Borger Cranes is scaling up its crawler division with a major investment in Sany equipment.
The move reflects a growing appetite within the Australian lifting sector for high-capacity cranes – especially as infrastructure projects demand bigger, smarter, more cost-effective lifting solutions. Crane operators know that reliability, efficiency, and value for money are critical. This reality has led Borger Cranes, a well-respected name in crane hire across Australia, to significantly expand its crawler crane fleet by acquiring an all-new heavy-hitter from Sany.
At the heart of this bold move is Andrew Pearce, the Projects and Heavy Lift General Manager for the APAC region at Borger Cranes. Andrew brings over 20 years of experience in the industry. For him, the decision to move to Borger was driven by the chance to take on a significant leadership role and influence the company’s future direction.
Borger Cranes is no stranger to heavy lifting, currently operating a fleet of 36 crawler cranes with capacities ranging from compact 2.8-tonne units up to robust 600-tonne machines. However, the recent acquisition of new Sany cranes represents a significant evolution in the company’s capabilities. Borger Cranes has ordered two powerful 480-tonne lattice-boom cranes, with the first already in the country undergoing commissioning and testing in Newcastle. Additionally, the crane hire brand has purchased multiple Sany SCC3200T crawler cranes, one of which is currently employed on a 12-month project.
Furthermore, Borger Crane Hire has ordered a number of new 110-tonne Sany SCC1100A-1 cranes. Two of these units are already in the country, whilst additional units are arriving in 2026.
“We’ve been looking closely at Chinese manufacturers because the quality coming out of China has improved dramatically over the past five years,” Andrew said. “I had a Sany crane in 2007, and to be honest, it wasn’t the best back then but it still got the job done. But when I compare that older model to what Sany is producing today, the difference is massive. They’ve really stepped things up, especially since moving towards a more European-style spec.”
The SCC3200T represents a new benchmark for Borger, capable of lifting up to 320 tonnes with a lifting moment of 2000 tonne-metres. Powered by a robust Cummins Europe Stage V engine, this crane delivers 298 kW of power and 2169 Nm of torque. Its expansive boom system, extendable to 87 metres, combined with various jib configurations including fixed and luffing options, offers Borger unprecedented versatility on the job site.
But it’s not just raw power that impressed Borger. The SCC3200T cranes are packed with advanced safety features, crucial in the demanding Australian market. These include a highly sophisticated Load Moment Indicator (LMI), real-time CCTV systems for comprehensive site oversight, and over-hoist and over-release protections. Furthermore, the cranes offer efficient self-assembly capabilities, significantly reducing setup time and labour costs, allowing Borger Cranes to swiftly mobilise equipment for its clients.
Borger Cranes’ decision to invest heavily in Sany cranes wasn’t taken lightly. It involved rigorous evaluations and detailed testing. Nathan Borger, Owner at Borger Cranes, led the investigation, along with Andrew. They personally assessed the major Chinese crane manufacturers over several visits to China, scrutinising every aspect of production quality and operational performance.
Andrew said, “At the end of the day, we’re the ones putting our name behind the equipment we choose – our reputation is on the line. That’s why we did our homework on the Sany product. Nathan and I spent a couple of weeks in China last November, thoroughly assessing all three major manufacturers before making the call.”
The choice reflects a broader shift in the industry, challenging traditional perceptions that only European, American, or Japanese cranes could offer the reliability demanded by Australian operators. Andrew openly acknowledges these historical perceptions but notes that firsthand experiences with the new generation of Sany cranes are quickly dispelling outdated views. “It’s not until people actually see them, feel them, and operate them that they realise, ‘OK, that’s actually a pretty good crane’,” he said.
What sets Sany apart for Borger, beyond the competitive pricing and robust engineering, is the company’s exceptional responsiveness to customer feedback. Andrew is particularly impressed by Sany’s proactive approach to product improvements and customisation for the Australian market. “Their willingness to engage and continuously refine their product is second to none,” he said. “The engineering support we’ve experienced has been outstanding.”
An additional layer of assurance for Borger has come through the Australian distributor, Tutt Bryant Equipment, who are the exclusive national dealer for Sany cranes in Australia. Andrew commends their depth of experience and robust support infrastructure.
“Tutt Bryant has the capacity to manage what’s arriving. There’s already a strong foundation of support in place,” Andrew said.
Looking ahead, Borger Cranes sees significant growth potential with Sany. Andrew highlights how actively Australian crane operators contribute to product enhancements, stating, “We operate cranes differently here compared to other regions. We’ve identified areas for improvement that Sany had not anticipated. Their team has been extremely responsive, quickly integrating our feedback into their designs.”
Borger’s investment in Sany signals a strategy focused on maximising value, quality, and adaptability in crane technology. Andrew believes this approach is reshaping Australia’s heavy-lifting sector, positioning Borger Cranes at the forefront of industry evolution. The integration of the SCC3200T models, already proving their worth on projects across Australia, exemplifies this shift.
Ultimately, the working relationship between Borger Cranes, Sany Australia and Tutt Bryant Equipment underscores the industry’s growing recognition of global technological advancements and their tangible benefits for local Australian projects. As Andrew puts it, “It’s all about providing reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for our clients.”