PATERSON SIMONS MARKS FIVE YEARS AS THE OFFICIAL FRANNA DEALER IN WEST & CENTRAL AFRICA
Paterson Simons has been the official dealer for Franna for the last five years, supplying new units and supporting the original fleet that was previously in the region and unsupported.
As part of this partnership with Franna, Paterson Simons offers comprehensive support – including spare parts, machine sales, and service – across the following territories: Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Senegal.
Franna, renowned for its heritage of design and engineering excellence, is the leading manufacturer of pick and carry cranes. For over 40 years, Franna has dominated the Australian market, and today, Franna cranes are used worldwide.
Franna pick and carry cranes are designed for strength, ease of operation, and manoeuvrability in tight spaces. With high road speeds, they reach jobsites quickly, and their articulated frame eliminates the need for outriggers, allowing for immediate setup and operation. As the Franna cranes do not require outriggers, they are significantly faster and easier to set up for lifts, which adds to their appeal on busy job sites.
In mining environments especially, we have found these units achieve higher utilisation than other equipment. This is likely due to their speed, flexibility, and simplicity – making them a preferred choice over slower or more complex machinery.
Why customers choose Franna:
► Safety is at the core of every design
► Continuous innovation to meet evolving industry demands
► Unmatched versatility with a wide range of lifting applications
► Guaranteed quality in every Franna crane
► Outstanding product, parts, and service support
“Franna is proud to mark five years of collaboration with Paterson Simons as our official distributor across West Africa,” said Danny Black, General Manager for Franna. “Through their support, Paterson Simons has expanded access to Franna pick and carry cranes in this vital market – supplying new units and supporting the legacy fleet that previously lacked local representation. Their commitment to customer service, technical expertise, and long-term support has been instrumental in ensuring Franna equipment continues to perform reliably in some of the region’s most demanding environments. We congratulate the Paterson Simons team on reaching this milestone and look forward to building on this strong foundation in the years ahead.”
Photos below show Paterson Simons supplying, commissioning, and handing over a Franna AT22 to a large mining customer in Ghana:
REDUCE RTG DOWNTIME WITH NEW KONECRANES BEARING AND SEALS KIT!
A new replacement kit from Konecranes is making it easier than ever for port operators to keep their Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes running reliably – while reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and costly downtime.
The Konecranes RTG Bearing and Seals Kit allows for all critical bearings and seals in the gear reducer to be replaced in one task, ensuring ongoing equipment reliability and performance.
While the gear reducer itself is designed to last the full lifetime of your Konecranes RTG, the bearings and seals require regular inspection – especially for oil leaks – to maintain optimal operation. This new kit provides a proactive maintenance solution that can extend the life of your gear reducer and deliver long-term cost savings.
Key benefits include:
- Extended gear reducer lifespan
- Reduced risk of unplanned breakdowns
- Improved reliability of crane operations
- Less overall downtime
- Lower long-term maintenance costs
This easy-to-install kit is compatible with all Konecranes RTG models and is a smart step towards ensuring operational continuity and efficiency at your terminal.
Find your complete set of bearings and seals:
What are you waiting for?! Order now!
How to Order
Contact the Paterson Simons parts team via our contact form for a full package offer.
MARITIME WARNING: GPS SPOOFING AND JAMMING POSE REAL-WORLD DANGERS
Like many other industries, container terminals rely heavily on GPS for accurate positioning—supporting everything from container location tracking to the navigation and steering of automated equipment. However, this dependence exposes the sector to growing risks, particularly as incidents involving interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and the GPS network specifically, continue to rise.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2024 Annual Safety Report highlights a sharp spike in GNSS-related interference last year, with the highest levels reported in Türkiye, Iraq, and Egypt. Globally, air traffic interference rates increased by 175%, and GPS spoofing incidents surged by 500%.
Shipping has not been spared. On 13 May, the MSC Antonia ran aground in the Red Sea en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Speaking to WorldCargo News, Captain Steve Bomgardner, Vice President of Shipping and Offshore at Pole Star Global, said such an incident was only a matter of time. “I’ve seen firsthand how the rise in jamming, spoofing, and other AIS tampering has made our oceans more dangerous. A case like this was inevitable. I’m thankful that, in this instance, every seafarer came through safely.”
This article & imagery originally appeared in World Cargo News.
Read the full article here
PATERSON SIMONS ATTENDS KONECRANES LIFT TRUCKS GLOBAL PARTNER CONFERENCE IN SWEDEN
Over the course of three impactful days, we joined both long-standing and newly appointed Konecranes Lift Trucks partners to reflect on the present and look towards the future.
Under the theme “Geared for Growth,” the conference focused on accelerating strategic progress, enhancing collaboration, and deepening alignment across all global markets.
Through a series of insightful presentations, regional strategy sessions, and collaborative discussions, the event highlighted the critical role distributors play in supporting Konecranes continued growth and innovation in the industry. From lifting equipment to smart technologies, the emphasis was clear: success is built on strong local partnerships.
The programme also featured engaging social events, valuable networking opportunities, and hands-on demonstrations of Konecranes equipment, culminating in a behind-the-scenes tour of their facilities.
As the authorised Konecranes Lift Trucks distributor for West and Central Africa, and with a partnership that spans more than 20 years, Paterson Simons was honoured to be recognised with the Best Service Award – Middle East & Africa for 2023 to 2024. This recognition underscores our long-standing commitment to delivering exceptional service and support across the West & Central African regions.
This event has further strengthened our alignment with Konecranes vision – and we’re excited to move forward, together!
Paterson Simons attended the recent Konecranes Lift Trucks Partner Conference in Sweden, joining a global network of distributors.
James Savoy, Group Technical Director at Paterson Simons accepting the Best Service Award – Middle East & Africa for 2023 to 2024.
