Sany Group opened the gates of its Huzhou crawler-crane facility for this year’s INSANYTI Key Account Conference. The scale was unmistakable. Nearly 500 delegates from more than a dozen countries walked through production lines humming with robotic welders, automated assembly cells, and newly unveiled hybrid and electric cranes – a demonstration of where Sany’s global strategy is heading.
Among those delegates were representatives from 12 Australian companies – some of the country’s largest crane-hire and construction businesses – invited as part of a select group hosted by Sany Group and its Australian partner, Tutt Bryant Equipment, the authorised national dealer for Sany crane products. The two organisations are playing a central role in expanding Sany’s footprint across Australia.
“The event was designed not only to reward our existing customers but also to showcase what’s next,” said Philip White, Sany’s International Sales and Marketing Manager.
“It’s about showing the might and capability of Sany – how far we’ve come in technology, sustainability, and manufacturing.”
A show of scale and capability
INSANYTI 2025 was staged across multiple Sany facilities in China, beginning at Huzhou – the crawler-crane factory – before continuing by high-speed train to Changsha for tours of Sany’s all terrain and truck-crane plants. Over two days, guests experienced the company’s full range of cranes, from compact city models to 4000-tonne super-lifters, and took part in operational demonstrations on a dedicated test pad.
“Customers were amazed at the technology and the scale,” Philip said. “They were struck by how robotic our factories are, and how much of the work is done in-house – not just assembly but true manufacturing.”
The Australian contingent travelled under the coordination of Tutt Bryant Equipment’s team, which has been instrumental in connecting local customers to Sany’s global resources.
The trip was part of Tutt Bryant’s strategy to give Australian crane owners a direct access to Sany’s evolving product technology and manufacturing innovation.
Australia well represented
Australia’s group – 23 visitors across 12 companies – included some of the country’s best-known names in crane hire, mining, and construction. The invitation list reflected Sany and Tutt Bryant’s close relationships with active or soon-to-be customers across the region.
Philip said Australia remained a strategic market within Sany’s international network. “It might look small compared to the global numbers – we’re producing around 16,000 to 18,000 cranes a year – but Australia’s role is important,” he said. “The people who came with us are serious operators who influence where the market goes next.”
From observation to operation
INSANYTI was more than factory walk-throughs. Delegates spent hours operating real machines under supervision from Sany engineers. Four models – including a 150-tonne diesel all terrain and a 90-tonne rough-terrain – were made available for hands-on testing.
“The chance to actually jump in and operate was what made it memorable,” Philip said. “There were no strict barriers – everyone got to feel the responsiveness and precision for themselves.”
Manufacturing, not assembly
For Andrew Esquilant, Chief Executive Officer of Borger Group of Companies, the visit was both a professional insight and a personal milestone. Having spent decades in the crane industry, he admits his expectations were challenged.
“You continually hear that Chinese products are improving but still not at the quality of established brands,” Andrew said. “What I saw during the factory visits confirmed why manufacturers like Sany are expanding globally. The flexibility, the openness to redesign and re-engineer products to suit customers was impressive.”
Andrew was struck by how much of the crane is built on-site. “Sany manufacture 80–90 per cent of their machines themselves. They bend their own booms,” he said. “The robotic welding and the quality-control systems are up there with some of the best in the world.”
Borger Cranes was also among the few international customers to receive ceremonial keys for newly purchased cranes in a presentation witnessed by hundreds. “It was humbling,” Andrew said. “The welcome we received from Sany and Tutt Bryant Equipment was warm and genuine. It was an honour to represent our team on that stage.”
The next frontier: Electric and hybrid cranes
While the tour reaffirmed Sany’s manufacturing strength, it was the 250-tonne electric/diesel hybrid all terrain crane that generated the most conversation. The model, part of Sany’s new hybrid line, features a battery-electric upper and a diesel-powered carrier – a combination designed to reduce emissions without sacrificing mobility.
“The hybrid technology caught a lot of interest,” said Bailey Tuddenham, Queensland Manager at Advanced Cranes.
“It was the first of its kind we’d seen in that capacity. You can charge the battery while working, and it can switch to diesel when you’re travelling or on a site without power. It’s smart, and it fits where the industry is heading.”
