Capital Equipment News’ Juanita Pienaar spoke with Tim Biesemans, Regional Director at Sarens, to learn how the global leader in heavy lifting and engineered transport continues to push boundaries in safety, sustainability, and technical capability through its world-class fleet.
Global power, local presence
As a company synonymous with precision, innovation, and scale, Sarens has long been recognised as a global force in heavy lifting, engineered transport, and crane rental solutions. The company’s achievements were once again highlighted when it received both the Excellence in Engineering and Best Project of the Year Awards at the Lifting Africa Awards - accolades that celebrate the industry’s best in safety, innovation, and technical mastery.
“These recognitions are a testament to our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and engineering innovation in every project we undertake,” says Tim Biesemans, Regional Director for Southern Africa. “Behind these achievements is the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our entire team - from our engineers and project managers to our operators and support staff.”
But for Sarens, the story of success in southern Africa isn’t just about landmark projects, it’s about the machinery that makes them possible.
A fleet built for every challenge
Sarens operates one of the world’s most extensive crane and heavy lifting fleets, and its Southern African operation is no exception. “Within Africa, Sarens is active in eight countries and employs around 300 people,” explains Biesemans. “Our regional fleet includes close to 20 crawler cranes ranging from 100 to 800 tonnes, almost 80 all-terrain cranes from 30 to 500 tonnes, and a combined fleet of over 100 axle lines of SPMT K24 and K25.”
In addition, the company’s transport capabilities include multi-axle and extendable trailers, lowbeds, and other abnormal transport solutions, complemented by a range of material-handling equipment. The scale and diversity of the fleet enable Sarens to tackle complex, large-scale projects across industries - from construction and mining to energy and port logistics.
“One of our main advantages,” notes Biesemans, “is that if we detect a specific need that we cannot immediately meet with the cranes available locally, we can move the necessary units from anywhere else in the world. Our customers always have access to the machinery they need, regardless of the project’s size or duration.”
Technology and training: the human factor
While Sarens’ equipment stands at the cutting edge of engineering, Biesemans believes that the true differentiator lies in the expertise of its people. “Although the cranes and technical equipment we use throughout the region stand out for their high level of technical advancement, what makes these machines truly exceptional is the high level of qualification of our operators,” he says.
The company’s operators receive ongoing, manufacturer-certified training to ensure optimal performance and safety. “We work closely with the manufacturers of the machinery we use so that our operators can obtain training directly from them,” Biesemans explains. “We even invite representatives from these manufacturers to our business units to train our staff onsite when new machinery arrives.”
This philosophy of continuous learning extends across borders. “When we incorporated XCMG equipment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or introduced Sany 300t all-terrain cranes and Faymonville trailers in South Africa, our teams received training directly from the OEMs,” he adds.
Setting the standard for safety and sustainability
Innovation at Sarens goes far beyond mechanical muscle. Since its founding 70 years ago, the company has maintained a strong focus on research and development. “We have a large R&D department at our headquarters in Wolvertem, Belgium,” says Biesemans. “Among other things, it has developed our new line of giant cranes, including the SGC-250, known as Big Carl, and the SGC-120/1 and SGC-170, which feature all the latest advances in technology, safety, and sustainability.”
Sarens is also leading the charge toward cleaner operations through electrification and the use of alternative fuels. “Models such as the SGC-170, with a capacity of 3 200 tonnes, and the SGC-90, with 1 650 tonnes, are examples of our commitment to sustainability,” he says. “These cranes not only emit no polluting gases, but they can also feed part of the energy they produce back into the grid.”
Maintaining peak efficiency is another cornerstone of Sarens’ approach. “Each piece of equipment is monitored by external technology so we can prevent breakdowns and adhere to punctual maintenance schedules,” says Biesemans. “Within the region, we’re able to maintain our equipment at 90% uptime - quite an achievement considering the logistical challenges of transporting spare parts across countries.”
Investing in skills and the green economy
Sarens’ commitment to sustainability also extends to people development. “We are deeply committed to the communities in which we operate,” says Biesemans. “Training our employees in the latest technologies and to the highest international safety standards is more than an investment in job training - it’s an investment in the future of these communities.”
To formalise this mission, the company launched the Sarens Academy in Cape Town earlier this year. “The Academy focuses on the green economy, including the renewable energy sector and beyond,” he explains. “It allows us to deliver a pool of ambassadors to the South African economy.”
Training offered through the Academy includes Global Wind Organisation Basic Safety and Technical Training, covering disciplines such as working at heights, fire awareness, hydraulics, mechanical systems, and electrical installations. Sarens also offers e-learning courses, broadening access to technical education across the continent.
In recent years, Sarens has facilitated cross-border collaboration by deploying South African personnel to projects across the region, including a wind farm in Namibia, where local communities from Angola, Zambia, and South Africa are working side by side - a tangible demonstration of Sarens’ commitment to regional capacity building.
Ready when needed, wherever needed
For Sarens, fleet availability is a critical component of customer satisfaction. “We prioritise being able to respond to any of our customers’ needs, regardless of the project’s size or duration,” Biesemans says. “Given that we have thousands of cranes spread across the globe, we can arrange for their transport to any required location within the requested timeframe.”
Recent examples highlight the agility of the company’s logistics. “For one of our customers in South Africa, we brought in a new 800-tonne crawler crane within three months of contract signature,” he notes. “In Angola, we deployed a 550-tonne crawler crane in just six weeks to assist with port operations.”
The company’s regional expansion has also included 18 new trucks and 11 new trailers to support growing transport demands. “Our experienced in-house logistics department ensures that all equipment arrives safely and well within the customer’s timelines,” adds Biesemans.
Investing for the future
Sarens’ commitment to southern Africa is not a temporary one. “Our approach involves making multiple investments to improve social and economic development through employment and technological training,” Biesemans says. “We continue to invest in machinery equipped with the latest safety and sustainability technologies and to adapt our fleet to our customers’ evolving needs.”
Excellence as a standard
Winning the Excellence in Engineering award is, to Biesemans, more than just a trophy, it’s a validation of Sarens’ mission. “This award reflects the commitment of our engineers, project managers, crane operators, and support staff to the quality of everything we do,” he says. “It reinforces our need to maintain the highest quality standards in our processes every day, striving to go one step further, and ensuring there is no job we cannot do - no matter how demanding the task, the size of the load, or the height of the lift.”
At its core, Sarens’ philosophy remains clear: world-class machinery, local empowerment, and an uncompromising dedication to safety and sustainability. With its unmatched fleet and expanding regional footprint, Sarens continues to set the benchmark for heavy lifting in southern Africa - proving that true engineering excellence is built on both strength and vision.
