Finnish Crane Association Visits Tadano – Connecting History & Looking Towards the Future

Tadano regularly welcomes customers, distributors, and associations from around the world to visit its factories, meet with management, and interact with the engineers and workers directly designing and assembling modern crane lines. Among these, the recent visit from the Finnish Crane Association (INFRA) left a special mark, not only due to the professional meetings but also because of an emotional historical connection.

The INFRA Delegation from Finland

The delegation comprised 15 representatives from 8 leading crane rental companies in Finland, specializing in tower cranes, telehandlers, all-terrain cranes, and heavy transport equipment. The delegation was led by Mr. Antti Astrèn, Executive Director of INFRA.

The journey extended through two key Tadano factories in Japan: Shido and Kozai, where the delegation met directly with factory managers, R&D, and Strategy departments.

Hot Topic: Electrification and Automation

As Finland has not yet strictly implemented environmental regulations, the progress of electrification on construction sites is still slow. However, INFRA stated that they are very interested in this trend and want to learn more about electric crane technology – the main reason for this trip.

During the presentation, Tadano showcased two prominent product lines:

• eGR-1000XLL

• eGR-250N – the first fully electric all-terrain crane introduced in Japan in 2023.

INFRA representatives shared their strong impressions:

“We were surprised by the initial smoothness and superior acceleration.”
“The automation line at the Kozai factory is truly a major technological advancement.” – Mr. Astrèn commented.

A Bridge Between Past and Present

A touching moment occurred when Mr. Sakari Yrjö-Koskinen, Sales & Marketing Director at HONGISTO OY (a pioneering crane company in Finland), shared a special family story. He brought a commemorative photo of his grandfather – Väinö Hongisto, who purchased the first Tadano crane in Europe: the TL-360, delivered in Oulu in 1972.

“Back then, Tadano was so advanced that we could hardly imagine it. A fully hydraulic crane – truly impressive,” he once shared in a 2001 interview.

The photo of his grandfather and the TL-360 is now proudly displayed in the R&D room at the Shido factory, symbolizing the continuity between the first generation and the current generation.

Tadano – Where Culture and Technology Intersect

INFRA representatives expressed admiration not only for the technology but also for the distinct Japanese culture of hospitality and welcome at Tadano.

Tadano will continue to expand its programs for hosting partners, customers, and associations from around the world – aiming to share technology, connect cultures, and build sustainable relationships for the future.