Hiab Inks Major Deal with MGX, Expanding US Crane Network by 13 States

NEW YORK, NY – February 09, 2026 – In a significant strategic move to bolster its North American presence, Hiab, a global leader in on-road load handling solutions, today announced a landmark dealer agreement with MGX Equipment Services LLC. The partnership designates MGX, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW), as the official dealer for HIAB loader cranes across 13 US states, dramatically expanding the company's sales and service capabilities in previously underserved markets.

This alliance integrates Hiab's portfolio of advanced loader cranes into MGX's extensive network, which operates 13 locations across 11 states. The agreement covers sales and service in Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Wyoming, and Utah. For Hiab, a company with 2024 sales of approximately EUR 1.6 billion, the deal is a critical component of its strategy to capture a larger share of the lucrative North American market.

“The partnership with MGX is an important milestone in our strategy to grow in the attractive North American market,” said Pauliina Kunvik, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services for North America at Hiab. “Their scale and industry expertise significantly enhances our coverage in the US. With MGX, we can offer premium sales and service support for our HIAB loader cranes in many previously insufficiently covered key regions. This brings excellent growth opportunities for Hiab, MGX and our customers.”

A Strategic Push into a Competitive Landscape

The North American loader crane market, valued at approximately US$1.9 billion, is a fiercely competitive arena. Driven by robust construction activity and massive federal infrastructure investments, the market is dominated by a few key players, including Palfinger, Fassi Gru, and Tadano. For Hiab, which is part of Cargotec, strengthening its foothold is not just an opportunity but a strategic necessity.

This partnership is a direct answer to that challenge. By leveraging MGX's established infrastructure, Hiab gains immediate, on-the-ground access to a mature sales and service network without the immense capital and time investment required to build one from scratch. This move is particularly crucial in a market where aftermarket support—including parts availability, service response time, and technician expertise—is a primary driver of customer purchasing decisions. Competitors like Palfinger have historically emphasized their extensive North American service networks, and this alliance positions Hiab to compete more aggressively on that front.

Les L. Middleton, who serves as both President of MGX and Executive Vice President at The Manitowoc Company, highlighted the mutual benefits. “This agreement accelerates the growth of MGX & Manitowoc in the U.S.,” he commented. “By expanding our direct-to-customer reach, we can deliver more value through faster response times, stronger service capability, and deeper customer engagement. Together with Hiab, we are strengthening our position in key markets and creating new opportunities to scale across a broader range of lifting solutions.”

Fueling America's Growth Corridors

The selection of the 13 states covered by the agreement is far from arbitrary. It represents a calculated investment in some of the nation's most dynamic and rapidly growing economic regions. Many of these states are at the forefront of the current construction and infrastructure boom, which accounts for an estimated 45% of the loader crane market. This growth is further amplified by the US federal government's ongoing allocation of over US$150 billion annually for infrastructure modernization through 2033.

States like Utah, Montana, and Colorado are experiencing unprecedented growth. Utah is in the midst of an explosive housing and commercial development phase, fueled by a booming tech sector and the proliferation of massive data centers. Similarly, Montana's construction industry has become a primary driver of its economic growth, with a projected 3,700 annual job openings in the sector over the next decade. In Colorado, the construction sector is projected to grow by 26% between 2020 and 2030.

Other states in the agreement, such as Maryland, New Jersey, and North Dakota, are hubs of industrial, energy, and logistics activity. Maryland is seeing a surge in industrial construction projects, including data centers and the Purple Line transit extension. New Jersey has a pipeline of over $140 billion in planned future projects, driven by utilities, state initiatives, and Port Authority expansions. By strengthening its presence in these key areas, Hiab is positioning its equipment to be at the heart of America’s next wave of development.

The Power of Partnership and Enhanced Customer Support

The Hiab-MGX alliance exemplifies a growing industry trend: manufacturers are increasingly forming deep, strategic partnerships with established regional dealers to optimize distribution and enhance the customer experience. This model allows global manufacturers like Hiab to offer their technologically advanced products—which include industry-leading digital solutions like the HiConnect™ telematics platform and HiVision™ crane control system—while relying on the local market knowledge and customer relationships of a partner like MGX.

For end-users, the benefits are tangible and immediate. Contractors and logistics operators in states like Wyoming or Iowa will now have more direct access to sales, rentals, and, critically, aftermarket support. MGX has designated seven of its existing locations as official Hiab Service Centres, which will be staffed by trained technicians and stocked with genuine Hiab parts. This network will be further supported by mobile service technicians capable of reaching customers in adjoining regions, drastically reducing potential downtime.

Ultimately, the success of this partnership will be measured by its ability to deliver on the promise of enhanced support and value. By combining Hiab’s innovative and sustainable lifting solutions with MGX's deeply entrenched service capabilities, the alliance aims to set a new standard for customer support in the American heartland. This strategic alignment is set to redefine service standards and equipment availability for lifting professionals across a significant portion of the United States.