Luibl Acquires Uplifter and Restructures Business Under New Group
- Meagan Wood
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Luibl Group has acquired the operating assets of German spider crane and vacuum lifter specialist Uplifter following its insolvency in November. The transaction secures all remaining jobs, expands Luibl’s rental fleet to well over 1,000 machines, and restructures Uplifter into a multi-division group covering rental, sales, service, and operator supply across Germany and wider Europe.
Asset Acquisition Following Insolvency
Germany’s Luibl Group has acquired the operational and business assets of spider crane and vacuum lifter distributor Uplifter after the appointment of an insolvency administrator in November. The original company, Uplifter GmbH & Co. KG, will be liquidated by the insolvency administrator.
As part of the acquisition, all 45 remaining Uplifter employees will transfer to the new business structure, ensuring continuity for customers and preservation of specialist expertise.
Luibl said the acquisition will strengthen customer support across the group:
“Customer service and comprehensive support for shared customers will be improved across the entire group. Large construction companies and rental partners, in particular, will benefit from the wide range of large equipment and specialised solutions.”
Formation of Uplifter Group
Luibl owner Karl Bauer confirmed that a new company has been established for the acquired business, operating under the name Uplifter Group. The group will consist of multiple subsidiaries, each responsible for a specific operating division previously handled by Uplifter.
Uplifter Rental
Uplifter Rental will continue to operate independently under the Uplifter brand. Cooperation with Luibl Rental will take place only on a project-specific basis, where clear synergies and cost efficiencies can be achieved.
Uplifter Trading
The sales and distribution business for spider cranes, mini cranes, vacuum technology, and glass lifters will continue under the Uplifter Trading name.
Industry veteran Martin Lobinger will remain with the business. Luibl said this will allow Lobinger to:
“Continue the positive development of his life's work.”
Spider cranes and glass lifters are still commonly referred to as “uplifters” in Germany, reflecting Lobinger’s role in establishing these machine types in the local market.
Luibl confirmed that the trading business will be expanded into Austria, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries, where Luibl Rental already has an established footprint.
The acquisition increases the Luibl rental fleet to well over 1,000 machines, available from 11 locations across Germany.
Uplifter Service
A newly formed subsidiary, Uplifter Service, will manage service and after-sales support for products sold by Uplifter Trading. Over time, the service operation will be expanded to cover additional product categories, including:
Aerial work platforms
Earthmoving equipment
Forklifts
Telehandlers
Machine Operators Division
Another subsidiary, Machine Operators, will supply certified operators for equipment across the group. Operators will be available on hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly contracts, including operator support for all equipment within the Luibl Rental fleet.
About Uplifter
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Guteneck, Bavaria, Uplifter has long specialised in the spider crane market. The company began purchasing Maeda cranes in 2003, became an official Maeda dealer in 2013, and transitioned to Chinese manufacturer SPT in 2022.
Website: https://www.uplifter.de
About Luibl Group
Founded in 2013 and based in Passau, near the Austrian border, Luibl Group operates a substantial fleet of telehandlers, forklifts, aerial work platforms, and general construction equipment.
The company is active across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, serving major construction, industrial, and rental customers throughout Europe.
Website: https://www.luibl.de
Frequently Asked Questions
What assets did Luibl acquire from Uplifter?
Luibl acquired the operational and business assets of Uplifter, while the original legal entity will be liquidated through insolvency proceedings.
What happens to Uplifter employees following the acquisition?
All 45 remaining employees will transfer to the newly formed Uplifter Group.
Will the Uplifter brand continue to operate?
Yes. Uplifter Rental, Uplifter Trading, and Uplifter Service will continue operating under the Uplifter name within the new group structure.
How large is the Luibl rental fleet following the acquisition?
The acquisition expands Luibl’s fleet to well over 1,000 rental machines, operating from 11 locations across Germany.
