When Alex Macklin entered the crane industry in 2005 as an electrician and technician, he had no plans to start a business.
But years on major projects, growing technical skills and spotting clear market gaps eventually led him to build Falcon Cranes into one of Queensland’s fastest-growing crane businesses.
Alex spent his early years in the field learning the machinery inside and out. “I completed my electrical instrumentation trade in the industrial sector before moving into cranes. I started as an electrical technician and was responsible for diagnosing faults, repairs and maintenance, and over time gained extensive experience in the mechanical and rigging sides of tower cranes,” he said.
As he worked his way from technician to Queensland state manager at Titan Cranes between 2007 and 2014, he realised there was a clear gap in the Queensland market. “Back then, there were only two companies really focused on the smaller city cranes,” he said. “Most of the larger companies only had a couple of small cranes in their fleets, there was a real opening there.”
That opportunity pushed Alex to take the leap. He left Titan and purchased two cranes, a Potain MC85 city crane and a Potain HD40 self-erecting crane, from what was meant to be for a house deposit.
“We started with two cranes, then three, then four, and away we went,” he said. Falcon Cranes was formally established in late 2016, meaning the company will celebrate its 10-year milestone this year.
Building a fleet and a reputation
Falcon’s early years were focused on assembling a used crane fleet to support its growing client base. Between 2016 and 2019, Alex sourced equipment locally and internationally. “By the end of 2019 we had about 16 cranes after four years of operating,” he said.
Those early cranes were mostly hammerheads and flat-tops that suited the type of projects Falcon was delivering at the time. But as job sites tightened and developers pushed buildings higher, demand began shifting toward luffing cranes to minimise over sail of neighbouring properties. Alex moved quickly to adapt.
In 2019, he travelled to China multiple times to explore smaller luffing crane options suited to the mid-rise market. During this process he was heavily involved in the design, engineering reviews, and ensuring full compliance with Australian Standards. Those trips also paved the way for a strategic partnership with BQ Tower Cranes, for which he now acts as the Oceania agent through Total Equipment Sales. The company went on to order a new line of six-tonne and 10-tonne luffing cranes, which quickly became highly popular with Falcon’s client base. “Between 2020 and 2023, we imported 16 of those cranes,” Alex said.
This focus on matching equipment to expanding project scales has been one of Falcon’s biggest strengths. As Alex described it, Falcon’s growth followed the growth of its clients. “A lot of these clients started with four-storey walk-ups, then eight to 10 storeys,” he said.
“Now we’re taking on projects 25 storeys and above for the same people we were working with nine years ago. Our business has grown alongside them.”
Key clients and major projects
Falcon now supports a diverse mix of long-established builders and fast-growing developers across Queensland.
One of the most notable is Graya, an award-winning builder-developer known for luxury residential projects across Southeast Queensland, and renowned for innovative design.
“I’ve known Rob and Andrew for over 15 years and have experienced their success firsthand,” Alex said. “We delivered their first multi-res project in 2021 with a small Potain MC85 city crane. Most recently, we erected a new Potain MCR 305A for a 25-storey tower close to 100 metres high.” That evolution, from mid-rise beginnings to true high-rise construction has happened in just four years with several successful projects in between.
Another long-term client, 5Point Projects, tells a similar story of growth. Falcon’s first major engagement with 5Point more than eight years ago involved operating three tower cranes concurrently across Queensland and Northern New South Wales on a series of low-rise projects. These initial projects set the foundation for an ongoing relationship, with Falcon since engaged in multiple 5Point Projects developments.
In 2026, Falcon will deliver four new cranes to 5Point – a Potain MCH175A, MCR305A, MCT385A, and MCT565A.
“This reflects not only the increase in project scale and the resulting need for higher-capacity machines, but also Falcon’s ongoing commitment to supporting our clients with class-leading equipment as their requirements evolve,” Alex said.
Falcon is also working with Homecorp, a Gold Coast developer/builder backed by Japanese investment and planning several significant projects through to 2030. The first of those projects is underway, with twin tower cranes on site and four new hoists scheduled for delivery in early 2026.
Expanding capabilities
Construction sites, particularly on the Gold Coast, are becoming significantly smaller, creating new challenges for site establishment, including tower crane positioning and foundation design.
Larger-capacity machines require larger foundations, making customised approaches increasingly essential. Alex said this demand led to the creation of Falcon Fabrication; a dedicated division focused on engineered solutions and custom fabrication to complement its equipment and support site requirements.
In its first six months, Falcon Fabrication has delivered structural steel work, customised platforms, grillages, crane and hoist ties, access structures and onsite repair and maintenance services.
The company has also expanded its dedicated hoist division, which will operate 22 hoists by the end of February 2026. This division now integrates remote monitoring capabilities and busbar power systems, enhancing safety, reliability, and efficiency across all installations.
Falcon Mobile Cranes is scheduled to begin operations in early 2026. With a 130-tonne mobile crane, a 25-tonne Franna, and dedicated transport services, the initial plan is to support Falcon’s internal requirements while also offering general hire to the broader market.
“Any tower crane business that starts in mobiles tends to grow quickly, and I expect the same for us,” said Alex.
Falcon’s growth has also extended into equipment sales through Total Equipment Sales (TES), a business Alex established in 2020 to supply cranes, spare parts, and specialised machinery. The idea emerged from seeing builders and developers wanting to own cranes for long-term pipelines rather than hire for every project.
“We handle everything from procurement and commissioning to ongoing maintenance and storage, ensuring each crane is ready for seamless deployment across successive projects,” Alex said.
TES has built a dedicated service division, with its technicians highly sought-after for their factory-trained expertise and ability to support all types of plant and equipment.
A growing team and a long runway
Falcon’s workforce has expanded rapidly alongside its operations.
“We’re over 100 staff now,” Alex said. At the beginning of 2025, the team was closer to 70. The management structure has also matured, evolving from a small family-run setup to a 15-person leadership team overseeing cranes, hoists, fabrication, operations and business functions”.
This investment strategy is driven by Alex’s assessment of Queensland’s ongoing development pipeline. “The market provides the depth and runway needed to invest with certainty,” he noted. “It’s not about short-term returns; it’s a long-term plan built for sustained growth.”
Looking back, Alex sees the foundation for the next decade already taking shape. The platform is firmly in place to service a growing pipeline of projects and support the businesses long-term vision. Falcon remains committed to improvement and innovation, consistently refining its systems, capabilities, and culture.
With a stronger fleet, deeper client relationships and growing capability, Falcon Cranes enters its tenth year built on steady growth and alignment with key suppliers.