BrandSafway wins three Access Industry Awards
SAIA recognizes achievements for innovative access technologies, including the world’s tallest hoist tower The Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA), the premier professional organization in the industry, recognized the extraordinary achievements of BrandSafway with three Project Awards during the SAIA Annual Convention & Exposition in Boston in August 2022, as follows: Mast Driven Hoists and Platforms Project of the Year Award: Central Park Tower, New York City Provided the tallest hoist on a common tower and the world’s largest continuous rack and pinion hoist Supported Scaffold Project of the Year Award: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO Designed and installed debris shield and plywood barrier to withstand winds up to 90 miles per hour Innovation Award: Fort St. John, British Columbia Engineered custom motorized carrier combined with a hydraulic self-leveling platform for water-intake conduits at hydro dam “We thank SAIA for recognizing the efforts of the BrandSafway teams whose work goes above and beyond the ordinary to provide our customers with the safest, most productive, and innovative access solutions,” said Karl Fessenden, BrandSafway president & CEO. World Record Hoist Complex Central Park Tower, located on “billionaires’ row” and overlooking Central Park, is the highest residential tower in the world and the second tallest building in New York City. Lendlease Corporation contracted with SafwayAtlantic by BrandSafway to design, supply, install and dismantle a six-car construction hoist complex. The common tower reached the 99th floor, a world-record height of 1,515 feet 6 inches, and was erected and dismantled without incident. The common tower is made from shoring and scaffolding components decked at each entry level for access. SafwayAtlantic also equipped the hoist complex with a Hydro Mobile mast climber positioned above the hoist cars. This improved scheduling efficiency and eliminated interference between construction crews and tower erection crews. Managing the sheer load of the common tower also presented an extreme engineering challenge. Because the hoist complex was too wide to fully fit on building setbacks on the fifth floor and eighth floors, it was partially cantilevered with massive steel dunnage made from I-beams. Demolition Protection Ahrens Contracting of St. Louis retained BrandSafway to erect Systems™ Scaffold along with a dust and debris containment system around the 227-foot-tall Queeny Tower, as it was demolished to make way for a new patient care facility at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the preeminent healthcare facility in St. Louis. To sufficiently contain the demolition dust and debris and prevent it from infiltrating the hospital’s HVAC intake system, three sides of the containment system required a plywood barrier, totaling 95,567 square feet, as well as scrim. As one floor was demolished, the scaffold debris shield would extend vertically (e.g., cantilever) to provide containment. After the demolition of a floor was completed, the cantilevered section would be dismantled. However, because the shield would exist unsupported for a period of time before being dismantled, the cantilevered section needed to withstand wind forces in excess of 90 mph. To be certain that the solution could withstand wind forces, BrandSafway used a proprietary structural analysis and designing program. The company also used software and pull-testing tools to confirm that the building ties could withstand loads in excess of 3,000 psi. The anchors were tested on an actual portion of the 55-year-old building, which would need to support more than 160,000 lbs. of plywood alone. Hybrid Mobile Access/Scaffold Solution The BC Hydro Site C Clean Energy Project on the Peace River in Fort St. John, British Columbia, features six 183-megawatt hydro turbines. General Contractor Groupe LAR retained BrandSafway to design and deliver a hybrid access/scaffold solution on six penstocks, which are 32 feet in diameter, 300-feet-long fabricated steel conduits, and run from the reservoir above to the turbines below. Aluma Systems, Hydro Mobile, Winsafe, and Spider (all BrandSafway companies) collaborated to engineer a first-of-its-kind, one-of-a-kind solution: an electrically operated carrier integrated with a self-leveling hydraulically controlled platform, which supported multiple levels of Systems Scaffold. The self-leveling design enabled workers to safely and efficiently paint, weld, inspect, repair, and sandblast the penstocks, which- have a serpentine geometry and steep decline. In addition, the self-leveling mobile platform transported workers throughout all six months of the project without a safety incident, delivered the lowest total installed cost compared to erecting supported scaffold, and reduced overall time for the coating application. “These Project Awards affirm the excellence and innovation of our BrandSafway engineering, installation, and project management teams,” says Fessenden. “We have a tradition of designing access solutions for even the most challenging jobs, as well as developing new ideas that improve safety and efficiency for our customers.”
