Hungarian precast concrete manufacturer Viastein has strengthened material handling at its Biharkeresztes facility with the installation of two new Liebherr tower cranes, increasing lifting capacity and improving production flow across the site.
The new cranes – a Liebherr 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic and a 470 EC-B 20 – complement an existing 250 EC-B 12 already operating at the plant. Together, the three cranes now handle all lifting operations at the facility, from heavy precast concrete elements to general material movement.
The additions were made to support Viastein’s plans to expand outdoor storage capacity and improve logistics between production, storage and loading areas. The company produces large volumes of heavy precast components, paving stones and other concrete products, which require powerful and precise lifting equipment.
Viastein is one of Hungary’s leading producers of precast concrete products, with daily operations involving the transport, stacking and loading of large concrete elements. The three Liebherr tower cranes carry out these tasks, allowing materials to be moved efficiently while making the best use of available space.
Compared with other transport systems, tower cranes offer clear advantages at the site. They require minimal ground space while providing large working radii, enabling flexible handling of heavy loads across multiple production zones without interfering with other operations.
The most recent installation, the 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic, was completed between 28 August and 3 September 2025 while the plant remained fully operational. A detailed installation schedule was developed with the Viastein team to ensure production and dispatch activities were not disrupted.
The installation was carried out in close cooperation between Liebherr and Bayer Construct. Florian Gegier, Service Technician at Liebherr Tower Cranes, said the project benefited from strong teamwork on site.
“The assembly of the 1000 EC-H went smoothly, and the collaboration with Bayer on site was outstanding,” Florian said. “Everything was perfectly prepared, which allowed us to erect and commission the crane quickly and safely.”
The 1000 EC-H 40 Litronic is well suited to Viastein’s operational requirements. With a jib length of 45 metres, the crane can lift loads of up to 20 tonnes, making it capable of handling precast elements weighing up to 17 tonnes. This lifting capacity allows materials to be stored more densely and moved efficiently across the site.
“Our production areas are at full capacity, and we want to store concrete, not air,” the site manager said. “With the Liebherr cranes, we can make our storage logistics significantly more efficient while saving valuable space.”
Together, the 1000 EC-H 40, 470 EC-B 20 and 250 EC-B 12 form a high-capacity crane setup that supports Viastein’s long-term production goals. The combination of high lifting capacity, precision handling and space-efficient operation is helping the company optimise workflows and support the ongoing expansion of its manufacturing and storage operations.