A recognition of nearly 40 years of innovation, entrepreneurship and craftsmanship
Spierings Mobile Cranes has won the Koning Willem I Award 2026. A remarkable recognition for a family-owned company that has been transforming the lifting industry for nearly forty years through courage, determination, perseverance and innovation. Managing Director and Owner Koos Spierings received the prestigious business award from honorary chair Her Majesty Queen Máxima and chairman Olaf Sleijpen during the festive final in Amsterdam.
The Koning Willem I Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious business awards in the Netherlands and is often referred to as the “Oscars of Dutch business”. The award is presented to companies that excel in entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and social impact. For Spierings, this award feels like a recognition of the dedication and commitment of all colleagues who contribute every day to the development, production and maintenance of our mobile tower cranes.
What is the Koning Willem I Award?
The Koning Willem I Award has been presented since 1958 by the independent Koning Willem I Foundation and is considered one of the most prestigious business awards in the Netherlands. The foundation is committed to encouraging and recognising courageous, resilient and sustainable entrepreneurship while highlighting inspiring examples of successful businesses.
The foundation operates under the honorary chairmanship of Her Majesty Queen Máxima and is governed by representatives from Dutch industry, educational institutions and social organisations. With this award, the foundation recognises companies that stand out in entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and social impact.
The Koning Willem I Award is often referred to as the “Oscars of Dutch business” and is seen as one of the highest distinctions a Dutch company can receive.
Jury statement
The expert jury expressed its appreciation for the way Spierings has been innovating and making the lifting industry more sustainable for many years. According to the jury, Spierings is leading a sector in transition with courage and conviction. The family-owned company successfully translates technological innovation into practical, scalable and sustainable solutions where responsibility, craftsmanship and future-oriented entrepreneurship come together.
Courage as a starting point
The story of Spierings began with a question nobody else asked: Why not put a tower crane on wheels?
What once seemed impossible evolved into an entirely new crane concept. The mobile tower crane changed the lifting industry forever and still forms the foundation of Spierings’ success today. That same courage can be seen in the choices we make today. Spierings became the first, and to this day the only, manufacturer of electric mobile tower cranes in the world.
Determination in execution
Vision only gains value when it is translated into practical solutions. With the introduction of eLift technology, Spierings has made zero-emission lifting practical on a large scale. Through fully electric lifting, advanced battery technology and intelligent energy management systems, customers can work more sustainably without compromising on performance, lifting capacity or safety. Today, more than 350 eLift cranes are operating across Europe and beyond.
Perseverance as a driving force
Innovation does not happen overnight. For years, Spierings continued investing in the development of new technologies, even during challenging economic conditions and complex technical developments. The knowledge gained from earlier innovation projects eventually formed the foundation of the successful eLift technology. That perseverance is deeply embedded within our organisation and continues to drive future innovation.
Innovation in our DNA
Every day, more than 40 engineers work on developing new technologies and further optimising existing crane concepts. By combining engineering, digitalisation, data analysis and practical experience, we continue helping our customers work smarter, safer and more sustainably. From real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics to zero-emission lifting.
An award for all of us
Winning the Koning Willem I Award 2026 is a special recognition for the collective dedication of all employees, customers and partners who contribute daily to the success of Spierings Mobile Cranes. From engineering and production to service and assembly: together, we continue building innovation, quality and the future of zero-emission lifting every single day.
This award motivates us to continue on this path. With the same ambition, commitment and innovative strength, we will keep developing the next generation of mobile tower cranes and contribute to a more sustainable future for the international lifting industry.
The road to victory
The victory did not come easily. The award process included an extensive and intensive trajectory consisting of:
- Preparing and submitting a comprehensive motivation document
- Company visits and interviews with the organisation
- Presentations and pitches
- The festive final in Amsterdam
Throughout the process, entrepreneurship, innovative strength, sustainability, social impact and future vision were thoroughly assessed.
Lift to the Max.
For us, the Koning Willem I Award is not an end point, but a confirmation of the direction we have been following for many years. Through innovation, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and our Mission to Zero-Emission, we continue building the future of lifting.
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