Raymond introduces High-Capacity Orderpicker to intralogistics solutions offering
With an industry-leading elevated height of 456 inches, the new Raymond® High-Capacity Orderpicker boosts storage capacity as e-commerce demands increase The Raymond Corporation answers the industry’s need to pick more efficiently at increased heights with the launch of the Raymond® High Capacity Orderpicker. Designed to facilitate order picking a full rack higher than models currently on the market, this first-of-a-kind lift truck delivers market-leading capacity at all heights and reduces the annual cost per pallet stored by 19% compared with competitors. “As SKU counts proliferate and warehouse space continues to be at a premium, the need to better equip our customers with tools that provide increased warehouse layout flexibility and significant picking efficiencies was clear,” said Shannon Curtis, product manager for Class II, ZaP and iADS at The Raymond Corporation. “The Raymond High Capacity Orderpicker is what the material handling industry has been asking for — it brings operations to new levels of performance.” The new orderpicker features an industry-leading elevated height of 456 inches, which allows for increased rack storage access to 11% more pick slots. The increased elevated height enables operators to optimize storage capacity for more usable space and improved SKU count without increasing a facility’s overall footprint. Further enhancing productivity efficiencies, this new orderpicker integrates with additional intralogistics solutions and energy technologies from Raymond: Lithium-ion battery technology, which delivers more convenient charging and minimal downtime with opportunity-charging and fast-charging capabilities The In-Aisle Detection System, which notifies operators traveling in the tractor-first direction when the system detects objects in the lift truck’s path Zoning and Positioning technology, an operator assist option, where operators are able to focus on their surroundings and the task at hand instead of searching for the exact pick location, which ensures more reliable and repeatable lift truck operation by controlling many order picking functions The new High Capacity Orderpicker joins the Raymond suite of high-capacity solutions engineered specifically to lift heavier loads higher than ever, including the Raymond High Capacity Reach-Fork®, the Raymond High Capacity Deep-Reach®, and the Raymond High Capacity Swing-Reach® trucks. “Building on a century-long history of innovation and the existing High Capacity suite of products contributed to the speed to market we were able to achieve for the Raymond High Capacity Orderpicker,” Curtis noted. “As an intralogistics solutions provider that has the technology and industry know-how to provide customers a competitive edge, we are always looking ahead to find better answers that drive the material handling industry forward.”
LOBO Systems is now approved for use in over 120 Amazon locations
The British firm with the world’s most sophisticated scaffolding system has won more than £6m in orders from e-commerce giant Amazon. Amazon purchased several LOBO starter kits for a location in Los Angeles as a trial to prove effectiveness, resulting in 47 sites now using the LOBO System and approval for a further 120 sites. In addition, all new Amazon distribution centers will have a LOBO System on their must-have Bill of Materials list. The 2-year onboarding process comprised of OSHA compliance verification and approval by a global engineering group is now completed. Amazon stated: ” We have already saved thousands of dollars on scaffolding costs by using the LOBO System.” As LOBO is modular, with no tools assembly, Amazon engineers use LOBO to access awkward areas above and around their conveyor units, which are in constant use, so a high priority. Outsourced contractor scaffolding costs can be substantially reduced, as maintenance teams can assemble the system anywhere required. Robert Bokros, LOBO Systems inventor & CEO, explained: “The LOBO Advanced Platform System has revolutionized the way industry works safely at height. Evidence from satisfied users illustrates incredible cuts in scaffolding costs, reduced downtime whilst waiting for it to arrive and be erected, and less reliance on outside scaffolding contractors. In most cases, the payback time for LOBO is measured in months compared to conventional scaffolding.
TAWI announces new mobile lifting solution for freight container unloading and portable lifting applications
TAWI, the inventor of the vacuum lift (also known as a vacuum tube lifter) has launched a new, portable vacuum lifter designed to be used inside of any ocean freight or box truck to reduce the manual lifting of materials during the loading or unloading process. This solution enables a more flexible workforce by reducing the need to team lift heavy objects while also minimizing the opportunity for injury. This is a faster, safer, and easier material handling method when compared to individual or team lifting of materials by hand. Capable of lifting materials up to 90 lbs (40 kg), TAWI’s Mobile High-Frequency Lifter (MHL for short) is comprised of a vacuum lifter integrated into a portable jib crane on a base plate. With its trigger-style controller, the operator can lift and move products without exerting any lifting force and at a faster rate than performed manually. The MHL features a patented jib arm for low overhead spaces which is capable of horizontally gripping packages or materials to remove them from the top of a container or box truck. The unit is free-standing and powered by either a 3-phase electrical or an optional battery pack for completely cordless mobility. The MHL comes with a standard base plate design that any common forklift or pallet jack can support. This mobilizes the MHL to move around your facility and can be deployed for applications beyond container loading and unloading. “Many businesses are seeing workforce issues in today’s complex economy. This can include locating, training, and retaining qualified material handling employees,” states Nick Hajewski, North American Marketing Director for TAWI. “A vacuum lift reduces this issue of locating human capital by reducing the number of material handlers needed to perform an existing task – especially when team lifting is required. It also opens these heavy lifting applications up to employees not physically capable of manual handling such weights, as the lift does the lifting for the operator – all the operator needs to be able to do is squeeze the control handle. So that’s the secret – less labor required, a faster performance due to a lack of physical fatigue, and at the end of the day, everyone is safer because they are not physically lifting the materials themselves.”
