Sarens Group

The story of Sarens begins not with giant cranes, but with a farmer, his twelve children, and a horse and cart. In the 1920s, founder Frans Sarens started a business in Belgium, using his cart for forestry work and transporting trees. This humble operation was the seed for what would become a global leader in heavy lifting and engineered transport. The business evolved, swapping the horse for a truck, and then formally incorporating in 1955. The company gradually shifted its focus from general transport to the more specialized field of crane work. A key early project was participating in the construction of the Atomium for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels. Through the 70s and 80s, Sarens began its international expansion, entering new markets and adding new technologies like Self-Propelled Modular Trailers (SPMTs) to its fleet. This laid the groundwork for its reputation for handling complex projects across sectors like energy, construction, and mining. A significant chapter in the company's financial history occurred in 2011, when private equity firm Waterland invested 100 million euros for a 22% stake. This stake was later acquired by Belgian entrepreneur Luc Tack in 2021. However, in a move described as historically significant, the Sarens family reached an agreement in 2023 to buy back the shares, returning the company to 100% family ownership. Today, with the fourth generation of the Sarens family at the helm, the company operates in over 65 countries, continuing to build on its century-old legacy.