Leading crane expert Klaus Meissner joins ESTA’s management team.

One of Europe’s leading crane industry experts, Klaus Meissner, has joined the ESTA management team, supporting the work of the organisation’s crane section.

Meissner started work for ESTA in April and will hold the title Subject Matter Expert Cranes.

A graduate in mechanical engineering, he has worked for more than 30 years in the mobile crane industry. He led the Demag research and development team in Zweibruecken, Germany, and worked as Director Product Safety Cranes responsible for all Terex Cranes products. He also spent time as head of R&D for Terex Peiner tower cranes.

Following the sale of the Zweibruecken cranes business to Tadano, he started his own business, consulting amongst others for Tadano Demag which he represented within ESTA until recently.

As former president of the FEM product group for mobile cranes – part of the European Materials Handling Federation – he has worked closely with ESTA for many years on a range of technical and regulatory topics. Meissner will continue as convenor for the product safety standard for mobile cranes, EN 13000, until the new revision is published.

He 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 manufacturer’s 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 ageing 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.”

ESTA Director Ton Klijn 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.”