Heavydrive is the global market leader in the installation of extremely large glass elements. The company was founded in 2006 in Bavaria. At the time, existing mini crawler cranes on the transport and lifting market were able to lift and position loads, but not move under load. To solve this, they developed a lightweight yet stable transport device – and the HDL product series was born. The response was overwhelming. Since then, Heavydrive has continuously expanded its equipment fleet with various mini-cranes, vacuum suction systems, counterweight beams, glass assembly devices, motorised chain hoists, glass transport trolleys and assembly lifts.
Interview with Günter Übelacker, Managing Director & Founder of Heavydrive
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Günter Übelacker: Heavydrive has become a specialist in handling complex installations involving extremely large and heavy glass elements. We now offer systems with a load capacity of up to 12 tonnes and provide tailored solutions for installations under overhangs or in hard-to-access locations. To deliver faster and more efficient service worldwide, Heavydrive now has subsidiaries in Canada, the USA, Switzerland, Dubai, and, since 2025, also in Norway.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
G.Ü: Heavydrive is mainly used in international construction projects where conventional installation equipment reaches its limits—for example, when the glass elements are extremely heavy, large and unwieldy, uniquely shaped, or when the construction site presents complex challenges such as overhangs, uneven terrain, or extreme weather conditions. Some of our most prestigious projects include the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Mecca Clock Tower in Saudi Arabia, the Etihad Museum in Dubai, the Jakobshalle in Basel, the Jewish Museum in Frankfurt am Main, the Skypark Luxembourg, the metro in Paris and the Montreal Tower in Canada.
https://en.heavydrive.com/complete-solutions
What’s the news about new products/services?
G.Ü: Since its founding, Heavydrive has been developing emission-free and low-noise installation equipment suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. In recent years, we have placed an even greater focus on sustainability, expanding our range of environmentally friendly installation solutions and battery-powered devices. At our headquarters in Tapfheim, we operate our own photovoltaic system, which generates green electricity to power and charge our equipment and machinery.
https://en.heavydrive.com/references
https://de.linkedin.com/showcase/heavydrive-transport-and-lifting-specialist
What are the ranges of products/services?
G.Ü: Heavydrive offers a wide range of transport and installation equipment. This includes vacuum suction systems with a load capacity ranging from 100 kilograms to 12 tonnes, designed to safely suction, lift, and install glass elements. We also offer flexible mini cranes that can be used to transport loads both indoors and outdoors. The cranes are compact, easy to use, and battery-powered, which means that they are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, even in confined spaces.
We also provide a wide selection of assembly aids, such as the GMG glass robot, which allows a single operator to pick up, transport, and install panes of glass weighing up to 1000 kilograms. The HDL glass transporter is another efficient solution for moving glass, stone, or wooden elements safely and with minimal space requirements. All Heavydrive equipment is available for purchase or rent and an experienced operator can also be booked.
A key part of our service is guiding customers through the entire process of large-scale construction projects—from planning through to completion. This means we can put together the right installation equipment for the specific construction project and, when required, develop specialized systems in our in-house workshop. Before deployment, the equipment is usually tested together with the customer during and fine-tuned again if necessary. This ensures that the installation solution is perfectly suited to the specific site conditions. We also take into account factors such as extreme altitudes, freezing temperatures, wind or heat.
In addition, we handle all the necessary customs documentation and certifications. Our experts inspect each system in our in-house workshop to ensure full compliance with the destination country regulations, so that the equipment may be imported and used on the construction site.
https://en.heavydrive.com/products
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
G.Ü: Heavydrive is very active in European countries such as the Baltic States, Scandinavia and across the Balkans. The Arabian Peninsula is also a rapidly growing market, and we’re just starting to expand into South America and Turkey.
What can you tell us about market trends?
G.Ü: Worldwide, there’s a trend toward architectural concepts involving increasingly large façade elements and glass panes of various shapes and specialized coatings. This presents significant challenges not only for glass manufacturers but also for installation teams. To meet these demands, we continuously develop innovative systems capable of safely installing façade elements weighing several tons, even those with convex or concave curvature or special coatings, while minimizing manpower requirements.
Another emerging trend is the installation of complete building modules, such as pre-assembled windows with frames or lift-and-slide elements. For these applications, we design systems that can reliably suction and install a wide range of materials with ease.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
G.Ü: Heavydrive offers a 7-axis manipulator that allows a single operator to move glass elements hydraulically in seven axes via radio remote control. The manipulator is designed to be connected quickly and easily to an indoor or off-road forklift. In combination with the associated vacuum suction system, the 7-axis manipulator can install glass panes, wooden boards and stone slabs weighing up to two tonnes.
What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2025?
G.Ü: In 2025, Heavydrive will once again take part in numerous exciting projects across the globe. With the opening of our new subsidiary in Norway this year, we will also set to expand our involvement in both large- and small-scale projects throughout Northern Europe.