For four decades, WA Universal has been part of Western Australia’s construction story. From its beginnings as a family-run rigging company, the business has grown into one of Perth’s leading providers of cranes, transport, and rigging services.
Today, WA Universal is firmly established as a tower and mobile crane specialist, trusted by major contractors on some of the state’s most complex projects.
WA Universal operates across three core divisions: transport, rigging, and cranes. Within the crane division, tower cranes and mobile cranes are managed as distinct units, each supported by dedicated teams and depots.
The company’s tower crane journey began in 2014 with its involvement in the construction of Optus Stadium for Multiplex. “From that point onwards, it’s been steady progression into the tower crane market – adding one or two cranes a year,” said Managing Director Aaron Holding. Over the past four years, that growth has accelerated, with WA Universal aiming to capture a larger share of Western Australia’s tower crane market.
Repeat business and client retention remain central to WA Universal’s approach. The company aligns itself with tier one contractors such as Lendlease and Multiplex, who value consistency, capability, and reliability. “We’ve really focused on providing a good service for the type of projects we aim to deliver to,” Aaron said.
This strategy has led WA Universal to high-profile work, including defence projects at Garden Island, university builds, car parks, and airport infrastructure. Its tower cranes have become a familiar sight across Perth, with applications ranging from high-rise construction to projects with strict height restrictions.
Mobile crane capabilities range from 16-tonne to 400-tonne all-terrain and crawler models for diverse projects. Image: WA Universal.
Heavy lift capabilities
A recent milestone for WA Universal was the introduction of its largest tower crane to date – a Comansa CML 560 luffing unit with a 36-tonne lifting capacity, deployed at Curtin University’s new science building. The company is also preparing to bring two Comansa CML 800s, 64-tonne luffing units, into Western Australia.
“We’re starting to move more into the heavy tower crane lift side,” Aaron said. He sees this as a response to industry trends, with developers shifting towards modular and prefabricated construction. “A lot of data centres and large projects are being built this way. Heavy lift tower cranes will be in big demand in the next five years,” he said.
Fleet strength
WA Universal’s tower crane fleet is exclusively Comansa, ranging from 8-tonne to 25-tonne hammerhead units with 60–80 metre jib lengths, and luffing cranes from 12 tonnes up to 64 tonnes. The company has been instrumental in supporting Comansa’s presence in Australia.
Alongside its tower cranes, the business runs a diverse mobile crane fleet – from small 16-tonne cranes through to 400-tonne all terrains. This includes the recent addition of a 100-tonne Sany telescopic crawler, marking a push into early-stage construction work such as piling. “We probably plan to order another two or three of those within the next six months,” Aaron said.
WA Universal also services a wide variety of projects with its mobile fleet, from installing fibreglass pools and steel lintels in residential builds, to tilt-up panel work and large-scale commercial construction.
People and culture
Behind the machines is a workforce of more than 100, combining blue-collar and white-collar staff. A defining feature of WA Universal’s culture is its emphasis on promoting from within. “Pretty much every single white-collar person here has come from on the tools with extensive experience and been trained up into a management role,” Aaron said.
That ethos extends to the leadership team, where Aaron works alongside his father and uncle as directors. With roots stretching back to his grandfather’s founding of the company in 1985, WA Universal has retained a strong family spirit. “Most of the guys are close friends from school, sport, or the same circles over the past 20–25 years,” Aaron said.
Aaron oversees design work for tower crane ties and configurations, supported by Comansa engineers and trusted external partners. This collaborative model ensures every crane is backed by expert design and compliance with Australian standards.
Safety is also central. WA Universal is accredited for quality, safety, and environment, and is a member of CICA.
“All of our tower cranes get CraneSafe checks every year. We take it quite seriously,” Aaron said. Pre-installation checks and ongoing verification form part of a rigorous safety program.
WA Universal’s evolution, from a small rigging company into a major tower crane business, reflects both its ability to adapt and its commitment to clients. With a strong fleet, long-standing partnerships, and a team culture rooted in trust and experience, the company is well-placed to meet the demands of Western Australia’s construction sector.
As Aaron put it, “It’s been a steady climb, but we believe we’re only getting stronger. With the growth of modular construction and demand for heavier lifts, the future for tower cranes in WA looks bright – and we’re ready for it.”