Richard Kölch & Sohn GmbH from Fürth has put a new Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 into operation. The mobile crane in the 60-ton load class replaces a 55-ton competitor's model and completes a strategic realignment: within just two years, the family business has converted its entire crane fleet to Liebherr mobile cranes.

"A crane in the 60-ton load class is indispensable in today's times, in our opinion. The new crane integrates perfectly into our service portfolio and enables us to carry out assignments even more efficiently and flexibly," explains Managing Director Alexander Kölch.

Why Kölch relies on the 60-ton class

The decision for the three-axle LTM 1060-3.1 was made following a clear analysis of operational requirements. The company primarily uses the crane in precast construction, general construction, industrial projects, and machinery assembly in factory halls. The combination of high load capacity and compact design was decisive: the crane features a 48-meter telescopic boom and is particularly suitable for operations on tight construction sites and in urban areas thanks to its mobility.

For Kölch, the 60-ton class is now an indispensable part of modern lifting operations. The machine closes the gap between smaller cranes and heavyweight classes, covering a broad spectrum of operational scenarios – from assembling precast elements to lifting heavy machine components in production halls.

Unified operation as an efficiency factor

In addition to pure performance data, the unified operating philosophy of Liebherr mobile cranes played a central role in the purchase decision. The LICCON control concept enables crane operators to work intuitively and comfortably and facilitates the deployment of different crane types within the fleet. For a company currently operating four mobile cranes, this means shorter training periods, more flexible personnel deployment, and lower error risk.

Complete conversion to one manufacturer brings additional practical benefits: maintenance processes can be made more efficient, spare parts logistics simplified, and training standardized. For fleet managers, this is a tangible competitive advantage – particularly in a market where machine availability directly determines order capacity.

Complete crane fleet now from Liebherr

With the new acquisition, the conversion of the entire mobile crane fleet to Liebherr is complete. Kölch's fleet currently comprises around 40 vehicles, including four mobile cranes: the new LTM 1060-3.1, an LTM 1090-4.2, an LTM 1230-5.1, and a mobile construction crane MK 88-4.1. This allows the company to cover loads from around 60 to over 200 tons and serve a broad spectrum of lifting and assembly tasks.

"We are convinced by the complete package – from competent sales through high product quality to reliable customer service. Liebherr stands for quality, innovation, safety, and excellent service. These values align with our own commitment to provide our customers with reliable and professional services at all times," says Alexander Kölch.

What the conversion means for the mobile crane market

The complete conversion of an established crane company to a single manufacturer is not commonplace in the market. Typically, crane service providers rely on a mixed fleet to position themselves independently of individual manufacturers and maintain negotiating leverage. Kölch's decision therefore signals high confidence in Liebherr's product portfolio, service quality, and spare parts supply.

For Liebherr, the reference strengthens its position in the German crane market – particularly in a segment characterized by strong competition from providers such as Tadano, Grove, and Terex. The conversion also shows that fleet managers are increasingly focusing on telematics integration, unified operating concepts, and lifecycle costs – not just on the purchase price alone.

50 years of Kölch: Experience meets investment

The family business Richard Kölch & Sohn was founded in 1977 and looks back on nearly five decades of company history. In 2027, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary – a milestone that stands for experience, continuity, and continuous development. The recent investment in the LTM 1060-3.1 is thus also a signal that the company continues to focus on growth and technological modernization.

The strategic realignment to a single crane manufacturer shortly before the anniversary underscores the management's long-term approach. In a market characterized by increasing demands for safety, emissions, and digital networking, a homogeneous fleet can create decisive efficiency advantages – from driver training through maintenance planning to deployment management.

Further information on strategic fleet modernization can be found in our article Grúas Aguilar expands fleet by 15 Liebherr cranes. Details on digital control systems in construction machinery can be found in How construction machinery telematics makes your fleet more efficient.