Lift Higher, Build Stronger with Nors
Why Nors Crane?
Comprehensive
BY JACK BURTON
Mentor health FROM THE EDITOR
There’s always a lot of excitement packed into these final weeks of the year: from holiday gatherings and boxing day savings to more laborious tasks, such as scheming up creative ways to dispose of the half-dozen fruitcakes I was gifted.
As anticipation winds up for all that holiday excitement, I offer you all the issue you hold in your hands (or see on your screen) as a way to kick off this season of celebration, thanks in large part to our 2025 Top 10 Under 40.
With two editions of our annual honours program now under my belt, it’s become clear to me that our Top 10 Under 40 is so much more than a showcase of the industry’s rising stars: it’s a celebration of the people driving Canada’s crane and heavy lifting sector forward, a snapshot of what leadership looks like across the country, and most importantly, it’s a preview of the industry’s future.
I’m eager to share a pattern about this future I couldn’t help but notice when putting together this year’s Top 10: while each of the featured leaders boast a resume that shows the future of this industry is indeed bright, part of that brightness comes from the light so many of them are shining toward upcoming generations.
Consistent among honourees is an approach to leadership where mentorship naturally follows; a drive to pay forward the guidance of those that helped them find their own success by illuminating the path ahead for young workers looking to lead, learn, and maybe even end up featured in our Top 10 sometime in the next five or 10 years.
I’m not going to spoil the big reveal with specifics – don’t worry, you can turn to page 10 for that – but this year’s cohort is a testament to the many different forms that mentorship can take in this industry, from regularly sharing the lessons learned across their journeys in the industry at local colleges to developing their own external training programs.
From height, tonnage, to project size, in this sector, it’s easy to think that big wins
come from bigger numbers. It was eye-opening, then, to hear from winners whose proudest moments and milestones came from human elements such as squeaky-clean safety records and workplace culture breakthroughs just as much, or more, as they were from project scope.
This sector’s quiet recalibration of priorities to include a focus on mentorship, safety, and culture feels like one of the more meaningful shifts that has been occurring over the last couple of years, and one that I feel is worth paying attention to for any leader looking for a blueprint of what the workplace of tomorrow looks like for Canada’s crane and heavy lifting industry.
That question of tomorrow and what it might bring has undoubtedly loomed large over 2025. If there’s any answers to be found in this year’s Top 10 Under 40 about the next chapter of the industry these leaders represent, all signs point to it being a chapter defined by continued learning, teaching, and resiliency.
Even as tariff troubles and labour shortages continue to stress-test the construction sector, our Top 10 Under 40 shows a group of leaders weathering this storm through a combination of a well-honed skillset enthusiastically put to use and a commitment to shepherding along the careers of future leaders.
I would like to congratulate the crop of young leaders featured in our 2025 Top 10 Under 40, not only for making the list, but for all the contributions they have already made to the sector – here’s to many more.
As we turn the corner toward the closing weeks of the year, I would like to thank the readers of this magazine for the kind words and infectious excitement you all consistently send my way – your feedback and openness continue to make it a pleasure to cover all the hard work being done across this industry.
I wish you all happiness and health as we enter the new year!
Jack Burton jburton@annexbusinessmedia.com
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Sarens dismantles tunnel boring machine in British Columbia
Sarens recently provided crane services to Traylor Aecon in the dismantling of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used to construct the 2.3-kilometre Annacis Water Supply Tunnel between Surrey and New Westminster, British Columbia.
For the project, Sarens used the main boom of a Liebherr LTM 1400 crane unit to dismantle the TBM’s 250,000-lb. head within a high-traffic area. The team performed a preliminary study prior to the dismantling in order to determine the crane line length, capacity calculations, and engineered lift points on the TBM.
“The limited space for maneuvering and the close proximity of road traffic meant that all our tasks had to be carried out with great precision
so as not to cause delays or damage to the surrounding area, but thanks to our experience and the high level of training of our staff, everything was carried out without incident,” said Sarens project manager Brett Allen.
Sarens is expected to continue to provide its services until the expected completion of this project in 2027. Upon completion, the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel will deliver clean drinking water to more than 2.7 million local residents.
EllisDon, Urban Capital and Rogers Real Estate top off Mississauga, Ont.’s tallest building
EllisDon, Urban Capital and Rogers Real Estate Development recently marked the topping off of the 81-storey M3 building in Mississauga; the third tower in the M City condo development that
now stands as both the tallest building in the city and the tallest Canadian tower west of Toronto.
The M City project is currently comprised of five towers, with the project slated to be comprised of eight towers when complete. The M1 and M2 towers were finished in 2023 and are
now fully occupied, with construction on M4 beginning in 2021 and currently at 12 storeys. M5, launched in 2022, currently stands at seven storeys.
Upon completion, the M City project will provide 6,000 new homes to accommodate more than 10,000 Mississauga residents.
PHOTO: SARENS
Sarens used the main boom of a Liebherr LTM 1400 crane unit to dismantle the 250,000-lb. head of the tunnel boring machine used on B.C.’s Annacis Water Supply Tunnel. (PHOTO: SARENS)
The recent joint board of directors meeting and International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA) meeting set the stage for a year of growth, even as global challenges persist.
The CCRA’s board reaffirmed its commitment to continuity and expertise in its elections; re-electing committee chairs Paul Walchuk (Technical), Mike Lavoie and Justin Andrews (Weights & Dimensions), and Victor Murty (Membership), while also welcoming Jim Littlemore as Chair of Workforce Development.
A bylaw change has been proposed that will allow one ownership to hold multiple memberships but retain only one vote, ensuring fairness as the association grows.
Strategic forecast
The board has reviewed the Canadian Crane Industry Foundation (CCIF) vision, which will prioritize research, education, workforce development and advocacy. Additionally, excess revenues from the Edmonton conference have been allocated to the Bridge Formula Research Project and future research initiatives.
The Technical and Weights & Dimensions Committees are preparing recommendations for the Manitoba Transport Working Committee Meeting on November 13, which will be followed by the CCRA and provincial partners attending the Na-
tional Task Force on Weights & Dimensions Policy Meeting (Dec. 2) for a day dedicated to overweight and oversize vehicles.
