STATE FOCUS | INDIANA
Indiana’s manufacturing sector looks to be moving to adopt AI-enabled production methods and robotics.
advancement paths, the industry as a whole not only builds out its talent pool but positions itself as a credible source of high-skill, high- wage careers. While it helps to build the skills the industry
requires to continue prospering, the company has maintained an impressive roster of projects. In 2026, it is installing new cranes for an airplane hangar. The site has 3,456ft of runway, and the Hoosier Crane is supplying two 276ft 5t under running cranes with 75ft of lift and one 20t double girder top running crane. Elsewhere, it has built two spliced box girder cranes for shipping to the Cayman Islands, and five box girder cranes with runways in South Dakota. “We are building close to a box girder a day,” says Harkrider. CraneWerks is another company that is
involved in significant projects. In late 2025, it installed a 95ft-long, 35t box girder crane for an industrial client. The installation process required coordination between the company’s installation and service teams, who managed electrical integration and maintained ongoing communication to address safety requirements. The installation of the box girder crane was
complex for many reasons. Firstly, due to the weight of the girders and restricted headroom at the site, several months of preparation were required. The company partnered with Indiana-
46 Summer 2026 |
ochmagazine.com
based Muck’s Crane and Contracting to conduct the heavy lifting operations that were necessary for this project. At the same time, CraneWerks was involved in upgrading the running gear on the client’s vacuum cart as part of its service provision. “Most importantly, I’m grateful for the employees who are out in the field during the holidays – taking time away from their families to get the job done safely and correctly,” said CraneWerks strategic solutions and key accounts director Matthew Fuller. “That level of commitment doesn’t go unnoticed and is a big part of what sets this team apart. Proud of the crews involved and thankful for partners who help make complex work look routine.” The previous month, the company installed a 25t overhead crane at a site in Virginia. Clearly, the industry is in good shape for now, and the prospects for further growth in the all-important manufacturing sector are positive. The state certainly has ambitious plans to attract more investment in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, and there is a plan to attract more investors in hi-tech industries. Indeed, embracing advanced technology
and automation will be essential for the state’s big manufacturing companies to remain competitive. There are signs that Indiana’s manufacturing sector is moving rapidly to
adopt AI-enabled production methods and robotics. Indeed, there are state programmes, not least the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) programme, and a number of manufacturing training grants available to support companies in their transition to smart factory models. Indiana’s manufacturers will also play a key
role in the future development of the electric vehicles supply chain, delivering EV components and technologies for hybrid and fully electric models. Expansion in the aerospace and defence sectors also continues, with companies such as Rolls-Royce building out their operations in Indianapolis, and Raytheon Technologies investing in the production of advanced radar, avionics and electronic warfare systems for national defence programmes. To benefit from this, it is essential that the
state’s crane and hoist companies continue to invest in the next generation of skilled workers, as Hoosier Crane is doing. The potential is there for the industry to prosper, but without a way to capture the skills and experience of a generation of workers that is coming up to retirement, it will be hard to capitalise on that opportunity. Indiana has no shortage of people who
relish hard work, so the challenge is to make sure the next generation appreciates the value of skilled trades.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87
