Crane runways and structural steelwork
Development, calculation and technical assessment of crane runway systems, as well as matters relating to structural steelwork, structural engineering and design.
Technical leadership · Structural steelwork · Welding engineering
Shaping technology.
Assuring quality.
Leading people.
Civil Engineer · International Welding Engineer (IWE) · Bolting Engineer (DSV)
For more than 25 years, I have combined technical expertise in structural steelwork, crane runways, welding and bolting technology with leadership responsibility, product development and quality assurance.
Wiehl · North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
Profile
Understanding technology and taking responsibility
My professional focus lies at the intersection of technical development, industrial application and responsible leadership.
As a civil engineer, International Welding Engineer and bolting engineer, I specialise in crane runways, structural steelwork, welding and bolting technology, as well as in the quality-conscious implementation of technical standards.
I combine in-depth technical knowledge with many years of experience in product responsibility, people management, quality assurance and organisational development.
Areas of expertise
Technical depth with a view of the whole
Complex technical requirements become manageable when design, manufacturing, quality and organisation are considered together.
Welding engineering
Welding coordination, quality assurance, personnel qualification, welding procedure specifications and the further development of industrial welding processes.
Bolting technology
Design, assessment and quality assurance of bolted connections, together with safe and controlled assembly processes.
Quality and standards
Translating technical and normative requirements into practical processes, work instructions and quality assurance measures.
Automation
Introducing and advancing new technologies, particularly robotic welding, with a focus on quality, process reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Technical problem-solving
Systematic analysis of deviations and damage cases – from identifying the root cause to implementing a lasting solution.
Leadership experience
Technical depth and a business perspective
Technical leadership is about more than organising tasks: it requires clear accountability, transparent decisions and the ability to turn expertise into robust processes.
Leading technical departmentsTechnical and disciplinary responsibility
Advancing productsFrom fundamental questions to industrial application
Embedding qualityTranslating standards into robust processes and documents
Introducing technologiesMaking automation and robotic welding effective
Connecting interfacesDesign, production, quality and executive management
Working internationallyTechnical and normative requirements in an international environment
“The individual technical solution is not enough; what matters is embedding it sustainably in the organisation and in practice.”
Professional career
Continuously growing responsibility
since 07/2024
Head of Central Welding Engineering
Responsible for central welding engineering and the further development of quality-relevant welding processes.
since 07/2021
Head of Crane Runway Development
Leading crane runway development and holding product responsibility for crane runway systems.
since 08/2011
Welding Coordinator · Central Welding Engineering
Central welding coordination and welding-related quality assurance responsibilities.
2003–2005
Head of Technical Field Service
Led the technical field service for technically demanding crane and crane runway projects.
2002–2021
Group Leader, Crane Runway Engineering
Technical and personnel leadership of the crane runway engineering group.
2000–2002
Assistant to Executive Management
Technical and organisational support, including collaboration on cross-functional projects.
since 11/2000
ABUS Kransysteme GmbH
Various specialist and leadership roles with increasing responsibility for engineering, development, crane runways, welding engineering and quality.
1998–2000
Self-employed Civil Engineer
Planning and structural design work connected with the renovation of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway.
graduated 2000
University of Wuppertal
Degree in civil engineering, graduating as Diplom-Ingenieur. Focus areas: structural engineering, structural steelwork, design and engineering calculations.
Publications and technical articles
Sharing technical experience clearly
Assembly tolerances of crane runways
The article examines how different tolerance criteria affect running quality, wear, damage prevention and the service life of crane installations. It focuses on the requirements of various standards and their significance for planning, assembly and operation.
Speaker and lecturer
Teaching technical knowledge through practice
Alongside my industrial work, I teach in the field of welding engineering.
When training welding specialists, I explain technical relationships with a close connection to industrial application. The focus is not only on standards, but also on implementing them safely, clearly and consistently in practice.
Topics
Welding engineering · Welding coordination responsibilities · Quality assurance · Structural steelwork and crane runways · Failure analysis · Damage prevention · Automation and robotic welding
Welding coordination
Responsibility for welding quality
Welding coordination connects technical standards, personnel qualification, manufacturing processes and quality assurance.
OrganisationStructures and responsibilities in welding coordination
QualificationWelding personnel and welding documentation
AssessmentDeviations, imperfections and repair
Continuous improvementRobust manual and automated welding processes
Contact
Professional exchange
Would you like to discuss a technical topic, a publication or a potential speaking engagement?
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Hardt
Wiehl · North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany