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Reflecting on 2025 is difficult, because it seems like just yesterday I was just musing about what the new year would bring. Can time just slow down, please? Looking back at this column in January 2025, the big news was Bauma, which turned out to be a great show. It was at that show in April 2025 that the word “tariffs” started dominating industry conversations.
As we end the year, we are still talking about tariffs, a lot. Tariffs are a huge issue for everyone in our industry, affecting crane and trailer manufacturers and the users of their products. It started out as a 15 percent reciprocal tariff on products imported in the United States. But just as we started digesting the specifics of tariffs, established to balance trade, the Trump Administration announced 232 Steel tariffs, which impose an additional 50 percent on high strength steel imported in the U.S. This opened up a big can of worms.
To parse where we are and what needs to happen, we turned to SC&RA COO Joel Dandrea. In our Q&A this month, Dandrea discusses the tariff conundrum in depth. “To impose 15 percent reciprocal tariffs and 50 percent tariffs on high-strength steel not manufactured in the U.S. adds a tremendous cost and layer of complexity to doing business,” he said. “It throws delays and other unintended consequences on our members and U.S. economic development.”
The bottom line is that the construction industry needs immediate relief on the Section 232 steel tariffs. Dandrea said: “Part of the reality is that the tariff policies are causing huge delays – on the manufacturing, shipping and purchase of equipment, initially. But also, all types of key construction projects are being held up. The companies that are moving forward with their acquisition of equipment are generally doing so at much higher costs.”
Don’t miss the Interview article starting on page 24. Dandrea also looks back at 2025 and talks about a few other issues SC&RA members are facing.
Also in this issue we cover new trailer and SPMT products, tower crane projects and fall protection. Hannah Sundermeyer reviews the Utility Expo and previews the SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium. And of course the highlight of this issue is our ACTTRANSPORT50 ranking of North America’s top specialized transportation companies.
As the year ends, now is a great time to let us know what’s going on with your company, people, machines and projects.
Happy Reading!
D.ANN SLAYTON SHIFFLER Editor
KHL Group Americas, 30325 Oak Tree Drive, Georgetown TX 78628 +1 512-868-7482 | d.ann.shiffler@khl.com
www.craneandtransportbriefing.com
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Tadano mobile cranes are filled with technology and innovations that are designed to make your lifts faster and easier. Innovations like IC-1 Remote that gives you access to crane operating data and Surround View that significantly makes it easier to find the optimal crane position. These features are more than talking points to us, they are part of our DNA.
12 REVIEW
A record-setting SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop underscored the industry’s resilience, collaboration and commitment to progress.
Hannah Sundermeyer reports from the rainy show in Louisville.
The SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium returns February 24-26, 2026, in Birmingham, AL.
MATTERS
John R. Glinski discusses OSHA’s crane rule for fall protection and safeguards for assembly and disassembly operations.
MARKETPLACE
The
24 INTERVIEW
SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea looks back on 2025, discussing particular industry challenges and often elusive solutions. D.Ann Shiffler reports.
27 ACTTRANSPORT 50
Our exclusive ranking of North America’s top specialized transportation companies.
32 PRODUCT FOCUS
HAUL TRAILERS
From specialized trailers to SPMT systems, new and improved hauling and moving products abound.
36 PROJECT ROUNDUP TOWER CRANES
Tower cranes are mainstays on city skylines throughout North America. D.Ann Shiffler reports on a bevy of projects.
43 SITE REPORT
Shawmut Equipment provides an impressive fleet of cranes for the construction of the new Amtrak Connecticut River Bridge.
45 SC&RA COMMENT
What happens in the regulatory trenches eventually shapes the way freight moves, cranes roll and crews mobilize. Joel Dandrea discusses.
46 SC&RA NEWS
SC&RA’s 2025 agenda delivers on safety, policy and performance for specialized transport and crane operations.
49 RISK MANAGEMENT
Creating a strong safety culture begins with understanding how safety is monitored and measured. Rose Augustin reports.
The deal strengthens Wilkerson’s service capabilities and positions the company to support major wind energy and infrastructure projects.
n Urbandale, IA-based DICA is expanding its headquarters to accommodate rising demand and future growth. The company is building out an additional 50,000 square feet of its 60,000-square-foot facility.
n Industrial Training International (ITI) has teamed up with Adena Corporation to open a new Authorized Training Center in Lakeland, FL, designed to expand access to hands-on crane and rigging education. The facility officially began offering classes in October.
Wilkerson buys Jensen Crane
Kansas City, KS-based Wilkerson Crane Rental has acquired Des Moines, Iowa-based Jensen Crane Services from the Rasmussen Group. The deal expands Wilkerson’s fleet, manpower and geographic footprint, strengthening its position across the central United States.
According to Wilkerson, the purchase broadens its ability to serve a diversified client base with additional equipment and expertise. Jensen’s established customer relationships and regional presence will fold
into Wilkerson’s operations to support long-term growth.
“This acquisition aligns perfectly with the Wilkerson portfolio,” said Cody Ward, CEO, Wilkerson. “Jensen’s presence reinforces our foothold in the upper Midwest, a critical region for both wind energy and large-scale infrastructure projects. As we continue to pursue our aggressive growth goals, this strategic positioning allows us to better serve the wind sector and deliver comprehensive lifting solutions for major energy infrastructure
developments in the region.” Wilkerson COO Larry Smith said Jenson has demonstrated the same commitment to quality and customer service that defines the Wilkerson brand.
“We're thrilled to acquire these assets from Rasmussen Group and welcome the Jensen team into the Wilkerson family,” said Smith. “Their team has built an outstanding reputation in the region, and I'm confident they will fit seamlessly within our culture," said Larry Smith, COO of Wilkerson.” n
Tadano introduces GTC-600-2
Japanese crane manufacturer Tadano has expanded its GTC series with the launch of the new GTC-600-2 telescopic boom crawler crane, rated at 60 ons. The new model replaces the GTC-550 and, for now, is available exclusively in the Americas, with a metric version planned for later release.
Despite its
Deliveries of the new GTC-600-2 were scheduled to begin in October 2025.
increased capacity, the GTC600-2 maintains single-truck transportability, making it, according to Tadano, the only 60-ton telescopic boom crawler capable of doing so.
The GTC-600-2 features a four-section 113.8-foot full-power boom derived
from Tadano rough-terrain technology, with 28.9- and 49.9-foot extensions and jib. It incorporates Tadano’s OptiWidth track system, allowing up to four degrees out-of-level lifting with full pick-and-carry capability. The model retains familiar advantages from its predecessor.
Franna debuts largest pick and carry crane in North America
Terex Franna has introduced the AT44 US, the largest pick and carry crane in its product line, to the North American market. The AT44 US, built in Australia, has a capacity of 44 tons at a 3 feet 7-inch radius and a maximum hook height of 62 feet. Powered
by a 308 hp Mercedes-Benz diesel engine meeting EPA Tier 4
Final and EU Stage V emissions standards, the crane is paired with a six-speed Allison automatic transmission. Its 3-axle design allows the crane to carry the additional
counterweight needed for its 44-ton rating while maintaining low axle weights for both road and site travel, Franna said. The control system allows the operator to raise the third axle to reduce the turning circle and to articulate the crane while
Upgrades include a closed-loop hydrostatic swing system for smoother operation and Tadano’s AML-C Rated Capacity Indicators. n
Franna has launched the AT44 US, its largest pick and carry crane to date.
The Holmatro Group’s skidding system system utilizes extremely rigid steel beams, allowing it to span unsupported gaps common in uneven or pre-existing foundations.
Workforce Ambassador: Manitowoc Cranes
This is the fourth and final feature in our series highlighting the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation’s 2025 Workforce Ambassador award winners.
Manitowoc Cranes, based in Shady Grove, PA, has been working to raise industry awareness through employee engagement, family outreach and community support. Manitowoc's Family Day at the Shady Grove plant welcomed more than 2,000 employees, retirees and their families – including 455 children – for a day of music, games, picnic-style food and hands-on crane exploration featuring more than 30 machines from Grove, Manitowoc, National Crane, Potain and Shuttlelift. The event also supported Brooke’s House, a local women’s recovery center, reinforcing Manitowoc’s commitment to social impact.
Manitowoc further engages the next generation through education by hosting school tours at their Pennsylvania facility. Students experience hands-on learning using welding simulation tools and are introduced to real-world equipment – building enthusiasm and skill for potential careers.
At the WE24 Society of Women Engineers conference, Manitowoc’s top female engineers represented the company and highlighted exciting career paths in innovation and engineering.
To learn more about the Workforce Ambassador Program, please visit scr-foundation. org/resources.workforceambassador-program
stationary for more precise load positioning in confined spaces.
The AT44 US incorporates Franna’s patented Dynamic Load Moment Indicator (LMI) with Safety Radar. The system continuously calculates the rated capacity in real time, accounting for boom configuration, articulation, pitch and roll, even on uneven terrain.
“Half of the mobile cranes in
Manitowoc is the winner in the OEM category.
Australia are Frannas, any brand or capacity, and the first Franna built in 1978 is still operating today,” said Kevin Aabel, business development manager, Franna North America. “The AT44 US is a game-changer for North American customers who demand higher capacities without compromising mobility or safety."
ER invests in six Homaltro skid systems
Engineered Rigging, an innovator in heavy lifting and rigging solutions, announced a significant investment in its national bare rental fleet with the purchase of six Holmatro 400-ton skidding systems, the company said. This strategic expansion substantially increases the company’s capability to support synchronized, high-capacity horizontal load slides across the United States, according to Mike Beres, vice president of Engineered Rigging. This skidding system’s unique ability to safely transport loads over a relatively large, unsupported span makes it indispensable for rail-side transfers and challenging
infrastructure projects nationwide.
“We have seen an increase in demand for reliable, scalable rigging and specialized transport solutions for large projects across the United States,” said Beres. “By stocking six 400-ton skidding systems, we eliminate logistical bottlenecks and expedite the delivery of high-capacity, precision equipment, when and where our clients need it, for complex lateral moves. Engineered Rigging is dedicated to providing reliable, scalable solutions that enable clients to overcome project challenges such as difficult foundation conditions that require loads to span uneven surfaces.” n
LJP Construction adds another telecrawler crane
Canadian construction contractor LJP filled a gap in its fleet with another new telescopic boom crawler crane.
“When Liebherr launched the LTR 1150 onto the market, we instantly knew that it would fit our fleet perfectly,” said Axel Côté, operations manager at LJP Construction which specializes in formwork technology.
“We already have an LTR 1060 and we’re very happy
with it. To handle the growing demands, however, the 150ton crane is going to be the perfect addition to our fleet.”
Côté cited impressive load charts, compactness and flexibility when relocating the crane on site as reasons for choosing it.
He also said the LTR’s incorporation of VarioBase from LTM series wheeled mobile cranes was key in choosing what to buy. n
LJP
Construction’s new Liebherr LTR 1150
telescopic boom crawler crane joins their fleet.
PHOTO: LIEBHERR
Classen’s Crane Service used its new Link-Belt 120|HT to place an 80-foot pedestrian bridge in Fayston, VT.
Link-Belt truck crane delivers
Classen’s Crane Service of Waterford, VT relied on its new Link-Belt 120|HT truck crane to replace a deteriorating pedestrian bridge in Fayston. The 120-ton capacity crane lifted and placed an 80-foot fiberglass structure, assembled in two sections weighing a combined 15,500 pounds across a 30-foot-deep ravine. The lift was completed at a 65-foot radius using 125 feet of boom. The 120|HT fills a gap in Classen’s fleet between its 175-ton all-terrain crane and 65-ton truck crane. VP Ben Classen said the model met the company’s need for reach, capacity and service support, a priority given its remote work.
Operator Jacob Davis said the 120|HT’s 164-foot telescopic boom provided crucial flexibility, eliminating the need for a jib and reducing setup time. “We needed that specific boom length and the right capacity to set the bridge at about a 70-foot radius,” Davis explained. “It’s the right size for a little bit of everything.”
Rigging Gear Sales' Mike Brooke joined Braedon and Johnn y Berard for the final delivery inspection.
