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The HTA & ESTA

ESTA LogoThe European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes (ESTA) is the unique European arm for trade Associations, representing abnormal load operators, mobile cranes, access platform companies.

The HTA is the UK representative member of ESTA and has previously held the Presidency for 9yrs.

ESTA Annual Review 2023

The Work of ESTA

ESTA’s primary objective is European harmonisation of rules and regulations for Abnormal Road Transport Companies and Mobile crane companies.  To that end ESTA:-

  • Is the leading European representative of abnormal road transport companies and mobile crane rental companies
  • Strives, together with manufacturers, towards continuous improvement of equipment to create safer working environments
  • Seeks to harmonise equipment, regulations and travel rules, general conditions of work and reduce permit delays throughout Europe
  • Maintains an inter-European network for national Associations, companies and manufacturers
  • Strives for continuous improvement of the image of the sector
  • Seeks to enhance the quality provided to our clients and promote a safer way of working
  • Exchanges information between the ESTA members, allowing them to work together all over Europe

Since ESTA was founded in 1976, it has established close ties with manufacturers supplying our industries with equipment, allowing ESTA members a voice on future developments and technical issues.

ESTA Awards of Excellence

Since 2004 ESTA has organised the annual ESTA Awards of Excellence.  In the categories ‘Crane Job of the Year’ and ‘Transport Job of the Year’ an individual company is awarded for a special, complicated, innovative or otherwise interesting job.  From 2005 the two main categories were divided into two subcategories depending on the weight of the cranes, and the weight, length and height of the trailer and load.

Each entry and company is checked for conforming to ESTA’s Rules and Regulations for entry.  From 2007 the Rules and Regulations were adapted in favour of smaller companies to enter the competition for their perhaps less prestigious but clever and professional achievements.

For each main category a jury is convened of experienced and independent men/women from the field of Cranes and Transport. The judging takes place according to the strict pointing system drawn up by ESTA.  The Awards are presented during an evening filling event: "The ESTA Users Night and Award Dinner".  Having starting from a simple gathering of a small group of ‘friends’ that had the opportunity to meet each other once a year, the ESTA dinner party has grown into ‘the event’ of the calendar.  Meeting old friends, networking, doing business, it's all possible during the ESTA dinner party.

The ESTA dinner party takes place in the different European countries, predominantly organised alongside a large European Exhibition - eg Intermat (France) or BAUMA (Germany).


The Heavy Transport Association,
The White House, High Street,
Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire CH3 9PX

e: HTAadmin@heavytransportassociation.org.uk
t: +44 (0)1829 773 104