Global dialogue and standards
On October 9, CCRA and FEM co-chaired the ICSA virtual joint meeting. While progress was noted in safety and prevention on overhead powerlines detection systems, the discussion emphasized the need for reliable, scientifically validated solutions. The ICSA Workgroup will reconvene to discuss further.
Standard updates included ISO 15513 and ISO 4310, ASME B30, CSA-Z150, SAE, CSA-Z150.3, CSA-Z152, AMC, and EN13000. Regional highlights ranged from Australia’s national training model launch to ongoing harmonization in Canada and advocacy in the US and EU.
Telling the sector’s story
Following the successful release of The History of the Canadian Crane Rental Sector: Volume 1 at the CCRA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Edmonton, a second volume highlighting more of the sector’s success stories and rich histories was requested by industry members.
The CCRA is currently looking for industry members interested in sharing their stories as part of Volume 2 of this series.
Written by award-winning author An-
drew Snook, the first volume captured the stories of many of the crane rental sector’s longest standing and most successful companies, including:
• A.W. Leil Cranes & Equipment
• Guay Inc.
• Sterling Crane
• Moir Crane Service
• Bigfoot Crane Company
• The Amherst Group
• Link-Belt
• Equipment Sales & Service Ltd.
• Liebherr Canada
• Cropac Equipment
• Kova Engineering Companies interested in participating can contact author Andrew Snook at asnook@snookbookspublishing.com.
A new children’s book, also by Andrew Snook, is also in the process of being published. The book is aimed at educating young children about the crane rental sector.
The Lift ’Em Up Gang, written by Snook and illustrated by Scott Cummings, aims to introduce the next generation to the crane rental sector by showcasing some of the cranes that help to keep the world running and some of the challenging lifts that they perform.
Membership renewals
The CCRA would like to remind all of its members that the time has come for 2026 membership renewal. The CCRA would like to thank all of its members for its continued support as it continues to work on important projects to the benefit of Canada’s crane rental sector.
For any questions regarding memberships, contact executive director Claire Belanger-Parker at claire@ccra-aclg.ca or visit ccra-aclg.ca/en/membership-benefits. The team looks forward to seeing you all in Halifax in June 2026!
Looking ahead
The next board of directors meeting is set for February 2, 2026, and the next ICSA meeting will take place at CONEXPO in Las Vegas on March 5, 2026.
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2025’s Top 10 Under 40
FThe young leaders going above and beyond across Canada’s crane industry.
By Jack Burton
or over half a decade, Crane & Hoist Canada’s Top 10 Under 40 program has recognized the young leaders elevating the country’s crane and heavy lifting sectors toward a stronger future. Across a range of titles, responsibilities, and organizations, our 2025 cohort – and the combined volume of accomplishments across their stories so far – are all examples of the passion and leadership shaping the next chapter of this industry.
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
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Brandon Buis
President and owner, Kamloops Hydraulic Truck & Crane – Kamloops, B.C.
Between his millwright father and growing up on the farm his grandparents worked on in Clinton, British Columbia, it’s safe to say that heavy machinery is in Brandon Buis’ DNA. Buis has furthered this lineage from a job working on the floor of a rebuild business all the way to ownership of his own company today.
Buis’ leap into ownership came out of an intersection of passion, opportunity, and plenty of hard work. When the owners of the aforementioned rebuild business began planning for their retirement, Buis – still a heavy duty mechanic apprentice at the time – saw the chance to continue his family’s heavy machinery legacy.
Since then, Buis has grown Kamloops Hydraulic Truck & Crane into a key provider of fluid power and truck-mounted equipment solutions across B.C.’s Okanagan and coastal markets, in addition to Western Canada at large.
“When I first purchased the business, it was a single-bay shop for hydraulic components. I had a five-year goal of obtaining a larger shop to service hydraulic trucks, and at year five, I moved into a twelve-bay shop and hold maintenance contracts with both major railways of Canada. I still actively repair equipment in the
shop, so I can lead my crew by example,” said Buis.
With a career fuelled by elbow grease and the numerous opportunities that have come from his continued dedication, Buis finds it important to also dedicate himself to providing his own opportunities to both the local heavy equipment industry and the wider community.
“Growing up on a farm in a small town has shaped my work ethic and career, and I will never forget where I came from,” said Buis. “I am proud to sponsor hometown activities, as well as donate to the Parent Advisory Council to help support the school I attended growing up. Owning Kamloops Hydraulic Truck & Crane has also given me the ability to sponsor multiple apprentices from my hometown.”
Mikhael Carrier
Sales representative, GUAY Inc. – Québec, QC
Mikhael Carrier’s career is an example of the distances that passion and dedication can take you in this industry: joining GUAY at just 15 years old as a yard labourer, his sixteen years of tenure with the company have seen his responsibilities evolve into the role of yard foreman for GUAY’s Québec branch in 2015, and eventually embracing new challenges as a sales representative in 2020.
“What truly sets him apart is his consistency, his calm demeanor, and his quiet leader-
ship,” shared the managers of GUAY’s sales team. “Always ready to lend a hand to the team, he inspires confidence and embodies the reliability on which collective success is built.”
Carrier’s background in the field helped him meet any new challenges from his transition to the sales world head-on, with his deep understanding of the intricacies of GUAY’s fleet, developed over his history with the company, allowing him to excel over the last five years.
“Having operated the cranes in our yards and transported all of their components has greatly helped me, since it allows me to have a sharp eye during planning, from assessing access to the construction sites to the arrival of the crane and the transport that accompanies it,” said Carrier.
Notably, Carrier has become a key leader in GUAY’s wind turbine operations, which occupy a large volume of the company’s overall workload over the summer months. Informed by the years of in-field expertise he has developed, Carrier’s familiarity with the unique demands of these projects has made him one of the go-to guys among colleagues and customers for all things wind.
“During my 12 years in the field, I regularly visited wind farm construction sites to deliver and move components for our cranes, which gave me a good understanding of moving in mountainous terrain,” he said. “Over time, I have developed expertise in moving cranes on slopes, and have even become the reference for my colleagues for this type of work.”
