Manitowoc Cranes has renewed and extended its distribution deal with TRT Australia, cementing the relationship with a new longterm deal covering Manitowoc and Grove cranes in Queensland. 
In New Zealand, TRT has been a partner with Manitowoc and Grove since 1972 and is one of the longest-serving Manitowoc distributors internationally. 
It became the distributor for the cranes in Queensland in 2016, as it moved to its current Murarrie, Brisbane location – a site previously occupied by Manitowoc. 
Around the same time, TRT began manufacturing and distributing its own TIDD PC25 articulating crane and also purchased B&N Cranes, an established Brisbane crane service and repair specialist. 
This has enabled the company to support Manitowoc and Grove products in the area and offer customers remote field services and around-the-clock support. 
Last year TRT expanded its facilities on the Murarrie site, adding another 600 square metre workshop boasting a 10 tonne gantry crane and service facilities for cranes, general equipment and heavy-haul trailers, and increasing the overall capacity of the warehouse facilities. 
Recently-appointed TRT Australia country manager Stephen Dance says the expansion reflects the company's longterm commitment to Queensland customers: "We now have 24 fully trained technicians in the field and on-site, six of whom are factory-trained Manitowoc and Grove specialists. 
"In addition, we now have a full parts and service backup 24/7, and we've invested in a number of new cranes to keep in stock at our Brisbane site. They include crawlers, all-terrain cranes and the latest TIDD PC28 articulated cranes. We know that business can't wait when customers need equipment, so we're here ready to deliver."
TRT's CEO Lawrence Baker says the commitment from Manitowoc to the company's growing Australian operations is pleasing: "It's in line with our strategic growth plans and reaffirms our commitment to our longterm presence both here in Queensland and Australia as a whole."