Image: The Titan leadership team is excited to see the company grow. From left: General Manager Vaughan Clark, Chief Financial Officer Mark Ngan Kee, Business Development and IT manager Bruce Whiley, Operations Manager Owen Whiley and Managing Director Jan Coton.
Titan Cranes has purchased NZ Crane Hire, marking Titan’s move back to the upper North Island and the end of Deane Manley’s 40-year career in the crane industry. By Mary Searle Bell
Titan Cranes says its acquisition of NZ Crane Hire, in mid-July, is a “major step forward for Titan”.
Titan’s Managing Director Jan Coton says the purchase gives the firm an Auckland branch with established relationships, more cranes and more lifting capacity.
“We have worked together with NZ Cranes on various projects over the years and our two firms are very similar in the way we operate.
“We both have a strong focus on health and safety and like to invest in training for our staff, and we both have the same approach to working with our customers.
“We have very similar ideas on how things work.”
This sentiment is echoed by NZ Crane Hire owner Deane Manley, who says the two companies have a good history together.
It’s a good time to buy a business. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the market takes off again.”
“Titan has crawler cranes and heavy haulage capabilities that we don’t, and we have a 450 tonne Liebherr mobile crane which they don’t, so by bringing the two companies together, they’re expanding the range and lifting capacity of both.”
Titan’s plan is to keep the best of both firms: working together as one team, combining strength and proven performance.
“NZ Cranes will become a new branch of Titan Cranes but there won’t be a big rebrand,” says Jan.
“NZ Cranes Managing Director Will Dobson will come onboard as Regional Manager for the upper North Island, and we’re hoping the rest of the team will join him.
“We’re really excited here at Titan, although I know we have a lot of work ahead as we integrate NZ Cranes into Titan. However, it shouldn’t be too arduous as they’re a very tidy operation.”
The sale ends Deane’s 40-year career in the crane industry.
“It’s a bittersweet thing to see something you’ve built and looked after for so long move on. But it’s time for a change and I’m very happy that my guys are going to a really good place.
“It’s the best time for a change too. Titan is coming in after a long period of quiet and I’m not prepared to wait any longer for things to start happening. NZ Cranes needs a fresh pair of legs and that’s not in me.”
Deane says he has a number of other, neglected interests that he’s been wanting to pursue for a while.
“I have other businesses that I haven’t been able to give much time to – such as Rendertech, which designs, manufactures, and installs rendering plants and wastewater treatment and is set to expand further. I’m excited to spend more time there to learn more about that industry.
“My son Cam and I have also set up a specialist finance company that will work alongside the crane industry. This business brings me full circle – when I started out, I was working in equipment finance at UDC, and when I was there, I became the associates’ representative on the Crane Association Council.”
Deane has served the Crane Association for many years. He stepped down from the role of President at this year’s conference but will continue to be involved as Immediate Past President.
He took over the presidency from Jan in 2024. And Jan’s father, Max Whiley, after establishing Titan in 1965, was instrumental in setting up the [Power] Crane Association in 1975, serving as its first President.
Aptly, Max was truly a ‘titan’ in the crane industry, establishing a firm that tackled many significant projects throughout the country, and shaping the way the industry operates in New Zealand. He was also on the Contrafed [publisher of Contractor] Board for 27 years, serving as chair for 18.
After he died in 2007, his children, Jan Coton and Owen and Bruce Whiley, stepped onto the Titan Board. By this time, the company had branches from Auckland to Invercargill, however, the global financial crisis in 2010 saw the business consolidated. Titan’s crane operations in Auckland, Tauranga, and Invercargill closed, leaving four remaining branches in Lower Hutt, New Plymouth, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
The purchase of NZ Cranes marks Titan’s move back into the upper North Island.
“It’s a good time to buy a business,” says Jan. “Hopefully it won’t be too long before the market takes off again.
“Buying NZ Cranes was one of those opportunities we just had to take advantage of; this is a major step forward for Titan.
“We’ve always respected the way NZ Cranes operates – Deane has built a strong business with a good team, well-maintained gear, and strong, established relationships.
“We’re excited for the future of Titan.”
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