When it comes to Swiss civil engineering, few names stand out like JMS RISI. With decades of experience in deep foundation and hydraulic engineering, their recent acquisition from Liebherr has raised quite a few eyebrows in the industry. Why? Because they are now the proud owners of the very first LTM 1100-5.3 mobile crane in Switzerland. And that’s just the beginning.
So, what makes this crane so special? And why did JMS RISI choose to go all-in with Liebherr, adding not just a mobile crane but also a drilling rig and a crawler concrete pump to their arsenal? Let’s dive into the story.
A Package Deal at Bauma
Back at Bauma, the massive construction machinery exhibition in Munich, JMS RISI made a bold move. Instead of picking up just one machine, they sealed a package deal with Liebherr. This included:
- The LTM 1100-5.3 mobile crane
- The LB 45 drilling rig
- The 110 D-K crawler concrete pump
It’s not every day that a company makes such a comprehensive investment in one go, but for JMS RISI, it made perfect sense. Their commitment to Liebherr machines isn’t just about brand loyalty; it’s about performance, reliability, and training support.
Why the LTM 1100-5.3 Stands Out
The LTM 1100-5.3 isn’t your average crane. It’s a 5-axle mobile crane equipped with Liebherr’s new LICCON3 crane control system. This system offers improved performance, enhanced safety features, and a more intuitive user interface. It’s no wonder the crane operators at JMS RISI spent three full days training at Liebherr’s facility in Reiden, Lucerne, just to get familiar with this beast.
The crane isn’t going out for hire either. JMS RISI plans to use it exclusively for internal projects. From lifting ships and pontoons to handling loading and unloading at their gravel plants, this crane will be a key player across their operations.
Deep Foundations, Deeper Commitment
If you think the LTM 1100-5.3 is impressive, wait until you hear what the LB 45 drilling rig is up to. This powerful machine is already on a major site near Laufenburg, where it’s helping to drill some 600 piles at depths of up to 32 metres. The piles have a massive diameter of 1.2 metres each. That’s the kind of deep foundation work that only serious equipment can handle.
This isn’t just any construction site. It’s set to become a technology centre housing a giant battery storage unit and a data centre for AI development. With 900,000 cubic metres of construction volume and 500,000 cubic metres of soil to excavate, it’s a project of national significance for Switzerland and Europe.
Liebherr Across the Board
Daniel Schuler, one of JMS RISI’s construction managers, shared that since replacing their last non-Liebherr drilling rig a few years ago, they’ve gone fully Liebherr for all major deep foundation projects. That includes the LRB 355 and HS 850 cable excavator now running alongside the new LB 45.
This shift to a single brand is not just about uniformity; it’s about operational efficiency, service support, and performance reliability. With over 370 staff across Switzerland, JMS RISI can’t afford downtime—and that’s where Liebherr’s global service network comes into play.
A Legacy of Partnership
JMS RISI and Liebherr are no strangers. Their relationship spans years, built on trust and proven results. JMS RISI doesn’t just dabble in civil engineering. Their expertise stretches across demolition, concrete recycling, special transport, landfill management, and river engineering.
So when they chose Liebherr for this major equipment refresh, it wasn’t a leap of faith. It was a strategic decision backed by years of collaboration.
Final Thoughts
The delivery of Switzerland’s first LTM 1100-5.3 to JMS RISI is more than just a milestone. It marks the continued evolution of how modern civil engineering companies equip themselves for the future. With the right tools and training, companies like JMS RISI are not just building foundations—they’re setting new standards.