Mike DeRocco VP of marketing, sales and business development, Sterling Crane – Edmonton, Alta.
The opportunity to transition from the general contracting world and into Canada’s heavy lifting sector was one that Mike
DeRocco met with excitement, largely due to the shared passion for innovation between him and his now-employer, Sterling Crane.
Since then, that core value has informed much of the work – and success – that has defined both DeRocco’s role and Sterling as a whole.
“At Sterling, innovation is a core value, and we actively encourage our people to think innovatively – not only to service our customers, but also to create opportunities for their own professional development,” he said. “In my role, I’ve focused on fostering an environment where creative problem-solving is welcomed and where we’re constantly asking ourselves: ‘How can we do this better?’ so that we can position ourselves for continued success.”
In his five years since joining Sterling, this creative approach to problem solving has yielded plenty of positive impacts for DeRocco and the company, including successful expansions into new markets, cross-functional collaborations on implementing new systems and processes, and delivering satisfying results for Sterling’s nationwide client base.
The growth and transformation that DeRocco is proud of over his tenure goes beyond Sterling’s bottom line, however. For him, the company’s culture of safety and employee development he has seen emerge
is a milestone that’s just as worth celebrating.
“Watching our branches achieve safety milestone after safety milestone, and seeing our people develop and grow in their careers – these are accomplishments that everyone at Sterling can truly be proud of,” he said.
For DeRocco, all of these wins are accompanied in equal part by valuable lessons on leadership and organizational growth that continue to guide his approach to driving both Sterling and its role in Canada’s heavy lifting industry forward.
“The lessons I’ve learned have been equally valuable,” DeRocco shared. “I’ve come to understand the critical importance of encouraging individuals to be adaptable and think creatively about the future. It’s about fostering a culture where we collectively solve problems and continuously find new ways to drive value for our customers.”
Tanya Gairdner
Branch manager, Mammoet Canada Western – Edmonton, Alta.
Leading her team through high-pressure turnarounds and critical lifts is all in a day’s work for Tanya Gairdner. It’s a skillset developed through Gairdner’s commitment to not letting a single opportunity go to waste across her 12 years with Mammoet.
Gairdner began with Mam-
moet Canada Western as a site administrator, and while she admitted to joining with limited industry knowledge, any initial gaps she had were used as motivation to make the most of every chance to learn and grow relationships during her beginnings in the sector.
These experiences helped Gairdner grow both in title and in talent, and in her current role of branch manager, have influenced her to prioritize maintaining the same environment of trust that allowed her to excel across her journey with Mammoet.
“Trust is at the core of any successful operation: both being trusted by your peers and extending that trust in return. That’s why I believe in fostering a family-oriented atmosphere where communication and collaboration are encouraged,” said Gairdner.
Gairdner builds this trust by leading her branch with flexibility and understanding, remaining sympathetic to the unique pressures and demands the industry can present, such as long hours and extended time away from family.
“That flexibility isn’t just about morale, it’s about sustainability and showing genuine respect for the people who keep things moving,” she said.
“When people feel heard and supported, it creates a strong foundation of trust that not only helps retain talent, but also drives better performance across every project.”
With fostering growth and open communication central to her leadership style, mentoring those newer to the industry has naturally followed, with Gairdner happy to help develop paths to leadership just as those before did for her.
“She leads by example, showing younger professionals - especially in underrepresented roles - that leadership is earned, not handed out,” com-
mented Northern Alberta Institute of Technology instructor and former coworker Morgan Bosch. “She actively supports team development, helps new hires find their footing, and ensures that the next generation of industry leaders is ready to succeed.”
Spencer Hewlett
General manager, Prime Movers Rigging & Industrial Services – Calgary, Alta.
Despite the significant growth of Prime Movers Rigging & Industrial Services over the last nine years of its existence –with its once-small crew now boasting over 50 team members across locations in both Calgary and Edmonton – the company continues to feel like a family, in no small part due to efforts by founder Spencer Hewlett.
“When I started Prime Mov-
ers, my goal was to blend the best of both worlds: the small-company culture, values, work ethic, and efficiency I learned at Mullen Rigging, with the safety, structure, and procedural focus of a larger organization, without the bureaucracy and downsides that often come with big corporations. That balance became the foundation of Prime Movers’ ethos,”
LIFTING LEADERSHIP to New Heights
Sterling Crane is proud to celebrate the recognition of Michael DeRocco, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, as one of the Top 10 Under 40 by Crane & Hoist. This well-deserved honor reflects his dedication to excellence, innovation, and leadership in the crane and rigging industry.
For over 70 years, Sterling Crane has been a trusted partner across Canada, delivering safe, efficient, and reliable lifting solutions to clients in some of the country’s most complex industries. Our success is built on the strength of our people, and leaders like Mike embody the passion and vision that continue to move our company forward.
Sterling Crane, We Lift the Weight Off Your Shoulders. Safely.
said Hewlett
At nearly a decade in, most of Hewlett’s focus remains on the growth of the business. Key to that growth, however, is drawing on the deep knowledge of the industry he honed across his Red and Blue Seal mobile crane operator certifications to pass on to the future success stories of both his company and the industry.
“While I’m not in the field every day anymore, I never hesitate to step in when I’m needed. Some of my favorite moments are spent talking with the team, mentoring individuals, and passing on the knowledge I’ve built over 18 years in this industry,” Hewlett said. “Leadership, to me, is about setting the standard, supporting your people, and creating an environment where everyone can grow.”
What does this growth look like to Hewlett? While the value he sees in mentoring and teaching his team certainly plays a part, he believes that true leaders place an equal importance on constantly learning.
“Once you reach a certain level, your growth depends on your own drive,” he said. “Great leaders never stop learning, and I try to instill that mindset in everyone I mentor.”
Jeff Lucas
Vice president, Encore Trucking & Transport –Edmonton, Alta.
Jeff Lucas’ heavy lifting story started when a school suspension during the ninth grade had his parents put him to work at their family business, Encore Trucking & Transport.
What began as a punishment, however, quickly became a
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FOUNDER!
We are proud to celebrate our Founder and General Manager, Spencer Hewlett, of Prime Movers Rigging & Industrial Services Inc., who has been recognized as one of Crane and Hoist Canada’s Top 10 Under 40!
