ESTA tribute to top crane experts

Niamh Marriott Deputy Editor, International Cranes and Specialized Transport

25 April 2025

ESTA has paid tribute to two respected mobile crane experts who are retiring after many years’ service in their respective companies and industry organisations.

Gerhard Kaupert from Manitowoc and Martin Lottes from Tadano Faun have both represented FEM - the European Materials Handling Federation - in the European Regulations Working Group, working alongside ESTA on technical issues affecting mobile cranes.

They were also FEM representatives in the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly, the organisation that brings together global crane manufacturers and users from Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. ESTA and FEM were both ICSA founder members

In addition, both men were regular contributors to ESTA’s spring and autumn meetings, discussing a wide range of issues facing the industry from the new European Machinery Regulations to problems with AdBlue.

An engineer by background, Gerhard Kaupert joined Krupp Mobile Cranes in 1988, staying with the company through its takeover by Grove in 1995 and then Grove’s acquisition by Manitowoc in 2002, at which time he had been head of development and design for 15 years.

He became director of special projects in 2008. Since 2011, he has worked for Manitowoc and as an engineering consultant.

A mechanical engineering graduate from the Technical University of Munich, Martin Lottes is currently development engineer for Tadano Faun. He has worked for the company for almost 37 years (like Kaupert, he also started with his current firm in 1988), for most of the time as pre-development manager, a period that covered Tadano’s acquisition of Faun from O&K in 1990.

Speaking during ESTA’s spring meetings in Munich, ESTA Director Ton Klijn said, “For many years, ESTA and the entire industry have had the benefit of their commitment, deep knowledge and extensive experience.

“But even more important than that, both Gerhard and Martin were great friends and supporters of our work. All of us owe them heartfelt thanks and we wish them well in their retirements.”