Sims Crane expands capabilities with 11 tower cranes

Sims Crane & Equipment has entered the tower crane sector with the purchase of 11 new electric tower cranes for a total investment of $14 million.

The first of Sims’ tower cranes was erected at a construction site in Tampa, FL in February. The other 10 cranes are committed to other vertical construction projects.

Sims Crane made the decision to expand into the tower crane sector to answer client demand, according to Dean Sims II, Sims Crane Vice President of Marketing.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, many of our long time clients that rent hoist elevators and mobile cranes were looking for another tower crane option and they trust Sims to provide that alternative,” Sims said.

With high-rise construction surging in Florida, tower cranes complement Sims Crane’s existing skilled personnel and material hoist elevator department.

“The demand for high-rise residential buildings is being driven by Millennials’ preference for urban living as well as continued relocations to Florida,” Sims said. “The crawler cranes in our existing fleet are highly competitive versus electric tower cranes on buildings under 160 feet in height, but they do require a larger footprint and urban high-rise buildings usually struggle with site space restrictions. Tower cranes require a smaller footprint and allow us to provide lifting at much higher elevations when building heights exceed 200 feet”.

All of Sims Crane’s new electric tower cranes are manufactured in France by Potain and include the MDT 389 L16 and MD 559 models.

“Sims Crane is committed to investing in the best possible equipment to support the construction industry in Florida,” Sims said. “Our new tower cranes exemplify that commitment.”