Five Potain cranes from the UPERIO fleet support complex urban construction in Marseille

• Located in a dense urban environment, the 30,000 m² Mistral development required detailed planning between BEC Construction Provence, UPERIO, and Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions team to optimize lifting operations and manage crane interference.
• Two Potain MDT 269 cranes and three MDT 319 cranes were specially configured with anti-collision systems, mast operator lifts, cameras, and other technologies to enhance productivity on site.

A fleet of five Potain tower cranes with two MDT 269 and three MDT 319 models is supporting construction of the Mistral development in Marseille, France, one of the largest building projects currently underway in the country's southeast region.

The project involves the construction of a 30,000 m² real estate complex and multistory parking structure in a dense urban area. Managed by BEC Construction Provence, a subsidiary of FAYAT Bâtiment, the development features raw concrete façades, wall panels reaching up to 8 m in height, and extensive use of prefabricated elements, all of which require carefully planned and executed lifting operations.

To meet these challenges, tower crane specialist UPERIO supplied the five Potain units. Each crane is equipped with a 45 m jib and mounted on either a 4.5 m or 6 m base. Hook heights range from 42.3 m to 60.6 m, with the tallest MDT 319 installed on a reinforced 6 m base.

The cranes were configured with several features designed to improve safety and productivity, including GEDA 2PK mast operator lifts, anti-collision systems, aviation warning lights, and site monitoring technology. All cranes are also equipped with cameras to improve visibility during operations.

One of the site’s biggest challenges has been operating multiple cranes in a crowded urban environment where interference between machines is unavoidable. To address this, engineers from BEC Construction Provence, UPERIO, and Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions team worked together to determine optimal crane positions, hook heights, and configurations before installation began. Three of the cranes, two Potain MDT 319 cranes and one Potain MDT 269, received additional engineering support from Manitowoc’s Lift Solutions specialists to ensure the configurations met the site’s operational and structural requirements.

“The Mistral project demonstrates the value of close collaboration between Manitowoc, UPERIO, BEC Construction Provence and our customers,” said Eric Delbecq, sales director at UPERIO France. “By combining the technological excellence of Potain cranes with the operational expertise of our teams, we are able to support our customers on the most demanding projects, providing them with reliable, high-performance lifting solutions that work perfectly within the site’s limitations.”

Despite the complexity of the project, UPERIO completed the installation of all five cranes in just two days, helping keep the project on schedule while navigating the logistical constraints of a busy urban jobsite. The Mistral development is expected to be completed in January 2028.

“With nearly 800 cranes in service, UPERIO France is one of Potain’s leading strategic partners in the country. The success of large-scale construction projects such as the Mistral development requires close collaboration and high-level technical support. Potain provides this support to UPERIO through readily available spare parts, technical expertise, and custom engineering solutions developed by our Lift Solutions department. The synergy between the performance of Potain cranes and the operational expertise of UPERIO’s teams makes a continual contribution to the success of projects and to the reputation of Potain in France,” said Gaël Veillard, Manitowoc’s commercial director for tower cranes in France.

UPERIO operates a fleet of approximately 2,000 tower cranes worldwide and has a presence in six countries. In France, the company maintains 11 operational locations and relies heavily on Potain cranes throughout its rental fleet. To support fleet availability and customer uptime, UPERIO works closely with Potain’s service and technical support teams in France, ensuring responsive assistance and technical expertise when needed.

CONTACT

Dominique Leullier
Marketing Director Europe
Manitowoc
Tel. +33 4 72 18 21 60
dominique.leullier@manitowoc.com