HIAB is a term that has become well known in the haulage and transport industry and refers to a lorry mounted crane or lorry-loader. These vehicles are made up of a truck and crane combined to load and unload trucks by using the vehicle engine to power the hydraulics of the crane. The beauty of these vehicles is that they can deliver goods to site as well as lift them on and off the truck which can often reduce the need for a separate mobile crane.

1. The name or term "HIAB" is derived from Hydrauliska Industri AB,  a Swedish company founded in 1944 by Eric Sundin who thought up a way to use a truck's own engine to power a loading crane using hydraulics.
2. HIAB invented the world's first hydraulic truck-mounted crane in 1947, finally fulfilling Eric Sundin's vision.
3. Eric Sundin's original company was Sunfab  (originally called Sundins). It manufactured skis that the Swedish army bought in large numbers and still exists today. It is where he came up with his ground breaking idea. 
4. The term HIAB is often used to define any type of loader crane in much the same way as  ‘Hoover’ is commonly used to describe any make of vacuum cleaner. For example Fern Freight use a Cormach Crane's version of the HIAB.
5. Today HIAB is owned by the Finnish company Cargotec, a leading provider of cargo handling solutions around the world.
6. In 2020 HIAB sales topped 1,094 million Euros.
7. HIAB Currently employs over 3000 people and is available in over 100 countries.
8. The first HIAB (Model 192), powered by the truck’s engine, sold nearly 13,000 units and was available until 1964.
9. Since 1944, half a million HIAB loader cranes have been delivered to customers in more than 120 countries.
10. HIAB are the current sponsors of the Motor Transport Awards Team of the Year Award!