Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Mammoet
View on WikipediaThis article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Mammoet (Dutch for mammoth) is a privately held Dutch company specializing in engineered heavy lifting and the transport of large objects. The company upfitted existing truck chassis for heavy-duty work with upfits such as custom gantry systems, modular transport equipment, jacking and skidding systems, and even made custom trailers and "shipping saddles."
Key Information
They have also modified and customized cranes to do specialized work.[2]
History
[edit]
Mammoet was founded on the 13th of May 1807 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, when Dutch entrepreneur Jan Goedkoop founded a maritime company with the purchase of a 140-tonne cargo vessel. The company, called 'Gebroeders Goedkoop' (‘Goedkoop Brothers’), offered both maritime cargo and passenger transport. In 1862, the company acquired its first tugboat, and from 1920 onwards, the company focused on tug and salvage services.
In 1971, Goedkoop merged with Van Wezel from Hengelo (Netherlands): a company that specialized in heavy transport and cranes. The new company was called Mammoet Transport. In 1972, another company was acquired, Stoof Breda, which at that time was one of the market leaders in engineered heavy lifting and transport in the Netherlands.
In 1973, Mammoet Transport became a subsidiary of Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot-Maatschappij (KNSM) located in Amsterdam. At the same time, the company name was changed to Mammoet. In 1973, Mammoet Shipping was founded.
In 1981, KNSM and Mammoet became part of Nedlloyd Group. In 2000, Mammoet was acquired by, and merged with, Van Seumeren Kraanbedrijf, a company that had been founded in 1966. In 2001, Mammoet sold its maritime branch Mammoet Shipping to shipping company Spliethoff Group, and was rebranded to BigLift Shipping.
In 2020, Mammoet merged with UK-based engineered heavy-lifting company ALE, forming the largest engineered heavy-lifting and transport company in the world.[3]
On 14 March 2023, parent company SHV holdings decided to put Mammoet up for sale. SHV CEO Jeroen Drost suggested that Mammoet required huge investments in the future, and it was not in the best interest of SHV.[4] On 22 March 2023, Mammoet received permission from the Russian government to sell its Russian subsidiary to Chinese Conglomerate Tianjin co Ltd. Following the start of the latest phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022, SHV stopped all its new operations and investments.[5]
Mammoet has been involved in several high-profile projects, including the transportation of a 600-tonne tunnel boring machine in London. The company also played a key role in the construction of the world's largest offshore wind farm, the London Array. Also, in 2024, Mammoet transported, lifted, and positioned the Oder railway bridge on the German-Polish border.[6]
The company is active in the petrochemical industry, the mining and metals industry, civil construction and the energy sector - such as nuclear power, conventional power, offshore, and onshore wind power. Globally, approximately 7,000 people work for the company, in about 90 offices and branches. The head office of the holding company is located in Utrecht (Netherlands). The European headquarters is located in Schiedam (Netherlands). Mammoet has offices in North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
American Market
[edit]Mammoet made its break into America in 1989 when they established an American HQ in Rosharon, Texas, where they were awarded the factory to foundation contract for the Red Dog Project in Alaska. After that, the company acquired the Davenport and Sons, a transport company based out of east Texas to secure rights to using their SMPT (Self Propelled Modular Transporters) in Texas and Louisiana.
Mammoet used several different trucks for their upfits in the American market, including Mack RD800's, Mack Titans, Mack F700's, Mack M45SX's, Peterbilt 379's, Western Star 4900 SA's, Kenworth T800's, Kenworth W990's, Kenworth C509's, Kenworth C500B's, Kenworth 848's, and more.
Executive Board of Management
[edit]The following persons have been active on Mammoet's Executive Board of Management:[7]
- Paul van Gelder (1969), Chief Executive Officer
- Jan Kleijn (1968), Chief Operational Officer
- Tim Tieleman (1980), Chief Financial Officer
- Sylvia Houwers (1972), Chief Human Resources Officer
Use of 'Mammoet' and logo by other companies
[edit]Two (former) units of Mammoet use a similar logo:
- Mammoet Road Cargo, heavy and special road transport. Now only 10% owned by Mammoet.[8]
- Mammoet Ferry Transport, transport company between the UK and continental Europe. Now an independent company.
