[INDUSTRY NEWS]


among a number of areas of primary interest. Maslen said: “The opportunity presented


itself quickly upon conclusion of another regional sales position that ran its course. I have gained knowledge from working on some of the UK’s landmark sites, from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to major shutdowns at oil refineries. I’ve got a significant, current contacts book and have been given an opportunity to apply it to one of the most dynamic and meaningful growth programmes in the lifting industry [at RSS].” Hutin responded: “I’ve spoken extensively


about our plans to open additional sites, which I think is key to delivering a tailored, doorstep service to the UK’s varied, regional markets. However, we have to make sure we time such expansion correctly; we’re well practiced in these processes. In the immediate term, we’re focused on giving Sean the support he needs to plant seeds in a potentially lucrative geography. Expansion of any kind relies upon acquisition and retention of the right personnel and our offering is strengthened considerably by Sean’s arrival.” Appointments with purchasing decision


makers at petrochemical sites, naval facilities, refineries, and other locations are already etched in Maslen’s diary, as he returns his focus to loose rigging gear and a lifting- centric product portfolio more aligned with his skillset and core values. It’s notable that Hutin’s recent appointments have stressed the importance of working with lifting equipment specialists in this sector. And Maslen echoed similar sentiments. He said: “I applaud the stance Steve and


the company have taken in opposition to the tool hire mentality that is endemic in certain corners of our industry. There are alternative providers that have diversified into plant rental, for instance, but it is my belief that end users should only source rigging gear and related services from those specialized in the sector and, moreover, serve as bastions for the competence-based expertise that supports it.” Outside of the workplace, Maslen is a


keen golfer and closely follows the fortunes of England’s Jekyll and Hyde cricket team. y


Straightpoint Wins Action Coach’s Top Award


> Havant, Hampshire-based load cell manufacturer Straightpoint (SP) received the Business Achievement award at Action Coach’s regional annual awards ceremony,


16 MARCH–APRIL 2019


which took place at the Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth, UK last month (February). SP had been under the business


stewardship of Action Coach, which helps entrepreneurs and owners overcome the challenges in maintaining a company, for five years. At the forefront of the partnership was the business relationship between SP owner and managing director, David Ayling (now global business development director for load monitoring solutions), and Gary Mullins, master coach at Action Coach. Under Mullins’ tutelage Ayling became a


consummate planner and drilled his company on the art of goal-setting and measured performance. As has been widely reported, at the turn of the year, Ayling oversaw the sale of the company to the largest lifting, rigging, and material handling hardware company in the world, The Crosby Group. Mullins said: “I couldn’t have been


more excited and pleased for him when he told me about the sale. It truly recognizes him for the hard work and change he and the business have gone through. Dave has worked for a number of years to reach this point, implementing key tools and achieving real results. The business has come a long way under his leadership, resulting in the business being strong enough to sell to a major industry player. Dave has personally developed into the true leader he is today.” The deal marked a natural conclusion for


Ayling and Mullins in an immediate sense, and the award was a fitting send-off. Ayling said: “We simply wouldn’t be where we are today as a business without the mentorship of Gary. It’s poignant in many ways that the sale represents something of an end point in our journey, and that our beaming award photo captures our last handshake, at least for the time being. But that’s the epitome of business coaching—it’s about hitting targets. And in a mouthwatering sale opportunity, finances aside, we arguably achieved the biggest goal of all together.” SP has been well decorated over time by


Action Coach, in the Hampshire and Sussex region on Mullins’ watch, notably in the Sustained Business Performance and Business of the Year categories. However, the latest recognition was a special award reserved for SP to commemorate the sale of the company, which Mullins called, “the highest accolade” for any business owner. He said: “SP is a great case study. They’ve


demonstrated the importance of reducing a business’s dependency on the owner or leader. A value of a business grows when the team,


WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE


not the owner, generates sales profit and cash. SP has reminded me of the essential role learning plays in a company’s journey and the importance of treating your personal goals as important as your business goals. Above all else, SP is an outstanding example of taking the action necessary to realize those dreams. Any opportunity to work with them in the future would be a privilege.” y


ProMat Welcomes Overhead Crane Safety Conference


> The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), an independent trade association affiliated with the Material Handling Industry (MHI), will host a one- day overhead crane safety-themed conference at ProMat 2019, which takes place April 8-11, 2019 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Every two years ProMat, hosted by MHI,


welcomes manufacturing and supply chain professionals, who peruse the exhibits of nearly 1,000 equipment suppliers and choose from over 100 show floor seminars on the latest manufacturing and supply chain trends and technologies. However, CMAA’s Material Handling Overhead Safety Conference is revolutionary in that it will offer a whole day of world-class content on a vertical marketplace, that will earn attendees seven professional development hour (PDH) credits. The conference, which will focus


primarily on overhead crane safety technology and practices, will be held on the third day of the show—Wednesday April 10—and is targeted at plant operations and maintenance staff, including managers, engineers, and crane technicians. The conference will deliver information


about technology and share experiences from leading crane manufacturers, crane component suppliers, and engineering consultants, all centered on the safe and reliable operation of electric overhead traveling (EOT) cranes. The Overhead Safety Conference


represents continued evolution of the CMAA brand and epitomizes a more outward-facing, educational approach. It also serves as proof of the ongoing success of the Overhead Alliance (OA), a marketing vehicle that serves CMAA in addition to MHI’s other two overhead lifting product groups, namely the Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI) and the Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA). OA is chiefly responsible for


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