[WRE UPDATE | BUSINESS]
Certifi ed Slings team, providing rigging and overhead lifting equipment to the phosphate mining, theme and theatrical park, port and power utilities industries with the know-how and service needed to ensure that both big and small jobs get done right – and get done safely. In any overhead lifting project, safety is the biggest
concern. But, in Certifi ed’s ongoing work with the military, the proper functioning of their equipment takes on a special urgency. Certifi ed is currently supplying combat soldiers in the Midldle East with aerial cargo slings. T e gear allows soldiers to move heavy equipment, supplies and vehicles by air – avoiding dangerous convoys that might be vulnerable to IEDs or ambush. Certifi ed Slings & Supply is currently completing two major military contracts that will be the second and third largest in the company’s history. While pride and profi ts come part and parcel with such success, these achievements also allow the company to provide more work and opportunities to their local economy. “A lot of what we do has to do with dad,” says Doug
Worswick. “Dad was in the Navy for two years – he was a disabled vet. He always had a lot of passion about supporting our troops and was very patriotic. T at’s our family – that’s who we are. And when we can, we look to hire veterans.” For many soldiers, transitioning back into civilian life can be a challenge. But it seems that Certifi ed Slings off ers a workplace where veterans cooperate alongside other veterans and together they continue to be a part of the mission along with their brothers and sisters in arms who are still overseas. “It feels good to know that a veteran is behind this
company,” say Lloyd Hicks who works in Certifi ed’s Quality Control department. “I’m a veteran myself along with a lot of veterans here at Certifi ed Slings. So I understand the importance of a quality product.” Veteran and Certifi ed Slings Rigger Joshua Sanchez agrees. “I do take pride and joy making these ropes,” says
Sanchez. “Overseas, it’s very important that everything goes as planned, because, if not, then there are lives in danger.” “Returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, these soldiers are now
working for a company that really cares about veterans,” says Worswick. “At the same time they care about their fellow soldiers and are pleased to work with a company that is dedicated to seeing that those soldiers come home safely. Everyday they risk their lives so that we can go to work and live comfortably and safely. And I want to thank them. God bless them.” In addition to their inherited tradition of providing our
fi ghting men and women with the equipment they need to do a hard job in impossible conditions and come home safe and sound, Certifi ed Slings has a large base of commercial customers that just keeps on growing. “I enjoy the people that you come across in the industry and no two days are ever the same – it’s always a challenge,” says Certifi ed Slings Vice President Nicole Parkerson – Ron Worswick’s granddaughter and Doug’s niece. “We want to carry on the legacy of what my grandfather started. We have a well-oiled machine that my grandfather left when he unfortunately got pancreatic cancer in 2006. He left
sees that little Certifi ed Slings logo, they always say, ‘I knew Ron Worswick. What a tremendous guy he was.’” “What we’re doing here today is really an honor and dedication of a great man and a true patriarch,” says Doug Worswick. “He taught me what character really meant. He showed me by example what honesty, integrity and humbleness was all about. He was my mentor. He was my best friend. He was my father.”
And in the lives of contractors, team members, soldiers, veterans and in those of his family, the legacy of “Mr. W.” lives on. ❙
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013 77
us a very good & stable company that we’ve been able to take to another level because of his tradition.” In fact, the Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) recognized Certifi ed Slings & Supply as one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing, privately owned companies on its inaugural “Fast 50” list this past July. Another accolade from the OBJ comes on August 30th as Certifi ed Slings is being recognized as a 2013 Golden 100 Top Privately Held Company in Central Florida. “T is achievement was made possible by all of our team members, customers & suppliers. Sustainable growth is achieved when we all share and contribute to our mutual success,” said Doug Worswick. T e company has grown from one location in Casselberry
to six Florida locations serving customers throughout the US, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. In the process, the company has expanded its ability to provide direct service to it’s customers world-wide, and Certifi ed Slings’ latest plans have found them aggressively pursuing their international expansion. Certifi ed has just fi lled a new position Director of International Operations that will oversee the international sales team and grow existing accounts while also breaking new territories. “We’re excited about that,” says Parkerson. “We’re looking
forward to expanding on our existing international footprint as we continue to drive sales in both the domestic & international markets.” But, no matter how big and successful they become or how many accolades they collect or veterans they support, one gets the feeling the Worswicks won’t forget what got them here in the fi rst place. “I think the greatest lesson I learned from my grandfather
was how humble he was,” says Doug’s nephew, Key Account Manager, Eric Worswick. “His willingness to have his business honestly and truly give back to something he believed in: Being an American patriot, supporting our troops. When somebody
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84