Leading global crane expert Klaus Meissner joins ESTA management

Klaus Meissner has joined ESTA

One of the crane industry’s leading experts, Klaus Meissner, has joined the management team of the European mobile crane and specialized transport association ESTA.

Meissner started work for ESTA in April as subject matter expert for cranes. He graduated in mechanical engineering and worked for more than 30 years in the mobile crane industry. Recently he led the Demag research and development team in Zweibrücken, Germany, and worked as director product safety, cranes, responsible for all Terex Cranes. He was also head of R&D for Terex Peiner tower cranes.

Following the sale of Demag to Tadano, Meissner left and started his own business, consulting for, among others, Tadano Demag which he represented in ESTA until recently.

As a former president of the FEM (European Materials Handling Federation) product group for mobile cranes, he has already worked closely with ESTA for many years on technical and regulatory topics. Meissner will continue as convenor for the EN13000 mobile crane product safety standard until its new revision is published.

A rounded view

Commenting on his appointment Meissner said, “I would like to thank ESTA’s board for this unique opportunity. Changing the vantage point from manufacturer to user will definitely change my personal perspective. I am thrilled about the chance given, as this is somehow ‘closing the circle.’

“Sitting on the user’s side of the table but with the experience from the manufacturers’ side, I will do my very best to support ESTA, bringing together all stakeholders on relevant aspects of design, manufacturing and use of mobile cranes.

“Only together we will be able to master the challenges of the coming years, from new machinery regulation to new materials to a more sustainable industry, not forgetting increasing load sizes, job site complexity and transport issues.

“An aging workforce, together with the younger generations demanding a different work-life balance, is already leading to shortages in educated and experienced personnel. All this adds to the challenges and we need to understand how to make our industry more visible and more attractive to bring in new talents.”

For his part Ton Klijn, ESTA director, said, “The ESTA Board is absolutely delighted that Klaus has agreed to join us and give ESTA the benefit of his enormous expertise.

“I should also add that his appointment has been warmly welcomed by our colleagues outside Europe as well – we are all sure that by working with ESTA, Klaus’s commitment and knowledge will continue to contribute greatly to the entire global industry at a time of great change.”