Equipment
[edit]
- Cranes
- Jacking System
- Lifting System
- Skidding System
- Telescopic Hydraulic Gantry System
- Ballast Tractors
- Hydraulic modular trailer
- Self-propelled modular trailers
- Weighing System
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Website". Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Mammoet Converts Demag CC2800-1 to Narrow Track Stance for Wind Farm Work | Crane Hot Line". www.cranehotline.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
- ^ "Mammoet to acquire ALE". American Cranes & Transport. 2019-07-31. Archived from the original on 2023-03-24. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Mammoet for sale". International Cranes and Specialized Transport. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-24.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Permission granted for sale of Mammoet Russia". International Cranes and Specialized Transport. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-24.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Oder Bridge Replacement on German-Polish Border". HeavyTorque. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ Mammoet. "website". www.mammoet.com. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
- ^ "About us". Mammoet Road Cargo. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
Mammoet
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development (1807–1900)
Mammoet traces its origins to May 13, 1807, when Dutch entrepreneur Jan Goedkoop, aged 25, established a maritime company in Utrecht, Netherlands, under the name Gebroeders Goedkoop (Goedkoop Brothers).[3] Goedkoop initiated operations by purchasing a 140-ton cargo vessel, enabling the firm to engage in water-based transport of cargo and passengers amid the Industrial Revolution's rising demand for reliable shipping services.[7] The company focused primarily on maritime logistics, leveraging the Netherlands' extensive canal and river networks to facilitate trade and industrial goods movement in an era of expanding European commerce.[3] This foundational emphasis on heavy transport foreshadowed later specializations, as Goedkoop anticipated the need for robust hauling capabilities in a mechanizing economy.[7] By 1862, Gebroeders Goedkoop expanded its fleet with the acquisition of its first tugboat, enhancing towing and maneuvering services for larger vessels and cargoes along Dutch waterways.[3] This development marked an early shift toward more specialized maritime support, though the firm remained centered on traditional shipping until the turn of the century.[7] Throughout the 19th century, the business operated as a family enterprise, building a reputation for dependable transport without significant diversification beyond waterborne activities.[3]Growth in Maritime and Industrial Sectors (1900–1960)
In the early 1900s, Reederij Gebr. Goedkoop, the maritime predecessor to modern Mammoet, continued to build on its established tugboat operations initiated in 1862 with the acquisition of the Netherlands' first firm-owned paddle tug, expanding its fleet to support growing demand for towing services in Amsterdam's busy harbors and inland waterways.[8] This period saw steady fleet augmentation, including steam-powered tugs suited for heavier loads, as Dutch maritime traffic intensified amid post-World War I reconstruction and port expansions like those in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.[9] By 1920, the company pivoted its core business toward specialized tug and salvage operations, capitalizing on expertise in wreck removal and heavy towing to serve an industrializing economy reliant on reliable waterborne logistics for coal, steel, and machinery transport.[3] In 1922, it reorganized as N.V. Reederij v/h Gebr. Goedkoop, formalizing its status as a leading tug concern with a fleet that included numbered vessels such as the Hendrik P. Goedkoop (No. 27), enabling operations in challenging North Sea and IJmuiden approaches.[10] Salvage activities grew particularly during the interwar years, addressing shipwrecks and port incidents tied to surging industrial shipping volumes, with the firm's tugs handling tows up to several thousand tons amid Netherlands' canal network facilitating inland industrial distribution.[9] The mid-20th century marked further maritime maturation, exemplified by the 1950s adoption of advanced propulsion like the Voith-Schneider system in tugs such as the 600 BHP Jan Goedkoop Jr., the first of its kind in the Netherlands, enhancing maneuverability for salvage and industrial towing in congested waterways.[11] Industrial sector involvement deepened through water-based heavy haulage, supporting sectors like petrochemicals and manufacturing by towing barges laden with oversized equipment via the extensive Rhine-Scheldt delta system, where annual cargo throughput exceeded millions of tons by the 1950s.[12] HTM Goedkoop, an affiliated entity tracing to 1805 origins, complemented this by integrating early land extensions for heavyweight transfers from water to rail or road, laying groundwork for hybrid maritime-industrial logistics amid postwar economic booms.[12] By 1960, the combined operations boasted a robust tug fleet integral to Dutch industrial supply chains, though full-scale heavy-lift specialization awaited later mergers.[7]Expansion into Heavy Lifting and Global Operations (1960–2000)