Berard Transportation expands SPMT fleet
Rigging Gear Sales completed the successful delivery inspection of 28 lines of TIIScheuerle SPMT-ES trailers and two new Z390 Power Pack Units (PPUs) to Berard Transportation. The milestone marks a significant fleet expansion for Berard as the Louisiana-based company celebrates its 80th anniversary.
“This investment not only strengthens our capabilities, but it also reflects our long-
term commitment to growth and to serving our clients with the highest standards of excellence for many years to come,” said Berard. “When I reflect on how far this company has come, from the time my grandfather first started it, to when I became involved, and where we are today, I will always be grateful. I am especially blessed to share this fleet expansion with my dad by my side, as we continue carrying forward the legacy.”
Berard added that the company’s first SPMT move was witnessed by his grandfather just three days before his passing.
“I’d like to believe he’s up above smiling down on us today, proud of how far we have come and excited for what’s ahead. And as I look to the future, I can only hope that my two sons, Andrew and Ayden, will one day continue this legacy into the fourth generation.” n
Palfinger opens new NA parts center
Palfinger's new $15 million parts center is designed to deliver parts faster, reduce equipment downtime and strengthen service for dealers and customers across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and its Rockford cargo hub, the 177,000 square-foot building stocks more than 60,000 spare parts for Palfinger’s North America product range,
including knuckle boom cranes, bucket trucks, truckmounted forklifts, service cranes, hooklifts, cable hoists and timber and refuse loaders.
The center, which features an AutoStore robotic system to select parts, is expected to process 75,000 shipments annually in partnership with L.I.T., Palfinger’s global logistics provider. The company said the facility would operate as the central hub for all of its spare parts operations in North America, complementing the company’s online parts ordering system.
“Service is a growth driver for Palfinger, and North America is one of our important markets,” said Palfinger CEO Andreas Klauser. “The Huntley facility is a major investment in keeping our
customers up and running. It’s about speed, reliability and demonstrating our commitment and confidence to this region. It’s also bringing our global standard of service even closer to our dealers and customers.”
n Enerpac welcomed industry professionals to its Deer Park, TX facility for Enerpac Experience Days, on October 1-2, offering a close-up look at the company’s hydraulic and lifting technologies in action. Attendees took part in live demonstrations and hands-on sessions featuring Enerpac’s latest portfolio of industrial tools, portable machining systems and synchronized lifting technology.
Palfinger’s new North America parts distribution center. IMAGE: PALFINGER
Lightening the load: PSC partners with PRG
It’s not every day that a bright pink crane rolls onto a jobsite. When PSC Crane & Rigging deployed one to a hospital project in Ohio, spectators soon found out it was serving a much larger purpose than the lift itself. For PSC’s Owners Randy and Jim Sever, that moment summed up everything they love about the company’s partnership with Pink Ribbon Good (PRG): heavy equipment with heart.
PSC joined PRG’s “Pink Fleet” five years ago, committing both financial support and visibility to an organization that provides free meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials and peer support to individuals fighting breast and gynecological cancers. What started with one 300-ton crane wrapped entirely in pink vinyl has become a defining symbol of compassion for the family-owned lifting company. PSC has also wrapped one of its heavy-haul prime movers, ensuring the message would keep rolling as the truck turns heads on interstates.
Cranes for a cause
For PRG’s founder and CEO, Heather Salazar, that kind of visibility is deeply personal. Her connection to the cause began in 2002 when she met a 23-year-old woman named Alexis who was seeking an adoptive home for her baby while facing stage IV breast cancer. Salazar and her husband ultimately adopted the child, and eighteen months later, Heather herself was diagnosed with the same aggressive form of cancer at just 31 years old. Out of those intertwined stories grew the
Ribbon Good event about eight years ago,” he recalled. “I was blown away. You hear stories of survivors, of families who lost loved ones, and you realize how many people are fighting without help. The funds do not go to research. They go to real-life support: rides to treatment, meals, laundry, childcare. It makes an immediate difference.”
Pink Ribbon Good’s model also gives industrial partners a tangible way to contribute.
“These are salt-of-the-earth companies,” Salazar said.
“They build America every day, and now they are helping build a safety net for people in crisis. PSC opened doors for us in the crane and rigging community, connecting us to others who share the same heart.”
mission of Pink Ribbon Good, to ensure that no one faces breast or gynecological cancer alone.
“Alexis did not have insurance or transportation,” said Salazar. “I saw firsthand how hard it is when you do not have support. The community stepped in for me, so I built an organization to do the same for others.”
Today, PRG operates in eight regions with plans to expand nationwide. Its Pink Fleet program brings that mission to life through partnerships with companies like PSC,
each donating a portion of their proceeds and wrapping a vehicle in pink to raise awareness. The visual impact is undeniable. More than 90 pink trucks, mixers and cranes are now on the road, each symbolizing meals delivered, and families supported. Every wrapped vehicle represents roughly 500 meals and 200 rides to treatment each year for patients in need.
Purpose in motion
That sense of personal connection drives PSC’s commitment. “I went to a Pink
Beyond the lift
That connection is exactly what Sever hopes will spread. As a long-time SC&RA member, he sees potential for the partnership to grow across the association.
“Heather is working to take PRG nationwide,” he said. “We have members from coast to coast. How incredible would it be to see a pink tower crane in California or a pink lowboy in Texas? It is a way for our industry to show who we really are, people who care.”
Both leaders see their work as proof that compassion scales.
“When you operate a crane or drive a heavy-haul truck, you are already lifting something massive,” Salazar said. “Through partnerships like this, you are also lifting up people.”
PSC Crane & Rigging Owner Randy Sever and Pink Ribbon Good CEO Heather Salazar stand beside one of PSC’s pink-wrapped support prime movers promoting breast cancer awareness.
the industry’s resilience, collaboration and commitment to progress.
The 2025 SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop drew a record crowd to the JW Marriott in Indianapolis (Ind.), September 23–25, setting a new benchmark for the Association’s annual event. More than 850 attendees packed the venue –including over 125 first-timers and representatives from ten countries – underscoring the Workshop’s growing status as a premier gathering for crane and rigging professionals across North America and beyond. Moreover, a sold-out exhibit center – featuring a strong mix of returning and firsttime exhibitors – reflected the construction sector’s continued momentum and appetite for connection. Behind the record turnout was more than convenience. Indianapolis offered a centralized hub that made travel easier for companies coast to coast, while ongoing tariff uncertainty and shifting market pressures gave members even more reason to meet face to face. Over two-and-a-half days, participants compared notes, shared lessons and reaffirmed why this Workshop
Strength
has evolved from a niche industry meeting into one of the most anticipated annual events in the lifting and rigging calendar.
Undercurrent
Tariffs were a clear undercurrent.
SC&RA is closely tracking federal actions on cranes, steel, aluminum and key components, and signaled firm opposition to any 50 percent tariff on steel or aluminum. The Association outlined a three-part advocacy push – engaging D.C. trade counsel for direct outreach to the administration, retaining lobbying support to reach lawmakers and USTR officials
and elevating the industry’s case through targeted national media. That effort runs alongside ongoing briefings with senior trade policy staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, plus coordination with allied groups.
In his opening remarks, SC&RA President and PSC Crane & Rigging President & CEO, Jim Sever, outlined the Association’s call for a phased approach to tariffs. “For example,” he said, “three percent over five years or five percent over three years – to give manufacturers and buyers time to plan.”
SC&RA Committee leadership played a central role in shaping Workshop discussions.
Grassroots engagement has also been active, Sever added. “In June, SC&RA circulated a letter template that members used to contact federal and state offices with specific business impacts. In July, the Association and state crane owner groups sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce urging timely decisions that support budgeting and forecasting across the supply chain.”
Sever encouraged members to continue writing to federal and state officials – detailing cost, employment and equipment availability impacts – to keep the conversation grounded in real-world outcomes.
Beth O’Quinn, SC&RA
Senior Vice President, Crane & Rigging, emphasized that this level of engagement reflects the Association’s greatest strength. “When you have hundreds of
in numbers
Amid economic and regulatory uncertainty, the Workshop’s program was built around connection and practical takeaways.
people coming together around a common purpose, it doesn’t just strengthen our voice in Washington – it reinforces the long-term success of every company represented here,” she said. “The more unified we are in these efforts, the more progress we make for the entire industry.”
Dialing In
That collaborative spirit extended to one of the week’s newest developments – the first-ever meeting of SC&RA’s Permit Policy Committee at a Crane & Rigging Workshop. The move underscored the growing attention on harmonizing permit rules for mobile cranes and other specialized equipment as legislative activity increases across the states. Several committees also played a central role in shaping the week’s discussions. The Crane & Rigging Group Tower Crane Committee took a look at its strategic plan and engaged in a detailed market outlook roundtable.
Similarly, the Crane & Rigging Group Safety Education & Training Committee covered a
wide range of topics, highlighted by an interactive roundtable on industry issues that incorporated live polling and drew responses from more than 140 committee attendees. The exchange captured the pulse of member concerns in real time and set the tone for the education sessions that followed.
Among the week’s highlights, Take Me to Your Leader: How to Cultivate the Right Field Members Within Your Workforce explored how companies can identify emerging leaders and set them up for success. Moderated by Jim Sever, the discussion drew on real-world strategies from John Anderson of NessCampbell Crane + Rigging, Patrick Lewis of Superior Rigging & Erecting and David Webster of Barnhart.
On the technical side, From Hook to High-Tech: Mastering Below the Hook Lifting Devices offered a deep dive into the lifecycle of below-the-hook (BTH) equipment, from concept to field use. Presenters Jon Alberson of Means & Methods Engineering and Brooks Nunley of Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling walked attendees through design standards, procurement best practices and the latest approaches shaping how lifting gear is engineered and maintained.
“These conversations move the industry forward,” noted Alberson. “It’s not just about design or standards – it’s about bridging the gap between engineers, manufacturers and end users so that everyone’s working from the same understanding of safety and efficiency.”
The keynote session, Strategic Insights:
sold-out exhibit center – featuring a
of returning and first-time exhibitors –reflected the construction sector’s continued momentum and appetite for
Adapting to Evolving Market Trends, featured FMI’s Mike Clancy, who unpacked the economic, policy and market forces influencing crane and rigging operations across North America. Said Clancy, “What we’re seeing is an industry that still has incredible opportunity, but also a need for sharper focus. Success over the next decade will depend on making disciplined choices about where to compete and how to adapt.”
Safety
first
Safety remained at the forefront in Up & Down Safely: Fall Protection and Hazards in Crane Assembly & Disassembly, led by John Glinski of Crane Training and Safety Consultants. The session reinforced OSHA standards and highlighted practical approaches to inspections, PPE and the industry’s transition from traditional hard hats to safety helmets.
Ultimately, as the week wound down, the mood shifted from technical to deeply human for the session, Near Misses, Lasting Lessons, which brought together Bill Green of Bragg Companies, Mike Heacock of Morrow Equipment, Mike Knott of Phoenix Crane Service and Michael Tomaro of Fenton Rigging & Contracting – each sharing stories that left attendees with a sense of perspective and purpose. A reminder that progress in this industry is built one lesson at a time. n
The 2026 SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop is set for September 22-24 at the Hilton Omaha and the CHI Health Center, Omaha, Neb.
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Even torrential rain couldn’t dampen the momentum in Louisville, where the 2025 Utility Expo brought together thousands of utility sector professionals. Hannah Sundermeyer reports.
If there was ever proof that the utility industry knows how to adapt, it came on the second day of the 2025 Utility Expo, when Louisville’s skies opened up in a downpour so fierce that outdoor demos were temporarily cancelled. Flashflood alerts buzzed on phones, exhibitors scrambled to cover displays and attendees traded hard hats for umbrellas.
Yet, true to form, the show didn’t miss a beat. Many found refuge in the indoor halls, where conversations carried on over coffee and soaked boots. By the following morning, blue skies stretched across the 1.5 million-square-foot showground, and the hum of engines returned as outdoor exhibitors reopened their lots.
