Manitowoc EnCORE partner, H&E Equipment Services, has opened a new crane remanufacturing complex to service Manitowoc cranes in Belle Chasse, LA. The new center marks a significant upgrade to the company’s abilities to rebuild, repair and remanufacture Manitowoc Cranes, tripling its capacity.
The new complex has two primary facilities: One devoted to crane remanufacturing (Crane Remanufacturing Center) and another devoted to heavy equipment structural repair (Structural Repair Center). It is strategically located on the Intercoastal Waterway near the Mississippi River with access to the Gulf of Mexico, which gives the complex advantageous shipping capabilities.
Frank Arthur, branch manager with H&E, said the company had outgrown its older remanufacturing center, so it was time to upgrade with new buildings and equipment. The move adds more capabilities to care for crane and heavy equipment customers.
“We are excited about the improvements to our facilities and capabilities,” he said. “We used to have a small facility where 75 percent of our work was performed outside, but now we can do 85 percent of our work inside. This will allow us to achieve greater quality and productivity by working in a controlled environment.”
The Crane Remanufacturing Center measures 40,000 ft², with six large service bays, each equipped with a 10 t (11 USt) capacity overhead crane. The entire service floor can be accessed by a 75 t (83 USt) mobile industrial gantry crane. The large shop accommodates up to six crane remanufacturing projects at one time, along with numerous component rebuilds.
The Structural Repair Center is 15,000 ft², with two 10 t (11 USt) capacity overhead cranes. The structure is fully-equipped with five structural alignment welding tables, fixtures and special tooling for crane boom and component repair.
The services H&E offers at the new complex include crane remanufacturing and repair, structural repair, component rebuilds, marine project mobilization, derrick service, and equipment cleaning, blasting and painting. The company employs a team of Manitowoc-certified staff, including technicians, blasters, painters and welders.
“H&E became a Manitowoc dealer 40 years ago,” Arthur said. “We have grown and changed, but we maintain that same customer focus even today. Manitowoc is a significant reason for our success –we have a great partnership.”
Since opening in July 2014, H&E’s customers have steadily been visiting the plant. Arthur said customers are impressed and consider the new complex a practical and innovative resource that will contribute to their future success.