Under Spencer’s leadership, Prime Movers Rigging & Industrial Services has grown from a focused rigging operation into a full-service industrial solutions provider—offering expertise in areas such as heavy lift forklifts, crane and hoisting, specialty rigging, gantry & lift systems, demolition, millwrighting, transportation, storage, and jack & roll work.
Spencer’s vision, expertise, and commitment to excellence continue to drive our success and inspire the entire Prime Movers team.
Join us in congratulating Spencer Hewlett on this well-deserved recognition and for leading the way in our industry!
passion
“Begrudgingly, I went to work. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it: the work was interesting, the operators were incredibly skilled, and by the end of the week I remember asking, ‘Do I really need to go back to school?’” said Lucas. “Throughout high school, I continued to have to work at Encore when similar decisions were made, and by the time I graduated at 17, it felt natural to join fulltime.”
Lucas began his career as a rigger, working closely alongside his father (who continues to work with Encore at 77 years old), his uncle Jim and cousin Patrick, Encore’s current operations manager and Lucas’ ongoing mentor Gary Devlin, and also helping to run the shop alongside John Thomas.
The hard work displayed by his family, colleagues and mentors across his own leadership journey showed Lucas the importance of leading by example; a value he continues to embody as Encore’s vice president.
“One of the best ways to earn respect and build trust is to be hands-on, whether you’re helping tie down loads, assisting on the jobs you’ve planned, or providing on-site training,” said Lucas. “Our people are the most important part of Encore, and having their respect is crucial for anyone in a leadership role.”
Encore’s mini-crane training program, developed in part by
Lucas, is a recent example of his enthusiasm for setting standards in his sector. Since its introduction, the program has grown to provide much of the mini-crane training across Western Canada, with Encore expanding its presence in the market through a dealer partnership with Hoeflon this year.
“Beyond being an asset for customers, mini-cranes are one of the best training tools for new operators,” said Lucas.
“Once we began educating the industry about their capabilities, they quickly became popular with our customers.”
David Monteith H&S/HR/fleet and services manager, McIntyre Crane & Rigging – Calgary, Alta.
It’s clear that David Monteith, or ‘Safety Dave’ as his numerous nomination forms referred to him as, has made quite the impression at McIntyre Crane & Rigging since joining the company just two and a half years ago, with his efforts bringing significant changes to the company’s safety culture and rippling out to McIntyre’s overall way of working.
“When Dave came in, I thought I just needed a H&S manager that could also handle some HR responsibilities. Little did I know that this would be one of my most important hires in recent years,” said owner Dallas McIntyre.
“Dave was instrumental in assisting with a culture change
in the company,” added McIntyre. “With Dave’s guidance, McIntyre Crane & Rigging made significant headway addressing some rough points, while also building confidence within all staff that our leadership team truly embraces an open-door policy, and that this is an environment where mistakes are addressed as learning opportunities instead of cause for punishment.”
This impact extends beyond the accolades of his peers and leaders, however – the numbers do plenty of talking on their own. In less than three years since joining, McIntyre has seen a 90 per cent overall retention rate on new hires, a 100 per cent retention rate on new crane operators and field staff, and zero reportable incidents or injuries.
Monteith credits part of his
success at McIntyre so far with his awareness of how the paths to building both a solid team and robust safety culture overlap, as do the benefits of each.
“Having staff that can safely complete the work is such a focal point with crane and rigging operations due to the inherently elevated level of risk to people and property involved with what we do every day. However, a company cannot thrive with just a skilled workforce. Like with sports, it takes comradery and ‘teamsmanship’ to build a winning culture,” Monteith shared. “This means it is not just important to have the best people, but that you must have the right people.”
Jen Mutas
Field OHS manager, BC Crane Safety – Surrey, B.C. No matter what corner of Can-
Congratulations to our own TRISH SPENST
on being recognized by Crane & Hoist Canada for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and contributions to our industry.
Your passion, professionalism, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire everyone at TNT Crane & Rigging
We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with you!
ada’s construction sector that Jen Mutas has leant her expertise to, her passion for cranes – and an eagerness to both learn and share everything they have to teach her – has been consistent across each chapter of her career so far.
“Cranes have been with me since day one in my construction pathway, and while my career is mostly labelled in
health and safety, my passion is most definitely in crane and hoisting operations,” said Mutas. “This industry totally captivates me with the wide span of powerful and mighty equipment all the way to the dexterity and elegance of a perfect lift.”
Across her professional beginnings in Canada’s oil and gas patches and into a wide range of roles, from working as a safety officer for dozens of construction projects, a safety manager for a residential contractor, and serving as a safety coordinator for a large crane company, this passion has rewarded her with a wealth of knowledge that she’s more than happy to share with the sector.
Beyond her role as field OHS manager for BC Crane Safety, Mutas’ drive to move both the people and machines across the
BC Association for Crane Safety is proud to congratulate our own Jen Mutas on making Crane & Hoist Canada’s Top 40 list.
Jen’s passion for cranes is evident to anyone who’s had the pleasure of working with her. Combined with her extensive experience in construction safety, Jen is uniquely suited to her current role leading outreach activities and developing and promoting practical resources for our industry.
Congratulations from your team here at BC Crane Safety, and the many stakeholders we collaborate with every day!
industry forward also extends to her involvement in a number of technical committees and industry initiatives.
This includes the BC Construction Safety Alliance’s Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP), co-hosting the BC Crane Safety Community of Practice Technical Advisory Committee, and what she sees as her most rewarding effort, guest speaking for the Construction Safety Officer Training Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT); a role she’s participated in since her early days as a CSO 10 years ago.
“In that program I get to speak to the up-and-coming group of safety officers and advisors in the province, telling them about my unorthodox start in the construction industry and explaining what a day in
the life may look like when they get out there,” Mutas shared.
“Getting to be a part of their early days and fielding their questions and concerns has been invaluable to my progress and helped me better understand the industry over the years.”
Trish Spenst
Sales manager, TNT Crane & Rigging – Abbotsford, B.C.