WIKA Mobile Control launches new qSCALE I2 TH rated capacity indicator for telehandlers
WIKA Mobile Control has introduced the qSCALE I2 TH rated capacity indicator (RCI). The qSCALE I2 TH RCI system was designed specifically for telehandlers and is suitable for both OEM and aftermarket telehandler applications. The qSCALE I2 TH features a user-friendly 4.3” color graphic display that provides the operator with actual and allowable load, boom length, boom angle, load radius & height. The system also includes a cable reel for measuring the length and angle of the boom and pressure sensors that measure the hydraulic pressure in the cylinders. Depending on specific requirements, three other optional system components are available. If a longitudinal load moment indicator or limiter is required, the rear axle sensor can be added to measure the strain on the rear axle. The gSENS WGX sensor can be added to indicate the tilt of the chassis. The system can be upgraded to a rated capacity limiter (RCL) by adding the cSCALE DIO module to lockout the machine in the event of an overload. One of the benefits of the RCI system is that it reduces operator error. While operating within the allowable range (determined by the load chart), the top bar graph on the display will be green. As the operator starts to reach the allowable limits, the bar graph will change from green to yellow. Once the limit is reached, an alarm will sound and the bar graph will turn red. If the cSCALE DIO module is installed, it will cut off the operator’s ability to telescope out and boom down if the limit has been reached. The system also enables the machine owner to maximize the machine’s lifting capacity. This ensures that the machine isn’t overworked and the operator isn’t lifting loads that they shouldn’t be. The integrated data logger tracks machine usage and helps to determine whether a machine has been misused. Using a USB stick, the data logger information can be extracted from the console to an Excel spreadsheet. The data logger provides a report that indicates machine productivity and any overload instances. Calibration can be done through the console without the need for additional software tools. To validate the calibration, several measurements have to be taken with known loads. With the addition of the rear axle sensor, the system reduces the risk of accidents from tipping and increases the operator’s stability awareness of the machine. When the operator is lifting a load and extending the boom, this extends the radius. As the boom is further extended, the right bar graph on the display will change from green to yellow as it gets closer to reaching the stability limit.
Quick and safe transport of AMRs between multiple floors
Qimarox introduces a vertical conveyor for AMRs Qimarox, a manufacturer of components for material handling systems, introduces a vertical conveyor for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The Prorunner PR12 is ideally suited to transporting these vehicles between different floors. The high positioning accuracy, the rigidity of the construction, and the possibility of mounting a second carrier result in a safe and reliable high-capacity transport solution. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are rapidly gaining in popularity. They are relatively cheap, flexible, and scalable. They can be easily deployed without having to modify the existing infrastructure. Since they can handle a large part of the internal transport, they allow people to work faster and more efficiently. However, AMRs and AGVs have always had one limitation: they were difficult to move between different floors. Qimarox’s Prorunner PR12 changes all that. The PR12 is a vertical conveyor that significantly extends the range of AMRs. By moving robots with or without cargo between floors, companies can further increase their deployability and flexibility. In other words, the PR12 allows companies to grow in height. The first machines have already been delivered to an e-commerce company. Safe and fast The Prorunner PR12 is a discontinuous vertical conveyor with a minimal footprint. Its rigid construction and high positioning accuracy make the PR12 highly suitable for transporting AMRs and AGVs. Since the tolerances in vertical and horizontal directions are less than 5 millimeters, the vehicles can drive on and off the platform without difficulty. The PR12 is equipped with contour monitoring: if the vehicle on the platform starts to slide or roll, the machine comes to an immediate stop. The Prorunner PR12 offers a high capacity. With a height difference of 2 meters, the PR12 makes no less than 400 cycles per hour. What makes the machine unique is the possibility of attaching two separately driven carriers to one column. This makes it possible to easily double the transport capacity while keeping the space requirement to a minimum. The vertical range of the Prorunner PR12 is up to 24 meters. A single machine can, therefore, easily serve three, four, five, or even more floors. Also for products Not only can the Prorunner PR12 be used for transporting AMRs and AGVs, but for products and load carriers too. In this case, the AMR and AGV platform can easily be replaced with a roller conveyor. If the PR12 is equipped with two carriers, any configuration is possible: two platforms, two roller conveyors, or a combination of one platform and one roller conveyor. Even if the logistics concept changes over time, the PR12 can easily be converted. Like all Qimarox material handling components, the Prorunner PR12 is modular, resulting in a high degree of configurability, competitive pricing, short delivery times, and low maintenance costs. By using a servo drive, the PR12 can be easily integrated into any demanding, dynamic and challenging system design. Key benefits: Extremely high positioning accuracy (servomotor) The robust column ladder design allows the lifting of heavy loads Fully standardized, user-friendly modular design High quality constructive finishing Top global brands standard components used Heavy duty option for weights up to 300 kg / 661 lb Suitable for AGV / AMR thanks to positioning accuracy Low maintenance requirements Available with independently driven 1 or 2 carriers Capable of handling pallet-sized products
CP&A and DHHI partner on Hulking Offshore Crane
Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CP&A) has completed a structural design review on a mega 3,500-tonne capacity double boom offshore crane. CP&A—the company offers a wide variety of services, including procurement, specification, modification, and accident investigation—accepted a scope of work to deliver a structural review and design assistance from China’s Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd. (DHHI). CP&A was challenged with finding a solution for increasing the strength of certain design elements. DHHI recently completed manufacture; each crane boom, which sits side-by-side at the front of the vessel, can lift 1,750 tonnes. They measure over 128m—longer than a football pitch—and will be used both singularly and in pairs. The height of the crane mast, meanwhile, reaches 40.5m. These mammoth dimensions allow DHHI’s crane to handle cargo as large as 32m-high, with a 50m by 50m footprint, over water or on land. Similar cranes, which will typically have a captain and a crane operator, have been used to erect dockside or quayside cranes and bridges, and in offshore applications, such as wind farms or oil rigs. CP&A analyzed the crane and reported the reaction forces at the crane boom pin connections so that a foundation could be properly designed. Similarly, it reported the reactions of the mast ends attached to the barge deck under various load cases, extracting information for ship designers, so they could design for the required strength. There were a lot of different load combinations and scenarios that needed to be considered, such as different boom angles, wind, wave motions, etc. The lattice boom required many connection checks. A complex project Richard Phillips, a mechanical engineer at CP&A, said: “The analysis was rather complex; we had to use a special pipe-to-pipe connection post-processor that we created in-house.” He explained: “Pre-processing is the creation of the mathematical model of the crane structure [defining structural beams, developing loads and load cases]. FEA processing is when you take the math model and solve it to get the forces in each structural member [beams and columns]. Post-processing is when you take the forces in each structural member end and check to see if the structural members and connections have adequate strength and resilience.” CP&A’s stress program takes the forces from the finite element analysis and automatically checks the stresses of each member based on the specified design code. CP&A’s connection program takes the forces from the stress calculation results and checks the stresses of every pipe end connection according to the structural welding code AWS D1.1 for every single load combination. Project execution required collaboration between Chinese and Pacific Time zones, with Mike Zhang, the chief mechanical engineer at CP&A, able to communicate in fluent mandarin where necessary. Phillips said that Zhang was the lead engineer on the project, which was especially useful when certain norms, guidance, metrics, and phraseology were used in the dialog. In fact, CP&A frequently works with Chinese companies. CP&A has a long-running relationship with DHHI, notably collaborating with it on the crane base anti-seismic isolation system (BASIS), which is a revolutionary seismic isolation system built on nonlinear time history analysis (NLTHA). BASIS can protect a crane’s main structure from damage, even in contingency-level earthquakes.
