STATE FOCUS | TENNESSEE


for its work on major projects, has even boasted of working on the Baltimore bridge collapse, well outside the state – proving Tennessee is a good base to proffer services more widely. Indeed, as HSC see it, sharing their expertise


with Manufacturing in Focus, such a breadth of business of opportunity meant the company could expand, initially from conveyors out to cranes as well as continuing to operate in some of the heavier end of the manufacturing sector, such as rail, oil and automobile and military clients. This is tied to what Tennessee does best, which is, as Governor Lee put it in a recent state address, “adapting”. HSC are tapping into the growth parts of the manufacturing sector in the state. Here, according to National Association of Manufacturers data, there’s an automobile industry (worth $11.6bn in 2023, up $1.1bn YoY) and machinery manufacturing, also growing $600m over the period. For operators, it means being aware of the direction of travel of business in the state.


Small firms still punching But even down to smaller firms, like Moore’s, there is a breadth of business opportunity. OCCS sees work on federal and municipal projects in steel fabrication (a sector which grew by $500m from 2022 to 2023), and in the automotive industry, too. Indeed, with the state’s budget including massive financing, not least the $100m for water resourcing projects, as well as other upgrades, there is space for crane suppliers to support, thanks to federal funds. “A major portion of our business is wastewater treatment facilities, and federal funds were definitely a help during these times… it definitely created a growth opportunity for our company,” he says. Indeed, OCCS provide cranes for the water industry, including both waste water and water purification projects for the setting and pulling of pumps for maintenance. But it’s not like state projects end with liquid. OCCS also supply military missions, with the Army, National Guard, Air Force and Nasa, while HSC counts Lockheed as a trusted client. Hardly surprising given that the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation showed by the end of the 2023 financial year that defence spending in the state sat at $4bn, with 23% of that total spent on equipment and 18% on construction. And with such growth and spending across several sectors, it’s unsurprising Moore is bullish on the future. “We see good things for the next several years,” he says. Again, he sees this as a result of the diversified opportunity market. While bigger firms may take blue chip clients – Hoist & Crane Service Group work with Compass Group; HSC with an array of internationally-renowned brands from Boeing to Harley Davison – he believes that consolidation and buyouts leave space for a more bespoke or boutique service. Last year saw Hoist & Crane Service Group buy out Nashville-based Hoist & Crane Company while Memphis-headquartered Barnhart


Gantry crane


Crane and Rigging Company acquired five other firms, and Clark Crane was bought out by Capital Extension Crane & Lift. “Of course, consolidation within the industry from investment money and mergers has definitely changed the environment,” says Moore. “But we see a niche where we focus on the middle to smaller companies who need comprehensive service and treatment that larger companies can’t or are unwilling to provide.” Proud of their adaptable heritage of the smaller family-owned firm – in 2018, Moore purchased the now 35-year-old firm, described it as family- oriented – the Dickson supplier might point to the diversity of offerings as being able to adapt to where there is a gap in the market. From maintenance, inspections and in-house training of operators to turnkey solutions to adapting to what customers need. In Tennessee, it seems, there’s room for suppliers of all stripes and sizes.


Bigger political and economic picture But it’s hardly like the state operates in a vacuum, and Moore believes the country-wide political and financial situation has an impact on crane business within Tennessee. For one, he believes the current administration is less hesitant and is powering forward with supporting business. Here, the Trump government's plans to double down on AI have already led to directives on energy and infrastructure projects. Follow the logic chain even briefly, and one might connect the dots to the Tennessee governor looking to capitalise by backing nuclear expansion because


of AI’s huge power needs. For crane suppliers such as Barnhart who can get involved in bigger construction projects, proverbial lips will be licked. Elsewhere, Trump’s government looks set to continue the Biden-era focus of onshoring US manufacturing. Prior to Trump, and according to Construction Dive figures, $988bn of manufacturing business was onshored over the past few years – from electric vehicle plants to chip fabrication. Both are industries with a presence in Tennessee. In addition, Trump’s America First plan sets to boost manufacturing through tax breaks and trade tariffs. All positive for those who work with conveyors and monorail suppliers, but this isn’t just one-way traffic. Though Moore says that lower interest rates are


also playing their part in boosting the industry – not least in helping crane and hoist firms understand whether to add more locations, such as HSC recently did in Tennessee or with OCCS operating in the eight states around their headquarters – tariffs can have a blowback impact. Nissan, which has a big manufacturing base in Smyrna, was struggling before tariffs were rumoured (set to come in 2 April 2025), but there is a belief that they are causing uncertainty. It could mean scaled-back production and job losses. On the flipside, The Latin Times reported that tariffs might actually result in Tennessee winning more of the industry as Mexican production, particularly for Nissan, moved into the state. It’s all rather confusing.


But what is known is that, as of 2022, 6% of all cars made in America were from Tennessee,


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