MAY 2022 | NEWS
CRANEWERKS CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
load lifting such as below the hook lifting devices, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Morristown, Indiana based
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manufacturer has grown by establishing a national network of dealers in the material handling industry. Starting from modest beginnings, company founder Mark Thomas speaks to Hoist about his accomplishments as well as celebrating the fact his daughter, Ashley Larochelle, took over as president of the company last year, after working in the cranes business for over 16 years. Thomas remains as CEO and an Executive Board member. Prior to founding the company, Thomas worked for two competitors: Brehob Corporation for 14 years and Indiana Crane for 13 months. “When I left Brehob Corporation and Indiana Crane, I had no other place to go. If I wanted to stay in the business at that time, I needed to start my own business. The first crane company I started was Service Crane Co. in a 1,500 square ft. garage and now as CraneWerks we fully occupy a 65,000 ft. facility. Our people are what have made us successful,” he said.
R The CraneWerks factory in Morristown, Indiana. “For a company to gain momentum
either the economy must grow quickly or your competition must lose momentum. I felt the company would survive and thrive after the fifth year. Then when my friend, Dave Sims (VP and national sales manager, CraneWerks), decided to team up with me and take crane equipment and services to the market through a network of independent dealers throughout the USA, that was when things started to take off. “Our industry has become a numbers
game for many of our competitors. They have been bought and sold multiple times and each time they lose something in the way of real customer service, respect for their vendors and their associates. At CraneWerks we still stand by our commitment to treat ‘the Trinity’ (customers, vendors, and associates) the same as we have from the beginning.
“We believe in treating our customers, suppliers, and associates with the greatest of respect. It is imperative that our customers be more competitive in the world market and our focus is to deliver quality, thoughtful services to them at a fair price that will make them more competitive.” Talking about his daughter Ashley taking over as president, Thomas said: “She is a crane person through-and- through and loves the business as much as I do. She brings to the company fresh ideas that align with current trends but is committed to the trinity. Ashley is a natural leader with a clear vision for the future no matter what it might bring. “Next, we plan to double, triple and quadruple the business over the next 18 years. CraneWerks is always looking for good talent and working for a family- owned business is very rewarding.” ●
raneWerks, which specializes in the design and fabrication of overhead cranes, runways, monorail systems, and safe
R CraneWerks celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. 14 | May 2022 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
R Mark Thomas & Ashley Larochelle.
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