In 1971, the Dutch firms HTM Goedkoop and Van Wezel merged to form Mammoet Transport, combining maritime transport expertise with land-based heavy lifting capabilities.[13][7] This was followed in 1972 by the acquisition of Stoof Breda, a specialist in engineered heavy lifting and transport, which strengthened Mammoet's position in crane operations and modular transport systems.[3][7] In 1973, Mammoet became a subsidiary of Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot-Maatschappij (KNSM) and established Mammoet Shipping B.V., acquiring the heavy-lift vessel Happy Pioneer to enable integrated "factory-to-foundation" services worldwide.[3][13] The mid-1970s marked technological advancements in heavy lifting, including the development of the Hydra-Jack hydraulic jacking system, which achieved capacities exceeding 7,000 tons across nearly 20 units and positioned Mammoet as a leader in international heavy-lift projects.[13] Global operations expanded with entry into the Far East in 1974 for nuclear power station component deliveries to South Korea, followed by vessel additions like Happy Rider and Happy Runner in 1976.[13] By 1979, acquisition of Big Lift enhanced Middle East presence through Alatas Mammoet in Saudi Arabia, while 1981 integration into Koninklijke Nedlloyd's heavy transport division supported further international growth.[13] In 1983, Mammoet pioneered the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT), a configurable system that became an industry standard for transporting massive loads over land.[3][7] Subsequent decades saw accelerated global footprint development, including North American entry via Mammoet Western Inc. in 1987 and full Canadian ownership by 1993, alongside Asian ventures such as 88% control of Skanza Mammoet in Malaysia by 1994.[13] A 1984 partnership formed Mammoet Heavy Lift Partners to manage a shared global fleet of heavy-lift vessels, while 1986 involvement in Chernobyl's sarcophagus project demonstrated capabilities with custom lifting and skidding for a 36,200-ton structure.[13][7] In 1995, merger with Decafin's operations created Mammoet Decalift International B.V. (67% Mammoet-owned), incorporating cranes with up to 1,200-ton capacities and boosting European and global reach.[13] By 1996, annual sales reached NLG 320 million (approximately US$160 million), supported by a fleet including Happy Rover, Happy Ranger, Happy River (delivered 1997), and Sailer Jupiter; subsidiaries operated across Europe, the Middle East, North America, Asia, and Africa.[13] The period culminated in 2000 with merger into Van Seumeren Kraanbedrijf, further consolidating heavy lifting resources.[3]Mergers, Acquisitions, and Modern Restructuring (2000–Present)
In 2000, Mammoet was acquired by and merged with Van Seumeren Kraanbedrijf, a Dutch heavy lifting firm founded in 1966, forming a combined entity that retained the Mammoet name and expanded its operational scope in heavy transport and cranes.[3][14] In 2001, the company divested its maritime shipping division, Mammoet Shipping, to the Spliethoff Group, allowing refocus on core land-based heavy lifting and transport activities.[3] SHV Holdings, a privately held Dutch conglomerate, acquired a 75% stake in Mammoet in 2006 for approximately €400 million, with the transaction approved by the European Commission; SHV later obtained full ownership, integrating Mammoet into its portfolio of industrial services companies.[15][16][3] In March 2023, SHV announced plans to explore divesting Mammoet as part of a strategic review, soliciting bids from potential buyers, but reversed the decision in July 2023, opting to retain the subsidiary due to its alignment with long-term growth objectives.[17][18] A significant expansion occurred in 2020 when Mammoet completed the acquisition of ALE, a UK-based heavy lifting and transport specialist, integrating ALE's operations under the Mammoet brand and creating a combined workforce of nearly 6,800 employees with enhanced global capabilities in engineered solutions.