In an industry that can be defined by big machines and even bigger projects, TNT Crane & Rigging’s Trish Spenst credits her success with never losing sight of the people behind these projects – and maintaining the close relationships with them that are essential for growth.
Over the last 10 years, Spenst’s responsibilities have ranged from operations to sales administration to even health
and safety. Her passion for teamwork, and expertise at managing the relationships that teamwork is built on, led to her managing TNT’s sales across both British Columbia and Alberta.
“I enjoy listening, understanding what matters to people, and delivering on that” said Spenst. “Building trust and creating value has been the
foundation of my career, and what makes the heavy lifting sector so rewarding.”
Despite having plenty of wins across her career, Spenst values the consistency and relationships she’s built for TNT over any specific milestone.
“Some of my proudest moments aren’t tied to landing a big job, but to clients choosing us repeatedly because they know we will deliver safely, reliably, and with their best interests at heart,” she said. “What stands out isn’t one project or title, but the way people across every role – operators, dispatchers, administrators, mechanics, sales, supervisors, and managers – have stepped up and moved the business forward together.”
Spenst believes that putting in the time to both form and foster these relationships is the
JEFF LUCAS
The Encore Trucking & Transport LTD. team proudly congratulates Jeff Lucas on his well-earned recognition. Jeff’s leadership, innovation, and technical expertise have helped establish Encore as one of the top crane and transportation leaders in Western Canada and now also the official dealer of Hoeflon minicranes for Western Canada. His commitment to safety, creative problem-solving, and mentorship continues to elevate our capabilities and reputation across the industry. We’re proud to celebrate Jeff’s achievements and the lasting impact he’s made at Encore and beyond.
key to finding success for anyone in a sales role across Canada’s construction and heavy lifting industry.
“Above all, focus on relationships. Trust and consistency are everything in this business,” she shared. “Sales in construction is unique because it isn’t about one-off transactions, it’s about true partnership. Clients are under pressure to deliver safely, on time, and on budget, so they need a crane and rigging partner who understands the technical side, anticipates challenges, and supports them from start to finish.”
Brad Taylor Operations manager/ journeyman operator, Vertical Crane & Rigging – Calgary, Alta.
Not unlike several of the other young leaders featured in this
year’s Top 10 Under 40 cohort, cranes weren’t always part of Brad Taylor’s career plans – but, as the familiar story seems to go, heavy lifting had other plans for Taylor.
“I started in the construction industry when I was 18 years old working towards being a carpenter in civil construction. Being around cranes, I quickly learned that being a crane operator was something I wanted to learn and pursue,” shared Taylor.
By the time Taylor was 19, he had begun his crane operator apprenticeship; achieving journeyman status by age 21. Across the wide world of heavy lifting, Taylor quickly found himself most comfortable with the challenge of taxi crane work, which he performed for several years in the Calgary area. It wasn’t long, however,
until he felt it was time for his next challenge: being a leader. Brad’s sibling Matt had founded Vertical Crane & Rigging back in 2012, and in 2021, the brothers decided to get the gang back together, with Brad seeing the opportunity to lead as operations manager as the perfect fit for his professional goals.
Since then, “[Brad] has estab-
lished himself not only as a highly skilled crane operator but also as a respected operations manager and mentor among his peers at Vertical Crane and Rigging,” said the company’s office manager and operations coordinator Vanessa Tavares. “His blend of technical expertise, safety-first mindset, and natural ability to inspire others makes him an ideal nominee for recognition.”
Even with the accolades from his peers and across the industry, Brad’s perspective remains balanced between excitement for the future and a gratitude for his past: “I try to be a bootson-the-ground leader, working with the team and conquering challenges together,” said Taylor. “My goal is to grow as a leader and always remember where we came from and how we started.”
Rigged to win
Highlights from the SC&RA’s 2025 Crane & Rigging Workshop.
By Jack Burton
Members of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) gathered in Indianapolis to welcome the first days of autumn – and the first waning weeks of an uncharacteristically uncertain construction season – at the association’s annual Crane & Rigging Workshop.
Landing at the J.W. Marriott from September 23 to 25, the Workshop’s 2025 installment set records for the association’s largest attendance at this annual fall event, bringing in more than 850 professionals from across 10 different countries for three days of informative sessions, a bustling trade show floor, and plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
The handful of sessions taking place across the event’s second and third days covered a wide array of topics, from fall protection during crane set-up to the latest in below-the-hook lifting devices.
Across all these different conversations, though, a single theme was clear: from developing the industry’s next generation of leaders, the impact of emerging trends on operations, and yes, even those pesky tariffs, this was an industry in the midst of a large, multi-faceted shift – one seismic enough for nearly 1,000 people, to come together in Indianapolis eager for answers.
Take me to your leader
The opening session of the SC&RA’s Crane & Rigging
“Remember: it’s a very, very big industry, and nobody in this room needs very much of [it] to be successful,” said keynote Mike Clancy of FMI.
Workshop, titled ‘Take Me to Your Leader,’ gathered the presidents of four prominent crane and rigging companies to talk about their organizations’ approach to leadership; specifically discussing the how and why behind finding your ship’s next captain from within its own crew.
Moderated by Jim Sever, board director for the SC&RA and owner/CEO of PSC Crane & Rigging, the conversation featured insights from panelists John Anderson, president of NessCampbell Crane + Rigging; Patrick Lewis, president and CEO of Superior Rigging & Erecting; and David Webster, president of Barnhart.
While everyone agreed that cultivating leadership from within was an ideal approach to succession planning, this route
is not without its challenges. One way of both creating and identifying future leaders, shared by Lewis, is to make the paths and opportunities to lead – along with the impacts and benefits of choosing to do so –visible to those interested in taking on these roles.
“It’s hard to find people that want to step up, and I think we’re seeing that apply more and more,” he said. “We have to do a really good job to accomplish showing them opportunities and pathways to create a better life: what a leader looks like and how that transitions into their own personal life.”
A contributing factor to this difficulty, Webster shared, is what he calls a ‘knowledge is power’ culture, where employees’ perception of their own value comes from what they
know, rather than what they can offer and share.
Webster believes that this attitude can lead to a work culture where team members become protective of their knowledge, under the belief that passing it on would diminish their own organizational value.