From left to right: Andreas Falk – Senior VP Konecranes Lift Trucks , John Elisson – Regional Manager Middle East & Africa Konecranes Lift Trucks, Ashley Cooper – Group Parts Manager, Paterson Simons, Schebonn De Wet – Plant Sales Administrator, Paterson Simons, James Savoy – Group Technical Director – Paterson Simons and Patrik Lundback, VP, Sales & Distribution Konecranes Lift Trucks
Top photo shows from left to right: Schebonn De Wet – Plant Sales Administrator, Paterson Simons, Ashley Cooper – Group Parts Manager, Paterson Simons, and James Savoy – Group Technical Director – Paterson Simons
Photos courtesy of Konecranes
STINIS VISITS PATERSON SIMONS IN GHANA, STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COLLABORATION
Stinis, a renowned Dutch manufacturer specialising in container lifting equipment, has a rich history dating back to 1830. Their expertise in designing and manufacturing spreaders and lifting solutions has made them a global leader in the industry.
In December 2024, Paterson Simons partnered with Stinis to become their official sales and aftermarket representative in West and Central Africa.
This recent visit aimed to deepen our collaboration and to give the Stinis team a closer look at the needs and operations of our clients in the region. During their time in Ghana, Stinis representatives toured various client sites, observed port operations, and engaged in valuable discussions on how their lifting solutions can enhance efficiency and safety.
We are grateful for the visit, which not only strengthened our working relationship but also reinforced our shared commitment to delivering world-class lifting equipment and support services across West and Central Africa.
Together with Stinis, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to provide innovative, reliable solutions in West & Central Africa!
(At our Pasico Ghana Takoradi Office. From left to right: Li Yu, Shirley Tok, Solomon Eshun, Henry Lyne, Kwaku Okoh, Roy Bester, Lisette Stinis, Moses Esel-Ahun and Jack Wen)
(Top image, courtesy of Port of Takoradi, shows from left to right: Moses Essel Ahun, Henry Lyne, Jack Wen, Solomon Eshun, Kwaku Okoh, Shirley Tok, Captain James Quayson – Director of Takoradi Port – GPHA, Lisette Stinis, Arimiyao Alolo Marketing Manager – GPHA, Li Yu and Roy Bester).
GAVIN SENGERS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT SHIPPING MANAGER
PATERSON SIMONS SCOTLAND SPOTLIGHT: REMOTE MONITORING AT OUR GRANGEMOUTH OFFICE
This cutting-edge setup allows us to track and access data from machines operating in the field – improving both our internal efficiency and the level of service we provide to our clients across West and Central Africa.
What kind of data do we monitor in real time?
- Location information: allowing us to track asset movement, optimise logistics, and respond quickly to urgent support needs.
- Machine status monitoring: offering insights into performance, uptime, potential faults, and more.
These insights enable our support teams to prioritise client updates, schedule preventive maintenance, and respond swiftly to issues – often before the client even notices a problem.
This translates to reduced downtime, increased safety, and greater peace of mind for our equipment users.
The integration of remote monitoring technology is part of Paterson Simons ongoing investment in digitisation and innovation.
It supports our mission to deliver smarter, faster, and more proactive service – wherever in West & Central Africa our customers operate!
BOOST UPTIME AND CUT COSTS WITH KONECRANES AUTOMATIC GREASING SYSTEM!
Designed for a wide range of Konecranes lift trucks, the system provides direct-line lubrication to key greasing points, minimising the risk of missed lubrication that can lead to mechanical blockages and costly downtime.
For trucks not originally equipped with the feature, the system can be easily retrofitted.
This upgrade is a smart move for any operation aiming to maximise efficiency, reduce manual maintenance tasks, and safeguard the long-term performance of their fleet!
What are you waiting for?! Order now!
How to Order
- Provide the serial number(s) of your lift trucks.
- Contact the Paterson Simons parts team via our contact form for a full package offer.
MSC DILETTA DOCKS IN LOMÉ AFTER CALLING AT TEMA, GHANA: A MILESTONE FOR WEST AFRICAN PORTS
The port of Lomé marked a historic moment on 24 April as it welcomed the MSC Diletta – the largest container ship ever to dock in Togo or anywhere along the West African coast. Measuring an impressive 400 metres in length and 61 metres in width, the vessel’s arrival is a powerful symbol of the region’s growing importance in global logistics.
The MSC Diletta began its journey in China, with calls in India, Singapore, and Ghana’s Tema Port before arriving in Lomé. From there, the vessel will continue its route to Kribi and Abidjan.
Capable of carrying cargo equivalent to nearly 15,000 trucks, the Diletta surpasses the previous 366-metre vessels typically seen on this route. Its arrival not only marks a technical achievement but also reflects the significant investments being made in state-of-the-art terminals across West Africa.
This development reinforces Lomé’s position as a critical hub in the regional supply chain and highlights the broader shift toward modern, high-capacity port infrastructure throughout the region.
This article & image originally appeared on togofirst.com
Read further here
NEWMONT’S VALUE IN MINING HIGHLIGHTED IN ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE
We are pleased to share that Newmont, one of the world’s leading gold producers, is featured in Endeavour Magazine. The article offers an insightful look into Newmont’s operations and ongoing commitment to excellence in Ghana and beyond.
We have been privileged to partner with Newmont for over 15 years, supporting operations at both of the company’s mines in Ghana.
Our collaboration includes the supply of lifting equipment, certified inspections, onsite maintenance support, and specialised training – all tailored to meet the demanding needs of the mining sector.
See the good feature on Newmont on page 124 of Endeavour Magazine here
We congratulate Newmont on this well-deserved recognition and are proud to play a role in their continued success!