Liebherr makes strategic acquisition of concrete pump manufacturer

718 Liebherr is adding to its product range with the acquisition of the German concrete pump manufacturer Waitzinger. This deal broadens the existing Liebherr-Mischtechnik product range and the company says it has plans underway for further expansion of this business segment. Waitzinger is based in Neu-Ulm, close to the Bad Schussenried facility where Liebherr-Mischtechnik is based. The deal was signed between the managing directors of Liebherr-Mischtechnik and 2321 Waitzinger Baumaschinen. 

This strategic acquisition completes Liebherr's product range in the concrete technology sector. Liebherr-Mischtechnik has developed and produced mobile and stationary mixing plants, as well as truck mixers and conveyor belts for truck mixers. The acquisition means Liebherr-Mischtechnik is now a full-range supplier for the concrete technology sector. The company intends to expand the concrete pump product range and further improve its international position in the sector. Waitzinger Baumaschinen was founded in 1991, and employs a staff of nearly 60 in Neu-Ulm. The company specialises in developing and producing truck-mounted concrete pumps, trailer concrete pumps and truck mixer concrete pumps. From today these products will now also be distributed via Liebherr's international sales and service organisation.

The deal is of note in the concrete pumping sector, which has seen significant changes in recent years. Chinese firms have bought up several of the leading concrete pumping manufacturers, first with 1175 Zoomlion buying Italian firm 2203 CIFA. This was followed by 1170 Sany’s purchase of well-known German concrete pump company 1259 Putzmeister, and even more recently by XCMG’s purchase of German rival 4991 Schwing.
With Liebherr’s purchase of Waitzinger Baumaschinen, this company will have much wider access to international markets as well as significantly more financial resources for research and development. However this market segment is extremely competitive both in terms of technology and sales and Liebherr-Mischtechnik will find strong rivals in the shape of Zoomlion, SANY and 2490 XCMG.