ACT’s Michael Sharkey and Hannah Sundermeyer weathered the storm. Check out our photo diary of the 2025 Utility Expo. You’re certain to see a few familiar faces! n
Weathering the storm
More than 22,600 industry professionals from all 50 U.S. states and 59 countries were in attendance at
Catching up on all things
Arrowhead Winch with Mark Pickett, Paula Bell, Tim Dowd, Denise Warner and Paul Hiltenbeitel.
The DICA team stayed busy!
The ACT team bumped into Rayco Wylie’s Sean Martell and Joel Francis. Bigfoot brothers Jeff and Scott Steiner manned their bustling booth.
Zack Lalonde, Travis Zahradka, Glen Vaughn and Dan Ross manned the Yale Cordage booth where the company’s latest rope offerings were on display.
the 2025 Utility Expo.
It was all smiles with the HBC-radiomatic
Steve Punch, Jason Kinrade, John Lukow, Wayne Kenny and Steve Shirk gave the ACT team a tour around the Custom Truck One Source booth.
A1A Software’s Tawnia Weiss, Nate Brown, Brad Weiss, Brittany Bray and Bruce Kabalen catching some rays in Louisville.
team: Hector Sanchez, Reed Miller and Kaylee Macadagum.
Holloway’s David Richards, Robert Dill and Michael Ortuno posed for the snapshot.
Members of the Manitowoc team gathered for a group photo.
Terex’s Kevin Aabel pictured in front of the Franna AT 24US pick and carry crane.
Palfinger had a packed house!
Jo and Jonathon Roberts are pictured with a longtime LUBE-A-BOOM customer, Tom Flaherty.
Elliott’s Jim Glazer took press on a tour of the company’s popular outdoor stand.
BUILT TO BRAGG
The SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium rolls into Birmingham, AL, February 24–26, 2026.
This year’s STS will bring together industry leaders, state officials, and federal policymakers to tackle today’s challenges.
Driving dialogue
When the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) convenes in Birmingham this February for the 2026 Specialized Transportation Symposium (STS), the agenda will reflect an industry facing both opportunity and uncertainty. From shifting federal leadership to rapid advances in technology, this year’s event promises to spark some of the most relevant and forward-looking conversations yet.
“We’re a year into a new administration in Washington, and there’s a lot of unknowns—economically and
regulatorily,” said Chris Smith, vice president, transportation, SC&RA. “The Symposium is where our members and our partners come together to make sense of that landscape, to understand what’s ahead and to make sure our voice is heard.”
A federal focus
Regulation will once again take center stage as attendees examine the definition of safety itself—how it’s measured, graded and enforced. Smith noted that the Association has extended a formal invitation to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek Barrs to address attendees, underscoring SC&RA’s ongoing advocacy at the federal level.
“The FMCSA has not consistently had a full time Administrator in place,” Smith explained. “That’s limited progress on important issues like CSA scoring reform, which directly impacts specialized carriers. With Administrator Barrs’ recent confirmation, we are encouraged progress can happen.”
A dedicated Inside FMCSA session on Wednesday afternoon will outline the agency’s 2026 roadmap for commercial vehicle policy, safety and compliance. Complementing that discussion, an industry panel will explore CAB reports and insurance metrics that influence how carriers are perceived and rated, asking a pivotal question: What truly defines a safe carrier?
Open dialogue
As always, the Symposium will open Tuesday with State DOT Regional Meetings, offering attendees valuable one-on-one exchanges with officials from NASTO, SASHTO, MAASTO and WASHTO. Participation by state partners continues to grow each year, reflecting strengthened collaboration across jurisdictions and a growing appetite for
consistent policy enforcement.
These discussions lay the groundwork for the event’s Thursday breakout, “Permitting Unplugged: A National Conversation with State Officials.” Rather than a set of presentations, the session will foster a candid dialogue between carriers and permitting authorities. “It’s not quite an open mic,” Smith said with a laugh, “but it’s definitely a more dynamic and transparent format than we’ve ever hosted before.”
The goal, he added, is to unpack inconsistencies in how federal and state rules are interpreted and enforced, a recurring frustration for SC&RA members.
“You can have one carrier with a spotless record in one state and another facing penalties elsewhere for the same actions,” said Smith. “That’s the kind of nuance these sessions are designed to surface.”
Freight exercise
Innovation takes a lively turn this year with a new breakout session titled “The Price Is Right: Competitive Bidding for OS/OW Freight.” Inspired by the popular game show format, participants will team up to “bid” on a mock freight scenario, weighing factors such as cost, planning and regulatory constraints.
“It’s designed to be fun, but also thoughtprovoking,” said Smith. “You could be an executive, a permit official or an insurance broker, it doesn’t matter. Everyone brings a unique perspective to what it takes to move a load safely and profitably.”
The exercise, he explained, builds on STS’s reputation as a meeting where policy meets practicality. It invites collaboration among different sectors of the industry, each with its own pressures and priorities, while illustrating how partnership and planning drive successful moves.
Tech and transformation
Technology and AI will play a major role in this year’s discussions, both in the Exhibit Center and in breakout programming. Smith previewed a forthcoming upgrade to SC&RA’s Permit Manual, which will soon feature an AI-powered chatbot to streamline regulatory research for members.
The “Smart Software, Smarter Operations” breakout session will dive deeper into how specialized carriers can adopt next-generation tools that actually work for their operations, while “Human Marketing in a Digital World” will explore
Whether you’re coming for the policy, the networking or the big ideas, STS 2026 is about defining what progress looks like for this industry, together.
how personal connection and storytelling remain vital in an AI-driven age.
“We’re seeing members experiment with everything from LIDAR scanning for bridge clearances to digital route planning,” said Smith. “Technology is fundamentally reshaping how we engineer, permit and communicate about heavy transport, but it’s still about people. The companies that succeed are the ones using technology to amplify human expertise, not replace it.”
The Exhibit Center will be held Thursday, February 26th from 2 – 5 pm. The January issue of ACT will feature our STS Show Guide offering an in-depth look at all exhibiting companies.
Committees and connections
Before the general sessions begin, attendees are also invited to attend committee meetings on transportation safety, pilot car operations and permit policy, each offering an opportunity to influence SC&RA’s ongoing advocacy and education efforts. The AASHTO CTSO
Freight Working Group will also convene Wednesday morning, highlighting shared infrastructure challenges across public and private sectors.
Networking remains a hallmark of STS, with receptions each evening and an expanded Exhibit Center showcasing products, software and services from top industry providers. If this is your first Symposium, also be sure to attend the First Timers Briefing on Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The event’s official kickoff—the Opening Session: State of the Industry 2026— will bring together a diverse panel of executives representing companies of all sizes to discuss resilience and reinvention amid evolving market pressures. Thursday morning’s Keynote Session, “Live Without Limits,” will feature adventurer Tom Turcich, who walked 28,000 miles across 38 countries, offering a timely reminder about endurance and perspective.
As Smith summarized, “Whether you’re coming for the policy, the networking or the big ideas, STS 2026 is about defining what progress looks like for this industry, together.” n
The SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium will be held February 24–26, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama. For registration, hotel details and the full program, visit www.scranet.org/STS2026.
Technology, safety and collaboration remain key themes at SC&RA’s annual STS event.
State DOT Regional Meetings offer attendees valuable one-on-one exchanges with officials from NASTO, SASHTO, MAASTO and WASHTO.
The “one size fits all” approach does not work with oversized, overweight or specialized shipments. We have the experience, capacity and systems in place to help a shipper develop a customized transportation plan fitting the requirements of their shipment –no matter the size.
Our vast array of specialized equipment includes: flatbeds, stepdecks, double drops, extendables, multi-axles, steerables, lowboys with 40-80 ton capacity, RGN units, schnabels, beam, perimeter and blade trailers.
Whether hauling a single machine or managing a complex project, Landstar has you covered.
Raising the bar
A landmark update to OSHA’s crane rule, 1926.1400CC modernized fall protection and introduced new safeguards for operations. John R. Glinski discusses.
On August 9, 2010, the new OSHA standard 1926.1400CC was established. The rule took effect on November 8, 2010, and its purpose was to address hazards involving cranes in construction that had not been updated since 1971. One of the major areas of change was fall protection, as well as additional protections for personnel during the assembly and disassembly of cranes.
Falls continue to be one of the most common and serious injuries in the construction industry. Section 1926.500, Subpart M, sets forth the requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR Part 1926. Section 1926.501 establishes the employer’s responsibility to provide fall protection systems, while the new 1926.1423 specifically addresses fall protection for cranes and derricks.
Prior to this rule, OSHA did not provide clear guidance for fall protection during crane assembly and disassembly. Now, 1926.1400 fills that gap, outlining new safety measures for those critical phases of crane work.
THE AUTHOR
John R. Glinski is the owner of Crane Training and Safety Consultants and an NCCCOcertified crane inspector, operator and instructor with more than 30 years of industry experience. A licensed crane operator in New York City and New York State, he is dedicated to advancing safety and training standards across the lifting industry.
Liebherr has implemented a slide-rail fall arrest system for its lattice boom cranes, which can be seen in a screen capture of the above demonstration video.
Fall protection requirements
Under 1926.1423(b)(1), equipment manufactured after November 8, 2011, with lattice booms must be equipped with walkways on the boom if the vertical profile of the boom from chord centerline to centerline is six feet or more. Section 1926.1423(b)(2) requires the walkway to be at least 12 inches wide. This was a major step forward for safety.
I can remember back in the 1980s when I was an oiler assembling cranes. I would walk the lacings on the boom of a lattice boom crane while connecting the pendant lines and pulling the hoist line out. This in itself was a hazard, and today’s requirements have made that practice unnecessary.
Section 1926.1423(c)(3) states that equipment manufactured after November 8, 2011, must be equipped to provide safe access and egress between the ground and operator workstations, including forward and rear positions, using devices such as steps, ladders, handholds and
guardrails or grab rails.
Section 1926.1431(c)(3)(i) describes the specific criteria for those grab rails, steps and handholds. This requirement represented another significant improvement, ensuring safe access to all areas of the upper rotating superstructure.
Section 1926.1423(e) requires that, for nonassembly or disassembly work, employers must provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees working on an unprotected surface more than six feet above a lower level. This section also outlines the requirements for fall protection during maintenance on cranes.
For assembly and disassembly work, the height threshold changes from six feet to fifteen feet. Section 1926.1423(f) states that the employer must provide and ensure the use of fall protection for employees on a walking or working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than fifteen feet above a lower level, except when the employee is at or near the drawworks (when the equipment is running), in the cab or on the deck.
Manufacturer innovations
With the new rules in place, many crane manufacturers have gone above and beyond the basic requirements. Liebherr has implemented a slide-rail fall arrest system for its lattice boom cranes, which can be seen in demonstration videos. Grove has developed a guardrail system for its hydraulic cranes to allow safe movement along the boom. Link-Belt has created anchorage points and steps
1926.1400 outlines safety measures for critical crane work and provides clear guidance for fall protection.
that meet the requirements set forth in 1926.502(d)(15) and 1926.502(e)(2).
Other manufacturers have added guardrail systems around the entire top deck of the upper rotating superstructure to provide complete fall protection.
Section 1926.1423(j) now addresses the proper methods for anchoring fall protection to the hoist line, a topic that
The addition of Assembly/ Disassembly (A/D) Director to the 1926.1400CC reinforces accountability and promotes a stronger safety culture on every jobsite.
continues to generate frequent questions in the field. Section 1926.1423(k) requires employers to train each employee on fall hazards and the proper use of fall protection systems. Together, these regulations represent a major improvement in crane safety and have greatly reduced hazards associated with assembly and disassembly.
AD addition
One of the most important add-ons within 1926.1400CC was the creation of the Assembly/Disassembly (A/D) Director, outlined in Section 1926.1404. This individual is now responsible not only for
overseeing the assembly and disassembly of the crane but also for ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the work. Section 1926.1404 details the requirements for supervision and addresses hazards associated with crane setup, including ground conditions, blocking under the boom, installation and removal of boom pins and the defined roles and responsibilities of crew members.
