[INDUSTRY NEWS]


(ISO) and, through the Australian National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), standards are prepared on the basic principle of one country, one vote. Involvement with ISO and IEC takes place at two levels—policy and technical participation. Thacker said: “I have been interested in joining the AS


committee for at least five years now. Helping to raise industry standards and safety is a major factor in wanting to do this. It is paramount that we keep the standards updated with the ever- changing and updated products that are out in the marketplace. The AS role complements Ranger’s ongoing endeavors to this end through LEEA and other bodies. “Additionally,” he continued, “I am not in 100% agreement with


some of the previous standards and not always being aware when draft standards were released for industry comment were other driving factors [in joining]. Getting involved at the standards’ source will help me understand how certain decisions are reached and better relay that information to customers and the wider lifting equipment industry, which have become disillusioned by such documentation in the past.” Committee members are representatives of their industry,


consumer associations, government, scientific or academic institutions. They are typically nominated by their organizations to represent their interests. Their contributions to standards development are essential; they are the lifeblood of Standards Australia. A technical committee will work on a few projects each year. These projects might include revising existing standards and technical documents, assessing international standards for adoption in Australia, or drafting new standards for emerging industries. Thacker said: “The role represents a combined personal and


company commitment. I anticipate that it will involve looking at standards that sit within the committee’s remit, reviewing content and agreeing on priority actions. To change and update a standard involves an intensive, formal process that can take a couple of years, but I am excited by those challenges.” Separately, Ranger Lifting planned to open a new facility


in Melbourne, Victoria in January to meet ongoing demand for its products and services, principally from the city’s thriving construction sector. The lifting and rigging equipment supplier will open the new site


on the 18th of the month in Kensington, strategically located a few miles northwest of the central business district. Industry veteran Ian Jongen has joined the company in the role of state manager Victoria and will head-up the new operation. Ashley Thacker, general manager at Ranger, said: “We have been


steadily raising our profile in the Melbourne area for a period of time, but we could only place a footprint in the city once we had a figurehead of the right pedigree to execute our growth strategy. Ian is a lifting gear expert and brings to the position 30 years of relevant experience; we are keen to leverage that knowledge and contact base to become a go-to source for Melbourne’s existing and upcoming development projects.” The Kensington facility will be stocked with AUS$250k-worth


of products and house a 350t capacity press, testbed and mobile test truck. The building, which Ranger has leased, is only two years old and is well suited to the manufacture and storage of the company’s range of slings, shackles, other below-the-hook equipment, and height safety solutions. It is anticipated that the site will also generate demand for custom products.


WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2018 11


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