At Barnhart, Webster and his leadership team have employed efforts to communicate the reality that true employee value comes from one’s ability to share their skills and make others as equally effective as they are.
“We spend a lot of time preaching that you’re valuable if you can multiply or duplicate yourself. Now, you’re exponentially more valuable to us than you are for just knowing this one thing, such as how to put together this crane or work this piece of equipment,” said Webster. “We really spend a lot of time messaging the mentoring culture to combat that ‘knowledge is power’ mindset.”
Not only are leadership development practices a constant, ongoing process, but for many of the panelists, it’s an element that can be prioritized as early as before the interview process.
Barnhart conducts an aptitude test for prospective employees, which Webster says informs them on how well they will integrate with the company and its culture, along with the departments or smaller teams that they would fit best with. Additionally, this helps the hiring team build out many of the questions to be addressed during the interview process.
Lewis shared that Superior
has developed a culture index, which helps them identify incoming employees’ alignment with the company’s core values, along with some of the roles or responsibilities from within the company that these workers would excel at.
“It’s really all about characteristics: do they exemplify the core values and who we are as a culture and company? Do they have self-awareness and know they have the ability to solve problems? What problems are coachable? Do they communicate well?” Lewis said. “Those are the skill sets that we evaluate for.”
NessCampbell believes that by not only identifying the strengths of your employees, but committing to placing them in situations where those strengths can shine and be further developed, the path to forging your organization’s next generation of leaders grows clearer, Anderson shared.
“Once you have identified the guys that are part of the solution, it’s about getting them into the right situations and making sure they start to get well rounded. It’s a four or five year process,” Anderson said. “Make sure they put them on the right jobs and put them on with superintendents and guys that are going to teach them how they’re going to be able to grow from internally.”
Navigating market trends
Emily Beardall, senior consultant at Future Market Insights (FMI), shared what she sees as some of the most significant trends reshaping the practices for impactful business development and marketing strategies in the heavy lifting and construction sectors.
Given the uncertainty currently faced by both the market and the world economy at large, Beardall believes that prioritizing growth and business development as a multi-depart-
mental responsibility is more important than ever.
“It’s safe to say we’re in a pretty uncertain economic environment these days. FMI expects to see a bit of a fluctuation in the construction market –your project expectations and your backlog are not guaranteed over the long term,” she said. “This is a cross-functional, process-driven opportunity for organizations to use not only the marketing and business development department, but estimating, procurement – really an all-hands-on-deck approach.”
A boots-on-the-ground strategy, rooted in strong client relationships, is important to securing business and project opportunities in a market currently defined not just by a rapid-fire pace of change and development, but the flux and uncertainty that have come to emerge, Beardall believes.
“By the time you’re hearing about an opportunity or asked to submit a proposal, I would argue that in many cases, you’re almost too late to really capture it, especially from a strategic perspective,” she said.
Factors such as reputation, market presence, and client awareness are essential in positioning your company as a preferred project partner – not only a company whose proposal will get read upon submission, but one that others will request to submit a proposal in the first place.
“You want to be not only that first phone call, but have that relationship with the client and contractors where your proposal is the one they most want to see,” she said. “It’s not only about conditioning relationships with the contractors and clients you work with, it’s about conditioning the market so that folks all across the industry can point to you and say, ‘this is an organization that we want to work with.’”
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Foundational to all of these practices, Beardall believes, is a well-developed market understanding. It’s through a deep understanding of a market, and the needs of the clients and competitors within that market, where companies can identify – and offer – their own unique competitive advantages.
“Understanding the market and economic conditions of your city, or how buyers in your market are operating, changes how you position yourself to meet those needs,” said Beardall. “Identifying where those are can really set you apart from your competition. There’s a lot of ways that you can attack a client’s needs and identify that sweet spot of value creation.”
Lay of the land
The Workshop’s keynote speaker, FMI’s strategic prac-
tice leader Mike Clancy, opened Thursday’s sessions with an overview of some of the economic turbulence to come out of the U.S. over 2025, along
with some perspective on navigating it successfully.
For Clancy, the story of 2025, at least following President Trump’s ‘Day of Liberation’ this past April, has been one of consistently revising expectations downward when it comes to the construction market.
The latest data from FMI projects a two per cent overall decline for the American construction market. While it is, at its surface, a softer figure than one may expect, Clancy shared that his firm had initially projected growth of up to three per cent for this year.
Despite the changing winds of the market, Clancy reminded the audience that due to the sizeable capital within the construction sector, it might not be time to start looking for the panic button just yet.
“Now, a two per cent reduction sounds terrible, right?” he said. “We’re talking close to a $3 trillion industry, so a two per cent decline in a $3 trillion industry sounds massive, right? But as you’re going through this, just remember: it’s a very, very big industry, and nobody in this room needs very much of that $3 trillion to be successful.”
While Clancy still sees some gas in the market’s tank thanks
to its massive overall valuation and emerging opportunities such as data centres and increased megaprojects, he still believes that embedding resiliency into your business is important to successfully navigate any turbulence ahead.
“The theme of a lot of the stuff that’s been going on over the last six months is that none of us know how to manage through this; anybody who tells you they do is lying to you,” he said. “So, how do we build that resiliency into our business? How do we build the stress-proofing that allows us to get through these kinds of challenges?”
One approach Clancy recommends is for organizations to conduct a resiliency audit.
“Look at your supply chain and your vendor and contractor network and get an understanding of what they’re dependent on and how safe that expectation and dependency is for your business,” he said. “Now, you may not be able to control their business behaviours, but their business behaviours can control you, so you want to make sure that you influence those to be positive business behaviours that drive better outcomes for you.”
L–R: John Anderson (NessCampbell Crane + Rigging), Patrick Lewis (Superior Rigging & Erecting), David Webster (Barnhart) and Jim Sever (SC&RA/PSC Crane & Rigging) discussed leadership development in the workshop’s opening panel.
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KNOWING THE ROPES BY JUSTIN BROWN
Modernizing rigging gear
As Industry 4.0 shapes our future, rigging gear has become an active participant in safety management.