This role reinforces accountability and promotes a stronger safety culture on every jobsite.
Evolving hazards
The assembly and disassembly of cranes involve numerous hazards, from unstable ground conditions to fall risks and improper rigging practices. OSHA 1926.1400 was developed to provide employers with a clear framework for protecting workers.
With the continued introduction and modernization of new crane technology, hazards are constantly changing. The 1926.1400 standard provides the baseline, but employers must remain vigilant, adapting to each jobsite and the specific risks it presents.
Uncertain
SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea looks back on 2025, discussing particular industry challenges and often elusive solutions.
D.Ann Shiffler reports.
SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea has never been someone to mince words. While he is innately polite and ever professional, he is a straight shooter who can be trusted to tell you like it is.
As editor of American Cranes & Transport, I check in with Dandrea quite often, to get his take on various industry developments, and he always provides the best insight and perspective. As we approach the end of 2025, it’s a good time to reflect on the year in terms of the lifting, rigging and specialized transportation industry.
For a broad industry evaluation, Dandrea is the perfect person to provide a rundown of what’s important. He recently marked his 25th year with SC&RA, and while he has seen a lot of progress in moving the industry forward, there are perpetually new challenges to tackle.
Tariff turbulence
Dandrea and his team juggle a long list of issues, most of them ongoing. Tort reform, insurance availability costs, permit uniformity and automation, safety and labor are just a few. But in 2025 there was a huge new problem that has been taking air out of the room: tariffs.
In his thoughtful and often humous manner, Dandrea explained how tariffs have impacted our industry. Not one to sugar coat, Joel said that relief is going to take a lot of work.
“To impose 15 percent reciprocal tariffs and 50 percent tariffs on high-strength steel not manufactured in the U.S. adds a tremendous cost and layer of complexity to doing business,” he said. “It throws delays
and other unintended consequences on our members and U.S. economic development.”
HOW HAVE TARIFF POLICIES AFFECTED THE CRANE AND TRANSPORT INDUSTRY?
For the first few months of the year, we were waiting for clarity on what the numbers and percentages would be. When the Trump Administration announced 15 percent reciprocal tariffs for the EU and Japan, this provided clarity. There was a short calm, and our industry began to understand that we are dealing with a trade imbalance and the reality that this Administration will continue to push hard on a trade reset.
But then 13 days later, the Administration announced a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum, and that added a whole new level of cost and complexity. High tensile steel is required for boom sections and other crane and specialized trailer components. This steel is not manufactured in the U.S. It predominantly comes out of Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, other parts of the EU and Japan.
We need immediate relief on the Section 232 steel tariffs. Part of the reality is that the tariff policies are causing huge delays – on the manufacturing, shipping and purchase of equipment, initially. But also, all types of key construction projects are being held up. The companies that are moving forward with their acquisition of equipment are generally doing so at much higher costs.
Tariffs are adding costs, delays and causing a pause for a lot of our members. These projects include infrastructure, data centers and key pipeline energy projects, which all have been embraced by the Administration. If the equipment isn’t coming in and inventory isn’t there to meet the demands, it causes delays, adds costs and could even halt the start of some projects.
As well, the Supreme Court is taking up the issue of the constitutionality of the reciprocals. This will run well into 2026. There are lots of moving parts. We are requesting relief on the reciprocals as well as targeted products that fall within Section 232.
We are in communication with the White House, Department of Commerce, United States Trade Representative (USTR), Bureau of Industry Security and with the U.S. Congress. We are amid Capitol Hill visits with a host of our members on key committees to further communicate direct impacts and implications tariffs are having on crane and heavy transport companies.
DO YOU SEE TARIFF EXEMPTIONS AS A REALISTIC POSSIBILITY IN THE NEAR TERM?
This is an issue that has hurt our industry collectively, and we know that we’re being heard. But are they understanding and digesting the unintended consequences? What happens when German, Japanese and U.S. manufacturers have to pay an additional 50 percent tariff on highstrength steel that’s not manufactured in the U.S? That creates havoc. And candidly, in the eyes of many folks in the industry, this favors the Chinese manufacturers who appear to be providing equipment at a much lower cost in the market.
Media reports contend that President Trump is softening some and will open negotiations on the 232 tariffs for select products not manufactured in the U.S. This is an issue that is key to economic and national security interests.
We are actively weighing in more aggressively, with more letters, more meetings and more communication to convey the realities of how these tariffs disrupt and hurt business, the manufacturing sector and construction projects.
More than ever, our collective voices and efforts of coalition partners and other associations – the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AED, AEM, ATA, NAM and others – it finally feels like we are being heard.
OVERALL, WOULD YOU ASSESS THAT MOST OF THE RIGGING AND SPECIALIZED TRANSPORT COMPANIES HAVE HAD A PRETTY GOOD YEAR?
Collectively, it’s been a good year. There is reason for cautious optimism. A couple of interest rate cuts and a resolution, or relief, on tariffs will bring momentum. And then there’s the Big Beautiful Bill.
certainty
Sure, some sectors are slow and struggling. In my 25 years here, I can say that in the strongest of times, there have been segments that have struggled. And other times, when generally the economy was down and the industry was sucking wind, there were still companies doing very well. Companies that are not leveraged and have strong balance sheets will navigate hard times more easily. For manufacturers and buyers that are looking at 50 percent tariffs on top of reciprocal tariffs – it’s a serious struggle well beyond just the immediate costs. We are aware and sensitive to the fact that there is a reason for caution. Many of our members are cautiously optimistic, but they are delaying purchase decisions hoping for and waiting for relief on tariffs.
AS THE YEAR ENDS, HOW DO YOU TERM THE STATE OF THE SC&RA?
The Association is definitely healthy. Member numbers are strong. Retention is solid. The new member count was the best it’s been over the last five years. Financially, we are strong. Event numbers in the last two years have continued to trend upward.
We have a lot of advocacy initiatives going on and we are making a big difference. When you look at the key indicators, all are positive. As a part of our recent strategic plan, one of our key objectives is to expand our advocacy ecosystem, and we have been doing exactly that. (See SC&RA News on page 46 highlighting SC&RA’s 2025 advocacy agenda.)
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN RUNNING AN ASSOCIATION LIKE SC&RA?
The biggest challenge is balancing the unique and different interests, opinions and needs of a diverse group of members – crane and rigging and specialized transportation companies and the equipment manufacturers and other suppliers and service companies. While every company joins and participates collectively for the same reasons, each has a different focus and wants a different return.
We take pride in punching way above our weight, and we have a great staff that does an amazing job moving our programs forward. While there are great challenges, we see great success. There’s gratification in seeing progress being made. We don’t win all the fights, but we try and have very good partnerships with other associations and organizations that have similar interests.
IN 2025 LONGTIME AFFINITY PARTNER DUAL (FORMERLY NBIS) CLOSED. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE INSURANCE PARTNERSHIPS THAT SC&RA OFFERS ITS MEMBERS?
The insurance market continues to be hard. The exit of one company after almost 30 years of solid footing threw a challenge to us. But our existing insurance partners are working hard to come up with new options and solutions. It’s a tough environment when you lose a company like this.
In my first year at SC&RA 25 years ago, I was cornered in the back of a ballroom after a meeting by James Lomma, George
To impose 15 percent reciprocal tariffs and 50 percent tariffs on high-strength steel not manufactured in the U.S. adds a tremendous cost and layer of complexity to doing business. It throws delays and other unintended consequences on our members.
JOEL DANDREA, CEO, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association
Bragg, George Young and Bill Sterett. They pretty much said, ‘Hey listen kid, in this job there are going to be constant changes and challenges in the insurance arena.’ They were so right.
Our members work hard in a tough environment, doing the best they can do. Insurance and risk management are a constant concern. Nuclear verdicts don’t make it easier. Our engagement on tort reform is good but needs to be even stronger.
LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IN 2026?
If we can get tariff relief and if interest rates come down, regardless of where you stand politically, there will be positives. What I’m most encouraged by is that we have an amazing and loyal membership of our Association. Our members stay in the saddle and don’t jump off the horse and panic when the going gets tough. This is a strong Association, and we are only as good as our members who actively work with us on advocacy, education, membership growth and the development and growth of our Foundation. n
PST/ES-E (315) UP TO 60 T AXLE LOAD AS STANDARD.
The tougher the challenge, the more the electronically-steered PST/ES-E (315) self-propelled transporter shines. At 2,430 mm base width, it’s flat rack compatible and delivers up to 60 ton axle loads – achieved with standard pneumatic tires, no TPMS, polyfill or mileage limitations required. Even compact configurations can handle the heaviest payloads. Goldhofer’s PST/ES-E (315) redefines the benchmarks for performance, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Rolling!
The 2025 ranking of North America's largest specialized transportation companies reveals many positives. The 2025 ACTTRANSPORT50 has grown from last year, and a newcomer to the list has given the index a nice boost. Bay Crane Companies enters the ACTTRANSPORT50 at number 7. Bay Crane Companies does significant heavy haul work throughout the Northeast and Midwest. The company reports a fleet size of 1,591 units and a total capacity of 56,659 tons.
The other new company on the list this year is Beyel Brothers, which posted up at Number 26. Based in Cocoa, FL, Beyel Brothers performs work throughout the Southeastern United States and the Gulf Coast region.
The top 10 didn’t change much in 2025, with Mammoet Americas moving to Number 9, up from Number 12 last year. Most companies stayed at or close to their 2024 ranking.
Rising numbers
The TRANSPORT50 index in is 47,681, up 1,121 units from 2024, which posted a fleet size of 46,560. The total capacity of the TRANSPORT50 this year is 1,353,496 tons, up 300,240 tons from 2024, at 1,053,256.
The only two indexes that retracted in 2025 are the number of truck/tractors and the number of depots. In 2024, we
reported 17,811 truck/tractors, and this year we report 17,644, down some 167 units. In 2024, the TRANSPORT50 reported 1,808 depots. This year there are 142 fewer with 1,666 locations. Employee counts were up 3,593, with 29,942 employees this year and 26,349 last year.
Ranked by total capacity, the TRANSPORT50 shows Mammoet as Number 1 with a capacity of 141,844 tons. Barnhart is Number 2 at 104,585 tons and ALL Family of Companies is Number 3 at 103,575.
As for our TRANSPORT50 ranking, Landstar Transportation Logistics kept its long-time Number 1 spot with a fleet size of 11,428, down from 12,970 in 2024. Due to ties in fleet size, 52 companies are represented on the 2025 TRANSPORT50 list.
Bay Crane Companies performs a bridge replacement.
To participate in the 2026 ACTTRANSPORT50 please reach out to
Methodology
While most of the major players in the North American transportation sector are represented on our ACTTRANSPORT50 list, there are changes from year to year based on participation. The TRANSPORT50 is ranked by fleet size and then by total maximum transport capacity of all relevant trailers and transport systems in a company’s fleet (in U.S. tons).
The ranking is based on information supplied on our ACTTRANSPORT50 survey form. While we have worked to produce
the most accurate ranking possible, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information supplied. We rely on the integrity and honesty of those who submit this information to assure data we produce is true and accurate. This year we reached out to more than 500 firms by E-casts, email and telephone and we posted our survey on our website, in relevant newsletters and social media.
As with all our Top List databases, we made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information published. KHL editors and staff take no responsibility for errors, omissions or incomplete information.
PHOTO: BAY CRANE COMPANIES
Red hot haulers
As part of an alkylation revamp project, Deep South Crane & Rigging performed the challenging transport and precise placement of a 680,000-pound acid settler and two acid coolers weighing 125,000 pounds each.
The components were transferred from the Port of New Orleans onto barges and shipped to the roll-off site. To transport the acid settler, Deep South used an 18-axle-line, 4-file combination of TII Scheuerle SPMTs. Due to limited overhead clearances, it was transferred to a 12-axle-line Scheuerle “split” SPMT-SL with a single wide 6-line SPMT. The acid coolers were moved with a 12-axle-line Scheuerle SPMT. For final placement, Deep South deployed several cranes from its VersaCrane fleet. Companies like Deep South depend on a wide range of trailers and transport systems to perform monumental tasks like this. In our yearend issue, we have rounded up some of the latest trailer and SPMT technologies.
