ABOUT MOBILE CRANE SPECIALISTS
SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
BUILT AROUND CRANES.
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE
Mobile Crane Specialists was established to provide crane owners and operators with experienced, practical technical support backed by genuine industry knowledge.
Our team brings extensive experience across crane servicing, diagnostics, repairs and maintenance, with particular expertise in Franna mobile cranes and experience across Terex and other leading equipment.
Working alongside our affiliated company, Heavy Duty Engines & Transmissions, MCS can also draw on specialist engine, transmission and drivetrain capability, allowing us to provide a broader level of technical support from one team.
OUR STORY
2017 — WHERE THE CRANE STORY BEGAN
Mobile Crane Servicing & Maintenance (MCSM) was established in Brisbane in December 2017 with a clear purpose - to provide specialised servicing, maintenance and repair support to the mobile crane industry.
​
From its Brendale base, MCSM developed into a dedicated crane service and repair business supporting customers both in the workshop and in the field. Its technicians worked across mobile, pick-and-carry and crawler cranes, supporting a diverse range of makes and models throughout South East Queensland and surrounding areas.Â
​
Over the years, the business expanded beyond general servicing and repairs to provide breakdown and field support, preventative maintenance, diagnostics, routine and pre-delivery inspections, major inspections and overhauls, insurance repairs, welding and fabrication, boom repairs and modifications. MCSM's capabilities included both 10-year and 25-year major crane inspections, establishing a broad technical foundation within the specialist crane servicing sector.
​
As the business developed, its workshop and field teams gained hands-on experience across a wide variety of equipment and manufacturers - from the Franna pick-and-carry cranes that are a significant part of the Australian crane industry through to all-terrain, rough-terrain and crawler equipment from manufacturers including Terex, Tadano, Liebherr, Kato, XCMG, Zoomlion and others.Â
​
For almost nine years, MCSM built its place in the industry around specialist crane knowledge, practical field experience and keeping customers' equipment operating.
2018 — HEAVY DUTY ENGINES & TRANSMISSIONS
Heavy Duty Engines & Transmissions (HDET) was established by Leigh Southwick in Central Queensland in August 2018, building on more than two decades of hands-on experience across heavy-duty engines, transmissions and mechanical diagnostics.
​
Leigh’s career has included extensive factory training and technical experience across leading manufacturers including Deutz, MTU, Detroit Diesel and Allison Transmissions, developing specialist knowledge in fault diagnosis, engine and transmission repairs, rebuilds and overhauls.
​
What began as a specialist heavy-duty mechanical business in Central Queensland later relocated to North Brisbane, where HDET continued to grow its capabilities and customer base. Today, the business provides diagnostics, servicing, repairs, breakdown support and engine and transmission overhauls across heavy vehicles, machinery and mobile crane applications.
​
HDET’s involvement in the crane industry continued to grow, with its heavy-duty mechanical and diagnostic expertise complementing the specialist crane knowledge and capabilities of MCSM. This relationship would ultimately help shape the next chapter for both businesses.
2026 — MOBILE CRANE SPECIALISTS
On 4 September 2026, Mobile Crane Specialists commenced its next chapter through the acquisition of the Mobile Crane Servicing & Maintenance business, bringing together MCSM’s established crane servicing foundation with the heavy-duty mechanical and diagnostic capabilities of Heavy Duty Engines & Transmissions.
​
The acquisition provided an opportunity to build on almost nine years of specialist crane servicing history while introducing a renewed approach to the business - combining existing industry knowledge with additional technical capability, investment and a strong focus on customer service, communication and quality workmanship.
​
Today, Mobile Crane Specialists (MCS) provides specialist servicing, diagnostics, repairs, maintenance and field support for mobile cranes from its Brendale workshop and across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Working alongside HDET, the team can draw on complementary expertise across cranes, heavy-duty engines, transmissions and advanced diagnostics to provide customers with a broader level of technical support.
​
While the name and ownership have changed, MCS respects the foundation on which the business was built and the relationships developed throughout the industry. As we move forward, our focus is on continuing to strengthen that foundation - investing in our people, expanding our capabilities and delivering the standard of service our customers can rely on.
​
WHAT WE STAND FOR
LOOK AFTER OUR PEOPLE.
LOOK AFTER OUR CUSTOMERS.
DELIVER WORK WE'RE PROUD TO PUT OUR NAME TO.
At Mobile Crane Specialists, how we do business matters just as much as the work we deliver. Our values shape the way we work, the decisions we make and the relationships we build with our customers, our team and the wider industry.
SAFETY
Safety comes first - always. We take responsibility for working safely, protecting our people and our customers, and ensuring the work we carry out is completed with care and attention.
RESPECT
We treat people with respect, whether they are a customer, employee, supplier, manufacturer, competitor or another business within our industry. Strong relationships are built through communication, professionalism and mutual respect.
INTEGRITY
We believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. We communicate openly, provide honest advice and stand behind the work we do.
OUR PEOPLE
Our people are at the heart of MCS. We believe in supporting our team, sharing knowledge and creating an environment where people can continue to learn, develop and take pride in what they do.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We take ownership. If there's a problem, we address it. If we say we'll do something, we follow through. Our customers should be able to rely on us to communicate and take responsibility for the work entrusted to us.
QUALITY WORKMANSHIP
We take pride in the standard of our work. From routine servicing through to complex diagnostics and repairs, our focus is on doing the job properly and continually improving the way we work.
THE MAN BEHIND THE BUSINESS
Meet Leigh Southwick
​
Manging Director | Diesel Specialist | OEM Expertise
Leigh Southwick is the driving force behind Mobile Crane Specialists (MCS) and Heavy Duty Engines & Transmissions (HDET), bringing extensive hands-on experience, specialist technical knowledge and a genuine passion for the heavy vehicle and machinery industries.
With a strong background in diesel engines, transmissions, diagnostics and complex mechanical repairs, Leigh has built his career around solving challenging mechanical problems. His expertise in specialised OEM diagnostic systems and equipment has shaped his commitment to quality workmanship and delivering reliable, practical solutions.
​
A New Chapter for Mobile Crane Specialists
​
When the opportunity arose to purchase Mobile Crane Servicing & Maintenance (MCSM), Leigh saw more than an opportunity for business growth. He recognised the experience and capabilities of the existing team and the potential to bring together two businesses with complementary strengths.
​
MCSM's established expertise in mobile crane servicing, maintenance and repairs aligned naturally with HDET's specialised knowledge of heavy-duty engines, transmissions and diagnostics. Together, the businesses could offer customers a broader range of technical services while supporting and strengthening one another.
​
This vision led to the establishment of Mobile Crane Specialists (MCS), building on the foundations of MCSM while introducing new leadership, additional technical resources and opportunities for future growth.
​
Built on People, Experience and Trust
​
For Leigh, the strength of any business lies in the people behind it. His decision to purchase MCSM was influenced not only by the services it provided but by the skilled team already delivering them.
​
Today, Leigh remains actively involved in both businesses, combining his technical expertise with a hands-on leadership approach. His focus is on supporting his team, maintaining high standards of workmanship and building lasting relationships with customers.
​
His philosophy is simple: do the job properly, stand behind your work and build a business people can trust.