OZ expands Stainless Steel Hoist, Trolley Range
OZ Lifting Products LLC has added a 0.25-ton capacity manual chain hoist and trolley to its ever-growing stainless steel range. The Winona, Minnesota-based manufacturer has added to the line in a piecemeal fashion, with 0.5-ton capacity versions joining those in 1-ton and 2-ton only last year, while 3-ton and 5-ton hoists and trolleys are expected in the coming months. Discussions about stainless steel lever hoists are ongoing—and the company already stocks a range of stainless steel beam clamps. The manual hoist remains the centerpiece of the stainless-steel range. Like other products in the line, the new, 0.25-ton version is designed for lifting and pulling. The hoist is lightweight and minimal effort is required to lift loads, but it is durable enough for some of the most demanding marketplaces. The trolleys, meanwhile, fit most common I-, S- and W-beams; end users have different types of beams depending on the construction requirements of the building or structure where the lifting equipment will be installed and employed. Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “We have had a lot of inquiries for the .25 so we decided to add that to the line and, given that most of our sales are for both the manual chain hoist and trolley, it makes sense to continue to expand them together—at both ends of the capacity scale. In most instances, the products are used in lifting versus pulling applications, but the ability to do both remains a selling point.” There is no specific application for this kind of manual hoist and trolley, beyond the fact that stainless steel is used in corrosive environments, including wastewater treatment plants, saltwater, or wash-down applications. Napieralski added: “We have a successful carbon steel hoist and trolley range [from 0.25 to 5 tons]—cost and application drive the decision whether that would be sufficient or if the stainless steel alternative is more suitable. Stainless is typically two or even three times the cost of carbon steel, which is significant for certain end users, and carbon is perfectly adequate in numerous scenarios. We have several [new] products on the horizon in both steel types.” The stainless products require a similar maintenance program as their carbon counterparts, Napieralski explained. He also stressed the importance of adhering to maintenance and inspection programs, especially if the equipment is being operated in a highly corrosive environment. OZ Lifting outlines these requirements in an owner’s manual, included with every shipment, along with test certification. As the documentation states, the product meets a range of standards, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Both the 0.25-ton capacity manual chain hoist and trolley are in stock and ready to ship.
FRONTEQ(CHANGZHOU) MACHINERY CO., LTD.
Caldwell beams turn Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Rockford, Illinois-based The Caldwell Group Inc. will lead a series of initiatives this fall to raise money for breast cancer charities, including offering its most popular beam in pink. The manufacturer of material handling and rigging equipment has made its Model 20 low headroom lifting beam available in pink when ordered in lengths up to 10 ft. The adjustable beam is available in various capacities (0.5 tons to 40 tons) and spreads (3 ft. to 18 ft.) with an additional option to add pink paint for a donation of $100. The concept was developed by Doug Stitt, the company’s president and CEO—and his connection to the cause is a personal one. “Like many families, mine has been touched by breast cancer,” said Stitt. “Breast cancer is the reason I’ve largely grown up and spent my life without a mom, and my kids missed out on the best grandmother that ever would have been. My mom contracted breast cancer just before my 16th birthday. I wanted to find a way to raise money for continued research and support. When I brought the idea up, my team responded enthusiastically—and I hope our distributor and industry network will too.” Lisa Sympson, marketing manager at Caldwell, said: “Any [Model 20] beam up to 10 ft. long ships for free, so it is quick and easy to calculate an end-price that incorporates the donation. Just ask for the pink beam, and we’ll add a $100 donation to your invoice. The full $100 will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.” Of course, these beams remain world-class, below-the-hook products, and comply with relevant ASME standards. Caldwell has shipped approx. 1,100 units so far this year and continue to ship 30 per week, albeit in all lengths. Model 20 beams in 6 ft. and longer have three spreads, while 3 ft. and 4 ft. beams have only two. Swivel hooks with latches come as standard. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month in the U.S. and pink is its signature color. Caldwell is hoping that its efforts will strike a chord with employees, distributors, and industry partners alike. “The pink beam concept might prove to be the most iconic thing we’re doing, but it is just one part of our overall plan. Our whole team is behind the fundraising effort that starts in September and goes through October,” said Sympson. “We will put donation jars around our facilities, sell pink ribbon / Caldwell t-shirts, and take part in a local 5k fundraising walk / run. Plans are even afoot to arrange for a [Caldwell] team to carry a pink lifting beam around the course.” Per the American Cancer Society, 290,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, making it the second most prevalent form of cancer for women, behind only skin cancer. While breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women, more than 3.8 million are breast cancer survivors. “It is a timely moment to show support for this ever-worthy cause—order your beams today,” added Sympson.
