Heavydrive celebrates its 15-year anniversary

Complete digitalisation of the company

 

In 2019 Heavydrive began a digital transformation. This included complete modernisation of the company’s technology, such as a new server structure, a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, and linking international subsidiaries and logistics partners to the network. In addition, GPS tracking enables constant tracing of deliveries in real-time anywhere in the world, and all Heavydrive technicians have a tablet so that they are constantly connected and have access to customer orders etc. “Digitalisation makes our operations quicker and easier. Our digital restructuring was also a great advantage for us when the coronavirus pandemic occurred in 2020, as we were already set up to work from home and advise customers via the Heavydrive app video calling service”, Günter Übelacker explains.Heavydrive has also developed digital services for customers, such as the Heavydrive app, the digital device finder and a video calling service.

 

From brilliant idea to success story

 

In February 2006, Günter Übelacker founded his company, Heavydrive, in Pfreimd in the region of Oberpfalz with just two employees. The mechanical engineer started the company with one pivotal idea: at that time, mini crawler cranes on the transport and lifting market were able to lift and position loads. What they could not do was drive while carrying a load. So Übelacker developed a lightweight, stable transportation device and the HDL product line was born. Demand was tremendous; the patented HDL glass transport wagon made the company a global market leader within just a few years.

Over the years, Heavydrive continued to expand its fleet of machinery to various mini crawler cranes (MRK), vacuum suction systems (VSG), counterweight traverses (VSG Konter), glass assembly devices (GMG), motor chain hoists (MKZ), glass transport wagons (HDL) and assembly cranes (ML). The company also rented out all-terrain telescopic forklift trucks (GTS) and lifting platforms (GTB and SB). When developing new systems, Heavydrive focused increasingly on assembly solutions for extremely large and heavy façade elements. Heavydrive also expanded its services with increased involvement in large-scale projects. As well as selling devices and renting them with the option of an operator, customers also received a thorough consultation in the planning phase as well as a customised assembly solution tailored to their construction site situation.

Heavydrive quickly secured a foothold in the industry thanks to its customised assembly and transportation solutions for any construction site situation anywhere in the world. Increasing demand called for expansion of the headquarters. In 2010, the company moved to a 10,000 square metre factory premises in Donauwörth. The company moved again in 2016 to its current, 18,000 square metre headquarters in Tapfheim where they carry out professional machine servicing and customisation. This includes accident prevention testing, separate cleaning areas for large and small devices, a welding and paint workshop, and a special test area to check the suction capacity of devices. Heavydrive currently offers assembly devices for glass elements weighing up to 10 tonnes.