Double drop design
Nelson Manufacturing has launched double drop trailers with a 5-inch loaded deck height that maintain 4 inches of ground clearance. This allows for a 13-foot, 1-inch-tall payload to be transported without an oversize permit.
“This uniquely engineered well deck features a continuous bottom plate supported by strategically placed ribs, delivering exceptional strength and stability at an ultra-low profile,” said Nelson’s Tony Niece. “Designed for tall
A roundup of new and improved heavy haul trailers and SPMT systems.
payloads – such as equipment with legs, supports or struts extending below the base – the trailer provides an 8-inch loaded deck height for components resting atop those supports.”
The new trailer also incorporates shim points at both the front and rear, allowing operators to fine-tune deck height based on load deflection. For additional versatility, a hydraulic hat box can be integrated into the gooseneck as an optional feature.
The Blackhawk
For 35 years of its 127-year history, Etnyre has been producing its renowned Blackhawk trailer, offering models ranging from 35 to 90-ton capacities. These trailers are known for their detachable gooseneck design, although Etnyre also manufactures a several other models, including folding tails and rear-load fixed neck trailers. Etnyre recently completed one of its flagship models – the classic 55-ton Extendable Blackhawk. This trailer
Deep South uses a Scheuerle SPMT system to move a massive acid settler.
Nelson’s new double drop trailer with a 5-inch loaded deck height.
consists of custom manufactured I-beams which are cambered for the rated payload.
The Sliding Axle design is distinct because utilizes greaseless poly slider pads. The slider pads are made from a dense plastic material that requires little maintenance and do not need to be greased. Additionally, the parallel linkage design for tilting the bed allows the upper deck to stay relatively flat during the loading process, which does not put undue side pressure on the trucks fifth wheel.
features a 34-foot, 6-inch closed deck that extends to 60-feet 1-inches in two-foot increments, offering versatility for longload applications. It measures 8-feet 6-inches wide and weighs 31,870 pounds, with a 4th hydraulic flipover pin-on axle weighing 2,030 pounds.
Sliding Axle
Custom trailer maker TRAIL-EZE is known for its Sliding Axle trailer, which is designed to haul six lines of SPMT. The Sliding Axle is offered in lengths ranging from 48 to 53 feet and capacities of 40-tons and 55-tons. Sliding axle trailers are a great option for large equipment with a varying load angle as low as 6.75-degrees. The trailer’s main frame
A game changer
Trail King Industries has launched the TK110HD-S, a state-of-the art automatic kingpin steering double-drop lowboy trailer. The new trailer is the result of collaboration with heavy haul experts, uniting real-world insight and Trail King’s engineering excellence, the company said.
The TK110HD-S features a 9-footwide, 53-foot-long frame and a three-axle configuration with a removable fourth steering axle. Its 40-degree steering angle and ultra-low 14-inch loaded deck height allow operators to navigate tight turns and low-clearance routes. It features a robust gooseneck design, offering a minimum 125 inches of swing clearance to optimize weight distribution. The TK110HD-S is available with an extendable deck as well as multiple deck styles and lengths.
“At Trail King, we are committed to building the best trailers in the world,” said Trail King’s Ty Hanten. “The TK110HD-S is a reflection of that commitment.”
Maximum trailer innovation
Faymonville Group’s MAX Trailer brings its European legacy to North America. With its versatile 2+2 axle configuration, the MAX110 SD140 has a payload capacity of up to 140,000 pounds and features a steerable step-deck extendable design. It comes with an overall width of 100 inches, a platform height of 38.2 inches, and an axle stroke of 9.5 inches. Its
45 degree steering angle ensures smooth cornering even in tight spaces. Equipped with a 126-inch rear swing clearance gooseneck, it is fully two-axle Joe Dog capable.
MSPE technology
Cometto’s unique MSPE range features two families with different characteristics, dimensions, payloads and bending moments, while maintaining core commonalities that allow full interoperability between the different product lines: MSPE 48T and MSPE EV03 70T. This series has a payload capacity of up to 70 tons per axle line.
The MPSE system gives the possibility to combine 48-ton or 70-ton vehicles with a 2,430 mm or 3,000 mm width version and with 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 modular axle lines. The electronic steering guarantees maximum maneuverability and precision through a +135 / -135-degree steering angle.
Cometto is the only manufacturer offering diesel, hybrid and electric power packs.
TransMaster’s 13-axle Expanding Perimeter trailers are available in 80- and 90-ton capacities. These trailers are designed to lower the center of gravity for improved stability, can expand, lift/lower and offer various deck lengths to accommodate different size loads.
Cometto’s MSPE.
Faymonville’s MAX110SD140.
Trail King launches the TK110HD-S.
An industry standard
For projects requiring fast mobilization and stand-alone power, the TII Scheuerle SPMT PowerHoss delivers plug-andplay performance. Each unit is selfcontained, featuring its own integrated power pack unit (PPU), allowing operation as a single transporter or in a mechanically connected convoy. With payloads between 85 and 330 tons per unit, the Power Hoss is available with an integrated PPU and 2, 4 and 6 axle units capable of handling loads up to 330 tons. TPSE and TII Group have made ordering parts and maintenances kits easy with the Click 4 Parts web link. Located in Cocoa, FL, TPSE can answer questions about
Pinnacle sells Kalyn Siebert trailers, including the 55-ton HRGN Extendable 34-60, which features a tri-axle air ride suspension and a self-contained power unit. It is 56-feet long, 102 inches wide and weighs 35,620 pounds. It has a 20-inch loaded deck height and a 36-inch flip neck and modular design.
every product in the TII Scheuerle product line, the company said.
Extreme solutions
The Goldhofer THP/DC is engineered to deliver versatility and reliability in demanding conditions. With a maximum steering angle of ±60 degrees, it allows for sharper turns than conventional trailers and enabling smooth navigation through tight spaces and complex routes.
The hydraulic widening system offers the ability to adjust the trailer width while in motion, enhancing efficiency and safety. The entire widening process is quickly and easily via wireless remote control, reducing transport time and keeping personnel safely out of the danger zone between the truck and trailer. Benefits include widening under load without changing steering rods and remote control operation. The operating widths are 14 to 20 feet; axle loads 52,900 pounds at 20 mph; the loading deck width is 14 feet and the vehicle width is 14 to 20 feet; and the maximum steering angle is ± 60 degrees.
Aspen’s next generation
Aspen’s newest release is ithe 90-ton 13-axle Perimeter Frame Transporter, engineered with a single set of crossmembers that expand from 12 to 20 feet. The redesign includes tapered tower headers, enhanced pin joint capacity and a reduced tare weight.
High-strength, low-profile crossmembers reduce the overall loaded transporter height. Simplified plumbing and routing of air, electrical and hydraulic lines make servicing and operation easier. n
Tower cranes are mainstays on city skylines throughout North America.
D.Ann Shiffler reports.
In our annual roundup of tower crane projects, we had a lot to choose from, coast to coast and including Canada.
Our job roundup included single-crane jobs and multi-crane jobs on a variety of projects, including hospitals, high rise apartments, a petrochemical plant, an ethylene cracker facility and even the Alamo in San Antonio, TX.
Petrochemical expansion
Dow’s Fort Saskatchewan Path2 Zero Project represents one of the most significant steps toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions in Canada’s industrial sector. As part of Dow’s global decarbonization strategy, the FS-2 ethylene cracker project is part of a major expansion of its Fort Saskatchewan petrochemical complex, aiming to create the world’s first net-zero ethylene and derivatives facility.
Rapicon West is supplying and operating four Potain MD560 tower cranes with 80-meter jibs for the FS-2 project. Deployed strategically across the FS-2 site, the four tower cranes have been configured to reach substantial freestanding heights, including the tallest crane (110 meter /361 feet height under hook) that is utilizing the Potain 900 series mast, the only known installation of its kind currently operating in Canada.
“Rapicon West is proud to collaborate with Dow, Fluor, Mammoet and other project partners on this landmark project, one of the most technically advanced and
Rapicon West is supplying and operating four Potain MD560 tower cranes with 80-meter jibs for Dow’s Fort Saskatchewan Path2 Zero Project.
ALL Crane Rental is supplying four tower cranes on the OhioHealth Women’s Center jobsite in Columbus, OH. Two Potain MD569 models have been erected thus far.
environmentally significant projects in Canada,” the company said.
Hanging steel and precast
When complete, the stand-alone OhioHealth Women’s Center in Columbus, OH will become one of the leading facilities of its type in the country.
The nine-story, 185-bed, 590,000-squarefoot health care facility is being constructed on the existing OhioHealth
Riverside Methodist Hospital campus.
In addition to other support cranes, ALL Crane Rental is supplying the tower cranes that are aiding in primary construction. First up are two Potain MD569 tower cranes located on the east and west sides of the main patient building’s footprint. Both have capacities of 25,000 pounds and jib lengths of 262 feet. The taller will have a final hook height of 258 feet, with the other at 209 feet.
Later comes construction of a five-level post-tension concrete parking garage that will be topped with a medical office building made of structural steel and metal decking. Two additional tower cranes from ALL will be delivered to the site during that phase of construction.
“The towers are handling steel for the
Tight urban build
At the base of a 35-story high rise in Coquitlam, BC, Bigfoot Crane Company deployed a Liebherr 81K.1 self-erecting tower crane to construct Komo, a sixstory wood-frame building by Legend Builders. The site posed tight spatial constraints and required innovative planning for setup, reach and safety over the four-month build schedule.
The Liebherr 81K.1 was selected for its compact footprint, climbing ability and flexibility in tight urban sites. Its scope includes full building envelope support: timber framing, sheathing, floor panels and material handling, while working within a 90-degree swing arc bordered by the high rise on one side and a 32-meter canopy tree on the other.
To preserve access to the parade and achieve maximum jib coverage, the crane was positioned in a corner of the suspended slab. Bigfoot drove the 81K.1 onto the deck in two outrigger positions, with the client reshoring five levels below. A 120-ton mobile crane then elevated the folded Liebherr into its final slot. Once installed, the 81K.1 was climbed to 36 meters, allowing it to pivot cleanly into its working zone. For reach, an additional 3-meter jib section extended the crane from 45 to 48 meters, enabling lifts from trucks staged across the street. The Load+ function, offering up to 25 percent additional capacity in first winch speed, allowed full lumber packs to be handled efficiently at the tip.
“This project demonstrates how the Liebherr 81K.1, combined with Bigfoot Crane Company’s expertise, can deliver safe, efficient lifting solutions even in the most restricted urban environments,” according to Bigfoot.
main structure, precast concrete panels and assisting with poured-in-place concrete features,” said Richard Randall, general manager, ALL Crane Rental.
The facade of the main building will consist of architectural precast, curtainwall glazing and metal wall paneling. When façade work begins, ALL will supply multiple additional mobile cranes that will help erect more than 550 architectural precast panels on the exterior facade, weighing between 5,000 and 45,000 pounds.
Brian Duffy, project manager with Lithko Contracting, said ALL’s cranes form the nucleus of work being done by his company and other trades on the site.
Working in Vancouver,
“They are the logistical heartbeat of everything we do here,” said Duffy.
Vancouver lifting
Allied Crane is providing the fullservice supply, erection, climbing and maintenance of two Jaso tower cranes erected to build a new multi-story rental home project located in Vancouver’s West End. Known as Harwood X Thurlow, the project will encompass 549 purpose-built residential homes.
The primary function of the cranes is to hoist heavy building materials, including precast concrete forms, structural steel and curtain wall components from the
ground level to the successive floors as the structure climbs.
The north crane was erected on in early June of 2024 while the south crane was erected a couple months later. Allied said the expected duration for the cranes on site is 18 to 24 months, with planned dismantling upon completion of the building’s exterior envelope and main
BC, two Jaso J265PA luffing jib tower cranes, which were rented by Axiom Builders/Bosa Construction.
The two Liebherr 710 HC-L inside climbing cranes were strategically positioned to provide full coverage at the required capacities to enable heavy structural steel to be placed precisely where needed.
