best in the business, with the most innovative, modern equipment and methods. And after another seven years of rapid growth and reputation building, ETARCO Ltd. joined with Van Seumeran in 1998—eventually becoming Mammoet in 2000.
Continued Evolution Mahnke continued working with Mammoet for another five years before retiring—and pivoting in the direction of what would become Hydra-Slide six years later. Over the years, his original heavy track skid system designs had been tweaked and held to ever higher safety standards. Both a lower-capacity and higher-capacity model were added to become what is now being offered as Hydra-Slide HT300, HT500, and HT1000 skid systems. Additionally, the original second-generation Low Profile skid system was further developed, and resulted in what is now being offered as Hydra-Slide LP400 LP350 and XLP150 skid systems. In 2011, Mahnke and his daughter, Janine Smith, incorporated Hydra-Slide Ltd. Smith began as director
of sales & marketing—to better serve the young company’s growing client base. Promoted to vice president in 2015, she is now the first point of contact for many of Hydra-Slide’s new and returning customers. “Tese products have been continually evolving since the eighties,” Smith explained. “Tey were designed to be used in-house through Don’s career in the field. When we became a company, offering these products to the industrial market, the product line was diversified, and continues to grow with customer demand and changing requirements.” Smith pointed out that, after his retirement from
Mammoet, Mahnke was contacted by colleagues and old competitors about his systems—asking where they could acquire them. “After building some through sub- contracted shops, he realized that there was a demand for this equipment, and he approached me about starting a company together,” she said. “We really didn’t have any idea where it would go or what to expect at that time, but we both saw great potential in the crane and rigging, transport, port, and power utility industries.” After incorporation in 2011, the father and daughter
Mountain Heavy Transport uses an XLP150 for an indoor application.
Don Mahnke and Janine Smith with an LP350 low profile skid system.
26 MAY–JUNE 2017 WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
team started out pretty simple. “We contracted one hydraulics shop and one small fabrication shop, and built a simple website—and we’ve grown from there,” she affirmed. “We also decided, if we were only going to do one thing, we ‘have to be the best at it.’ If we can develop a solid reputation for excellent products, the word will spread. And if we offer unparalleled customer service and support, then we will be remembered.” Hydraulic skidding systems being a niche market in many ways, albeit with countless applications, meant there weren’t many companies solely focused on engineering and manufacturing the types of products that Hydra-Slide began developing early on, according to Smith. “Off-the-shelf skidding systems and rigging equipment were not readily available, especially in developing parts of the world, so we saw an opportunity to supply a global market demand,” she said. Tat said, though their experience levels and skill sets certainly differed, they both agreed on what it would take to keep the company unique and moving productively forward. “Don has always believed in the safety and simplicity of this load-moving method,” she said. “His entire career has been in the engineered transport and rigging field— giving him incredible insight into the demands of our target market. I did not come into this position with any background in hydraulics, physics, or rigging—except for what I heard at the dinner table growing up. What I did know was what type of experience I wanted our clients to have, and what type of company culture I wanted to grow.” As that culture emerged, close relationships with clients took shape—allowing Hydra-Slide to expand its product line. “We listen to the people doing this work, and try to exceed their standards of quality and safety, and maintain that relationship afterward with training and technical support,” emphasized Smith. “Our full
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