From Cranes to Clouds—Samuele Zanni’s High-Flying Adventure

Samuele Zanni, Service Manager for Terex Rough Terrain Cranes , recently had the opportunity to blend his love for cranes and planes during a business trip to the US—in what proved to be a perfect combination of work and pleasure.

From Arkansas - the Heartland of Steel - to the Rugged Terrains of Alaska

Based at the Terex Rough Terrains facility at Crespellano, Samuele travelled to the US to support the local team on machine maintenance. His first stop was in Arkansas, where the TRT 100US and TRT 80US cranes under his supervision were diligently at work on the building of a $3 billion new mill for United States Steel Corp. According to US Steel, this mammoth project will be the most advanced steel plant in North America, and the largest private project in the history of Arkansas.

Samuele's next stop was Alaska, where his tasks were twofold; firstly, having to meet a potential distributor, and then travelling to Prudhoe Bay Oil Field to provide essential servicing for Terex Rough Terrain Cranes. Here, his adventures weren't confined to the jobsite; they soared to new heights when he travelled the vast expanse of Alaska from Valdez to Prudhoe Bay and back in a small plane.

A Pilot's Perspective

Samuele is no stranger to the skies, having over 1,000 hours of flying under his belt in his own personal aircraft in Italy. He not only refurbished and maintains his own plane but also finds solace and joy in taking to the air whenever possible. Samuele’s expertise did not go unnoticed by the pilot who was flying him to the customer site in Prudoe Bay. Upon learning about Samuele's passion for flying, he extended an invitation to join him in the co-pilot seat, turning an ordinary business trip into a thrilling airborne experience.

Life in the Alaskan Oil Fields

Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, located on Alaska’s North Slope is the largest oil field in North America. The TRT 80US and TRT 100US cranes are operating as part of a long-term rental agreement, acting as service cranes on the site and playing a crucial role in moving material within the oil extraction area. The challenging terrain—ranging from gravel and mud in the summer to snow-covered expanses in the winter—demanded robust machinery capable of handling the extreme conditions.

While servicing the cranes, Samuele was carrying out software updates in the onsite cabin. This took an unexpected turn when he noticed a bear moving around the oil extraction area. As he concentrated on updating the crane's software, the bear roamed on his left, while seals rested on the rocks to his right. Another natural highlight of his trip was witnessing the spectacular northern lights, which painted the Alaskan sky with vibrant colors.

“As well as seeing the vast landscape of Alaska from the air, it was amazing being able to observe wildlife and natural wonders while carrying out my more ‘usual’ servicing duties in this remote part of the world,” said Samuele. “It served as a reminder of the experiences we at Terex gain when our work takes you to the far corners of the world.”

Samuele's journey from the steel mills of Arkansas to the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, coupled with his aerial escapades in Alaska proves that, sometimes, work and pleasure can indeed occupy the same airspace! Thank you Samuele for sharing your story!