Liebherr 81K.1 self erector.
PROJECT FOCUS TOWER CRANES
Torre Crane deployed two Terex Peiner SK 415 tower cranes to the Texas Alamo jobsite, lifting a mix of structural, architectural and mechanical elements.
structural components in June 2026.
Allied Crane is the Maple Ridge, BC-based Canadian distributor for JASO Tower Cranes that feature the SMIE Anti-Collision and Zoning System. This system is currently playing a vital role in the construction at the Harwood X Thurlow jobsite, which has proven to be a challenging urban environment.
“The selection of the J265 was strategic,” said Allied’s Hardik Darji. “Its luffing capability is paramount in the high-density location, allowing the operator to luff the jib to a near-vertical position to avoid overflying neighboring buildings and streets, a critical safety and compliance measure in Vancouver. With a maximum capacity of 39,683 pounds (18 metric tons) in a three-fall configuration and a hoist speed engineered for highrise work, the crane handles the heaviest elements of the concrete and steel structure with speed and accuracy.”
One unit is currently operation at 118 meters while the other is at 78,98 meters. Both are rigged with 45-meter luffing jibs.
Inside climbers
Berlin Steel chose Morrow Equipment as the premier supplier of two Liebherr 710 HC-L tower cranes for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia project. The two inside climbing cranes were strategically positioned to provide full coverage at the required capacities to enable heavy structural steel to be placed precisely where needed. With a maximum capacity of 70,000 pounds in single part configuration, the Liebherr 710 HC-L cranes were the obvious choice, according to Morrow Equipment.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) marks a milestone moment in its history with the announcement of Roberts Children’s Health: a new inpatient tower, rising more than 20 stories above Philadelphia, and the revitalization of the existing hospital on Civic Center Boulevard. This new inpatient complex will be the premier global destination for pediatric care when it opens in 2028.
“At CHOP, we’re focused on finding answers to the toughest medical challenges so that every child has the chance for a healthier future. We wanted to create a space that could accommodate the needs of children now and for years to come,” said Madeline Bell, president and CEO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Hammerhead efficiency
A Potain hammerhead duo is adding major additions to Froedtert Hospitals’ downtown campus in Milwaukee, WI. The expansion includes a new six-story parking garage and a skywalk that links
Towering in Tucson
Compass Equipment, a division of Uperio Group, has supplied a Potain MDT 219 City Tower Crane for a Hilton hotel product in the uptown area of Tucson, AZ. The new Tempo by Hilton will feature 144 guestrooms with retail shops and restaurants on the lower floors.
The MDT 219 is rigged at 103 feet, height under hook, with a 180-foot jib on a ballasted cross-base foundation. The crane is lifting concrete buckets, rebar, steel, wood and other building materials. It is set to be onsite for about eight months.
Uptown Tucson is a two-million-square-foot redevelopment of the former Foothills Mall site. The developer is Bourn Companies, which said its vision is to create an “urban resort village.”
Reynolds Rigging and Crane Service supplied two Potain cranes on the Froedtert Hospital campus in Milwaukee, WI.
to the main hospital building.
The six-story parking garage was built by a Potain hammerhead MD 559, and a newly built skywalk leads to a Potain MD 569 building an expansion on the main hospital. The 22-ton capacity, MD 559 crane building the parking garage was used to lift and set large precast planks, heavy rebar bundles, curtain wall frames and site elements such as light poles and masonry, enabling crews to keep the build moving without introducing extra machines into the already congested hospital campus. Being the “little brother” in the Potain hammerhead family, this crane is still full of power with 10,400 pounds at the tip of the 262-foot jib and 22,000 pounds at 154 feet.
The 27.6-ton capacity, MD 569 crane building the hospital expansion managed formwork for the elevator and stair towers, steel bundles and daily steel placements; all while maintaining level, stable lifts.
The MD 569 is in the middle of the Potain hammerhead class: 12,000 pounds at the tip of the 262-foot jib and it can take out 17,400 pounds to 197 feet.
Remember the Alamo
Torre Crane is playing a key role in the transformation of one of Texas’s most iconic landmarks, the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum (VCM). Part of the broader $550 million Alamo Plan, this ambitious project aims to preserve and enhance the historic site while creating an engaging experience for future generations.
The new $185 million Visitor Center and Museum, housed within the historic Crockett and Woolworth buildings in downtown San Antonio, will feature eight galleries showcasing the Alamo’s 300-year history, a 4D theater and a rooftop event space. Construction began in October 2024 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Torre Crane has deployed two Terex
Potain MDT 219.
Peiner SK 415 tower cranes on-site, providing vertical lifting for the complex mix of structural, architectural and mechanical elements involved in the build. The crane is currently being utilized for steel and concrete placement, material handling and façade restoration support – critical functions in a downtown environment with tight access and historical preservation requirements. Beyond supplying and erecting the crane, Torre Crane’s team provides ongoing maintenance, inspections and technical support throughout the duration of the project to ensure safety and efficiency on site. By combining advanced equipment, precision service and deep local expertise, Torre Crane is helping to bring the next chapter of the Alamo’s story to life, the company said.
Skyline changer
Rising above downtown Des Moines, the 33-story 515 Walnut tower is reshaping the city’s skyline. When complete, it will stand 360 feet tall, one of the tallest buildings in the state. The $148 million development by St. Joseph Group, designed by Neumann Monson Architects, will feature
nearly 390 high-end apartments, a rooftop pool, fitness and coworking facilities and ground-level retail designed to activate one of downtown’s most prominent intersections. The project is on track to be completed in spring of 2027.
Stafford Crane Group’s STF self-made 8041 tower crane is the central piece of lifting equipment powering the project. Erected in early 2025, the crane will be climbed and tied into the structure twice, ultimately reaching a final hook height of approximately 405 feet.
“Its high-capacity performance makes it perfectly suited for high-rise work in dense downtown environments where space is at a premium,” said Patrick Stafford III, director of engineering and estimating, Stafford Crane Group. “The Stafford STF 8041 handles a steady rotation of formwork, rebar cages, structural steel and concrete placing equipment, keeping the project’s vertical schedule on track.”
Stafford’s operations team has partnered with general contractor BDC to design a detailed crane logistics plan that addresses the unique challenges of the compact site – limited laydown area, active city streets and overhead obstructions. n
At the heart of the 515 Walnut project in Des Moines is the Stafford Crane Group’s STF self-made 8041 tower crane. Erected in early 2025, the crane will be climbed and tied into the structure twice, ultimately reaching a final hook height of 405 feet.
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Rail line transformation
The Amtrak Connecticut River Bridge, located between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, CT, is undergoing a transformative $1.3 billion replacement. Originally built in 1907, the bridge serves as a critical link along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. The new structure will enhance reliability, improve maritime navigation and ensure longterm operational efficiency for one of the nation’s busiest passenger rail lines.
O&G Industries’ Heavy Civil Division, in joint venture with Tutor Perini Corporation, was selected as the contractor for the Connecticut River Bridge (CRB) Replacement Project. As part of this major infrastructure effort, O&G has partnered with Shawmut Equipment as their primary crane provider, relying on Shawmut’s expertise and trusted Manitowoc and Grove lifting solutions to perform the project’s complex and heavy-duty operations, according to Shawmut’s Jake Fish.
Several cranes supplied by Shawmut Equipment are hard at work on site, including a Manitowoc MLC250 for heavy steel girder lifts, a barge-mounted Manitowoc 14000 for river span work and a Manitowoc M250 assisting with
An impressive fleet of cranes is helping construct the Amtrak Connecticut River Bridge.
mid-weight and support lifts. The Manitowoc MLC200 provides lifting power for pier construction, while the Grove GHC130 telescopic crawler crane and Grove GRT880 rough-terrain crane deliver versatility in confined and variable conditions. Additional Grove models, including the RT765E and TMS9000-2, support material handling and equipment placement throughout the site.
100-year design
Family-owned and operated since 1957, Shawmut Equipment supplies lifting equipment and service to the construction industry nationwide, with a focus on serving New England and Eastern Canada.
A Manitowoc MLC250 is making heavy steel girder lifts while a barge-mounted Manitowoc 14000 is performing river span work. Another Manitowoc M250 is assisting with mid-weight and support lifts.
The new Connecticut River Bridge, being constructed approximately 50 feet south of the existing span, will feature a two-track, electrified movable design with modern control, power and communication systems. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the bridge is designed for a 100-year service life, an enduring testament to modern engineering and the lifting power behind it. n
Shawmut Equipment is supplying several Manitowoc and Grove cranes on the railroad river bridge project.
PHOTOS: DEVIN KRISST
What happens in the regulatory trenches eventually shapes the way freight moves, cranes roll and crews mobilize.
On September 26, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency interim rule that sent an immediate ripple through the trucking and logistics world. The measure – aimed at tightening oversight of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses – reflects a growing federal concern over how certain states have been issuing CDLs to drivers who lack proper residency documentation. At first glance it might seem like a narrow compliance issue. But for carriers and contractors who rely on drivers
SC&RA
CHAIRMAN
J Rozum
MSA Delivery Service, Canton, MI
PRESIDENT
Jim Sever
PSC Crane & Rigging, Piqua, OH VICE
Harry Fry
Harry Fry & Associates, West Newbury, MA
Michael Vlaming
Vlaming & Associates, Vallejo, CA
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Keith Settle
Shifting gears on compliance
operating across multiple states, the implications reach much further. This isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about workforce stability, operational risk and public trust in the system that underpins every mile of freight movement in the country.
an additional layer of uncertainty for employers, carriers and contractors who rely on these drivers to keep projects and shipments on schedule.
Peter Juhren
Morrow Equipment Salem, OR
The rule, which took effect at the end of September, directs state licensing agencies to review and revoke unlawfully issued non-domiciled CDLs, implement stricter verification procedures and face potential funding penalties for non-compliance. Early estimates suggest as much as five percent of the active CDL pool could be affected – a number significant enough to compound ongoing labor shortages and create cascading impacts across the supply chain.
Without getting into the weeds too much on the final rule, it is important to highlight that this regulation has exposed trucking and logistics companies to an increased risk of liability. If an accident were to occur, plaintiffs’ attorneys would likely argue that logistics and trucking companies are now on notice that nondomiciled CDLs may be operating unlawfully and are insufficiently qualified. And non-domiciled CDL holders may find their licenses revoked in real time as the DOT and SDLAs conduct audits of current non-domiciled CDLs.
Oxbo Mega Transport Solutions
Houston, TX
ALLIED INDUSTRIES
GROUP CHAIR
Troy Geisler
Talbert Manufacturing
Joanna Jungles
Leadership PRESIDENT Kate Landry
TRANSPORTATION
GROUP CHAIR
Anderson Trucking Service
St. Cloud, MN
SC&R Foundation
Deep South Crane & Rigging
Baton Rouge, LA
VICE PRESIDENT
Tyler Henley
Mazzella Companies
Oklahoma City, OK
TREASURER
Shelly Gayring
Select Crane Sales
Rensselaer, IN CRANE & RIGGING GROUP CHAIR
Fort Pierce, Florida
Additional layers
Non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses aren’t widely known outside transportation, yet they’ve quietly helped keep freight and logistics networks moving. Under federal law, states have been allowed to issue CDLs to certain non-U.S. residents legally permitted to work in the country but not permanent residents or citizens.
The intent was practical. Many foreign workers come from countries without equivalent commercial driver testing standards, and the non-domiciled CDL offered a pathway to operate legally under U.S. safety and training frameworks. Canadian and Mexican drivers were excluded since their countries already maintain reciprocal licensing agreements.
Until the recent rule change, applicants could obtain a non-domiciled CDL by passing standard written and road tests and presenting valid immigration documents such as a U.S. employment authorization card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form. Proof of domicile wasn’t required.
Today, estimates suggest that roughly 200,000 such licenses remain active nationwide – about five percent of all CDL holders operating in interstate commerce. For an industry already facing persistent driver shortages, that share is anything but marginal. The new rule introduces
As for how trucking and logistics companies should be mitigating this increased exposure to liability, consider these steps:
■ Audit current employee and contract drivers to identify any with nondomiciled CDLs. For brokers, confirm exposure with partner carriers.