Industry 4.0 isn’t a new concept, but it is driving more notable change than ever before in the lifting and rigging industry. It means we must learn to thrive in a world with smarter, more connected systems, where equipment doesn’t just perform a function but also communicates, records, and informs.
Of course, it wasn’t always like this. For decades, below-the-hook products were purely mechanical; we didn’t know what mechatronics was . And, in many ways, that’s what made our wares so dependable. Today, it’s not about replacing experience with technology, but about combining the two. Modern gear, from smart hooks to integrated load cells, now provides real-time data that helps crews make faster, safer decisions.
Traditional slings, shackles, and hooks were robust and simple – but they also required workers to be very close to the load and came with limited-to-no access to inspection history. That exposure carried risk.
What’s changing now is the ability to retain that durability while incorporating intelligence – through sensors, visual indicators, and digital inspection systems – that help crews stay out of harm’s way.
The shift we’re seeing mirrors broader industrial automation trends. Mechatronics – essentially the blending of mechanics, electronics, and computing – is showing up everywhere, even in traditional gear categories. It’s not full automation, but it’s an important step toward systems that are self-aware, traceable, and predictive.
When experience and technology fuse, we add layers of awareness. Smart hooks allow remote hook-up and release, keeping riggers out of dangerous zones. Load measurement devices give operators live data to prevent overloads and uneven lifts. And visual systems like crane cameras provide operators a clear line of sight.
Together, these tools transform lifting from a manual operation to an informed, controlled process.
Such modernization doesn’t always mean electronics; it means better information and design. Our Twin-Path slings, for
example, use a mechanical overload indicator that gives a clear visual signal if a sling has been overstressed. It’s a simple, mechanical safety system, but it fits perfectly into the modernization story because it empowers the operator with real-time feedback – no sensors required.
When this technology is combined with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and digital inspection tracking, it bridges the gap between mechanical reliability and digital traceability.
Process vs. product
The fourth industrial revolution is like the others, in that everyone approaches it differently, and certainly not all at the same time. The challenge for manufacturers sitting at the top of supply chains is helping customers modernize safely and at their own pace. For some, that means adopting RFID and digital inspection tracking. For others, it’s introducing smart hooks or high-performance synthetics.
We also focus heavily on education; training customers to understand both the benefits and responsibilities that come with new technologies.
As we say during such sessions, modernization is a process, not a product. It doesn’t matter whether artificial intelligence (AI), automation, the Internet of Things (IoT),
or something else is combining with traditional engineering: these technologies are inescapably helping us move from reactive safety to predictive safety.
Sensors and inspection data can now forecast when equipment should be replaced or serviced before it becomes a problem. Over time, this data-driven insight will reduce downtime, lower costs, and improve safety culture. IoT especially is turning rigging gear into an active participant in safety management.
Scope Computer Vision Technologies Corp.’s state-of-the-art utility stringing technology is a perfect example of where our industry is headed. At Unirope, we’ve integrated Scope’s AI-assisted technology into our fiber rope and utility stringing line inspection processes.
Scope’s technology augments human inspectors by providing real-time insights that improve accuracy, speed, and consistency. The system scans the entire length of a rope, often thousands of feet, using sensors to detect damage and calculate projected break strength per segment. An inspection report is automatically generated and available online.
In conclusion, the fundamentals of physics and safety will never change, but the tools and methods are evolving fast. This industry is entering a new era where data, materials, and human expertise come together. Modernization is not a tagline to use as a marketing slogan, but a commitment to safer, smarter, and more sustainable lifting for the future.
It helps us recruit too. The new generation entering the workforce is digitally fluent and attracted to technology-driven industries. When they see that modern rigging involves smart devices, analytics, and high-tech materials, it changes their perception.
This isn’t a dirty or outdated business –it’s a precision trade that combines craftsmanship with innovation.
Justin Brown is the president of Unirope Limited, a Canadian company focused on the training, testing, and distribution of wire rope and rigging products. Brown holds active memberships with the AWRF and OIPEEC.
Industry 4.0’s tools have evolved the ways we work, lift, and rig, shares Justin Brown.
No matter what sector of construction you’re in, you’ll leave CONEXPO-CON/AGG with
This isn’t just North America’s largest construction trade show, it’s taking construction to the next
Slings in the six
WSTDA talked rigging, AI at fall meeting in Toronto.
By Crane & Hoist Canada Staff
This past October, members of the Web Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA) from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond all arrived in Toronto for the association’s annual fall meeting, which presented three days of learning and collaboration regarding the best practices and safe operations of web slings and more.
A range of technical sessions focused on what’s next for sling manufacturers and end users on some of the big-picture changes across work processes involving these products. From the Ontario rigging manual currently in development to AI-driven process shifts, all presentations shared an eye to safely and efficiently navigating the road toward what’s next.
Ontario rigging manual
Former Unirope president Knut Buschmann, who also served as chairman for the AWRF’s technical subcommittee for web slings in the 1990s, provided an update on his efforts developing an updated rigging manual for Ontario alongside the province’s Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA).
Buschmann’s focus throughout this work is to ensure that all knowledge disseminated through the manual is not just conveyed by experts, but also uses clear and understandable language that remains relevant to all users.
“It was very important for the IHSA that we write a manual not for the industry experts or for the manufacturers of these products, but that we write a
manual which can be understood by the people on the construction sites,” shared Buschmann. “Don’t write a standards manual which reads like a standards manual, because nobody is going to read a standards manual: they want to read something which they all understand.”
Part of Buschmann’s deep revision also includes an expanded scope, which he feels is necessitated by a relative lack of federal-level standards in Canada when compared to the U.S. This expansion will include chapters on synthetic rope use for construction cranes, lifting slings, lifting and rigging operating practices, along with hardware, manual hoists, and below-the-hook lifting devices.
“In our rigging industry, we have only a couple of standards. Concerning wire rope, for example, we have a standard for mobile cranes, we have a stan-
dard for tower cranes and we have a standard for overhead cranes – which doesn’t really mention too much about wire rope – but that’s it, nothing more,” said Buschmann. “We have no standards for any lifting slings, rigging hardware, blocks, tackles, hooks or belowthe-hook lifting devices.”
