacturing the one-millionth PK chain hoist, underscoring reliability and widespread adoption in global industries.
  • 2010s onward: Introduction of modular V-type crane girders and advanced hoist options like DVR rope hoists and DC chain hoists, improving flexibility, load capacities up to 3,200 kg in light crane systems, and integration with modern drive technologies for overhead cranes.

References

  1. https://www.demagcranes.com/en/company
  2. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/company/history
  3. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/company/news-press-releases/200-years-innovation-demag-celebrates-milestone-anniversary
  4. https://www.demagcranes.com/en/company/history
  5. https://www.demagcranes.com/
  6. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/company
  7. https://tractors.fandom.com/wiki/DEMAG
  8. https://cranepedia.com/articles/history-of-demag/
  9. https://www.sms-group.com/company/our-brands/heritage-brands/demag
  10. https://www.geschichte-falkensee.de/en/history-park-falkensee/a-concentration-camp-for-the-german-armaments-industry
  11. https://www.partsde.com/demag
  12. https://www.facebook.com/100021421346688/posts/german-kriegsmarine-heavy-lift-floating-crane-schwimmkran-in-hamburg-germany-aft/493840062535591/
  13. https://www.geschichte-falkensee.de/en/history-park-falkensee/park-overview-history-park-falkensee
  14. https://www.aggbusiness.com/hydraulic-excavators-developments/
  15. https://www.demagcranes.com/en/company/news-press-releases/programmed-success
  16. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/is-it-time-to-replace-your-old-demag-p-hoist
  17. https://www.cranestodaymagazine.com/analysis/origin-of-the-species-10346255/
  18. https://www.company-histories.com/Mannesmann-AG-Company-History.html
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  21. https://www.cranestodaymagazine.com/news/mannesmann-dematic-predicts-expansion-after-demerger-from-telecoms-business/
  22. https://www.goldmansachs.com/our-firm/history/moments/2000-vodafone-mannesmann-merger
  23. https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/us/chronology-the-deals-that-made-mobile-giant-vodafone-idUSL11539860/
  24. https://www.hoistmagazine.com/news/the-biggest-step-of-all/
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/20/business/siemens-mannesmann-link-is-set.html
  26. https://www.enr.com/articles/36681-in-one-door-and-out-the-other
  27. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_00_931
  28. https://investors.terex.com/news/news-details/2002/Terex-Corporation-to-Acquire-Demag-Mobile-Cranes/default.aspx
  29. https://www.cranestodaymagazine.com/News/terex-to-buy-demag-for-150m/
  30. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB102767284059706160
  31. https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/energy-business/siemens-completes-sale-of-business-activities-to-private-equity-house-kkr/
  32. https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/kkr-bags-siemens-companies-for-20020726
  33. https://www.privateequityinternational.com/kkr-cuts-demag-offering-to-e271m/
  34. https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/demag-forced-to-slash-ipo-by-20060620
  35. https://www.infrastructureinvestor.com/montagu-buys-stabilus-from-kkr/
  36. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/autos-transportation/kkr-siemens-units-sell-stake-in-demag-cranes-idUSL08296020/
  37. https://www.privateequityinternational.com/kkr-concludes-demag-exit-with-argillon-sale/
  38. https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/kkr-nets-four-times-return-on-demag-sale-1-20071217
  39. https://www.konecranes.com/press-releases/konecranes-has-completed-the-acquisition-of-mhps-business
  40. https://www.demagcranes.com/sites/default/files/media/documents/2024%2520LkSG_Policy%2520statement%2520Demag%2520Cranes%2520and%2520Components.pdf
  41. https://www.demagcranes.com/en/company/news-press-releases/demag-dh-hoist-unit-relaunch-0
  42. https://investors.terex.com/news/news-details/2019/Terex-Completes-Sale-of-Its-Demag-Mobile-Cranes-Business/default.aspx
  43. https://www.cranebriefing.com/news/tadano-to-drop-demag-brand/8011397.article
  44. https://www.konecranes.com/en-us/press-releases/konecranes-to-divest-mhe-demag-industrial-products-business-to-jebsen-jessen-group
  45. https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/konecranes-and-demag-to-operate-under-new-name-konecranes-and-demag-private-limited-894451058.html
  46. https://www.mannesmann-demag.com/en/
  47. https://cisp.cachefly.net/assets/articles/attachments/78062_early.pdf
  48. https://kor-pak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Demag-Process-Cranes.pdf
  49. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/new-generation-crane-girder
  50. https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/hoist-options-for-demag-overhead-crane-sets
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