CraneWorks and Hammar Deal to Bring Advanced Sideloaders to U.S. Market

HOUSTON, TX – December 16, 2025 – In a significant move set to reshape container logistics across the United States, heavy lifting solutions provider CraneWorks has announced a strategic partnership with Hammar Lift Inc., the American division of the world’s leading sideloader manufacturer. The agreement positions CraneWorks as the exclusive U.S. partner for the installation, service, and parts support of Hammar’s globally recognized Sideloaders, making advanced container handling technology more accessible to the American market.

This collaboration leverages CraneWorks' extensive North American network to deploy a technology that has been a staple in over 125 countries, promising to enhance efficiency and safety in a domestic market ripe for innovation. The deal marks a pivotal expansion for both companies, introducing a proven, high-capacity lifting solution to industries grappling with persistent logistical challenges.

The Strategic Pivot: Beyond Traditional Cranes

For CraneWorks, this partnership represents a calculated diversification beyond its core business of traditional crane models. The move follows a major investment the company received in October 2023 from Equity Group Investments (EGI), the private investment firm founded by the late Sam Zell. EGI is known for scaling its portfolio companies by executing strategic growth plans and implementing operational efficiencies, and this partnership appears to be a direct manifestation of that philosophy.

By embracing Hammar's technology, CraneWorks is venturing deeper into the specialized logistics and transport sectors, a market with distinct needs and significant growth potential. The global container handling equipment market is projected to grow from over $8 billion in 2024 to more than $10 billion by 2030, and the U.S. market is a critical component of that expansion.

“We’re excited to join forces with Hammar Lift because their best‑in‑class Sideloader technology complements our goal of expanding lifting solutions beyond traditional crane models and into broader logistics, transport, and specialized lifting applications,” said Mike Evans, President & COO of CraneWorks. “This partnership allows us to help provide a versatile, efficient, and safe product line that aligns with our values of reliability, performance, and service.”

This strategic pivot enables CraneWorks to offer a more comprehensive suite of solutions, catering not only to its traditional base in construction and energy but also to the burgeoning fields of intermodal freight, port operations, and last-mile container delivery.

A Proven Technology Arrives Stateside

While new to many in the U.S., Hammar Sideloaders are the product of over 50 years of focused innovation. Founded in Sweden in 1974, Hammar has concentrated exclusively on perfecting the sideloader, capturing an estimated 65-70% of the global market. The company’s machines are renowned for their robust construction, advanced safety features, and what the company calls a “smart and simple” design philosophy.

A Hammar Sideloader integrates a semi-trailer or truck chassis with two powerful hydraulic cranes, allowing a single operator to lift and transport shipping containers and other heavy loads up to 110,000 pounds. Key capabilities that set the technology apart include the ability to stack containers, transfer them from the ground onto the chassis, or move them between different vehicles—all within minutes. This self-sufficiency eliminates the need for separate cranes or heavy forklifts at loading and unloading sites, dramatically streamlining operations.

The machines are engineered for ease of use and safety, featuring comprehensive systems that prevent tipping and ensure stability during lifts. This focus on single-person operation and inherent safety directly addresses industry-wide labor shortages and the high cost of workplace accidents.

“Joining with CraneWorks is a key step in broadening our footprint in the United States,” said David Gustafsson, Vice President of Hammar Lift Inc. “CraneWorks’ nationwide service network, heavy‑equipment expertise, and customer‑first culture make them an ideal partner for supporting our Sideloader solutions in the U.S. marketplace.”

Addressing America's Container Conundrum

The introduction of Hammar Sideloaders through a trusted partner like CraneWorks is a timely response to persistent bottlenecks within the U.S. supply chain. Port congestion, inefficient container yards, and last-mile delivery challenges have plagued the logistics industry, driving up costs and causing delays. Sideloaders offer a direct solution to many of these issues.

Their ability to operate in confined spaces makes them ideal for urban construction sites and crowded industrial facilities. A single sideloader can pick up a container and be on its way in as little as two to four minutes, a stark contrast to the time-consuming process of coordinating multiple pieces of equipment. This speed translates into faster turnaround times, increased asset utilization, and significant cost savings for operators.

Key sectors poised to benefit include intermodal transport, where rapid transfers between trucks and trains are critical. Likewise, construction companies can use sideloaders to precisely place containerized offices or materials on-site without disrupting other activities. In the oil and gas and industrial markets—longtime mainstays for CraneWorks—the technology offers a new method for handling specialized equipment and modular components safely and efficiently.

Building a Nationwide Support Infrastructure

A critical factor for the successful adoption of any new heavy equipment is the availability of reliable service and parts. The partnership is structured to address this head-on, with CraneWorks taking full responsibility for building out the support infrastructure for Hammar Sideloaders across the country.

CraneWorks will manage all U.S. installations, ensuring that the equipment is properly configured and commissioned for customers. More importantly, the company’s established network of service centers and mobile repair technicians will provide ongoing maintenance, warranty work, and emergency repairs. This existing footprint, with locations in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and beyond, provides a strong foundation for supporting a national rollout.

Furthermore, CraneWorks will serve as the localized hub for Hammar parts, reducing lead times and minimizing downtime for operators. By leveraging its proven expertise in heavy equipment aftermarket support, the company aims to provide a seamless ownership experience that gives U.S. customers the confidence to invest in this transformative technology.