With an economic output of more than 190 billion euros and a closely integrated industrial landscape, the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region is one of Europe’s most dynamic economic areas. Acknowledging this significance, PALFINGER is expanding its presence in the region with the enlargement of the site in Duisburg. As a result of focusing its service offering in this location, the international technology company has ensured it has plenty of space for future growth while building on the strengths of its extensive range of services. As the company’s largest German service site after Ainring, Duisburg covers all product areas – from aerial work platforms and loader cranes to hooklifts and skip loaders, timber and recycling cranes or truck-mounted forklifts.

“With over 170 business partners throughout Germany and a strong global service network, we are already in an excellent position. With the expansion in Duisburg we are strengthening our entire service footprint and meet the growing demand for custom-built solutions, such as our aerial work platforms. This is a consistent move in line with our strategic goal to double our service revenue to EUR 700 million by 2030. For us, service means providing customer-focused solutions, the highest efficiency and maximum availability over the full product life cycle,” says Gerhard Sturm, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Service at PALFINGER.

State-of-the-art service infrastructure
Located on a site that was previously home to a mine shaft and a bunker system, PALFINGER now operates with the most modern infrastructure for providing the best service. The facility includes 1,300 m² service hall and an additional 645 m² workshop for the installation of loader cranes and hooklifts, a new wash bay, along with spacious work and training areas. Additionally, the new site serves as a strategic distribution hub for the expansion of regional partnerships.

In order to meet the increasing demands and keep waiting times for customers as short as possible, PALFINGER plans to raise the number of service staff at the site from current 40 to around 60 employees. PALFINGER Platforms GmbH is also relocating its Krefeld-based operations with around 35 employees to Duisburg. Since expanding the existing premises in Krefeld was not feasible, administrative and sales-related functions – including development, service, strategic purchasing, sales, and the spare parts center – will now be consolidated at the expanded Duisburg site. Production was already centralized at the Löbau site as planned in 2023.

“With the modernization in Duisburg, we are creating the ideal conditions to further enhance the quality of our services in the region,” explains Robert Laimer, Managing Director of Palfinger GmbH in Germany. “The significantly expanded space and state-of-the-art infrastructure enable us to continuously strengthen our service portfolio – ensuring an even better on-site customer experience in the future.”

Official opening with exclusive insights
Following extensive renovation work, the modernized PALFINGER service center has now been officially opened. Almost 300 guests – customers, business partners and employees – got to inspect the new site. Live demonstrations of innovative PALFINGER solutions and interactive experience points, such as a crane VR simulator, rounded off the event and offered an intensive brand experience.