Six Wolffkran Tower Cranes Deployed for Major Hospital Construction in Memmingen
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Six Wolffkran tower cranes are supporting the construction of a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, being developed on a 7.7 hectare site. The cranes will help construct a six-storey facility with 480 beds and more than 75,000 square metres of floor space, handling around 60,000 cubic metres of concrete and 10,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel during the project.
Wolffkran Tower Cranes Support Hospital Development
Six Wolffkran tower cranes have been deployed at the construction site of a new hospital complex in northern Memmingen, Germany.
The large-scale healthcare project is being developed on a 7.7 hectare site and will include:
Six floors
480 hospital beds
More than 75,000 square metres of gross floor area
Construction of the building shell began in February 2025, with the cranes playing a central role in supporting the demanding construction schedule.
The cranes were supplied in the signature green colour of the main contractor, Glass GmbH.
WOLFF 6531.12 Cross Crane Used During Early Construction
During the initial stages of the project, a WOLFF 6531.12 Cross tower crane was installed to support site preparation works.
This crane remained in operation until autumn 2025, when it was dismantled as the construction project progressed.
The remaining five Wolffkran tower cranes are expected to stay on site for an average of 16 months, supporting the main structural works of the hospital development.
Over the course of the project, the cranes will be responsible for handling approximately:
60,000 cubic metres of concrete
10,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel
The cranes are operating up to 12 hours per day to keep pace with the project timeline.
Crane Performance and Lifting Capacity
The Wolffkran units deployed on the project are designed to meet the heavy lifting requirements of the hospital construction.
Key performance specifications include:
Maximum lifting capacity of up to 16.5 tonnes
Tip load capacity of up to 3.3 tonnes
These capabilities allow the cranes to handle large structural components and materials required for the construction of the multi-storey hospital building.
Detailed Planning Required for Complex Site Conditions
Careful planning was essential due to several structural constraints within the construction site. Wolffkran supported the project team during the early planning phase, helping determine the optimal crane positions across the site.
Several cranes were placed in areas that will eventually become light wells within the building design.
Additional challenges included underground infrastructure, such as:
Rainwater infiltration systems
A wastewater pumping station located beneath one crane position
These factors required specially designed crane foundations to ensure the underground systems remained fully functional.
Special Crane Foundations Protect Underground Systems
To address the site constraints, the cranes were installed on cross frames combined with special precast concrete counterweights. The counterweights were produced by Glass GmbH at its own concrete plant, ensuring precise specifications for the project.
One key design feature allows the counterweights to be removed individually during crane dismantling.
This approach ensures that the underground infiltration systems and infrastructure remain intact and operational once the cranes are removed.
Long-Term Partnership Between Glass and Wolffkran
Main contractor Glass GmbH has maintained a close working relationship with Wolffkran for more than 14 years. Over that time, the company has expanded its crane fleet significantly.
Today, Glass operates a fleet of 44 WOLFF tower cranes, which are used across several major construction projects throughout Germany.
The Memmingen hospital project represents another example of the ongoing collaboration between the two companies on large-scale construction developments.
About Wolffkran
Wolffkran is a global manufacturer of tower cranes used in high-rise construction, infrastructure projects and large building developments. The company produces a range of luffing jib and hammerhead tower cranes designed for demanding construction environments worldwide.
Website: https://www.wolffkran.com
About Glass GmbH
Glass GmbH Bauunternehmung is a German construction company involved in large-scale infrastructure and building projects across the country. The company specialises in structural construction, civil engineering and complex building developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cranes are being used at the Memmingen hospital construction site?
A total of six Wolffkran tower cranes are being used during the project.
What crane model was used during site preparation?
A WOLFF 6531.12 Cross tower crane was initially used during the early preparation phase.
How large is the new hospital complex?
The hospital will have six floors, 480 beds and more than 75,000 square metres of gross floor area.
How long will the cranes remain on site?
The remaining cranes are expected to operate on the site for approximately 16 months.
How much material will the cranes handle during construction?
The cranes will help move around 60,000 cubic metres of concrete and 10,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel.