JLG® Seatbelt Engagement and Operator Presence Option now available as an aftermarket accessory
Enhances job site safety through alarms and limited machine functionality JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, now offers its Seatbelt Engagement and Operator Presence option for select JLG® telehandlers as an aftermarket accessory available through Online Express (P/N 1001281071). This new telehandler retrofit kit includes seatbelt engagement assurance, operator presence functionality, a high visibility orange seatbelt, and illustrated instructions for installation. Features of JLG’s telehandler Seatbelt Engagement and Operator Presence system include: The operator presence feature restricts engine start and hydraulic functions when an operator is not present in the seat The seatbelt engagement feature produces a visible and audible alarm when an operator is seated and unbuckled Orange high-visibility seat belt encourages operator seat belt use These telehandler features work together to enhance job site safety by using both visual and audible alarms, as well as limiting machine functions. The Seatbelt Engagement and Operator Presence kit can be field installed on JLG 742, 943, 1043, 1055, and 1255 telehandler models.
Spider by BrandSafway launches a revolution in traction hoist technology
SC1000 Relevation™ is the first and only battery-powered traction hoist on the market Spider, part of BrandSafway’s Motorized Manufacturing Group, introduces the SC1000 Relevation™ hoist, the first and only UL-Listed, battery-powered traction hoist on the market. As contractors and equipment operators know, power supply-related challenges and problems are the leading cause of lost productivity and downtime, resulting in increased direct costs on job sites across the country. The SC1000 Relevation frees customers from the power constraints on their job sites and allows them to work independent of any site power problems or challenges, including: No site power is available, requiring a rental generator/compressor to power a swing stage No connection to site power ready, requiring an electrician and delay Low voltage and fluctuating power supply, leading to overheating of the hoist, intermittent operation, and lost productivity Troubleshooting visits to a job site, or delivery of boost transformers Damaged power cables, and lost time coiling and storing between shifts Based on the proven Spider SC1000 hoist platform, the SC1000 Relevation features a portable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery with enough power for three hours of total travel time (up and down combined) at its rated 1000-lb load capacity. A five-amp wall charger recharges the battery to full capacity in less than eight hours. The battery is IP-64 rated and has been tested and approved for operation at temperatures from -4 to 140 °F (-20 to 60 °C).
H&E opens new branch in Hollywood, FL
Effective September 21, 2022, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Hollywood rental branch, its 10th in the state of Florida. The branch is located at 2200 N. 30th Road, Hollywood, FL 33021-3737, phone 754-764-1200. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and is capable of handling a variety of construction and general industrial equipment for customers in south Florida. “H&E has identified several locations to better serve its Florida customers and is expanding in the Sunshine State. Between our new Hollywood branch and our existing Pompano Beach facility, our company has the Atlantic coast covered down to Miami,” says Branch Manager Robert Monterrey, who has worked in the area for more than a dozen years. “The construction market in south Florida is healthy and growing, and we are well-positioned just off of I-95 and near other major thoroughfares for convenient, fast service to customers. With a 20-year track record in the state and one of the youngest fleets in the industry, we can deliver reliable equipment for any project in the area.” The Hollywood branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, TAG, Taylor, Towmaster Trailers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Marine Travelift appoints Minten Executive Vice President
The Marine Travelift/Shuttlelift/ExacTech, Inc. family of companies has announced the promotion of Kurt Minten to Executive Vice President of Marine Travelift. As the longest-tenured employee in Marine Travelift history, Kurt has many years of experience in all aspects of the business and has held positions in both engineering and sales leading up to this promotion. Kurt’s experience with Marine Travelift began even before he was an employee of the company. Early in the company’s history, engineering services were outsourced to a local company called RA Stearns, which is now known as Bay Engineering. Kurt worked as a drafter at Stearns and was assigned to the Marine Travelift product line in 1981. When Marine Travelift developed its internal engineering team in 1986, Kurt was hired as one of two people in the department, and he worked in that role until 2005. At that time there was an opening for a salesperson as the company was expanding its industrial division with the Shuttlelift Carrydeck and gantry crane lineup. The engineering department had grown significantly by this time and Kurt, with his extensive knowledge of the company and products, was an excellent choice to move into that sales role. Kurt was head of Carrydeck sales and was a major contributor to the success of that product line. He then grew into the Director of Shuttlelift Sales and eventually started handling contracts on the Marine Travelift side as well. Additionally, Kurt collaborated and supported various departments while in these positions with his natural ability to lead. He most recently held the position of Vice President of Sales on his way to this well-deserved promotion. To summarize: Kurt has devoted 36 years of his career to Marine Travelift and Shuttlelift, 41 years if you count his time drafting for Marine Travelift products while at RA Stearns. In his time with the company, he and his wife Carla raised two boys who are now married and have children of their own – making Kurt a grandpa of three. He is an avid soccer fan and coached his boys through their years in soccer and club sports. In his years at Marine Travelift, Kurt has traveled to many places around the world including Chile, Brazil, Singapore, Russia, England, Netherlands, and Denmark. Denmark stands out as one of his favorite places because of his Danish lineage and visiting the “homeland” was quite a memorable experience. “Anyone who has had the privilege of working with Kurt knows he is the epitome of a team player and is as professional as they come. He takes the time to talk and get to know everyone he comes across and leaves a lasting impression on customers and coworkers alike. We as a company are fortunate to have Kurt as a leader, coworker, friend, supporter, and more, and we look forward to having him in this new role for the years to come.” -Erich Pfeifer, president & CEO, Marine Travelift
