Crane Professionals with a Pioneer Spirit
Interview with DI Christian Rauscher, CEO of Penz crane GmbH
If you don't move with the times, you will be left behind. In other words: Only those who are ready for change can be successful in the long term. Penz crane GmbH from Aichdorf in Austria agrees with this view. The company, which has made a name for itself with crane solutions for the timber and recycling industries, is undergoing a fundamental restructuring process following a takeover, in order to continue to grow.
The story of Penz crane began in 1966 in a garage. There, Rochus Penz developed the first hydraulic crane – a milestone and the first chapter of a success story. "The foldable cranes were the first of their kind worldwide and still form the most important pillar of the portfolio today," says managing director DI Christian Rauscher. "Penz is still considered the inventor of the Z-crane, even though it has often been copied."
Ready for New Challenges
Christian Rauscher is the sole managing director and shareholder of Penz crane GmbH. Since the family business was taken over by a group of former industrial managers as part of a succession arrangement in December 2023, new paths are being laid. "We saw the potential of the company and with our experience, we bring ideal prerequisites to generate long-term growth," explains Christian Rauscher. "Penz has been growing continuously over the past years and this course will continue this year as well."
Following or Setting Trends
Penz employs around 60 staff and turns over 20 million EUR. The focus is on crane systems for the timber and recycling industries. With the Z-Class, which accounts for two-thirds of the turnover, the L-Class, which is particularly convincing in the long timber sector, LF-cranes for off-road use, and recycling cranes, Penz has earned an excellent international reputation. The cranes are assembled in Aichdorf, there is a small prefabrication for steel construction; otherwise, they cooperate with partners such as vehicle body builders. The crane specialist sets accents with customer-specific solutions, which are realized based on a modular concept. "Penz is known for robust, rather puristic crane solutions," emphasizes Christian Rauscher.