Digital crane rental marketplace, MYCRANE, has appointed Piet Kraaijeveld as its new chief operating officer.

Dubai-based MYCRANE said the appointment of the industry veteran aims at strengthening its global management team with Kraaijeveld tasked to “grow the MYCRANE business in all respects, including working with the crane rental platform’s existing franchisees around the world”, and encouraging global energy, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors “to register as customers on the site”.

Based in Dubai, Kraaijeveld has also been tasked with overseeing sales activities to the full range of MYCRANE clients, including prime contractors, ports, petrochemical and mining operators.

Born in the Netherlands, Kraaijeveld has 30 years’ experience in the heavy lift and transport industry, working on multiple continents including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He spent 11 years at General Electric and has extensive industry contacts among the EPC community, as well as the heavy-lift and construction sectors.

Kraaijeveld has also spent 18 years in management roles at global heavy-lift and engineering specialist Mammoet, serving in both Canada and Dubai. Most recently, he worked in Dubai as strategic account manager for Ritchie Bros., the global auctioneer for heavy equipment.

MYCRANE added in its statement that Kraaijeveld joined the company on June 22, and Andrei Geikalo, MYCRANE founder and CEO, said: “Piet is a proven leader with deep experience in our sector and it is a pleasure to have him join MYCRANE in this critical role. I’ve no doubt Piet’s extensive international connections and entrepreneurial spirit will be a great asset to MYCRANE as we continue to roll out our service in more global markets.”

Kraaijeveld commented: “This is an exciting move for me because MYCRANE is offering much-needed change in the construction sector. I can’t wait to get started and help customers save time and money on the cranes procurement process.”

MYCRANE’s free-to-use, digital crane rental service allows users to post their lifting requirements free of charge online. Crane rental companies then respond directly with their commercial offers, eliminating the need for customers to make multiple offline requests.

Other services offered by the digital disruptor include a free crane Selector tool to help identify the right crane, advice for engineering, project management and support, and a ‘Marketplace’ where equipment, rigging equipment, spare parts, auxiliaries and industry vacancies can be posted.