[19][3] Additional asset acquisitions included the 2021 purchase of linear winch equipment from J. Murphy & Sons' Land & Marine division, bolstering specialized pulling technologies.[20] In 2024, Mammoet initiated Project Elevate, an internal restructuring dividing the company into two distinct business units: one focused on large-scale, project-based engineered heavy lifting and transport, and the other on crane rental and shorter-term hires. This reorganization, aimed at improving agility, efficiency, and client-specific deployment of resources, involved portfolio simplification and asset optimization without altering ownership.[21][22][23]Corporate Structure and Governance
Ownership and Parent Company
Mammoet is a wholly owned subsidiary of SHV Holdings N.V., a privately held Dutch multinational conglomerate founded in 1897 by the Fentener van Vlissingen family and headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. SHV acquired an initial 75% stake in Mammoet on October 24, 2006, purchasing shares from ABN Amro Prospecties (24.5%) and the Van Seumeren family (26%), with the family retaining the remaining 25%.[16] In 2016, SHV completed the acquisition of the Van Seumeren family's 25% holding, securing 100% ownership of the company.[18] On March 14, 2023, SHV announced its intention to divest Mammoet, soliciting bids from prospective buyers as part of a strategic review.[24] However, on July 3, 2023, SHV reversed the decision, opting to retain full ownership after assessing offers and determining that continued control aligned with long-term objectives.[25][18] As of October 2025, no further changes in ownership have been reported, with SHV continuing to oversee Mammoet as part of its energy products and services portfolio.[2] SHV's family-controlled structure provides operational autonomy to subsidiaries like Mammoet while emphasizing sustainable growth in heavy lifting and transport sectors.Executive Leadership
Joost Goderie serves as Chief Executive Officer of Mammoet, having joined the Executive Board of Management in January 2024.[3] He succeeded Paul van Gelder, who stepped down from the CEO position after leading the company through significant expansions, including the 2023 acquisition of ALE Heavylift, and transitioned to a senior business advisor role.[26] [19] Goderie brings over two decades of executive experience in oil and gas, telecommunications, and technology, with prior roles at Shell, Quin, and Eurofiber.[3] Jan Kleijn holds the position of Chief Operating Officer, a role he assumed following his tenure as CEO of Mammoet Holding.[3] Kleijn joined Mammoet in 1997 as Manager of Operations and Logistics, advancing to Director of Operations & Engineering for Europe in 2000. He contributed to high-profile projects, including the 2001 salvage operation of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, and served as Managing Director of Mammoet USA from 2006 to 2011.[3] The Executive Board oversees strategic direction, with support from key functional leaders such as Tim Tieleman, Chief Financial Officer, responsible for financial strategy and performance, and David Blackmon, Chief Human Resources Officer, managing global HR operations for over 6,500 employees.[27] Mammoet's governance emphasizes operational excellence in heavy lifting and transport, aligned with its ownership under SHV Holdings.[1]Organizational Divisions and Management Practices
Mammoet operates a decentralized organizational model with a global footprint supported by five regional divisions established following the 2022 acquisition of ALE Heavylift.[28] These regions include Asia Pacific led by John Halfweeg, Europe and Russia under Wouter van Noort, Latin America managed by Sergio Vanina, Middle East and Africa directed by Jack van den Brink, and North America headed by Martijn Kuipers, with each regional managing director reporting directly to CEO Paul van Gelder.[28] In July 2024, under Project Elevate, Mammoet restructured into two primary business units to enhance agility and customer focus: a large projects unit overseen by COO Jan Kleijn for complex global engineering solutions, and a crane rental services unit led by Wouter van Noort for equipment provision and operational support.[21][29] This initiative simplifies the portfolio, optimizes asset utilization, and drives profitable growth across approximately 7,000 employees worldwide.[21] Additionally, specialized units such as the U.S. Crane Services Division support regional fleet expansions and client needs in heavy equipment operations.