Dubai-based online crane rental platform MyCrane announced wholly-owned operations in India at the Conex construction trade show in Gujarat in late September. It also announced the launch of its own operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the oil and gas show Adipec in Abu Dhabi, UAE in November.
Operations in India will be handled by MyCrane’s local partners Rajiv Waichal, based in Pune, Maharashtra, and Ganesh Patil, who is located in Surat, Gujarat. Pan-India expansion will follow in the coming months, the company said.
MyCrane founder and CEO Andrei Geikalo, said, “India is forecast to be one of the fastest growing large economies in 2023, and for the next five years. Whether it’s a record order of new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, new semi-conductor facilities being built in Gujarat or countless infrastructure projects in Mumbai, India’s rise is not in question.
“This growth is driven by digitalisation – something that’s obvious to any visitor here, who will have noticed QR codes at every humble food stall and the huge take-up of mobile phone payments. MyCrane is delighted to be present in one of the world’s most exciting commercial markets – at a truly exciting time.”
Industry personnel
Seasoned industry experts, both Rajiv Waichal and Ganesh Patil were previously employed by Reliance Industries.
Waichal oversaw after-sales service for Tadano Cranes Pvt and was also employed by Terex India Pvt. Patil is a certified mechanical engineer with two decades of experience working with material handling equipment and heavy commercial vehicles, previously employed by OEMs and crane manufacturers such as Tractors India, Grove and Manitowoc.
Sights set on Saudi
MyCrane’s Saudi Arabia operation will be overseen by Piet Kraaijeveld, the company’s chief operating officer.
Kraaijeveld is no stranger to the Gulf, having worked in the UAE for a number of years, including for Mammoet as sales manager for the Middle East and Africa, and as a strategic account manager for auctioneer Ritchie Bros.
“The future success of the construction industry depends on its ability to adapt and leverage the latest technology, which is where MyCrane has a valuable role to play,” said Kraaijeveld. “My career experience puts me in good stead to support our clients as we continue our expansion in the Middle East and beyond.”
“Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision and diversification strategy will be a boost to so many different sectors, so our launch in Saudi Arabia was a natural step,” added Geikalo. “We see no shortage of opportunities, particularly as Saudi Arabia has already committed to almost $1 trillion worth of construction and infrastructure projects, and announced plans to become a global logistics hub.”
