National Cranes and Equipment Unveils Zimbabwe’s Largest Crane

National Cranes and Equipment (NCE), Zimbabwe’s premier lifting and earth-moving solutions provider, has once again redefined the country’s heavy machinery landscape with the acquisition of a 650-tonne crane, the largest in Zimbabwe and among the top three in Southern Africa. This bold move not only reflects NCE’s strategic vision but also its commitment to aligning with Zimbabwe’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.

From Humble Beginnings to National Leadership

Founded in the mid-1990s, NCE began as a workshop focusing on heavy machinery repairs. The founders observed a simple but powerful need: clients whose machines were under repair needed temporary replacements to keep their projects running. This observation evolved into a machinery hire division that today has grown to dominate the Southern African region in terms of lifting capacity, versatility, and nationwide presence.

Over the years, the company expanded its fleet to include an enormous range of machinery, from small access lifts to state-of-the-art cranes, forklifts, bulldozers, and transport trucks. This extensive fleet allows NCE to cater to sectors as varied as mining, agriculture, construction, petrochemicals, power generation, and engineering.

But it is their visionary acquisition of the 650-tonne crane that stands as a bold statement of intent and capability.

The 650-Tonne Crane: Zimbabwe’s Lifting Giant

The 650-tonne crane is more than a piece of equipment – it is a symbol of industrial readiness, a tool designed for national ambition. Until recently, any project requiring such a high-capacity crane would involve lengthy and costly imports from neighbouring countries. The logistics alone often derailed timelines and ballooned budgets.

“It’s a multi-million-dollar investment,” says Moses Mandeya, the Operations Manager at NCE. “But it was necessary. With Zimbabwe setting its sights on Vision 2030, and a lot of big-ticket industrial projects in the pipeline – from lithium processing plants to platinum smelters – this crane is our way of saying, ‘We are ready.'”

This behemoth crane isn’t just the largest in Zimbabwe; it ranks among the biggest in Southern Africa. With this machine, NCE can execute lifts that were previously impossible within the country. Think of installing entire plant modules, raising silo components for agricultural processing, or assembling infrastructure for power generation plants. The possibilities are expansive.

Economic Impacts: Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency

Bringing this crane into Zimbabwe does more than raise lifting capacity; it slashes operational costs across sectors. Prior to its arrival, mines and construction firms had to import such equipment from South Africa, enduring delays, high rental costs, and complicated customs clearances.

“Now, the costs and time involved in mobilisation are significantly reduced,” says Mandeya. “And in some cases, we station equipment directly at mine sites for long-term use. This means clients only pay for usage, not for mobilisation.”

For example, in the mining sector – one of Zimbabwe’s most critical economic drivers – the crane is being used to set up high-capacity processing plants. In agriculture, it’s supporting the construction of larger, more efficient grain silos under the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). In construction, it has been instrumental in major infrastructure projects, including the new parliament bridges in Mount Hampden.

Nationwide Reach and Regional Expansion

NCE isn’t content with centralised operations. With a mission to make heavy machinery accessible everywhere in the country, the company has established operational hubs in strategic locations: Mutare, Zvishavane, Masvingo, and Ngezi, with Bulawayo next in line. These hubs ensure that high-capacity machines, including cranes, forklifts, and transport trucks, are available with minimal delay.

But the company’s ambitions do not end at Zimbabwe’s borders.

“Our operations are already active in South Africa, Mozambique, and Botswana,” explains Mandeya. “We’re not just a Zimbabwean company anymore. We’re a regional force in lifting and earthmoving.”

This cross-border footprint is part of a larger strategy: to become a pan-African leader in machinery hire, spreading Zimbabwean excellence across the continent.

Beyond Machines: Expert Personnel and Engineering Support

The scale of NCE’s machinery is matched by the expertise of its personnel. Each project is approached with a full-service mindset, combining machine power with engineering oversight. Whether it’s a mining rig that needs precision installation or a bridge component that must be lifted into place with millimetre accuracy, NCE provides the personnel to manage it.

