The history of the Mannheim based company started in 1921 with producing railroad wagons under the name of Süddeutsche Waggon Fabrik. This is still represented in the three capital letters SWF today.

Five years later the company needed winches for the handling of railroad cars during the production. The required winches were not available on the market in the form needed. In order to close that gap SWF developed and produced wire rope hoists that were then also used by other companies for their internal goods handling. The entry with a new company name – Süddeutsche Waggon- und Förderanlagen – into the crane- and hoisting market was accomplished.

Over the decades SWF’s focusing on cranes and hoists has been kept up consistently. These many years of experience and the continuing innovation are mirrored today in the success of the hoisting specialist from Mannheim.

The business year 2005 brought SWF Krantechnik a good turnover-plus of 28% compared to the previous year 2004, in which already a growth of 34% had been achieved. In numbers that is an annual turnover for 2005 of 27,4 Mio Euro, which has been achieved only by the distribution of standard hoists such as electric wire rope- and electric chain hoists as well as component packages for trolley cranes.

All connected service works such as mounting or maintenance of the hoists and cranes are exclusively being done by appointed local and international crane specialists. This partnership between SWF and independent crane building- and crane servicing companies contributes decisively to the Mannheimer’s success.

The 37 members of staff at SWF are a little proud about the result of their work especially concerning the last couple of years. And rightly so. Next to the exceedingly competitive products another part of the success is the motivation of those people who represent the company every day on the outside. They live by the company’s philosophy: fast, flexible and uncomplicated. This is being appreciated by their partners through the fruitful co-operation.

Again, SWF is able to introduce new products in 2006. The electric wire rope hoist NOVAeco with maximum loads up to 2.000 kg that has been introduced at CeMAT convinces through its compact built and enormous power. It combines the decisive advantages of the electric wire rope hoist NOVA in a robust, expedient industrial version and has already met great approval e.g. on the markets of the Near-East.

Also new in the range of products are the electric chain hoists Type SKC with integrated frequency inverter control for hoisting. The steppless hoisting spares all wear parts of the hoist on the one hand and also makes it possible to position loads exactly when it comes to handling-implements. With the one-fall design hoisting speeds up to 8 respectively 16 m/min are possible. The ultimate loads stagger up to 2.000 kg.

The transposition of the electric wire rope hoist range NOVA to the new layout is completed. All versions – be it single- or double girder-trolley, fixed hoist or machinery hoist for special applications – are available in its new outfit which has also been presented at CeMAT.

And SWF Krantechnik has set themselves new targets for 2006. Next to extending their business contacts in Eastern Europe the already traditionally close relations to markets all over Europe, the Middle-East, South-East-Asia and parts of Africa will be strengthened.