Elevating worker platforms vertically position employees
Elevating Worker Platform Lifts from Presto ECOA are the perfect solution for assembly, repair, or maintenance of large or tall workpieces, such as transportation equipment (trucks, buses, aircraft, etc.); electrical sub-assemblies; prefabricated buildings or any other large, awkward shaped items that must be accessed at elevated or varying heights. Not only do they position workers at a comfortable, convenient height, but they also provide a stable platform with room for multiple workers, tools, workstations, test equipment, computers, etc. They are safer, more comfortable, and more versatile than ladders or scaffolding. Because platform height can be quickly and easily adjusted at the touch of a button, Presto ECOA Elevating Worker Platforms are commonly used for stock picking at high shelves, racks, and horizontal storage carousels. Fully customizable to the application, they can be configured with a variety of options including custom platform shapes/cutouts; slide-out decks and bridges; anti-skid or anti-static deck coatings; redundant controls; soft start/stop; indexed lifting and lowering; powered traverse; bellows skirting that keeps dust, debris, and moisture out of the lift mechanism; and many more. While typically used indoors, lifts can be easily modified for use outdoors or in other special environmental conditions. Virtually any platform size, lifting height, or load capacity requirement can be accommodated.
Bally Ribbon Mills offers custom-designed woven materials for critical rigging and tie down applications
Lightweight two- and three-dimensional reclaimable materials offer strength and resistance Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry provider in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, announces the availability of a wide range of lightweight two-and three-dimensional woven materials that serve as the structure or substrate for critical rigging and tie down applications that require strength, interlaminar shear, enduring resistance, or conductivity. BRM custom designs specialty applications with high strength-to-weight ratios, flame/heat resistance, flexibility, low elongation, and abrasion resistance. Available in widths from one to six inches, BRM rigging and tie-down materials are manufactured in such high-performance fibers as Kevlar ®, Vectran ®, Technora ®, Spectra ®, and Dyneema® Recent examples include specialized materials for load securement/stabilization equipment, chafing sleeves used for lifting and sling materials for safe load transfer at cargo control facilities, as well as webbing used to safely move chip manufacturing equipment around factories. BRM rigging and tie-down webbing are also used as a sling in an actuator/drum serving as the strongest tendon of a robotic arm used in a loading device being designed for a lunar habitat.
Protecting workers without sacrificing productivity
Innovations in material handling: Working smarter, not harder Manufacturing facilities and distribution centers traditionally had to choose between keeping their workers safe or keeping them productive. Thanks to recent material handling innovations, companies no longer have to make that trade-off. Innovative and affordable material handling solutions empower workers to perform tasks faster and with more precision, while also reducing the risks of injuries from accidents and repetitive motion, and lowering the costs associated with damaged parts, products and machinery. The combination of increased productivity, fewer injuries, and fewer damaged parts and machines directly increases profit margins. The Push for Higher Productivity High productivity has always been crucial to being profitable and remaining competitive, and it has become even more important during this period of acute labor shortages in the manufacturing and logistics sectors of the economy. In fact, the National Association of Manufacturers Outlook Survey finds that “attracting and retaining a quality workforce” is one of the top business challenges among respondents and predicts that US manufacturing will have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. Instawork reports that 73% of warehouse operators can’t find enough labor. As companies struggle to recruit and retain workers, the reduced workforce is pressed to be more and more productive. The potential problems with this trend are obvious. “Beyond causing stress, the lack of skilled workers has heightened workplace injury, product liability, and property damage risk for these businesses,” warns Liberty Mutual Insurance. Accelerating Trend to Automate Businesses have increasingly turned to automation to address these challenges. Automation can reduce labor requirements, with fewer employees needed to perform the same functions, and it can also help with recruitment and retention by making jobs more appealing to workers. However, full automation is not appropriate, or even possible, for every task, and it often does not make business sense. Automation systems are expensive to design, fabricate and install and often require specialized skills to operate and maintain. For many manufacturing and logistics applications, highly automated systems, including robotics, are simply not suitable because they are less flexible than humans, the most versatile machine of all. Worker Assistance Solutions Fortunately, a number of material handling solutions exist between fully manual processes at one end of the spectrum and completely robotic automation systems at the other end. These solutions utilize innovative system designs and proven technology to assist workers in performing their jobs better and faster, while also reducing strain and injuries and limiting damage to parts and equipment. These worker assistance solutions combine: the strength and power of a machine, with the control and cognitive thinking of a human. The basic concepts of mechanical advantage have been known for thousands of years. Understanding the power of the lever and fulcrum, Archimedes is said to have playfully boasted, “give me a place to stand and I will move the world.” Wheels, pulleys, wedges, screws, and other simple machines were put to use to dramatically expand what people could