KEB Earns Manitowoc’s Prestigious Supplier Excellence Award

20 Years and 38,000 Drives

For two decades, KEB has been a trusted partner in drive technology for Manitowoc, a globally recognized leader in heavy machinery.

With approximately 38,000 F5 drives successfully installed across Potain’s fleet of tower and self-erecting cranes, KEB’s drive technology enables the smooth, efficient operation that construction professionals depend on for lifting heavy loads and positioning materials with accuracy.

This proven track record of performance and reliability has been acknowledged by Manitowoc leadership, who awarded KEB France with their prestigious Supplier Excellence Award. This award recognizes not only technical achievements but also celebrates the genuine partnership built on reliability, innovation, and a shared commitment to quality.

 

KEB VFDs Power Potain’s Cranes

For over 100 years, Manitowoc has built a reputation for producing exceptional industrial machinery. Its Potain brand manufactures 60 different types of tower and self-erecting cranes, all recognized for their innovative design, efficient operation, and strong lifting capabilities. These machines serve as the backbone of construction projects around the world, from urban skyscrapers to infrastructure developments.

For over two decades, KEB and Potain have collaborated to deliver exceptional results in the field. KEB’s F5 drives deliver essential motor control, allowing Potain cranes to precisely lift and position materials.

“With KEB, we have not just a supplier, but a true partner at our side,” said Roger Knecht, Vice President of Global Purchasing at Manitowoc. “KEB’s frequency inverter technology plays a key role in the efficient operation of our cranes.”

The F5 drive delivers the high starting torque required to lift heavy loads and then maintains a consistent, controlled speed throughout the operation. By eliminating sudden, jerky movements, it protects both the crane’s valuable cargo and the equipment itself.

 

 
This precise control allows crane operators to achieve the accuracy needed for modern construction projects, whether they are hoisting massive steel beams or placing delicate materials in tight spaces.

 

Transitioning from KEB’s F5 to F6 VFDs

Over the years, KEB has provided around 38,000 F5 variable frequency drives (VFDs) ranging from 7.5 to 250 kW for Potain cranes. This demonstrates the reliability of these drives and highlights their essential role in powering these machines.

This partnership is set to continue as KEB transitions to delivering its next generation, the COMBIVERT F6, for future Potain cranes.

“Manitowoc and KEB share the same quality standards and service-oriented approach,” said Thomas Brinkmann, CEO and shareholder of the KEB Group. “This foundation has enabled a strong partnership that has grown over many years. We are therefore particularly pleased that our COMBIVERT F6 VFDs have been chosen as the successor to the F5. This paves the way for continued successful cooperation in the future.”

 

The Supplier Excellence Award

The Manitowoc’s Supplier Excellence Award honors companies that have given outstanding quality, delivery, cost control, and sustainability performance in their products. It’s a testament to KEB’s consistency and reliability as a supplier of high-quality drive technology for material handling applications.

“We would like to thank Manitowoc for the trust they have placed in us and for awarding us Supplier Excellence status,” said Jean-Yves Geneste, Managing Director at KEB France. “This recognition is not only for KEB France, but also for our colleagues at the headquarters in Barntrup. They contribute every day to the quality, reliability, technical expertise and on-time delivery of our supplies to Potain.”

For more information about the award and the key players involved, read more here.