To highlight the advantage of emission-free crane operation, Liebherr markets all MK cranes in the current series with an “E” in the model designation. For Richi AG, too, the electric crane drive was an important purchasing criterion. “On more and more construction sites, there is a growing demand to minimise emissions. Thanks to the 63-amp external power connection, we can operate the MK 120-5.1E electrically and thus reduce emissions,” explains Markus Fleck, Head of Cranes & Special Transport at Richi AG.
Mobile construction cranes: all-rounders for urban use
For around twenty years, Richi AG has relied on Liebherr mobile construction cranes. The key factors are their high flexibility and efficiency, cost-effective logistics, minimal space requirements on site, and their performance when operating at long reaches over obstacles. They also operate quietly and emission-free, powered by on-site electricity.
The concept is proving popular with customers. Indeed, the high utilisation rate in recent years was the decisive factor in investing in another mobile construction crane. The order books are already looking encouragingly full for 2026. Richi AG receives positive feedback not only from its customers but also from its own staff. “We actively involved our crane operators in the selection of the model and the configuration. With this investment, we are not only strengthening our fleet but also the satisfaction and motivation of our team, and we are ideally equipped for upcoming projects,” says Fleck.
Richi is replacing its 19-year-old MK 100 with the more modern and powerful MK 120-5.1E. “We were particularly impressed by the high lifting capacity when using the 3-tonne additional counterweight. At a maximum radius of 52 metres, it lifts an impressive 2.1 tonnes. “We have a large number of carpenters, timber construction firms, roofers, and garden and landscape contractors in our customer base. The MK 120-5.1E is quick to set up, takes up little space, and can often be used where our truck-mounted loader cranes and the MK 88 are no longer sufficient. It is ideally suited and efficient for short-term jobs,” says Fleck.
A family business with a 100-year history
Richi AG is a family-run company based in Weiningen (CH) that has grown since 1924 from a gravel pit into a versatile waste management and utilities company with around 150 employees. Its range of services extends from the supply of building materials, demolition and contaminated site remediation to recycling, waste disposal and specialised transport. The company places particular emphasis on sustainability: material cycles are closed, transport distances are minimised, and CO₂-neutral electricity and heat are generated using its own biomass power plant. Under the motto “In harmony with people, nature and the environment”, Richi AG sees itself as a reliable partner for construction and infrastructure projects in the region.
In the Cranes & Specialised Transport division, Richi AG employs 25 staff and operates eight mobile cranes, two mobile construction cranes and five truck-mounted loader cranes. The close partnership with Liebherr has existed for many years.