[30] Management practices at Mammoet emphasize safety, ethical compliance, and operational standardization. The company's code of conduct mandates integrity in all dealings, prohibiting bribery, conflicts of interest, and misuse of resources while requiring adherence to competition laws and accurate record-keeping.[31] Safety protocols prioritize zero accidents, with mandatory use of personal protective equipment, authority to halt unsafe work, and practices like the "Mammoet Minute"—a pre-task ritual to assess risks, environment, and hazards.[31][32] In Australia, hands-free lifting policies, implemented across operations since 2024, minimize hand and finger injuries by using taglines and push-pull sticks instead of direct load contact.[33] Managers are required to model these standards, fostering non-discriminatory environments and sustainability in partner selections, while recent automation efforts standardize workflows to improve efficiency in heavy lifting and transport execution.[31][34]Services and Capabilities
Engineered Heavy Lifting Solutions
Mammoet engineers custom heavy lifting solutions tailored to complex project requirements, integrating advanced planning, simulation, and equipment selection to handle loads exceeding conventional capacities while prioritizing safety and minimal site disruption. These solutions often involve lifting prefabricated modules in single operations to accelerate construction timelines and reduce on-site assembly risks.[6] The company's approach emphasizes engineered methodologies such as finite element analysis for load distribution, dynamic simulations for stability under variable conditions, and integration of digital tools for precise execution, enabling lifts in constrained environments like urban infrastructure or offshore platforms. For instance, Mammoet's heavy lifting plans incorporate risk assessments compliant with international standards, ensuring structural integrity during operations that can involve tandem crane configurations or hybrid systems combining cranes with hydraulic jacks.[6] Key equipment includes ring cranes like the SK series, with the SK6000 offering a maximum capacity of 6,000 tonnes and the ability to lift 3,000 tonnes to 220 meters height, designed for modular construction in energy and civil sectors.[35] Specialized systems such as the Mega Jack 5200 achieve world records in synchronized jacking, supporting up to thousands of tonnes over heights exceeding 100 meters for applications in bridge erection and vessel drydocking.[6] Recent additions like the Mega Jack 10000 enhance portfolio capabilities for ultra-heavy lifts, incorporating modular towers for scalable configurations.[36] Innovations such as the FOCUS30 crane enable high-capacity lifts from footprints as small as 30 square meters, ideal for space-limited sites, while wind turbine adapters (WTA) facilitate precise installation of rotor blades up to 100 meters long.[37] These engineered solutions extend to decommissioning, where controlled lowering of heavy structures minimizes environmental impact, as demonstrated in industrial plant turnarounds.[6]Specialized Transport and Logistics
Mammoet's specialized transport services encompass the engineered movement of oversized and heavy loads, utilizing a fleet that includes hundreds of prime movers, diverse trailer configurations, and over 4,000 axle lines of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). These capabilities enable the safe relocation of structures weighing thousands of tons across road, rail, and waterway routes, with integrated logistics planning to optimize timelines and costs.[38][4] Central to these operations are SPMTs, which consist of configurable modules featuring 4 to 8 axle lines each, supporting loads up to 44 tons per axle line, and equipped with independent engines and steering systems for precise maneuverability. Configurations allow for multi-module assemblies to handle extreme weights, such as the transport of furnace modules requiring 322 SPMT axle lines in a U.S. Gulf Coast project. Additional systems include heavy-haul trucking enhancements like the Trailer Positioning Actuator (TPA), which minimizes required trucks, improves turning radii, and reduces fuel use by synchronizing trailer movements.[39][40][41] Logistics integration involves comprehensive route surveys, permitting, and engineering adaptations, such as stacking SPMTs to navigate height-restricted areas or split configurations to lower axle loads over bridges. Notable applications include a 247-kilometer SPMT convoy delivering Egypt's largest cargo to date and a 3,400-kilometer haul of 150-ton items across Kazakhstan using up to 26 axle lines. In power grid projects, these services facilitate generator and transformer deliveries, ensuring on-time site arrival via multimodal transport.[42][43][44][45][46] These transport solutions support sectors including energy, mining, and infrastructure, with recent fleet expansions adding 650 SPMT axle lines to enhance capacity for decommissioning and installation tasks, such as relocating a 20,300-ton FPSO unit. Emphasis on safety and efficiency stems from proprietary engineering, reducing project downtime as demonstrated in mining relocations that expedite equipment reintegration.[47][48][49]Project Management and Engineering Integration
