Thought-provoking ITC conference in Rome

ITC 2025 in Rome, Italy. Photo: Joe Mather, KHL Group

The eight International Tower Cranes conference in Rome, Italy, on 3 and 4 June was a strong event with valuable thought-provoking content and extensive networking opportunities.

Hosting more than 160 delegates, the global conference is well-established as the leading event for the tower crane sector worldwide.

ITC 2025 attendees came from 22 countries in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia. More than 70 companies were represented, the majority tower crane owners from rental companies and construction contractors and the largest number being from Italy.

They were there to network with peers and to learn from the speakers in the extensive programme of thought-provoking presentations. Topics tackled included, engineering challenges, legislative changes, new technology, the current position and outlook for the industry, recruitment and retention of workers, and more.

A range of issues were discussed, including difficulties in funding tower cranes, plus the way that lower rental rates on older equipment, after it has been paid off, are having a negative impact on the sale of new cranes. More positively, there was mention of how increased safety and regulation can help drive demand for new cranes. New technology on the latest models enhances jobsite productivity, reliability and performance, further encouraging implementation of new or upgraded equipment.

Opening keynote: Francesco Aiello, Terex Tower Cranes. Photo: Joe Mather, KHL Group

The state of the market

Opening keynote speaker was Francesco Aiello, Terex Tower Cranes general manager. He gave an introductory overview of change and developments in the tower crane sector, including a range of industry challenges, from a manufacturer’s perspective.

The shift in construction activity in many markets, for example, where residential construction has fallen dramatically but civils work is up, requires a similar change of focus in terms of the size, type and quantity of new equipment required from manufacturers.

Growth in industrial and energy sector construction, plus the proliferation of data centres, is also similarly affecting things. Demand for larger tower cranes, in the 500 to 1,000 tonne-metre range, is increasing while smaller models, in the 100 to 300 tonne-metre range are far less busy.

Federico Della Puppa, head of analysis and strategies at Smart Land, talked about the way that a break in investment, resulting from global uncertainty, a lack of preparation and the non-linear economy, could be a good thing for the equipment rental industry. For a contractor renting equipment instead of buying it requires less commitment and may be a more attractive proposition, especially in the short term.

Attracting new people to enter the industry in terms of both recruitment and retention was a recurring topic. Tania Colatriano, CEO at Colatriano Group, and Daniela Niederstatter, Board member at Niederstatter and Rentmas founder, discussed major strides made in this area, especially concerning the rapid pace of changing technology, and attracting women and young people to become part of the industry.

A crane-owner’s perspective on the industry was given in the afternoon keynote presentation by Philippe Cohet, founder and board vice chairman at Uperio. His focus was on the future and sustainability. Cohet outlined the company’s approach to matters of the environment, social responsibility and governance (ESG). For larger companies he discussed the ESG reporting element as a requirement alongside financial reporting. Cohet also flagged up the need to manage the growing demand for electricity as more and more machines on jobsites switch to electric power – an emerging challenge.

Issues surrounding legislation were discussed in the round table session on engineering challenges in the sector. In January 2027 the newly revised machinery regulation EN 14439 takes effect and the existing DIN and FEM standards will be obsolete. With this and other regulatory changes their implementation on existing cranes will be a challenge for manufacturers.

The day before the main conference included a tour of Rome’s major monuments combined with an interesting site visit, courtesy of construction contractor Ricci, working on a new luxury hotel, the Aldrovandi in Villa Borghese.

Look out for more reporting on the event, further articles and for the presentations, all coming soon.