Annual report 2022
January
From technology package to turnkey robotic cell
Liebherr is making its expertise in industrial robot vision applications accessible to a wide range of users through its LHRobotics.Vision technology packages. As a manufacturer of bin-picking robotic cells, Liebherr is familiar with the challenges of this application and has used artificial intelligence to simplify the software so that it can be used intuitively by anyone. Highlights of this range of products include the selection of 3D image recognition systems from various manufacturers, technological solutions that calculate the optimum gripping point for collision-free part removal, robot planning up to the storage location, and realistic simulation of crate filling.
February
Anniversary crane travelling to the Czech Republic
Liebherr-Werk Biberach has shipped its 1,000th mobile construction crane. The MK 140 Plus is goingto Hanyš - Jeřábnické práce, s.r.o., the largest provider of crane operations in the Czech Republic. In fact, it is the first mobile construction crane of this type to be supplied to the Czech Republic. The MK 140 is characterised by great flexibility, a compact footprint and a high level of operator comfort. This makes the MK series especially suitable for work close to buildings and in confined inner-city spaces. The VarioJib of the MK 140 allows for operations in trolley and luffing mode with a high degree of flexibility.
March
© Siemens
More space, less weight
Liebherr is a partner of the new airfree brake system from Siemens. The two companies have jointly developed an electrohydraulic brake actuator that converts the brake force for the brake system. Unlike a conventional pneumatic brake, the system – also known as ‘brake-by-wire’ – is controlled entirely by electrical means. Therefore, it eliminates the need for piping or pneumatic components for brake control. Its advantages include its low weight and less time and outlay on installing and activating the brake system. In addition, the installation space previously required for the pneumatic brake components can now be used for other subsystems.
High handling capacity at bayernhafen Aschaffenburg
The first LH 60 M HR Port Litronic has been delivered to bayernhafen Aschaffenburg (Germany). The new material handling machine, with an operating weight of 75 t, is used for the cost-effective handling of bulk and general cargo in the port. Notably, it is the world’s first delivered Liebherr material handling machine of this type with a mobile high-rise undercarriage. By investing in this machinery, bayernhafen is looking to expand its infrastructure at the Aschaffenburg site and ensure optimal conditions for the transfer of goods to environmentally friendly modes of transport, inland waterway, and rail.
April
Digitalisation in deep foundation engineering
Processes on construction sites are becoming increasingly complex and more and more data is being recorded. Processing and evaluating such data immediately is crucial in order to optimise work steps and ultimately save time and money. Digitalisation is now finding its way into deep foundation engineering with the MyJobsite digital solution. This enables the relevant process, machine, construction site and position data to be recorded, managed, analysed and evaluated. This speeds up construction site documentation, makes it clearer and saves the customer valuable time.
A game-changer for tomorrow’s energy
The market requirements for large crawler cranes are growing. Driven by the energy transition, unit weights are increasing, especially for machinery intended to handle offshore wind turbines. Liebherr has risen to the challenge with the new LR 12500-1.0 crawler crane. Boasting immense load-bearing capacity and a unique transport concept, it is also designed as a cost-effective crawler crane for projects all over the world. The Liebherr engineers took a completely new approach to developing this crawler crane: the wide, powerful HighPerfomanceBoom is optimally fitted into the slewing platform and offers maximum load capacity with a wide lattice boom. It is therefore not without reason that it is referred to as the ‘game-changer for tomorrow’s energy’.
May
First customer open day at expanded US site
The first customer open day took place at the new Liebherr USA, Co. site in Newport News, Virginia, with the slogan ‘Expanded Operations, Expanded Solutions’. Customers from all over the world came to marvel at over 30 exhibits from the Liebherr product areas. By investing $60 USD million in the new complex, Liebherr is strengthening this location in the USA and creating the conditions to serve local customers even more effectively. The site expansion will also improve production processes for concrete pumps and increase repair capacity for mobile and crawler cranes as well as construction machines. The new production facility will cater to the growing number of customers in the earthmoving sector.
June
The future of flying
At ILA 2022 in Berlin (Germany), Liebherr presented innovations for more environmentally friendly flying in the future. This includes solutions for the More Electric Aircraft concept, research into new energy sources such as hydrogen, and strategies for reducing the weight of components through 3D printing. The company is also actively involved in the European Clean Aviation programme, which aims to make aviation carbon-neutral by 2050.
Zero-emission mining
Liebherr and Fortescue have signed an agreement to develop and supply mining trucks with zero-emission drive systems. Through such efforts, the companies are jointly tackling the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions from heavy mining equipment. The agreement covers the joint development and integration of new battery and fuel cell drive systems for Liebherr’s T 264 mining truck. T 264 trucks will be deployed from 2023 and gradually converted to the new technology over the following years. This marks another cornerstone in the implementation of Liebherr’s Zero Emission Mining Program.
A technology-neutral approach
A joint study by Liebherr and business consultancy Frontier Economics has now confirmed that an approach to finding solutions for construction machinery that is open to all types of technology has the greatest potential for saving CO2 emissions. In a comprehensive life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, the same construction machine was equipped with different drive solutions and examined accordingly. It became apparent that there is no superlative, catch-all solution for climate-neutral drive systems, thus validating Liebherr’s technology-open approach.
