AS it approaches its diamond jubilee in 2026, South African crane manufacturer Condra is launching a nationwide competition to find the company’s oldest working crane, highlighting the durability of its machines and the value of refurbishment.
The competition, which offers cash prizes for the three longest-working cranes discovered, is open to original Condra cranes, hoists, and refurbished machines. Entry is free and forms part of the company’s celebrations of six decades in the lifting equipment industry.
Condra managing director Marc Kleiner said the initiative reflects the company’s long-standing focus on durability and long-term value rather than simply encouraging customers to buy new equipment.
“Buying new is not always the best option,” Kleiner said. “Refurbishment can deliver significant savings while allowing operators to continue using equipment they already know well.”
According to Kleiner, refurbishing a crane offers two main advantages: immediate cost savings and the ability to retain equipment that operators are already familiar with, eliminating the need for retraining or changes to established production processes.
Condra typically requires about three weeks to complete a refurbishment, returning the crane to a high operating standard. Refurbished cranes carry a three-year warranty if serviced by Condra-authorised agents, or one year if serviced independently.
The company generally refurbishes its own machines, as spare parts for competing crane brands are often difficult or expensive to source internationally. Condra manufactures all of its spare parts locally, enabling faster turnaround times and more cost-effective maintenance.
“If the crane is one of ours, refurbishment is usually worthwhile,” Kleiner said. “New crane prices are around 60% higher today than they were ten years ago.”
Refurbishment can include upgrades such as installing variable frequency drives for adjustable speeds, increasing lifting capacity or span, and integrating modern automation systems. These upgrades can be applied across Condra’s range, from standard workshop cranes to higher-performance Class 3 and Class 4 machines.
Kleiner noted that while some buyers opt for lower-priced imported cranes, these can prove costly over time when breakdowns occur and replacement parts are difficult to obtain.
“Where we remain highly competitive is in the total lifetime cost of the crane,” he said. “Imported parts can be expensive and slow to source, which leads to downtime.”
He added that production losses caused by crane failures are often overlooked in purchasing decisions.
“The purpose of an overhead crane is to move what the factory is producing. If the crane isn’t working, the factory isn’t producing – and it isn’t making money,” he said.
Condra was founded in 1966 as a general engineering company producing locally manufactured hoists. Crane production began in 1971. Today the company operates from a 22,000m² manufacturing facility in Germiston, with a second factory in Cape Town and subsidiary companies in Bulgaria and Chile.
Full details of the competition to find Condra’s oldest crane are available on the company’s website www.condra.co.za