Bailey said the crane’s dual-power system gave operators flexibility for urban jobs or long haul moves between projects. “For us, sustainability is a real focus,” he said. “Machines like that help balance performance and environmental impact. They show what’s possible.”
Philip confirmed that Sany and Tutt Bryant are working closely with several Australian companies to introduce the model locally. “We’ve started the ADR process for the SAC2500E PHEV Hybrid,” he said. “The carrier is based on our existing 250-tonne platform, so it’s a straightforward certification. It should be ready for the market soon.”
Automation at work
Both Andrew and Bailey commented on the automation they witnessed inside the plants – rows of robots performing precision welds on booms and chassis structures, while automated guided vehicles ferried components between stations.
Bailey compared it to what he’d seen in Europe. “I’ve seen other factories and Sany’s was very similar,” he said. “The robots handle most of the heavy welding and assembly work. They run a very tight operation – you can tell they’re building serious volume with good quality control.” According to Sany’s internal report, the Huzhou facility alone produces around 1200 crawler cranes each year – a number that continues to grow as automation expands across assembly lines. At the Changsha complex, annual output of truck and all terrain cranes exceeds 5000 units.
Delegates described INSANYTI as both an educational and relationship-building exercise. The program combined factory tours with technical briefings on component development, hydraulic system design, and software integration. Sany engineers encouraged feedback throughout – a practice that connected favourably with many visitors.
“What impressed me most was the openness to customer feedback,” Andrew said. “They’re not just selling a machine and walking away. They want to co-develop, to make sure each market’s needs are understood. That’s how you build a global brand.”
Tutt Bryant’s involvement added another layer of familiarity for Australian delegates. The local dealer played an essential role in coordinating the visit and facilitating direct discussions between customers and Sany’s engineering teams. For many attendees, that access to both local and international expertise was invaluable.
A global perspective
The scale of the gathering highlighted Sany’s reach well beyond its domestic market. With delegations from Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, INSANYTI 2025 served as a convergence point for industry feedback.
“Having 500 customers from so many regions in one place gives us insights we can’t get anywhere else,” Philip said. “It lets us understand where the market is moving and what our customers value.”
Reports from the conference describe a commitment to “digital intelligence and green manufacturing.” Sany unveiled advancements in its TC-Link system for tower cranes, autonomous logistics within the plants, and next-generation battery packs for large mobile equipment. The presentations showed how the company is pushing to integrate smart manufacturing into product development, and to do it at scale.
Australia’s momentum
For Australian visitors, the trip reinforced confidence in Sany’s commitment to the region – a commitment being driven locally by Tutt Bryant Equipment.
Through its national sales and service network, Tutt Bryant has been instrumental in supporting new crane deliveries, aftersales service, and training for operators across multiple states.
Some customers have expanded their Sany fleet’s since returning to Australia in a sure sign of confidence.
Recognition and relationships
The presentation of ceremonial keys was a stand-out moment for many attendees. Only seven international customers were recognised onstage – including Borger Cranes – as Sany and Tutt Bryant acknowledged major purchases and long-standing partnerships.
INSANYTI’s success has set the stage for next year’s milestone event – the 2026 Bauma China, which will run concurrently with INSANYTI. Philip hinted that it would be “the most comprehensive showcase of Sany technology ever assembled,” bringing together the company’s entire product range and innovation pipeline.
“It’s not just about machines,” he said. “It’s about showing the industry that Sany – alongside partners like Tutt Bryant – is here for the long run, engineering, manufacturing, and servicing equipment that meets the needs of modern lifting businesses everywhere.”
A shared future
For the Australians who made the journey, INSANYTI 2025 was more than a corporate event. It was a glimpse into how the industry’s future is being shaped – one defined by electrification, automation, and collaboration across borders.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” Andrew said. “I came away with a new respect for what Sany is doing and how they’re doing it. They’re a true manufacturer – and they’re serious about the global market.”
Bailey summed it up more simply: “They ran a very professional show,” he said. “We were thankful for the opportunity to go, and we took a lot away from it. I’d go again.”