[INDUSTRY NEWS] Walker said: “Over the years, I’ve been


engaged in the provision of lifting products to almost every possible industry. I fully appreciate the scale of the task in hand to get onto approved supplier lists and earn trust in a brand name that will be new to some contacts, but it’s worth playing a long game with the bigger picture in mind. I know RSS has the products and expertise to add value to oil refinery and other professionals.” Key to success, and the other side of


Walker’s bifocal approach, is the company’s status as a specialist supplier of lifting and rigging equipment, as opposed to a diversified rental business or a tool hire firm that has expanded into the sector. He has been resolute in upholding certain values and standards to this end over more than four decades, and is confident that he is among kindred spirits at his new company. Walker said: “I’ve experienced the various


ways lifting equipment can be provided and serviced in the field, but by far the best in terms of value, efficiency, and safety, is when the equipment and supporting expertise is delivered by individuals and businesses that work exclusively in that niche. Through manufacture, supply, repair, testing, and inspection, the benefits to end users in working with lifting equipment experts are incalculable.” Walker’s comments chime with those of


Steve Hutin, the managing director at RSS. He said: “I always recommend an end user works with a specialist lifting equipment company on anything related to cranes or hoists. There are one-stop-shop hire businesses out there—plenty of them—that stock a variety of products, but far too many have a diluted pool of experience when it comes to lifting gear. And it’s a mistake to approach the supply of any lifting-related product or service with a tool-hire mentality.” Hutin added: “I know Davey and I share


this mindset in common; we believe in, and adhere to, certain principles before we apply business practices to them. End users embrace this approach and I’m excited about the dawn of a bright new era for the [Grangemouth, Scotland] depot.” y


Outrigger Pad Pioneer DICA Celebrates 30 Years


> DICA, a leading provider of engineered outrigger pads, crane pads and cribbing products, celebrated its 30th Anniversary on June 14, 2018 at Lake Panorama, Iowa, a short distance from the company’s


18 SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2018


headquarters in Guthrie Center. In 1988, after being asked by a utility fleet manager, “Can you build me a better outrigger pad?”, company founder Dick Koberg set out to design and manufacture outrigger pads that were longer lasting than plywood pads and easier to use. “Making outrigger pads safer by designing


products for strength, durability and ergonomics has been a guiding principle for our company since the beginning,” said Kris Koberg, CEO, and second-generation leader of the company. “Those values are central to our DNA and although our product line has grown significantly over the past 30 years, those values continue to guide our product development today”. The range of equipment that DICA


now works with has changed considerably during its tenure. “When we started out, we were focused on the utility industry and bucket trucks, because that’s where the interest came from, said Dick Koberg. “As operators, fleet managers and safety managers in other industries began to see the benefits of fiberglass and engineered thermoplastics over wood, the range of equipment and industries that we needed to service grew as well.” Today, DICA is the only foundational


support company that provides engineered solutions for equipment ranging from RV’s, light duty equipment trailers and aerial equipment, up to 500-ton capacity cranes. “Our RoadWarrior Jack Pad line is a guaranteed unbreakable and ergonomic solution for all types of RV’s. SafetyTech Outrigger Pads and ProStack Cribbing products are designed for equipment up to 100-tons in capacity and provide a significant strength, durability and ergonomic advantage to users, said Kris Koberg. From 100 to 500-tons, our FiberMax Crane Pads allow us to provide a 50- 60% lighter crane pad with more effective load distribution than either wood, steel plate or steel crane pads. The weight savings and the maximization of load distribution area in our FiberMax Crane Pads has been a real game changer for many of our customers”. “We would not have achieved building


a better outrigger pad if it were not for the trust and support of so many customers, vendors and industry associations, and the hard work and dedication of our employees,” said Kris Koberg, “We are very thankful for our history and wanted to take a moment to celebrate that with our team in June. We’re tremendously excited and focused on the current and future needs of equipment users in the many industries we serve,” he said. y


WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE


Reid Targets New Markets with Underhill Appointment


> Reid Lifting, a manufacturer of lightweight gantry cranes and other equipment, has been joined by David Underhill, business development manager, with the principle objective of raising its profile in new end user markets. Underhill, who stepped into the newly


created role earlier this year, brings a wealth of experience to the position having worked in external sales for nearly a decade. His previous role was with Holmbury Ltd., a major manufacturer of hydraulic quick release couplings and valves. There, Underhill was responsible for driving growth in the UK, Scandinavia, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. He said: “Reid is at a very exciting time in


its life. I knew that it had an excellent reputation for product quality but supply has always been somewhat constrained. The move to a new factory and implementation of new business systems meant that lead times have drastically improved and there is now the operational capacity to take on new business. This role represents a brilliant opportunity to go out and spread the message to the market about a high quality and versatile product mix. I was drawn to it largely because of the opportunity it presented to lead Reid’s push into new markets, such as oil and gas, aviation, and rope access.” Underhill has already set about building


relationships with key accounts and prospective partners, with an eye constantly on project work in new industries. As he readily pointed out, Reid manufactures an ergonomic and versatile range of portable lifting equipment that can be widely applied in industry. He added: “Due to our in-house engineering knowledge, we are able to provide customized solutions, so clients can be safe in the knowledge that the equipment they are using is the optimum for the task in hand. Reid has invested heavily in addressing the issues surrounding alternative lifting solutions; in many cases we offer a safer, more cost-effective option.” Underhill is familiar with promoting a


premium product to the market. Fundamental


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