■ If identified, consult legal counsel to verify documentation and assess revocation risk.
■ Limit use of these drivers until their CDLs are confirmed or renewed.
■ Update or reinforce contract terms requiring drivers to be properly licensed, lawfully employed and qualified to operate commercial vehicles.
For SC&RA members, the message is clear: what happens in the regulatory trenches eventually shapes the way freight moves, cranes roll and crews mobilize. The challenge is to ensure compliance without sacrificing continuity – to understand where the risks lie and how to manage them before they turn into disruptions. n
Progress by design
SC&RA’s mission each year is to strengthen the industry through advocacy, engagement and education. In 2025, the Association is delivering for specialized transportation and crane & rigging members by securing exemptions, shaping legislation and elevating the industry’s voice at every level of government.
This year, SC&RA secured a provisional renewal of the 30-minute rest break exemption through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Effective June 17, 2025, the renewal ensured no lapse from the previous exemption and will remain in place until Dec. 17, 2025, when SC&RA expects a full five-year renewal.
At the same time, the Association mobilized members around tariffs imposed by Executive Order 14257 on cranes, crane parts and specialized transportation equipment. Working with coalitions and legal counsel in Washington, D.C., SC&RA emphasized how tariffs raise costs and threaten access to critical materials. In May, the Association met with senior officials at the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office to outline the industry’s essential role in global construction and infrastructure.
To that end, along with the Florida Crane Owners Association, Texas Crane Owners Association, Northwest Crane Owners Association, Crane Owners Association and the Mobile Crane Operators Group, SC&RA sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging consideration of industry realities during trade negotiations.
Expanding outreach
State-level gains also stood out in 2025. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1662 on June 18, allowing cranes to travel at night effective July 1. SC&RA commended the Florida Crane Owners Association for its leadership and commitment throughout the process.
SC&RA’s 2025 agenda delivers on safety, policy and performance for industry operations.
Earlier in the year, SC&RA visited Capitol Hill to meet with Rep. Tom Kean (NJ-7), discussing fraudulent and double-brokering, rail crossing safety, administration appointments and prospects for surface transportation reauthorization.
The Association also supported Texas SB 30/HB 4806 through the Lonestar Economic Alliance, a tort reform bill aimed at curbing inflated medical bills that lead to nuclear verdicts. While the measure was unsuccessful, SC&RA continues to back tort reform efforts across the states and expand outreach to the Tort Reform Association and other aligned groups.
From road to rail, earlier this year, SC&RA launched a Railroad & Utilities Task Force to address the unique challenges of moving oversize/overweight loads across rail networks and utility corridors. By engaging railroads, utility
In 2025, SC&RA secured a provisional renewal of the 30-minute rest break exemption for specialized carriers through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In later December, SC&RA expects a full renewal of the exemption for the next five years.
providers and logistics partners, the task force will ensure member needs are considered in industry decisions while improving efficiency, safety and competitiveness. Additionally, SC&RA is also working with law enforcement across North America to support standardized weighing procedures for overweight mobile cranes.
Updated approach
Through the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, SC&RA submitted formal comments to OSHA this year on the proposed rule for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The comments emphasized flexibility and performance-based standards that reflect industry realities. SC&RA had previously responded to OSHA’s “potential standard” on the same issue.
At the state level, SC&RA filed
comments in April and June with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries on revisions to Chapter 296-155 WAC Safety Standards for Construction Work, Part L, Cranes, Rigging and Personnel Lifting. The Association provided feedback on tower crane permits, safety requirements and scoping questions as regulators consider updates to the state’s approach.
“Whether it’s OSHA at the federal level or state agencies revisiting crane safety,” said Beth O’Quinn, Senior Vice President, Crane & Rigging, “our focus is on ensuring any new standards are practical, performance-driven and ultimately support safe and efficient operations.”
Progress also continued on automation and harmonization. In Massachusetts, identical bills were filed in both legislative chambers to raise the superload threshold from 130,000 pounds GVW – the lowest in New England – to 199,000 pounds GVW. The bill was heard by the Senate transportation committee in early October, with action advancing quickly. The reform aligns Massachusetts with neighboring states, reduces costly engineering and route surveys and supports SC&RA’s ongoing effort to harmonize state policy for safer, more efficient interstate commerce.
North Dakota Highway Patrol also updated its approach, now allowing singletrip permits, when good cause is shown, for OS/OW vehicles – as authorized by Section 39-12-02 NDCC and Article 38-06 NDAC. Previously, weight limits constrained cranes operating as single units. The change, driven by positive
attributed the change directly to their participation in SC&RA’s Specialized Transportation Symposium and the ensuing discussions with members.
State-level gains also stood out for SC&RA in 2025.
SB 1662 was signed in Florida on June 18, allowing cranes to travel at night – effective July 1.
relationships between SC&RA and state officials, now permits movement through bridging with the automated system.
Focused on results
Following discussions with SC&RA, the Tennessee DOT agreed to meet with members to explore improvements to its permit software and queue policy, which is based on travel date rather than the more common application date. SC&RA also developed resources – including letters and talking points – to help members navigate delays, while convening a coalition to push for further reforms.
California also signaled progress, with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol announcing plans to request full federal funding from FMCSA to implement a 24/7 auto-issue permit system. California remains the largest of six states without such a system, though recent adoption in Connecticut, Oregon and Wyoming underscores the momentum. SC&RA, alongside the California Trucking Association, California Transportation Permit Advisory Council, OS/OW carriers and state officials, have long pressed for the change.
In Maryland, the State Highway Administration now allows 24/7 travel for loads up to 400,000 pounds with approval by permit staff. Approval will be granted after review of factors such as travel locations, dimensions and history.
The shift eliminates a longstanding curfew around the Port of Baltimore that often delayed the export of high and heavy breakbulk commodities. Officials
“These wins and initiatives highlight the power of a coordinated voice for specialized transportation,” said Chris Smith, SC&RA Vice President, Transportation. “Our goal is always to address immediate challenges while ensuring members are positioned for longterm success.”
Building blocks
Most recently, SC&RA sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick specifically addressing steel and aluminum tariffs. The letter requested modifications to Section 232 steel tariffs – urging exemptions for unavailable ultra-highstrength steel and for cranes, rigging and specialized transportation equipment not produced domestically.
It also emphasized that Association members need time to plan and complete long-term orders to acquire certain cranes, rigging and specialized transportation equipment under established tariff and cost structures to meet customer requirements in critical sectors of national security.
In addition to direct letters from the Association to Commerce Secretary Lutnick, the Association is continuing to work with members on their letters to President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, congressional representatives and USTR officials. SC&RA also conducted a series of Capitol Hill visits and national media appearances in November and December to advocate for the industry and explain the unintended and adverse consequences tariffs are having on the industry and U.S. economic growth.
Currently, SC&RA applauds the recent confirmation of Derek Barr as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Association also continues to work diligently in anticipation of the 2026 Congressional reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs.
Added SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea, “Our work is never done – because the challenges our members face are constantly evolving. What doesn’t change is our commitment. Every initiative, every comment, every partnership is about ensuring our members have the tools, resources and advocacy they need to succeed today and the foundation to thrive tomorrow.”
Culture counts
A strong safety culture begins with understanding how safety is monitored and measured.
In the crane and rigging industry, safety isn’t just a policy, it’s a mindset. While insurance professionals may assess risk from behind a desk, the most valuable insights often come from those working directly in the field.
To explore how safety culture is built and sustained, National Interstate connected with some of the industry’s top safety performers: Jessica Studle, vice president of safety at Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Brian Silbernagel, corporate safety director of Morrow Equipment Company, John J. Anderson, president of NessCampbell Crane + Rigging and Jesse Daniels, safety & compliance coordinator at Brewer Crane & Rigging. They shared how they cultivate a strong safety culture, leverage technology and motivate their teams to prioritize safety every day.
HOW DO YOU MONITOR EMPLOYEE SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND HOW DO YOU USE IT TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY INITIATIVES?
STUDLE: We use a combination of telematics, inward/outward facing event recorders, and driver reviews. Our efforts are focused on identifying high-risk behaviors and trends, then prioritize based on severity and frequency. We
THE AUTHOR
Rose Augustin is senior marketing manager for National Interstate Insurance Company based in Richfield, OH. National Interstate Insurance is rated
“A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best.
also regularly review CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores and internal incident reports or trends to help ensure proactive safety improvements.
ANDERSON: We currently require our field safety managers to audit a minimum of 5 job sites a week. We also use Samsara for our drivers that scores them on a variety of different categories with concerns around DOT. Also, we deep dive every incident and accident looking for real causes, real accountability and real learning lessons that make us better. We look closely at our analytics and let them guide us down the appropriate path.
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY BENEFITED THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF YOUR OPERATION?
DANIELS: Samsara and telematics help us prevent and learn. We use real-time alerts for coaching, automate seatbelt and speed compliance, following distance, harsh turns, harsh breaking, harsh acceleration, cell phone use and stop sign/light running violations. When incidents occur, video and data support accurate root-cause analysis and claim defense. Trends inform targeted refreshers (e.g., night driving, backing, or speeding policy).
STUDLE: Technology has improved real-time monitoring, allowing timely feedback or intervention when unsafe behavior is detected. Tools like collision avoidance systems, lane departure alerts, and GPS-based telematics have proven to reduce accident rates, improved driver accountability, and provided valuable data for coaching and training.
ANDERSON: Technology plays a big part in
what we do. With Samsara on the DOT side and the newer software and Apps that the crane manufacturers are offering, we are very close to living in a real-time environment. We are also in a better spot for consistent safety messaging like our weekly safety topics and messaging sent out via email or text.
WHAT STRATEGIES HAVE YOU USED TO GET BUY-IN FROM AFFECTED EMPLOYEES WHEN YOU BEGAN INTRODUCING TECHNOLOGY?
SILBERNAGEL: An effective safety program recognizes the marked benefits of employee involvement; employees share feedback that allows us to tailor our safety program in such a way to enable our employees to be safer and more effective in their jobs. When the cameras were installed in vehicles, there was concern whether the employees would accept them. However, employees have pointed out that the cameras provide immediate coaching to improve their driving habits. The company can be financially impacted by accidents or citations, but also so can an employee’s personal auto insurance, not to mention the risk of injury to the employee.
DO YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE SAFETY AWARDS PROGRAM AND HOW HAS IT IMPACTED YOUR OPERATION?
STUDLE: Yes, our quarterly safety incentive program places drivers in “brackets” based on their CSA total points to determine starting points for quarterly payouts –from there, infractions / noncompliance actions/events would affect end of quarter payouts. Examples of these infractions include preventable vehicle incidents, monthly safety meeting attendance, additional PSP points and citations, and completion of monthly remedial online safety training. In addition, drivers are recognized for safe driving milestones. It has created a sense of pride and friendly competition among drivers. Recognized drivers feel valued, which contributes to higher morale and retention. It also reinforces a safety-first mindset, as drivers know their efforts are being noticed and rewarded.
DANIELS: Yes - Good Catch only. We avoid injury-free incentives to prevent under-
reporting. Any employee can submit a hazard or improvement idea; Safety validates, Ops fixes, etc., and we recognize both the reporter and the team that closed the issue. It has increased early hazard reporting and employee ownership. Crews see their input turning into fixes, which builds trust. We’ve also observed stronger pre-lift discussions and housekeeping.
WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE METHODS YOU HAVE FOUND THAT HELP MODIFY UNSAFE DRIVER BEHAVIOR?
DANIELS: A mix of personal stakes and positive reinforcement. We connect behaviors to license/DOT risk and family impact, and we recognize improvements publicly, reduce re-training for sustained safe performance, and share peer success stories. Drivers respond when goals are specific, and progress is visible.
SILBERNAGEL: Drivers have shared that they wanted to get to the job site to deliver material or complete maintenance as quickly as possible, they need to realize that if they are involved in an accident, the task will not be completed. The little time they may potentially gain from speeding is not worth the risk. Sharing the benefits
to both the employee and the company creates a better understanding and provides a common goal to work towards.
IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT MOTIVATES DRIVERS TO ENGAGE IN SAFER PRACTICES AFTER RECEIVING COACHING OR RECOGNITION?
ANDERSON: Motivation has to come from within each individual, you can only pay or discipline motivation for short periods of time. Hiring like-minded people who hold safety at the highest levels and are willing to work as a team, holding themselves and their teammates accountable to the highest of standards. Also making sure you are setting everybody up for success and you have their back.
DANIELS: I am a strong believer that there is no easy “fix all.” It always comes down to consistency and communication. If you make the atmosphere one of open communication and show by your words and actions that there’s consistency on your policies, then behavior will change for the better. Another key to keeping drivers alert and engaged in what they are doing is to switch up their normal duties
so they don’t become complacent.
WHAT ARE SOME KEY OR FINAL INSIGHTS ON A STRONG SAFETY CULTURE YOU WOULD WANT TO SHARE?
STUDLE: A strong safety culture starts with leadership and must be reinforced daily. Open communication, consistent training, accountability without blame, and recognition of safe behavior are key. Most importantly, when drivers believe the company truly cares about their wellbeing, they’re more likely to prioritize safety on the road.
SILBERNAGEL: When employees know the Safety department is for their safety and well-being rather than to be compliant with regulations, and that the company has developed and manages the safety program because they value and care about their employees.
ANDERSON: Safety is a never-ending part of our business, as a leader you must set the bar high and work continuously to hold everybody along with yourself accountable, because people’s lives and families depend on it. Safety should never be an afterthought and should be a proactive part of your daily routines. ■
GUIDE TO MOBILE CRANE SAFETY MANAGEMENT
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Introducing CCO’s new Assembly/Disassembly Director Certification.
Building confidence
Launching January 2026, CCO’s Assembly/Disassembly (A/D) Director Certification establishes a clear, nationally recognized benchmark for the professionals who plan, direct and oversee crane assembly and disassembly. Developed with extensive industry input and psychometric rigor, the program brings structure and consistency to a highexposure scope of work where employers have long faced ambiguity about what “qualified and competent” actually means.
Why now?
As chair of the task force that developed the program and certification, JR Moran, director of crane operations, Brasfield & Gorrie has watched the risk profile of A/D work grow.
“We’ve seen a lot of exposure in the assembly and disassembly scope of work for the crane industry,” he explained. “The industry needs some type of standard or benchmark, a program that can solidify the fact that this is a professional with experience that has been verified.”
Regulatory momentum also underscores the timing. Moran points to Washington State’s rule going into effect in 2026, which requires having certified professionals for crane A/D activities. While details vary based on jurisdiction, that policy “has set some precedent” that other states may follow. Having a robust, third-party certification in place helps employers prepare for evolving requirements and influence decision-making with a credible industry standard.
Two tracks
Since the work and knowledge base differ between crane types, the A/D Director program features two tracks: Mobile Crane A/D Director and Tower Crane A/D Director.
“Fundamentally, the work can be different,” said Moran. “The things that a given individual should know can be different in those two scopes of work, so we felt it was important to provide two tracks.”
The examinations assess the role-critical competencies required to plan and direct safe, efficient A/D operations. Exam
content draws from multiple sources to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of the ASME B30 standards and relevant OSHA requirements for A/D Directors, including the qualified and competent framework. They must also show they can apply manufacturer procedures and technical information to the specific crane, configuration, and task at hand (though the program is not manufacturerspecific).
Emphasis is placed on job-specific planning, sequencing and staging; defining team roles and communication; and establishing contingency plans for changing site conditions. The exams also test field leadership and coordination, clarifying who does what, who supervises and how decisions are communicated and documented.
Finally, candidates are evaluated on risk recognition and controls, including the ability to identify hazards, implement effective mitigations and maintain stopwork authority throughout the operation.
Industry insight
The program was developed through CCO’s established process: a professional job task analysis to define what the role requires; subject matter experts from across the sector; and psychometric guidance to ensure the exams are fair, reliable, valid and legally defensible. This broad participation mirrors the real-world make up of jobsite teams and keeps the
certification grounded in the realities on the ground.
“Insights from the field were important,” added Moran. “Managing the scope of work and directing the scope of work can be two very different things.” That distinction, along with the interplay among planners, supervisors and crew, shaped the competencies and the way knowledge is assessed.
For employers, the certification offers a straightforward path to identify, develop and designate A/D Directors who meet a consistent benchmark.
“Any time you find yourself on the backside of an accident, credibility is always in question,” said Moran. Certification promotes credibility and encourages more strategic thought around “who is doing the work, who is supervising the work and who is planning the work.”
It also supports OSHA and ASME compliance by clarifying the expectations of the A/D Director role, especially where employers must reconcile the qualified/ competent distinction or designate multiple people to fulfill the function.
Pursuing the A/D Director certification also signals commitment.
“For owners, GCs and crane service providers, that means greater confidence at the outset,” said Moran. “Not only do we have a plan in front of you, but we have individuals that are now certified to manage and impact this work through a trusted, credible association like CCO.” ■
The Marketplace
ACT’s Marketplace is designed to help readers find the products and services they need. It is divided into convenient categories including equipment for sale, crane & lifting services, transport & heavy haul, training and dealers & distributors.
56 Training Directory
Training, inspections and certification
57 Slings & Things
Useful rigging hardware products.
58 Permit & Pilot Car
Find a compant for your Permit & Pilot Car needs
58 Dealer Locator
Find a Dealer/Distributor by using ACT’s Dealer Locator. Check out the interactive map online. Click to see where the dealers are and contact them from the map. From the printed page, please pick up the phone and call for your crane needs.
65 Products, Parts & Accessories
Operational aids, communication systems, components, controls, software, crane mats and outrigger pads, crane repair, hydraulics, jacks, attachments, personnel baskets, rigging hardware, rollers, slings and chains, tires, winches, wire rope, batteries, braking systems, and new, used and refurbished parts.
69 Equipment for Sale or Rent
Crane, rigging and lifting equipment for sale or rent, new or used.
Safety Products
Training, Fall Protection, Cameras, Safety Apparel, Signs, Lights, Hard hats
73 Transport & Heavy Haul
Heavy Haul, Trailers, Freight forwarding, Pilot cars, Permitting companies.
Career Opportunities
Posted Jobs in Your Industry
TRAINING DIRECTORY
A1A Software (3D LiftPlan Training) 904 430-0355
www.a1asoftware.com/training
Geoff Weiss
Crane Institute Certfication 407-878-5590
www.cicert.com help@cicert.com
Crane U Inc 205-478-6331
www.craneu.com
Madison Fant Locarno madison@craneu.com
OVERTON Safety Training, Inc. (866) 531-0403
www.overtonsafety.com
Cody Fischer cody@overtonsafety.com
CICB, Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau 800-327-1386 www.cicb.com info@cicb.com
Crane Institute of America 800-832-2726
www.craneinstitute.com
James Headley info@craneinstitute.com
Morrow Training Center 1-503-585-5721 ext 0118 or 0128
Garrod Hydraulics provides cylinder repair solutions for all makes and models of cranes.
Toughest repairs done.
Respond with timely, cost-effective solutions.
Use OEM parts.
Specific to your needs.
Technology unsurpassed.
Expertise in the repairs and remanufacturing of hydraulic cylinders.
Demand our employees provide highest customer satisfaction.
Success!
Main Terminal: 19285 Old Houston Rd, Conroe, Texas 77302
West Texas Terminal: 8703 W I-H 20 Big Spring, Texas 79720
RANKED ON
ACT Transport 50 List & Winner of SC&RA Fleet Safety Zero Accidents, Fleet Safety by Percentage & Driver Safety
AFD is a recognized leader in the transportation industry, specializing in (OS/ OW) shipments across the United States and globally.
We have built our reputation on a foundation of on-time delivery, budget adherence, and unwavering reliability.
We commit to providing individualized attention and strategic oversight for every client and shipment.
Our service model encompasses full turn-key logistical operations, managing every step from initial pickup to rail transport, strategic storage, and final destination delivery.
SERVICES
Our capabilities are built on specialized equipment and end-to-end logistics management:
• Heavy Haul Transportation Management O/D Freight Services
- Faymonville DualMAX (up to 30 lines)
- Nelson Super 13 Trunion
- Faymonville StreetMAX, MegaMAX, MultiMAX
- Faymonville HighwayMAX 1, 2, and 3
• Project Logistics / Full Turn-Key Logistical Operations
- EnerPac 50 T Cub jacks
- EnerPac 400T Jack and Slide system
- 400T Turntable
• Rail Services
- Integrated rail spur access at our West Texas Terminal
Liebherr USA, Co. has appointed Simon Schuster as divisional director of Mobile and Crawler Cranes, effective November 2025. He will take over the role held by Pierre Bilgeri. Schuster began his journey with Liebherr in 2018 as a sales trainee at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, where he underwent comprehensive on-the-job training across multiple business units and departments. His training also included a two-month assignment in the U.S. and Canada. In 2020, he advanced
n Fleet Cost & Care (FCC), a leading fleet management software provider for the crane, rigging and specialized equipment industries in the USA, has announced the appointment of Shara PerezWilkinson as executive vice president of advisory and business solutions.
n Eric Steiner has been appointed head of business development at Bigfoot Construction Equipment and Dylan Steiner has joined the company as marketing director. Both are third-generation members of the Steiner family, and the grandsons of company founder Bill Steiner. Both are proud to continue the family legacy.
to the role of area sales manager for the U.S. and Canada, serving as a liaison between these markets and Liebherr-Werk Ehingen. He was responsible for aligning sales strategies, engineering coordination and production planning.
In his new role, Schuster will be responsible for ensuring optimal support for U.S. mobile and crawler crane customers in regard to new crane sales, used crane sales, customer service and spare parts.
“Simon brings extensive knowledge and experience of the U.S. market, having worked closely with both the U.S. team and customers over an extended period through his responsibilities in Ehingen,”
2026
JANUARY
January 4-7
SC&RA BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETING Coronado, CA Hotel Del Coronado scranet.org
MARCH
March 3-7
CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas Convention Center conexpoconagg.com
said Kai Friedrich, managing director, Liebherr USA, Co. “His expertise will continue to drive the sales growth of the mobile and crawler crane divisions product portfolio as well as the service organization in the USA.” ■
Garrett joins Bishop Lifting as CEO
Bishop Lifting has appointed Grant Garrett as chief executive officer. Garrett joins at a pivotal moment for Bishop, the company said. Through a series of acquisitions in the last year, the company expanded its footprint into Canada, Georgia, and Kansas. With these additions, Bishop operates 45 branches across
North America and has completed eight acquisitions in the four years since partnering with Altamont Capital. Garrett plans to continue Bishop’s growth, both organically and via mergers and acquisitions.
“Garrett has a strong track record of scaling great businesses like Bishop,” the company said. Most
Grant Garrett
recently he was CEO at M&D Distributors. Prior to joining M&D, Grant held executive, director and regional positions overseeing sales and operations for multiple business units and divisions at FleetPride, HD Supply and Harbor Freight Tools.
“I am thrilled to join the Bishop team as the company continues to scale its presence in the lifting and safety products and services market,” said Garrett. ■
New branch manager for Dawes
Joe Kiskunas marked his approaching 10-year anniversary at the ALL Family of Companies in a big way: he was promoted to branch manager of the Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USA, branch of Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental.
Kiskunas most recently served as the branch’s operations manager after spending his career in dispatch and logistics.
“I’m excited to continue the tradition of Dawes and the Kaukauna branch,” said Kiskunas. “Dawes has a rich history of excellence throughout the Midwest. My job, and the job of everyone here, is to keep that story alive while adding our own chapters to it.” In recent years, Kiskunas worked
closely with outgoing branch manager Scott Jerome to prepare for an eventual ascendance to his new role.
“I learned by his side, plus he left me voluminous notes from throughout his career," he said. "It will all contribute to a continuity of service for our customers." ■