accomplish with much less effort. Intelligent Lift Assist Solutions: Work Smarter, not Harder Today, material-handling-assistance solutions fulfill the same basic promise, empowering operators to naturally and almost effortlessly lift and maneuver heavy, large, and unwieldy objects, as if the devices were an extension of their arms. Intelligent Lift Assist Devices (ILD) incorporate advanced technology, such as hoist systems with processor-controlled servo drives, to replace back-breaking work with fingertip control and maneuverability. But intelligent material handling solutions are not just about advanced technology. They consist of the smart overall design of complete solutions that utilize cranes and conveyors to best assist workers in each particular material-handling application on the shop floor and at the loading dock. Intelligent Devices The Gorbel G-Force® Intelligent Lifting Device exemplifies how state-of-the-art technology can effectively enable ergonomic and user-friendly load manipulation. The industrial processor-controlled servo drive system allows the G-Force to deliver both unmatched lifting precision and speed, a combination that traditional lifting devices have been unable to offer. In a study conducted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, workers in high-cycle settings were nearly 70% more productive using this system, compared to other lifting solutions, including manual lifting, chain hoists, and air balancers. The G-Force also excels at giving operators the precise control they need to carefully finesse expensive or fragile parts into place. During precision placement tests, the RIT study found that operators were 77% more efficient than with air balancers, and 59% more efficient than with traditional hoists. The high-speed servo control system and sensor technology, along with the highly-usable design, make the system remarkably easy, effortless, and natural to operate. Optional force sensing handles automatically detect force applied without requiring any handle motion, unlike other hoist systems that require operators to press a button or squeeze a handle to initiate upward or downward motion. Float Mode enables operators to precisely orient loads throughout the full stroke range by manipulating the load with their hands and applying as little as 1/2lb (227 g) of force on the load itself to activate the vertical movement. A combined collector/air swivel allows the handle to continuously rotate without damaging electrical conductors in the coil cord or optional air coil. This is ideal in applications where the operator is continuously rotating the handle. The control handles have operator-present sensing functionality, making them safe and intuitive, without the operator needing to depress a physical lever. Smart System Design of Workstation Cranes An optimal material-handling solution pairs the intelligent lifting device with a crane system that makes a horizontal movement as easy and efficient as vertical lifting. Workstation cranes achieve this goal better than alternative solutions, with superior maneuverability, enhanced safety, and large rectangular area of unobstructed coverage. Workstation cranes also called overhead traveling cranes and bridge cranes, are a type of overhead industrial crane that consist of a moving bridge that runs across parallel runways. A lifting device travels back and forth across the bridge, while the movement of the bridge enables simultaneous movement in a perpendicular direction. A well-designed system will offer little rolling resistance to the bridge and trolleys
Atlas Crane Service acquired by Ares Management
Atlas Crane Service, a full-service crane rental company that primarily serves the wind industry, announced recently that a fund managed by the Infrastructure Opportunities strategy of Ares Management had acquired a controlling interest in the company. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Aurora, Ill., Atlas is a full-service crane rental provider offering turnkey maintenance, repair, and overhaul solutions to over 250 customers. The company’s fleet of cranes provides mission-critical maintenance and repair services for wind turbines. Atlas’ executive management team, led by CEO Zach Prentis, will continue to guide the company with an emphasis on growth, geographic expansion, and a continued focus on delivering premier services and a dedication to safety. Atlas Crane Service also has branches in Wheeling and Ottawa, Ill. “The investment by Ares marks an exciting next chapter for Atlas, our employees, and our customers as we seek to accelerate the growth of our business and capabilities,” said Prentis. “Ares brings meaningful resources and deep experience in the renewables industry, which we believe will support our strategic expansion in the growing wind sector. Our team is energized by the future opportunities for Atlas and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting renewable energy generation across the U.S.” “We are excited to support Atlas’ long-term vision and leverage our combined strengths as we seek to drive continued growth of renewable energy power generation,” said Keith Derman, partner, and co-head of Ares Infrastructure Opportunities. “Zach and his team have built a differentiated business with a strong, entrepreneurial culture, and we look forward to helping them provide critical services and solutions to wind asset owners and operators throughout the country.” Commitment to a low-carbon economy “Ares and Atlas share a commitment to accelerating the transition to a low carbon economy, which requires high quality and competitively priced servicing of wind energy assets,” said Steve Porto, a partner in Ares Infrastructure Opportunities. “We believe that Ares’ deep renewables experience will provide Atlas with strong support to capitalize on the significant opportunity in this resilient and growing asset class.” TM Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to Atlas Crane Service. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Atlas has a diverse fleet of all-terrain, rough terrain, hydraulic, crawler, and tele-crawler cranes, along with additional value-added services including skilled operators on nearly all rentals, transportation, heavy hauling, subcontracted labor coordination, engineering, and permitting. Prior to its acquisition by an Ares Management fund, Atlas was founder-owned and operated for more than 13 years. Atlas primarily performs mission-critical recurring maintenance, repair – for both planned and emergency break-fix – and repowering of wind turbines. The company also serves non-wind markets in the Midwest United States.