Better service, greater capacity
Liebherr is investing in its Ehingen (Germany) site. The WeLog (“Werksentwicklung Logistik” or plant development logistics) project is preparing the site for the future. This includes structural measures like the restructuring of material flows and the introduction of a new ERP system. The first milestone has already been reached with the commissioning of the repair branch in the Berg district of Ehingen. The relocation of the repair centre enhances the range of services for customers and creates new capacity. All project measures are scheduled for completion by 2024.
Emission-free sites
Construction sites are becoming increasingly electrified, so they have a rapidly growing need for environmentally friendly energy. Liebherr’s new Liduro Power Port (LPO) is a mobile energy storage system with a constant power output of up to 130 kW that enables emission-free on-site operation and charging of construction machinery. It supplies electricity to construction sites with limited access to the mains supply. Moreover, it surmounts the challenge of having to charge multiple machines during breaks and compensating for peak loads.
July
Powerful tower cranes
Liebherr is expanding its EC-B series and fibre crane portfolio with seven new models. The fibre cranes are equipped with Liebherr fibre ropes for significantly better performance values than similar cranes with steel ropes. The fibre rope also has a much longer service life, so the rope does not have to be changed as often. This makes operation even more economical and increases crane availability. The successful EC-B cranes are specially designed for the requirements of modern construction sites. They cover a wide range of services, ranging from small city cranes to large material handling machines.
Your dream machine – just a few clicks away
The new product configurator for earthmoving and material handling machines gives prospective buyers the opportunity to configure their dream custom Liebherr machine from anywhere and at any time. Step by step, the intuitive application guides the user through the machine design and the available versions of the equipment. The new tool is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France.
On site all year round
Concrete mixing plants, truck mixers and concrete pumps will be on display for customers, partners and dealers all year round at the new Liebherr-Mischtechnik GmbH exhibition area. The in-house display allows visitors to inspect the various systems throughout the year and obtain professional advice on site in Bad Schussenried (Germany).
August
Ready for future climate demands
© SAL Heavy Lift
Liebherr is expanding its heavy-duty ship crane portfolio with a new 800 tonne crane to establish itself in the growth market of ever-larger components for the wind power industry. The highlight of the LS 800 E is its fully electric drive concept, which makes it more energy-efficient and significantly reduces the ship’s CO2 emissions. The crane was developed in-house and most of the individual components were procured internally from Liebherr as well. All of the drive components are installed within the crane and integrated into the ship design for better utilisation of the areas below deck.
September
Revolutionising refrigeration and freezing technology
Liebherr is the only manufacturer worldwide to use a vacuum and finely ground lava rock – the raw material perlite – to insulate its appliances. Due to its crystalline microstructure, this lava rock has very low thermal conductivity. When coupled with a vacuum, this offers the best possible insulation in terms of energy. For a family with a 350-litre freezer, this could reduce the annual electricity consumption of this appliance by up to 20 %. Thanks to the effective insulation, the walls are roughly one third thinner, resulting in around 25 % more capacity than refrigerators and freezers with the same external dimensions. The first vacuum perlite models called BluRoX will be available from 2023.
Safety on construction sites
Liebherr’s active personnel detection for its wheel loaders received the VDBUM Award 2022 in the ”Developments from Industry” category. Its features ensure greater safety on construction sites and help to prevent accidents. Developed by Liebherr, the assistance system uses sensors and artificial intelligence to automatically distinguish between people and objects and warn the machine operator of potential accidents and personal injury. If a person walks behind the wheel loader, the system alerts the machine operator at a greater distance than it would for static objects such as walls or pillars. This intelligent classification capability reduces the number of unnecessary warning signals to make the machine operator’s work easier.
October
On your site
Liebherr is the largest exhibitor at the Bauma construction industry exhibition in Munich (Germany). Across more than 15,000 m2 of exhibition space, the Group presents the latest developments in the fields of construction machinery, cranes, material handling, mining, and components with over 100 exhibits. Showcasing numerous new products, Liebherr’s presence at the exhibition reflects its innovative strength and consistently high investment in research and development. This is also evident in the fact that Liebherr’s first hydrogen excavator, the R 9XX H2, received the Bauma Innovation Award in the climate protection category. Powered by the H966 hydrogen combustion engine, the excavator is more than a match for conventionally powered machines in terms of performance, dynamics and response.
November
Expansion of the Löwen Hotel Montafon
New architecture, stylish interior design, culinary indulgence, and the return of a legend: extensive construction work at the Löwen Hotel Montafon in Schruns (Austria) is set to continue until early 2023. The new extension will house 23 additional rooms, an expanded dining area and four conference rooms with breathtaking views. But the real highlight is the ‘Lion’s Den’ in the basement. This legendary dancehall, in which Falco and German singer Udo Jürgens once rocked the stage, has been reopened with a new design.
December
Combining forces for sales and service activities
Liebherr’s new company in France will combine existing sales and service activities to provide even faster and more efficient sales and service from a single source. Liebherr Distribution et Services France SAS handles distribution and services throughout the country from its headquarters in Niederhergheim (Grand Est region) for the product segments mobile and crawler cranes, deep foundation machines, maritime cranes, tower cranes, and concrete technology.
