Friday roundup: crane counts, smart tech & the PPE fit fight

The week flew by—here’s what had the industry buzzing.

MONDAY

Photo: Wolffkran

The 2025 ACT Tower Crane 50 reveals a year of recalibration across North America’s tower crane industry. While the total number of cranes dipped slightly from 2,442 to 2,411, and branches dropped from 281 to 274, overall employment rose to 9,942, and increase from 9,440 last year.

This year’s list reflects a strategic shift toward right-sizing fleets and focusing on workforce investment. Morrow Equipment remains in the top spot, followed by Maxim Crane Works and Uperio North America.

Newcomers Bay Crane (#15) and Torre Crane (#18) made impressive debuts, signaling fresh energy in a sector prioritizing technical capability and regional service over pure size.

Read more about this year’s rankings and market shifts in the full report.

WEDNESDAY

Crane operators are getting a clear advantage with the latest cameras, communication devices and radar systems. From wireless headsets and dual-facing dash cams to high-definition crane cameras and remote load stabilizers, this technology is transforming how crews work, stay aware and keep jobsites safe.

Photo: HBC-radiomatic

American Cranes & Transport’s latest roundup spotlights some of the industry’s most innovative solutions. New systems include wireless crew communication headsets that keep ears open to surrounding sounds, dual-facing dash cameras that protect against liability claims, and high-definition crane cameras with infrared night vision for harsh environments. Other advances detect load misalignments in real time, integrate programmable multi-zone radar detection, and stream live multi-camera video feeds directly to the operator’s controls.

Also featured are crane-mounted wireless cameras that eliminate blind lifts, powerline warning devices that reduce electrical hazards, and remote-controlled load stabilizers that keep lifts steady in high winds.

Read more about the latest crane safety technology here.

THURSDAY 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the frontline defence in construction and specialized transport. But how it fits matters. Recent regulatory shifts in the USA and rising awareness in Europe show uniform sizing is unacceptable. Safety demands inclusivity.

Female engineers report ill-fitting trousers and overalls, with sizeable numbers of men, apprentices and larger workers facing similar issues. Ill-fitting PPE isn’t just uncomfortable; it creates new safety risks – from loss of mobility to gear getting caught in machinery – or failing to protect vital areas properly. Improper fit can leave workers vulnerable to hazards or discourage its use altogether.

In the USA since January it has been an OSHA requirement for PPE in construction to “properly fit” each worker. Construction standards are now aligned with those already in place for general and maritime industries.

Read more about developments pushing for properly fitted PPE.