Liebherr Wins ESTA Awards for Safety and Crane Operator Training Innovation
- Meagan Wood
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Liebherr secured two major honours at the 2026 ESTA Awards of Excellence, earning recognition for improved safety systems on the LTM 1400-6.1 mobile crane and for its international “Game of Cranes” competition. The awards highlight Liebherr’s continued focus on crane safety, operator development, and workforce training innovation.
Liebherr Wins Two ESTA Awards of Excellence at 2026 Ceremony
Liebherr has been recognised with two major honours at the 2026 ESTA Awards of Excellence, winning awards in both the ‘Safety’ and ‘Training’ categories. The awards were presented during the official ESTA Awards ceremony held on 16 April in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The annual awards programme, organised by the European Association for the Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Crane Rental Industry (ESTA), is considered one of the most prestigious events in the heavy lifting, crane rental, and abnormal transport sectors.
Each year, more than 50 entries from across Europe compete in ten award categories recognising innovation, operational excellence, safety, and technical achievement.
Liebherr Recognised for Improved Crane Assembly Safety
Liebherr received the ESTA Award in the Safety category for advancements made to the Y-guying telescopic boom suspension system on the LTM 1400-6.1 mobile crane.
Redesigned Assembly Process Reduces Work at Height
The improved design significantly enhances safety during crane assembly by reducing the number of assembly steps required. According to Liebherr, this minimises the amount of “work at height” needed during setup operations, reducing risks for crane personnel.
LIKUFIX Coupling System Improves Hydraulic Connection Safety
Additional safety improvements include:
Simplified assembly procedures
Safer access routes and work platforms
Automatic hydraulic coupling using Liebherr’s LIKUFIX system
The LIKUFIX automatic coupling solution improves both operational efficiency and safety when connecting hydraulic systems during crane assembly.
Christoph Kleiner, Managing Director of Sales at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised once again in the safety category,” said Kleiner.
“When it comes to crane development, safety is our top priority. The aim is to prevent accidents, not only during crane operations but also during set-up.”
“Game of Cranes” Wins ESTA Training Award
Liebherr also secured the ESTA Award in the Training category for its innovative “Game of Cranes” international crane operator competition.
Competition Encourages Skill Development and Professionalism
Rather than functioning as a traditional training programme, “Game of Cranes” combines:
Practical crane operation challenges
Theoretical assessments
Skills-based competition
Safety-focused performance evaluation
The initiative was developed to encourage mobile crane operators worldwide to strengthen their technical expertise while recognising the professionalism required within the industry.
Initiative Helps Address Crane Operator Shortage
Liebherr said the programme also aims to improve awareness of the crane operator profession and attract new talent into the industry.
By highlighting operator skill, responsibility, and technical competence, the company hopes to support long-term workforce development in the heavy lifting sector.
Commercial Managing Director Daniel Pitzer accepted the training award on behalf of Liebherr.
“The profession of crane operator requires a high level of technical understanding, skill and a sense of responsibility,” said Pitzer.
“With the ‘Game of Cranes’ competition, we aim not only to recognise the skills of crane operators, but also to raise the profile of the profession.”
Liebherr Continues Focusing on Safety and Workforce Development
The dual ESTA Awards reinforce Liebherr’s broader commitment to improving both operational safety and professional training standards throughout the crane industry.
Safety Remains Central to Crane Development
Liebherr said crane safety continues to play a central role in the development of new technologies, assembly procedures, and operational systems across its product range.
The company continues investing in solutions designed to reduce operational risk while improving efficiency during both crane setup and lifting operations.
Training Innovation Supports Industry Sustainability
With skilled crane operators remaining in high demand globally, Liebherr believes training innovation will become increasingly important for supporting long-term industry growth and workforce sustainability.
The company said initiatives like “Game of Cranes” help establish new standards for operator engagement, skills development, and industry recognition.
ESTA Awards Remain a Major Industry Benchmark
The ESTA Awards of Excellence are widely regarded as one of the highest honours within Europe’s heavy lifting and abnormal transport industries.
Awards Celebrate Innovation Across Heavy Lifting Sector
The awards recognise achievements across areas including:
Crane technology
Transport innovation
Safety systems
Training programmes
Sustainable operations
Engineering excellence
Winning projects are evaluated by industry experts representing multiple sectors across the European heavy transport and lifting markets.
About ESTA
The European Association for the Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Crane Rental Industry (ESTA) represents companies involved in heavy transport, mobile crane operations, and specialised lifting throughout Europe.
ESTA promotes safety, innovation, training, and industry standards while supporting collaboration across the heavy lifting and abnormal transport sectors.
Website:https://www.estaeurope.eu
About Liebherr
Founded in 1949, the Liebherr Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and heavy lifting equipment. The company produces a broad portfolio of cranes, earthmoving machinery, mining equipment, and industrial technologies serving infrastructure, logistics, energy, and construction industries worldwide.
Liebherr’s mobile crane division is internationally recognised for innovation in crane safety, lifting technology, digital systems, and operator-focused solutions.
Websitehttps://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What awards did Liebherr win at the 2026 ESTA Awards?
Liebherr won awards in the ‘Safety’ and ‘Training’ categories at the 2026 ESTA Awards of Excellence.
Why did Liebherr win the Safety award?
The company was recognised for improving safety during assembly of the Y-guying telescopic boom suspension system on the LTM 1400-6.1 mobile crane.
What is Liebherr’s “Game of Cranes” initiative?
“Game of Cranes” is an international competition designed to help mobile crane operators improve their technical skills while promoting professionalism and safety.
What is the ESTA Awards of Excellence?
The ESTA Awards of Excellence is an annual industry awards programme recognising innovation and achievement in the heavy lifting, crane rental, and abnormal transport sectors.
Why is crane operator training becoming more important?
The global crane industry continues facing a shortage of qualified operators, increasing the need for advanced training and workforce development initiatives.
