NEWS | JULY 2021
R&M IS IN THE DRIVING SEAT WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE REMOVAL & INSTALLATION OF ENGINES
R
&M Materials Handling has installed a gantry crane at Southern Sales and Services car dealership in Trinidad
& Tobago through its local distributor Process Components (ProCom). The dealership for new and used vehicle sales, and vehicle rentals, represents brands including Kia, Mazda, Isuzu, and Audi and recently invested in an upgraded facility searching for a hoist to increase efficiencies to ensure the safe removal and installation of engines from trucks and other vehicles. Process Components was invited
to submit a tender for the project, and secured the contract based on its design and installation of an A-Frame with engineered drawings, along with the supply and installation of a 3 ton electric chain hoist and trolley with a 14 foot lift. Geeta Ragoonath, general manager,
Process Components, said it was the first time it worked with the client and its engineering team carried out onsite visits to ensure all aspects of the project were covered according to specifications. “The project took approximately three months to complete, from procurement of the hoist and A-frame, to installation. The hoist was procured from R&M Materials and Handling and the A-frame was manufactured locally in Trinidad,” she said. “The main challenge was the electrical wiring of the new building. This was
subcontracted by the client and led to some confusion over the required voltage for the hoist. “For example, when the hoist was installed on the A-frame, we realised the voltage was incompatible with the hoist requirements, but this was eventually resolved by our electrical technician who returned to the plant to review the problem and make recommendations. The client then contacted its contractor to reassess the problem and install the right electrical voltage. “We regularly kept in contact with the
client to provide assistance where needed to offer our support and ensure the
installation was not further delayed. The client was very pleased with the outcome and thanked us ‘for a job well done and outstanding professionalism’.” Ragoonath explained while there continues to be a market in Trinidad & Tobago for hoists, the next few years will see changes in the market due to reduced activity in the oil and gas sector. “We have been refocusing on
manufacturing and other service sectors outside of the oil and gas industry, which has substantial potential for hoists and overhead cranes. This client is one example. We also believe there is an emerging market in our neighbouring country, Guyana, for this category of equipment, as the country’s economic activities grow and develop in oil and gas and in other supporting service sectors,” she added. “ProCom is poised to adapt to Industry
4.0. We have already implemented RFID technology, cloud computing, and we are currently working on an overall Digital Strategy for the company. “We do however foresee a shortage
of workers, not from lack of education but rather experience. It takes time to acquire skills in the field of installation and servicing where hoists are concerned. While we work with powerful equipment that can save money and increase efficiencies over time, any mistakes in servicing, certification and installation can be detrimental to a company, with potential litigation and loss of business.” ●
www.hoistmagazine.com | July 2021 | 13
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