Europe's leading mobile crane manufacturers are sounding the alarm. United within the German Mechanical Engineering Association (VDMA), they have lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission against the influx of cranes from China, which they consider to be sold at dumping prices.
The companies behind this initiative, Liebherr, Manitowoc, Sennebogen and Tadano, represent almost 99% of European production in the sector. They are asking Brussels to open an anti-dumping investigation to put an end to commercial practices they consider "manifestly unfair".
Prices "that do not cover production costs".
European manufacturers say they can no longer compete with Chinese products sold at prices below European production costs, thanks to massive subsidies granted by Beijing to its manufacturers.
" It's patently unfair to compete with products whose sales conditions don't even cover the cost of raw materials and energy", laments Christoph Kleiner, General Sales Manager at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen.
In their view, this situation directly threatens the future of a strategic sector for Europe, essential to the construction of energy, transport and defense infrastructures.
An industrial and strategic challenge for Europe
Mobile cranes, capable of lifting more than 30 tonnes, are essential to the energy transition, particularly for the installation of new power lines and transformer substations, but also for the construction of bridges, roads and railroads.
They also play a key role in military logistics and civil security.
"The European Commission must act quickly to guarantee a fair production environment and preserve jobs in the European crane industry," says Noriaki Yashiro, CEO of Tadano Europe Holdings.
Towards an anti-dumping investigation?
The complaint could lead Brussels to launch an official investigation into the practices of Chinese manufacturers. If suspicions of dumping are confirmed, compensatory customs duties could be imposed.
For Erich Sennebogen, Managing Director of Sennebogen Maschinenfabrik, the threat is clear:
"Chinese producers are increasingly targeting the European market. Without corrective measures, the damage to our industry will continue to worsen."