The Crosby Group announces 2022 ‘Rigging for the Troops’ campaign
The Crosby Group, a manufacturer of rigging, lifting, and material handling hardware and equipment, has announced its Rigging for the Troops campaign, supporting the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. Fallen Patriots provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. After government programs, the average shortfall in college funding is $25,000. Supported by its loyal channel partners and end users throughout the United States, The Crosby Group will make a donation of $500 to Fallen Patriots for every Crosby and ACCO training event it hosts in the US from September 1 through October 31, 2022. In addition, The Crosby Group will donate all proceeds from its popular User’s Guide for Lifting online training course during this time to this honorable cause, up to $25,000. We also encourage our channel partners and end users to support the Rigging for the Troops campaign with the hopes of once again exceeding our fundraising goal. The Crosby Group has trained more than 500,000 rigging professionals since launching its training program in 1991. Approximately 25,000 children have lost an active duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. Of those, 97% of casualties are men, leaving behind single mothers to care for their families, and 60% report having trouble making ends meet. The foundation said that $625 million is needed nationwide to cover the gap between government assistance and the actual cost of a degree. Since 2002, Fallen Patriots has provided more than $55 million in total assistance to more than 2,200 military children with more than 900 graduates. Every time a worker in the oil and gas, construction, heavy lift, transportation, manufacturing, wind energy, and material handling industries attends a training hosted by The Crosby Group or completes the online training course, they can know that they are doing a small part to help secure a better future for military children who have lost a parent. With a US manufacturing footprint that includes plants in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, The Crosby Group’s involvement with the country’s military stretches back to its earliest days, supplying shackles and other hardware for military equipment. Today, more than 40 Veterans work in the company’s facilities designing, manufacturing, and distributing the best rigging hardware and material handling equipment in the world. Melissa King Ruths, Vice President of Marketing and Product at The Crosby Group, said: “We are honored to partner with the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation again, for now, the third year. Together, with our distributors and end users, we are proud to support such an important cause and help fulfill the educational funding requirements of young people who have been affected by military casualties.” “We are incredibly proud to partner with a company like The Crosby Group, who has demonstrated year after year their dedication to Veterans, both in their own roster of employees but also in the continued support of our mission,” said Chris Heffernan, president of Children of Fallen Patriots. “The funds raised through this program will go far to support Gold Star children now and in the future.” In addition to raising funds, The Crosby Group is launching a weekly contest to help raise awareness of the initiative on social media. Please visit riggingforthetroops.com for more information.
Crosby BlokCam upgrades Crane Camera System range with improved safety and reliability
The Crosby Group, a global provider in lifting, rigging, and load securement hardware, has launched upgrades to its popular range of Crosby BlokCam crane camera systems, including battery improvements. The updates extend the legacy of the original X2 and M3 systems, which have delivered clear enhancement of load handling in several sectors, most notably construction and renewable energy. The X2 is renowned as the industry’s first fully modular system compatible with tower cranes, while the M3 is the first fully modular camera for telescopic and mobile cranes, mainly because it can be installed in just five minutes. The Crosby Group has unveiled a series of additions and enhancements, including a new version of the X2 and M3. Most of the benefits are shared between the two systems, such as a new transmitter that can connect to up to two sensors upon request; a repeater that comes with a ball joint mount (reducing the ports required); a new sensor with integrated audio and video plug; and assembly with an improved Wi-Fi signal. X3L and M3L versions are also available with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and charger, compared to the NiCAD (nickel-cadmium) battery with the standard product. Key comparisons between the lighter lithium-ion and NiCAD are longer battery life, four-and-a-half hour’s recharge versus eight, and a charger versus a docking station. The lithium-ion battery also boasts a light-emitting diode (LED) to indicate charging status. Better, faster, smarter Thomas Dietvorst, Director of Crosby’s Technology Solutions division, said: “The upgraded system is better, faster, and smarter—improving safety and reliability. The game-changing BlokCam product range has been an excellent addition to the Crosby family and is a standout innovator in the portfolio, as recognized by LEEA [Lifting Equipment Engineers Association] giving us its Best Innovation Award last year. We are proud to bring these ongoing generational improvements to our growing customer base.” Following the 2021 acquisition, The Crosby Group has leveraged its global outreach to position Crosby BlokCam close to the point of use through its network of channel partners. He added: “We are thrilled to see more and more of our end users and distributors experience first-hand the benefits of the quality, ease of use, and modularity of the Crosby BlokCam systems. In addition to construction and renewables, which are widely regarded as the technology’s pioneering markets, we see continued adoption in transportation, offshore construction, nuclear, rail, mooring, and others. These products have delivered clear enhancement of load handling everywhere they’ve been used, and the user benefits are highly improved. X3L, M3L, and an upgrade package are currently available to order from The Crosby Group’s global distributor network. The X2 is renowned as the industry’s first fully modular system compatible with tower cranes. The updates extend the legacy of the original X2 and M3 systems. The Crosby Group has launched upgrades to its popular range of Crosby BlokCam crane camera systems, including battery improvements.