Despite these challenges, Buschmann is working to close these legislative gaps: his efforts with the IHSA are aimed not just at creating a comprehensive and relevant manual to be applied across Ontario’s rigging activities, but what he hopes is a foundation for common regulations that can be adopted by Canada’s other provinces and territories in the future.
“We think this will become the nucleus for a common Canadian combined occupational and safety regulation, because all the different provinces and territories struggle with the
same thing, and don’t have a committee large enough to develop their own,” he said.
Working smarter
For all of the answers that ChatGPT has provided over the last couple of years, it seems that somehow, AI continues to leave us with more questions: is this information true? How can I use it at my job? How can I stop it from taking my job?
Keynote David Chalk arrived ready to provide answers to all of these questions, and more importantly, share a perspective on AI tools that offered a panic-free focus on productivity.
Chalk is no stranger to the tech world, having hosted a technology show on Canadian TV and developed a cybersecurity company. Among his current ventures is consulting companies on what he sees as the next technological vanguard, artificial intelligence.
“I hope you understand that the AI is not going to kill you,” Chalk joked. “What’s going to kill you is someone who knows how to use it, and defines a process or a pattern that it can use to go and do something bad. But [AI] doesn’t know how, no matter what you think.”
To this end, Chalk reassured everyone that the power of these tools come not from AI’s own computational excellence, but rather the user’s application of their own language.
“There are still humans in the loop on this,” he said. “So yes, AI will do amazing, incredible things – if you use it the right way.”
PHOTO: JACK BURTON
The Web Sling & Tie Down Association’s annual fall meeting took place in Toronto from October 6 to 9, and featured numerous technical sessions, including updates on the Ontario Rigging Manual and advice on getting the most out of AI.
6448
BY TRENTON GROVER
Lifting smarter with AI
Safe practices for emerging technology and AI literacy in crane and rigging work.
For decades, the fundamentals of safe lifting have revolved around standards, regulation, training, and human judgment. But a new wave of technology – artificial intelligence (AI), automation, predictive analytics, and digital monitoring – is beginning to show its influence.
For owners, operators, and riggers, these developments raise an important question: how do we safely integrate emerging technologies without undermining the hard-earned safety culture our industry depends on?
The answer lies in understanding both the potential and the limitations of AI, and in developing “AI literacy” throughout the workforce.
Where AI and emerging technology are showing up
Artificial intelligence and digital tools are no longer confined to tech companies; they’re becoming fixtures on modern jobsites across a variety of tasks:
Predictive maintenance: Manufacturers such as Konecranes offer cranes equipped with sensors that feed data into AI models. This AI can then forecast when components such as wire ropes, hydraulic systems, or bearings are nearing failure; allowing maintenance to be scheduled before breakdowns, accidents, and downtime occur.
Load path optimization: Liebherr’s Crane Planner 2.0 as well as A1A Software’s 3D Lift Plan can run thousands of simulations, calculating the safest crane configurations, rigging arrangements, and load paths; suggesting alternatives a human might overlook.
Operator assistance: Anti-collision and zoning systems, load moment indicators, and geofencing features are becoming able to learn from past lifts and adjust alerts.
Remote and semi-autonomous operation: Some manufacturers now offer remote-controlled systems where AI assists with fine movements in tight spaces such as anti-sway and load control systems.
Wearable tech: While mostly still in the trial phase, it may not be long before helmets with fatigue monitoring sensors and
augmented-reality glasses for riggers begin to make their way onto sites.
Cameras: Companies like Crosby, HoistCam, Altacam, and many others have created boom tip, hook block and trolley cameras that feed real time data to the operator, helping them monitor the hook, rigging, and load while keeping an eye out for obstacles. Several systems feed the data into AI operator assistance programming that detects unauthorized persons and dynamically adjusts the “danger zone” as the crane and load move.
The safety imperative: don’t outsource judgment to AI
While AI can analyze data at lightning speed, it does not replace the training, experience, and intuition of a skilled operator or rigger. This is where the principle of human-in-the-loop comes in.
Regulations in British Columbia (WorkSafeBC Parts 14 & 15) and national standards (CSA Z150, CSA Z248) make it clear: ultimate responsibility for crane operations lies with competent human operators and riggers.
The danger of “automation bias” – the tendency to trust machines over our own judgment – must be guarded against. To safely integrate these tools, crane companies need to invest in more than just hardware and software; they need to develop AI literacy across all levels of their workforce.
For operators: Operators must understand how assistance systems work, what data they rely on, and their limitations. They should know how to override automated inputs when necessary and how to spot false alerts.
For riggers: As lift simulations become more common, riggers need confidence in interpreting digital rigging diagrams and validating them against field conditions. AI can suggest load paths, but the rigger must ensure shackles, slings, and spreader bars are used correctly.
For supervisors and engineers: Supervisors must learn to read predictive maintenance information, interpret AI-generated reports, and integrate that digital information. AI literacy here means knowing when data supports a decision and
when it doesn’t.
For safety officers: With wearables and monitoring cameras entering jobsites, safety officers may have to balance technology with privacy rights, ensuring systems meet Canadian workplace safety and privacy regulations.
Change management: bringing crews along
Emerging technology often faces resistance on jobsites. Experienced operators may be skeptical, and younger workers may trust them too much.
The role of company owners and managers is to set the tone:
• Introduce tools gradually with training and hands-on demonstrations.
• Create feedback loops so operators and riggers can report issues or mistrust in systems.
• Reinforce core safety culture: the crane does not move unless the human team agrees it’s safe, regardless of what the computer says.
A balanced future
The crane and rigging industry are unlikely to ever see fully autonomous lifts become the norm. The complexity, risk, and human judgment involved are too great. But AI and emerging technology will continue to influence how we plan, monitor, and manage lifting operations.
By developing AI literacy, maintaining human oversight, and embedding safe practices into adoption, crane companies can position themselves to benefit from these advances without compromising safety.
In the end, technology should serve the industry, not the other way around. The operator’s hands on the controls, the rigger’s eyes on the load, and the supervisor’s judgment on the plan will always be the foundation of safe crane operations.
AI can make us sharper, faster, and better informed but only if we remain the final decision makers.
Trenton Grover is a field OHS advisor for BC Crane Safety.
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