History
The invention of the tower crane is synonymous with the birth of the Liebherr company. Within the first decade, the small construction firm develops into a well-established manufacturer of construction machinery.
The foundation of the Group
In post-war Germany, many parts of the country need to be rebuilt. Hans Liebherr manages his parents' building firm in South Germany. He recognizes the need for tools and machinery for the building industry and domestic construction. Together with design engineers and tradesmen, he develops the first mobile tower crane in 1949.
The mobile tower crane is invented
At the end of the 1950s, gear wheels for the manufacture of gearboxes are hard to come by. In order to produce cranes, Hans Liebherr starts making hobbing machines himself to produce gear wheels.
Expansion of product range
At the end of the 1950s, gear wheels for the manufacture of gearboxes are hard to come by. In order to produce cranes, Hans Liebherr starts making hobbing machines himself to produce gear wheels. When Hans Liebherr hires a cable excavator in 1953, he notices the poor power-to-weight ratio.
From construction machinery to refrigerators
Established as a company in Germany, Liebherr commissions the first factory abroad in the 1950s. To gain a foothold in the British and North American market, the company builds a production site in Killarney, Ireland. Initially, tower cranes are built here, followed later by container cranes, shipyard cranes and special cranes.
Expansion in Europe and Africa
Through participatory involvement, Hans Liebherr's commitment in the area of aircraft technology begins at the end of the 1950s. In March 1960, he sets-up the Liebherr-Aero-Technik GmbH company in Lindenberg, in Allgäu (Germany). From the outset, the aim is to develop and manufacture prototypes in-house.
Start of aeronautical activities
The intention is for the company to advance from being a license holder to a producer of its own components and systems; from an equipment manufacturer to a system provider. In 1996, the company changes its name to Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH.