“The only way is up”: Cranes Combined invests in Tasmania’s future

Through uncertain times, this family-owned construction business is committing $3 million to new machinery, a sure sign that the only way is up.

A FAMILY-owned construction business is committing $3 million to new machinery as a vote of confidence in Tasmania’s construction industry.

Cranes Combined managing director Chris Kolodziej said his company’s new Grove 300-tonne crane had become one of the largest in Tasmania with a main boom of 80m.

He said the crane was here to stay, beginning its first job yesterday at the Melville St University of Tasmania construction site in Hobart.

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“We’ve gone ahead with the purchase because we’ve got a pretty positive outlook on Tasmania’s future in the long-term,” he said.

“Even though it’s a negative time at the moment, the only way is up.”

Mr Kolodziej, who co-owns the company with his wife Cathy, said he was proud to continue employing 40 “awesome” Tasmanians through the coronavirus crisis.

“We are very fortunate to have the crew of the calibre that we have,” he said.

“[But] we’ve had to adapt because our workload has dropped somewhat.”

He said possessing a cutting-edge crane with 300-tonne capacity – well above the average capacity of between 50 tonnes and 100 tonnes – would put the construction company in good stead as buildings grew higher.

“[But] it’s good for putting up concrete panels and simple little jobs like air conditioners,” he said.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a few months where it’s going to be a bit tough, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”