One of the main challenges facing Australia’s infrastructure construction sector stems from the fragmentation of suppliers, which not only causes efficiency issues but also quality control issues.
For this reason, Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has begun deploying its integrated solutions in the Australian market under the "Crane+" model. This approach goes beyond conventional equipment rental, offering construction companies, both public and private, a single partner capable of taking on key phases in any project: from geotechnical and piling services to the fabrication of steel structures and heavy land transport using specialized equipment, such as SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Transports).
The construction sector in Australia has, for years, been facing significant bottlenecks caused by a shortage of skilled workers. According to estimates from Master Builders Australia, the sector urgently needs to add more than 300,000 specialised infrastructure workers to meet national plans for transport expansion and urban development. Added to this significant staffing pressure are additional challenges, such as uncertainty in material supply or the need to reduce contractor fragmentation to keep timelines on schedule and within pre-established budgets.
Being able to respond to all the needs of construction companies has a clear impact on the construction sector by reducing the potential delays and cost overruns that typically occur when working with multiple suppliers. On the one hand, this is achieved through reduced management complexity, as there is a single technical and contractual point of contact. Furthermore, it helps reduce the labour deficit, as Sarens not only provides the equipment fleet, but also takes responsibility for supplying qualified personnel and specialised engineers to the project, directly helping to solve the labour shortage suffered on site. In addition, efficiency in delivery times is multiplied, as the integration of services avoids downtime between phases.
According to Willem Jobse, Regional Director Oceania at Sarens, "Sarens' Crane+ model responds to the urgent need of contractors to reduce fragmentation on site.”
“By consolidating piling services, steel fabrication, engineering, heavy lifting, and heavy transport via SPMT under a single supplier, construction companies eliminate the operational friction of managing multiple subcontractors, secure the supply of qualified operators, and guarantee a unified technical planning that protects project timelines and budgets,” Mr Jobse added.
Sarens' Crane+ strategy has already proven its utility in large-scale international projects, such as civil and industrial works in Atyrau (Kazakhstan), where the company undertook the excavation of 210,000 m³ of earth and the installation of approximately 18,000 reinforced concrete piles, ensuring strict control over quality and delivery times. By integrating specialized personnel, an in-house fleet, and execution engineering into a single contract, the Crane+ model can help mitigate the impact of the labour shortage in Australia and maximise productivity on the ground.
About Sarens
Sarens is a global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries, Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals. For more, visit: www.sarens.com