Jekko Partners With Research Centre to Advance Sustainable, Automated Construction Solutions

30-Second Takeaway

Italian crane manufacturer Jekko has expanded its collaboration with the Center Construction Robotics (CCR) at RWTH Aachen Campus, strengthening its commitment to digitalisation, automation, and sustainable construction practices. Building on the award-winning MAXX project showcased at bauma, the partnership focuses on developing next-generation robotic and digital solutions that improve efficiency, enable material reuse, and reduce the environmental impact of construction operations.

Research-Driven Innovation at the Core

As construction faces growing pressure to improve productivity while reducing waste and emissions, research-led collaboration is becoming a critical pathway forward. Jekko’s partnership with Center Construction Robotics (CCR) reflects this shift, bringing together equipment manufacturing expertise and advanced academic research.

CCR operates within the Construction Cluster at RWTH Aachen Campus, one of Europe’s leading hubs for applied research in automation, robotics, and digital construction technologies. Jekko formally joined CCR as a research partner earlier this year, building on collaboration that began in January with the MAXX project.

The MAXX Project: Automation With Purpose

The MAXX – Mobile Assembly X-System project focuses on digitalisation and automation in construction, with the goal of making building processes more efficient, precise, and sustainable.

Developed by CCR in collaboration with the German government and industry partners including Jekko, KUKA, and Fundermax, the system was demonstrated at bauma, where it received the Innovation Award in the Research category—a strong endorsement of its real-world relevance.

By integrating mobile robotics, automated handling, and digital control systems, MAXX demonstrates how construction tasks traditionally dependent on manual labor and heavy equipment can be optimized to reduce material waste, improve safety, and lower overall environmental impact.

Addressing Sustainability Through Digitalisation and Automation

As a research partner, Jekko will work alongside CCR to tackle some of the construction industry’s most pressing challenges, including:

• Material reuse and circular construction practices

• Digitalisation of construction workflows

• Automation of complex lifting and assembly operations

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For crane manufacturers, these areas are increasingly tied to sustainability outcomes. Automation and digital planning can minimize errors, reduce rework, and ensure materials are handled and placed with greater precision directly lowering waste and energy consumption on site.

Bridging Academic Research and Jobsite Reality

Jekko’s role in the partnership is to ensure that research concepts translate into practical, deployable solutions for the construction market. By contributing real-world machine knowledge and application insight, the company helps close the gap between laboratory innovation and jobsite adoption.

Jekko CEO Diego Tomasella emphasized the long-term vision behind the collaboration

“We are proud to extend our partnership with CCR and to keep contributing to innovative projects that shape the construction industry of tomorrow.”

A Long-Term View of Sustainable Construction

The partnership signals Jekko’s broader strategy of investing in future-ready technologies rather than incremental change alone. By supporting research into robotics, automation, and digital systems, Jekko is positioning itself at the intersection of compact lifting, smart construction, and sustainability.

As regulatory pressure and customer expectations evolve, collaborations like this are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping how construction equipment is designed, deployed, and integrated into more efficient, lower-impact workflows.

About Jekko

Jekko is an Italian manufacturer specializing in compact cranes and lifting solutions designed for complex, space-constrained, and technically demanding applications. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Italy, Jekko has built a global reputation for engineering innovation, precision, and reliability across the construction, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.

The company’s product portfolio includes spider cranes, mini pick-and-carry cranes, and specialized lifting equipment, many of which feature advanced technologies such as radio remote control, hybrid and electric power systems, and intelligent safety and control features. Jekko cranes are widely used in applications ranging from glazing and steel erection to maintenance, renovation, and industrial assembly.

With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital integration, Jekko continues to invest in research and development, including partnerships with leading academic and research institutions. These collaborations support the advancement of automation, digitalisation, and more efficient construction workflows, helping customers improve productivity while reducing environmental impact.

Today, Jekko operates through an international dealer network, serving customers worldwide and supporting projects where precision lifting, compact design, and adaptability are critical to success.

Learn More 🔗 https://www.jekko-cranes.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Center Construction Robotics (CCR)?

CCR is a research hub within the Construction Cluster at RWTH Aachen Campus, focused on robotics, automation, and digitalisation in construction.

What is the MAXX project?

MAXX (Mobile Assembly X-System) is a research initiative aimed at automating and digitalising construction assembly processes. It won a bauma Innovation Award in the Research category.

What role does Jekko play in the partnership?

Jekko contributes industry expertise and real-world equipment insight, helping translate research outcomes into practical construction solutions.

How does this partnership support sustainability?

By enabling automation, digital planning, and material reuse, the collaboration helps reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower environmental impact on jobsites.

Will this research lead to commercial products?

While research-led, the partnership is designed to support future market-ready technologies aligned with construction industry needs.