Mammoet's project management framework emphasizes seamless integration with engineering disciplines to deliver engineered heavy lifting and transport solutions, encompassing feasibility studies, risk assessments, detailed planning, execution, and post-project evaluations. This approach leverages in-house engineering teams to simulate load paths, optimize equipment configurations, and mitigate site-specific challenges such as ground bearing pressures or spatial constraints, ensuring projects align with client timelines and safety standards.[50][51] Central to this integration are digital technologies pioneered by Mammoet, including the Move3D platform introduced in 2018, which combines business intelligence, crane performance data, LIDAR route surveys, and client BIM models for immersive 3D visualizations and virtual reality simulations. These tools enable early identification of engineering bottlenecks, precise crane selection from 2D plans— a capability Mammoet first developed in the 1990s—and collaborative project walkthroughs that reduce on-site revisions and enhance logistical efficiency.[52] Organizational restructuring under Project Elevate, announced to bolster operational agility, divides operations into a Projects unit focused on integrated engineering and management for complex assignments, and a separate Crane Rental unit, shortening decision chains and prioritizing investments in engineering innovations like zero-emission systems. This structure facilitates faster client responses and embeds sustainability considerations into project workflows.[21] In specialized applications, such as offshore topside integration, engineering integration involves designing lifts for modules exceeding 40,000 tonnes using systems like PTC cranes and Mega Jack jacking, coordinated with heavy transport logistics to minimize handling steps and accelerate schedules through modular pre-assembly. Regional offices, including the 2023 Taiwan facility, explicitly combine engineering and project management services to support execution in high-demand sectors like renewables.[51][53]Equipment and Technological Innovations
Crane Fleet and Capacities
Mammoet's crane fleet comprises over 1,000 units, ranging from small all-terrain and rough-terrain models with capacities starting at 10 tonnes to specialized ring cranes capable of handling loads exceeding 5,000 tonnes.[6] The company's total fleet, including cranes and related heavy lifting equipment, totals approximately 1,250 units, with a combined lifting capacity approaching three million tonne-meters.[54] This extensive inventory supports operations in engineered heavy lifting for industries such as energy, infrastructure, and petrochemicals, emphasizing modular designs for rapid mobilization and high load moments under varying site conditions. Ring cranes form the core of Mammoet's high-capacity offerings, designed for stability through large ring bases that distribute ground pressure and enable precise heavy lifts. The flagship SK6000, launched in 2024, represents the pinnacle with a maximum capacity of 6,000 tonnes, utilizing 4,200 tonnes of ballast and capable of lifting up to 3,000 tonnes to a height of 220 meters while maintaining a ground bearing pressure of 30 t/m².[35][55] Preceding models include the PTC200-DS and PTC140-DS, both in the 3,200-tonne class with peak lift capacities of 5,000 tonnes, featuring enhanced load moments 40% higher than earlier variants and suitability for harsh environments.[56][57]| Model | Class/Capacity (tonnes) | Key Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| SK6000 | 6,000 max lift | Main mast up to 171 m; total height 274 m; electric drive; centralized ballast.[58] |
| PTC200-DS / PTC140-DS | 3,200 class / 5,000 max | 40% higher load moment than PTC140; low ground pressure; high wind resistance.[56][57] |
| SK350 | 5,000 max / 354,000 tm | Enables advanced construction methods; modular for site-specific adaptation.[59] |
| PT50 | 2,000 class | 25% more lift than PTC35; compact A-frame for elevated wind speeds.[60] |
| PTC35 | 1,600 class | Low ground pressure; ring design for stability; rapid mobilization.[61] |