Services include:

• Project planning and engineering integration
• Heavy lifting strategy design
• Access solutions for hard-to-reach locations
• On-site technical support and operation

This comprehensive approach ensures that clients are not simply renting equipment; they are gaining a solutions partner.

Commitment to Safety and Environmental Responsibility

In high-risk industries such as construction and mining, safety is non-negotiable. NCE has embedded a culture of safety into every facet of its operation. This includes rigorous staff training, routine machine inspections, compliance with local and international safety regulations, and on-site hazard assessments.

Mandeya is clear about the company’s safety-first philosophy: “We don’t just send machines into the field. We send complete solutions – machines, operators, engineers, and safety officers. Our clients rely on us, and we owe it to them to be consistent, professional, and safe.”

Environmentally, the company is transitioning its fleet to include more sustainable technology. It was among the first in Zimbabwe to introduce electric forklifts and is exploring electric cranes and hybrid earthmoving machines as the next step.

A Flexible, Client-Centric Business Model

One of the reasons behind NCE’s rapid rise is its responsiveness to client realities. Many Zimbabwean companies, particularly in agriculture and small-to-medium enterprises, face liquidity challenges. NCE responds with flexible pricing structures and payment terms.

“If you can only pay after production, we understand,” says Mandeya. “We work with your timelines. Our contracts are designed to fit client needs, not the other way around.”

This philosophy extends to payment methods as well. NCE accepts bank transfers, cash, local currency, and even structured payments for long-term projects. As long as the deal is clear and feasible, the company is willing to structure it.

Collaborations with Key Sectors

Beyond mining and construction, NCE collaborates with key sectors of the economy, often through public-private partnerships. Their machines have helped build bridges, erect telecom towers, and assist in energy installations across the country. Collaborations with large corporations such as Zimplats, Mimosa, Delta Corporation, and the Dairy Board illustrate NCE’s trusted status.

More recently, NCE has been instrumental in lifting and placement operations at the country’s growing number of lithium and platinum plants. These minerals, critical to the global green energy transition, require heavy industrial setups. The 650-tonne crane is playing a pivotal role in ensuring Zimbabwe doesn’t miss this opportunity.

Training and Job Creation

The company is also investing in local capacity building. Every year, it hires and trains young operators, engineers, mechanics, and support staff. With over 90 cranes, 500+ forklifts, and dozens of other machines, the opportunities for career development are immense.

“We don’t just operate machines. We build people,” says Mandeya. “Our goal is to become a training ground for the next generation of Zimbabwean heavy machinery professionals.”

Looking Ahead: Vision 2030 and Beyond

Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy. This vision requires large-scale infrastructure, industrialisation, and efficiency across sectors. National Cranes and Equipment is positioning itself as an essential enabler of that transformation.

With its unmatched capacity, particularly through the 650-tonne crane, NCE is enabling the local industry to meet international standards. No longer do Zimbabwean companies need to outsource critical equipment from abroad. NCE has brought the future home.

“Our dream is to see Zimbabwe rise, and we believe lifting the country is both literal and symbolic,” Mandeya reflects. “Through machinery, manpower, and management, we are building the infrastructure that will carry this country into the future.”

Conclusion

National Cranes and Equipment is not merely a machinery hire company. It is a symbol of industrial self-reliance, innovation, and readiness. The acquisition of the 650-tonne crane marks a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s industrial capabilities – one in which the nation can undertake massive projects with confidence, speed, and local expertise.

Whether it’s constructing mines, building bridges, erecting silos, or installing energy infrastructure, NCE is already doing the heavy lifting for Zimbabwe. And with plans to expand deeper into Africa, the company is also lifting the reputation of the Zimbabwean industry beyond borders.

As the nation accelerates toward Vision 2030, the message is clear: Zimbabwe is rising – and National Cranes and Equipment is the muscle behind the movement.

Contact National Cranes and Equipment (NCE)