Across many worksites, stretching from Sydney’s skyline to wind farms along Australia’s East Coast, Borger Cranes has become synonymous with capability and reliability.
For more than four decades, 45-and-a-half to be exact, the family-owned company has steadily built a reputation for tackling some of Australia’s most complex lifting projects, combining experience, scale and discipline with an unwavering commitment to precision and safety.
When founder Jon Borger started the business in 1980 with a single P+H -T250 1970 model, it was a family effort, and the goal was simple. It was Jon’s vision to have the right equipment to do the job well, but more than that, it was about building a business grounded in people and relationships.
“When I started, all I knew was I could take a crane out and do a job and do it as good as possible,” Jon recalls. “Even as a large-scale business now, we’ve always believed that if you’re not growing, you’re going, and to grow, you have to keep earning your customers’ trust.”
Today, that same ethos continues to underpin one of Australia’s largest privately-owned crane hire and rigging companies and that trust has been earned lift by lift. From installing backyard pools to lifting bridges, constructing airports, and assembling wind turbines, Borger Cranes’ scope today covers infrastructure, construction, mining, transport, and renewables. It’s a diverse workload that demands the right machinery, but also the systems, skill, and the ability to deliver under pressure.
A defining moment for Borger Cranes came when Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympic Games and the massive scope of works required, was released in the mid 1990s.
As one of the crane providers supporting the delivery of infrastructure, Jon recalls the pride of seeing his team at work across key sites including the Olympic Stadium, contributing to a project far bigger than themselves. “The Olympics pushed us to perform at the highest standards of supply reliability and safety, under the scrutiny of the world stage, and we rose to the challenge,” said Jon.
Since then, the company has grown steadily, expanding its fleet to more than 250 cranes and employing over 1000 people across 11 depots on Australia’s East Coast. But growth has never been about size alone. Every project, no matter how big or small, has reinforced a guiding principle: meticulous planning, skilled people, and systems that guarantee reliability and safety.
“Every job has its own challenges,” said Managing Director Shawn Borger. “We don’t just turn up with a crane, we design the entire lift from the ground up. The planning, the engineering, the logistics, everything is done to make sure the job is delivered safely and efficiently. Every step is considered.”
That philosophy has guided the company’s evolution from a local operator to a national heavy-lift specialist. Through steady, disciplined growth, Borger Cranes has continually reinvested in its people, equipment and technology to meet the rising complexity of modern construction. The result is a fleet that features some of the most advanced cranes in the world, from compact city cranes to high-capacity all-terrains and the towering Liebherr LG 1750, used for wind turbine installation and major infrastructure work.
“We’ve always reinvested in newer, smarter equipment,” said Shawn. “Later-model cranes with better technology, higher capacity and advanced control systems. That’s what allows us to deliver safely, reliably and on schedule.”
Safety, in particular, remains a constant focus. In an industry where the stakes are high, Borger’s team knows that systems, training, and planning matter as much as the lift itself. The company has built an integrated safety framework combining engineering controls, real-time digital fleet management, and ongoing operator training to ensure every project is executed with precision.
“We work to make sure the right processes and structures are always in place,” Nathan explained. “That’s what gives clients confidence and it doesn’t happen by chance; it’s built into the way we operate.”
This culture of planning and accountability has positioned Borger Cranes as a preferred partner on complex, large-scale jobs, the kind that require the right machines but also the right mindset. It’s a capability forged through decades of experience and thousands of lifts, refined to deliver consistency across projects of every size.
Technology has also become a key enabler. For Borger, investing in technology is not about scale for its own sake, but about precision and performance and being able to deliver with greater confidence.
That experience is evident in Borger’s contribution to the renewable energy sector, where the company has become an established player in the wind market.
“In the past few years, we’ve had a lot of success on wind farms,” said Shawn. “It’s challenging work, but we have the right scale and we’ve built very good crews for that industry.”
Behind the growth lies a simple philosophy: progress through preparation. Every investment, whether in fleet, systems, or people, is made to strengthen capability and ensure reliability for the next phase of the business.
And while the business has expanded its footprint, its approach remains personal and pragmatic. Clients still deal directly with decision-makers who understand both the technical requirements and the time pressures of the job.
That responsiveness, the ability to mobilise quickly, adapt on site, and follow through, continues to set Borger apart in a competitive market.
“For us, the goal has never been just to be big,” Jon said. “It’s to be capable, to keep growing with the industry, and to deliver what our clients need, safely and efficiently.”
Central to that growth has always been the family-oriented culture that defines Borger Cranes. Over the years, the business founded by Jon and Barbara Borger has welcomed relatives but also friends and the families of friends, creating a network of people who share the company’s values and commitment to excellence. This approach ensures that everyone grows together, learning from one another while contributing to the company’s success.
From trainees mastering the ropes to senior staff mentoring the next generation, people, not just machines, are at the heart of Borger Cranes. That family-driven ethos, combined with a commitment to investing in communities and building lasting relationships, continues to shape every project.
Milestones like Sydney 2000 serve as a reminder of how far the company has come, and of the standards, values, and vision that guide Borger Cranes. The business hasn’t been without challenges and difficult moments, but through them all, the company’s commitment to its people, clients, and values has ensured it grows ever stronger and more capable.
As the business looks toward the next 45 years, the focus remains unchanged from 1980 – to lift safely, deliver reliably, and keep Australia’s most complex projects moving. The cranes are bigger, the technology smarter, and the jobs more demanding, but the foundation of trust, reliability, and precision that defines Borger Cranes remains steadfast.
“If someone rings and says, ‘I need a crane at seven’, we’ll be there at six-fifty,” said Shawn. “That’s just the way we work. People know if they call Borger, the job will get done right the first time.”