HISTORY & KEY FIGURES

80 years of the group and 50 years of lifting

One group, one story.

Discover more than 80 years of Mediaco history, from its premiere founding in 1942 with Medtrans up to today. Group filled with history, dive into the heart of the key years of the company.

1942

In 1942, Jean-Jacques VERNAZZA created the port transit company MEDTRANS, made up at the time of 4 employees. With the acquisition of a small stevedoring company that complementary to its activity at the end of 1942, the company MEDIACO ACCONAGE was born.

In the 50s

In the 50s.

The acquisition of a Nordest truck crane was the first step towards the purchase of other port cranes.

1972

End of 1972.

Christian-Jacques VERNAZZA founded MEDIACO LIFTING. He was very attached to the city of Marseille and widely involved in the development of the local economy and innovative industrial projects. He insisted on keeping the Group head office there.

MEDIACO started its lifting activity with the acquisition of the most efficient equipment of the time, in particular the Grove TM800 (the most powerful telescopic boom crane in the world that year).

Gradually, the fleet is moving from the Lattice to the Telescopic Crane, which allows MEDIACO LIFTING to quickly expand its reputation in France.

Christian-Jacques VERNAZZA knew how to involve his children Annabel, Alexandre-Jacques et Rodolphe within the family Group.

MEDIACO has also undertaken to diversify its activities, particularly in liquid bulk storage, oil production and logistics.

2006

In 2006.

Alexandre-Jacques VERNAZZA joins the MEDIACO group. In 2008, he became Operations Manager of MEDIACO LIFTING, and subsequently Managing Director in 2011. He took over as Chairman of the family Group in 2013.

2008

In 2008.

Mediaco Levage consolidates its position as a pioneer in the establishment of the leading lifting and material handling network in France through the acquisition of the SOGECOFA Group, as well as through other strategic acquisitions throughout the territory.

2014

Start of 2014.

MEDIACO decides to open 2 branches in Germany (Kehl and Freiburg).

The Mediaco GmbH (Germany) 2021 fleet is composed of 50 vehicles, including 30 cranes from 50 to 400T, spread throughout 4 branches (Stuttgart, Kehl, Rheinau, Karlsruhe).

MEDIACO consolidates its position as the national leader through the acquisition of the SMMI Group (Grenoble, Lyon, Valence and Annecy), 4 branches, 50 cranes and 80 people, which position the MEDIACO group as a regional leader in the Rhône-Alpes region.

2017

MEDIACO has acquired one of the largest cranes on the European market and the most powerful crane in France (670 tons at a 21-meter reach): an LG1750 (a 750-ton capacity lattice boom crane on mobile carriers). This crane is capable of handling all wind turbine installations (147 tons at 120 meters) as well as the most significant national projects, including the Grand Paris construction sites.

As of today, MEDIACO MAXILIFT operates 15 cranes with capacities over 500 tons, spread across the national territory.

2019

MEDIACO acquires the Altead Group, the 3rd leading lifting company in France, made up of 190 cranes, 500 people and 15 branches in France.

2020

MEDIACO acquires the Chieusse Levage group, along with its 37 machines, including 14 cranes ranging from 30 to 130 tons, spread across 4 agencies: Les Arcs (83), Fréjus (83), Grimaud (83), and Nice (06), which becomes MEDIACO CENTRE VAR. This merger strengthens the group's agency network and its presence in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Var, consolidating its position as a leader in the Southern region.

The company SE LEVAGE based in Haute-Savoie, and its 5 agencies: Frangy, Annecy, Chambéry, Lyon, and Orléans, are joining the MEDIACO group. The Heavy Lifting department, based in Haute-Savoie and Orléans, has 5 cranes ranging from 500T to 800T, which will be integrated into MEDIACO MAXILIFT.

The merger with SE LEVAGE enables the Marseille-based family group to strengthen its regional presence with a network of over 15 agencies in Rhône-Alpes, out of the group's 95 national agencies.

2023

MEDIACO establishes itself in SWITZERLAND through the acquisition of MATTHEY-PETIT LEVAGE. MATTHEY-PETIT LEVAGE has 110 machines, including 25 cranes ranging from 40 to 500 tons, spread across two branches: Geneva and Lausanne.

The Swiss company achieves a turnover of €15 million with a fleet of modern equipment including 25 cranes, 23 tractors, 52 heavy trailers for exceptional transports, and 11 truck-mounted cranes up to 120T/m.

The acquisition of this Swiss company enables the Marseille-based family-owned and independent group to consolidate its positions abroad, complementing its 4 agencies established in Germany between 2014 and 2020.

Today

The Mediaco Group has a turnover of 450 M€ and has recorded an increase of €250 % over the last 8 years for the lifting activity (2014 turnover: €160 million / 2023 turnover: €410 million).

MEDIACO now has 900 cranes from 35 to 800 tonnes, 95 branches, 2800 employees positioning the MEDIACO group in the lead nationally and third in Europe.