For Falcon Cranes, growth has always been a product of long-term thinking and strong partnerships.
From its beginnings as a small tower crane operation in 2016, the Queensland-based company has evolved into one of the state’s fastest-growing crane providers – built on reliability, relationships, and a steady focus on customer needs. Today, much of that progress is intertwined with its close partnership with Potain, one of the world’s leading tower crane manufacturers under the Manitowoc brand.
Falcon Cranes Managing Director Alex Macklin said the relationship with Potain developed at the right time in the company’s journey.
“When we started taking on larger, more complex projects, it became clear that aligning with a trusted, international manufacturer made sense,” Alex said.
“Potain has always been known for quality, and with a strong local presence, great parts support, and people like Billy Rumble [Manitowoc’s Tower Crane Manager] – who I’ve worked with for over a decade – it was the obvious choice.”
Alex has grown Falcon’s fleet from smaller hammerhead and flat-top cranes to include Potain’s latest topless and luffing models. He said this partnership is helping the business keep up with Queensland’s growing need for powerful cranes that can operate in tight city spaces.
“The sites are getting smaller, and the buildings are getting taller,” he said. “Potain really listened to what was happening in the market. Their airspace-friendly designs mean you can put a crane right in the centre of a 20-metre-wide site and not oversail the neighbours. That’s a big deal for our clients.”
One of Falcon’s newest cranes is the 25 tonne MCR305A that has a 9.5 metre out of service radius with 60 metre jib.
For Manitowoc, Falcon’s rise mirrors the changing skyline across the region.
“Once Billy and our Zhangjiagang factory started developing cranes tailored to Australian requirements, Alex became a key partner,” said John Stewart, General Manager of Manitowoc Australia. “He’s got the energy, the focus, and the customer-first mindset that align perfectly with how we like to work. Supporting his growth also helps us grow – and that’s the kind of partnership we value most.”
According to John, what sets Falcon apart is its collaborative approach. “Alex isn’t trying to own every crane himself – he’s helping his customers get cranes, manage them efficiently, and build confidence in the product,” he said. “That kind of customer focus gives everyone involved a good feeling. It’s win-win all the way through.”
Beyond supplying cranes, both companies continue to work together to refine and improve Potain’s offering in Australia. Drawing on his technical background as an electrician and crane technician, Alex plays an active role in providing feedback from the field.
“From an R&D perspective, we’re always looking to make small improvements that makes life easier for operators and site managers,” he said. “If I can help improve the product, it benefits my customers and strengthens the Potain brand in the market. It’s a partnership that works both ways.”
That hands-on involvement extends to Falcon’s own innovations. The company recently established Falcon Fabrication, providing custom steel grillages and foundations for cranes on tight city sites – solutions that complement the flexible, modular design philosophy behind Potain’s modern tower cranes.
Backed by Manitowoc Finance
As the business continues to scale, finance has also played a critical role. Manitowoc’s in-house finance division has enabled Falcon to expand more efficiently, offering terms that traditional banks often can’t match.
“Traditional banks tend to look through the rearview mirror – they want to see what you’ve already done,” Alex said. “With Manitowoc Finance, it’s different. They can see the work we’ve got, the pipeline ahead, and they’ve backed us on that. We wouldn’t be where we are today without that support.”
John said, “The partnership between Falcon, Potain, and Manitowoc Finance has been a triple win. It helps good operators like Alex access equipment, which in turn helps us reach more customers and deliver more cranes into the Australian market.”
Expanding through Total Equipment Sales
Through his other business, Total Equipment Sales (TES), Alex has extended Falcon’s expertise into crane sales and support. Established in 2020, TES focuses on supplying new Potain cranes and related machinery to builders and developers with long-term project pipelines. “The idea was to help clients who are ready to invest in their own cranes but still need ongoing support,” Alex said. “We bring the cranes in, commission them, handle servicing and storage between jobs – it keeps everything consistent with the equipment and people we already work with.”
Looking ahead
With Queensland’s construction pipeline running strong and major projects on the horizon through to the 2032 Olympics, Falcon Cranes is well positioned to continue its upward trajectory.
Alex said the focus remains on delivering value through dependable equipment and strong relationships.
“We’ve grown alongside our clients,” he said. “They’ve trusted us from four-storey builds to 25-storey towers – and we’ve been able to support them with newer, smarter cranes each step of the way. Partnering with Potain has made that possible.”
For Manitowoc, it’s a partnership that reflects everything the Potain name stands for – engineering excellence, local support, and long-term trust. As Queensland’s skyline continues to rise, Falcon and Potain will no doubt keep building on that shared foundation.