KHL GROUP AMERICAS LLC 14269 N 87th Street, Suite. 205, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA 480 779 9969
americas@khl.com
Hometown crane company
Being the editor of ACT for the past 20 years, you may not have known that I have a hometown crane company. That company is Manitex, which is now owned by Tadano. In fact, I live in Georgetown, TX because of Manitex.
In 1996, my late husband Jay Shiffler accepted the national sales manager job at Manitex, which was then owned by Manitowoc. Our family moved here when Georgetown was a very small town in Central Texas, and the Manitex plant was an economic development plumb the town had recently won. The boom truck market was America-centric and relatively small, and the highest capacity boom trucks could lift about 30 tons. National, Manitex and Terex Stinger produced the leading brands, although Elliott and Altec were gaining market share.
Back in August, I had the opportunity to attend the AEM Manufacturing Express Tour stop at Manitex and see the transformation of the company since Tadano acquired it earlier this year. It was a coincidence that our Product Focus for the October issue features boom trucks. The market for boom trucks is good and poised to get better.
I run into AMCS Technoloies’ Radoine Bouajaj at various tradeshows and events. We’ve reported on the company’s anticollision and operator aid devices many times. Over the last year, the company has announced partnerships with Manitowoc Potain and Wolffkran, as well as with Maxim Crane Works and Morrow Equipment. I had the chance to catch up with Bouajaj in our October Q&A.
I was honored to be able to attend the dedication of a new Liebherr tower crane at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. In all my years of reporting on these types of events, this was one of the most interesting and inspiring. Thanks to Morrow Equipment’s Peter Juhren for inviting me and to the Crazy Horse team for allowing me to learn more about this amazing monument that is moving ever closer to completion.
Hannah Sundermeyer presents our Utility Expo Show Guide, which she plans to cover in Louisville. The October issue also covers simulator and VR training, the importance of filing claims early and CCO’s new crane operator evaluator program.
As we approach the waning months of 2025, it’s a great time to let us know what’s going on with your people, equipment and jobs.
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
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
With
When
AMCS
Radoine Bouajaj discusses how AMCS Technologies has evolved its
D.Ann Shiffler reports.
Amanda Long and Grant Winters discuss how simulators can be effective tools in the realm of crane and rigging training. 22
D.Ann Shiffler reports exclusiely from the Black Hills of South Dakota the inspiring story of a revered monument and a new tower crane.
MARKETPLACE
The most comprehensive listing of
25 PRODUCT FOCUS BOOM TRUCKS
Boom trucks cater to a variety of specialty markets. D.Ann Shiffler reports.
30 SITE VISIT MANITEX
The transition of Manitex into the Tadano fold is happening quickly and efficiently. D.Ann Shiffler reports exclusively. 32
Hannah Sundermeyer compiles your guide to the 2025 Utility Expo held October 7–9 in Louisville, KY.
As contractors rely more on borrowed employees and temp crews to fill labor gaps, liability risks rise. Joel Dandrea discusses. 42 SC&RA NEWS
The SC&RF’s 2025 efforts focus on awareness, education and resources that connect students, educators and employers – turning workforce challenges into opportunities.
Joseph Doerr discusses how late claims reporting fuels losses.
n The World Crane & Transport Summit 2025 will be held November 18-19 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. Keynote speakers include Wim Sarens (Sarens), Doug Williams (Buckner HeavyLift Cranes) and Dean Barley (Tadano America). Specialists from Liebherr, Collett & Sons, Faymonville, Fagioli, ASA France, Geo Trasporti, Gruas Aguado, Project Logistics, ProMiles Software, ING Research and the Construction Plant-hire Association will take part in various presentations and round tables. Visit the WCTS website, khl-wcts.com, for more information about the schedule, tickets and registration. The conference will be opened by Joel Dandrea, CEO of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), which is an exclusive event partner with organizer KHL Group, International Cranes and Specialized Transport and American Cranes & Transport
Scan QR code to register for the event
Raimondi set to acquire Terex crane businesses
Terex Corporation has signed an agreement to sell its tower and rough terrain crane businesses to Raimondi Cranes, the Milan-based tower crane manufacturer owned by KBW Investments. The deal covers Terex’s tower crane production facility in Fontanafredda, Italy, its rough terrain crane factory in Crespellano, Italy, and the North American cranes service and support
center in Wilmington, NC. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of 2025. Terex will retain its Franna pick-and-carry line, produced in Australia and India, while refocusing on its core businesses in materials processing, aerials and environmental solutions.
For Raimondi, the acquisition marks a transformative step, expanding
Raimondi’s acquisition is a first step towards the Italian crane maker becoming a “fully-fledged global lifting conglomerate.”
its portfolio beyond flat top and self-erecting tower cranes to include large luffing jib and hammerhead models as well as rough terrain cranes. Group CEO Luigi Maggioni described the deal as a milestone in the company’s ambition to become a “fully-fledged global lifting conglomerate.”
Simon Meester, President and Chief Executive Officer, at Terex, said that during the transition to Raimondi, “our team is committed to servicing and supporting our customers seamlessly. Terex is working closely with Raimondi to support the team and manage the change with transparency and respect for everyone involved. ”
The acquisition provides Raimondi with significant operational and geographic advantages. By inheriting Terex’s U.S. service infrastructure, Raimondi gains a stronger foothold in one of the world’s largest construction markets, complementing its established presence in Europe and the Middle East. n
Mountain Crane partners with Lennon Crane
Salt Lake City, UT-based Mountain Crane Service has acquired Lennon Crane and Equipment Company, further expanding its presence in the North American crane rental and sales market. The deal also brings with it Tadano distributorship responsibilities. By acquiring Lennon Crane, the company is aligning with a business it has partnered with for years. “Good things happen when good people get together,” said
Mountain CEO Paul Belcher. “As we combine our forces, we can leverage our strengths to expand equipment availability, technical
expertise and industry-leading service to our customers.”
Based in Monroe, WA, Lennon Crane’s fleet primarily includes
Tadano rough terrain cranes from 35 to 160 tons, as well as telescopic crawler cranes. Lennon has also served as
PHOTO: RAIMONDI
Tadano
Workforce Ambassador: Deep South Crane and Rigging
Third in our series highlighting the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation’s 2025 Workforce Ambassador award winners. Deep South Crane and Rigging is taking a proactive role in bridging the skills gap and inspiring the next generation of workers.
“About 15 years ago, we realized there was a growing skills gap and knew we needed to start focusing on educating our local communities about the opportunities in our industry,” said Kate Landry, Deep South. “Through recruiting efforts, education and community outreach, we are in a stronger position now, but the real inspiration comes from seeing young people discover open doors and rewarding careers in the heavy lift and transport industry."
According to Landry, the company’s outreach centers on showing students that the skilled trades still offer stable and exciting career paths. “Our goal is to show that great careers still exist in the skilled trades. While so much attention is on technology and AI, our industry offers hands-on, rewarding work with long-term opportunities.
For companies interested in launching their own workforce development efforts, Landry recommends starting small. “Start local and keep it simple. A school visit or yard tour can make a big impression,” she said. “Our work is exciting! You can see the lightbulb
America’s exclusive distributor in Washington and Oregon.
As part of the transition, Mountain has placed a significant Tadano stock order to ensure no disruption in equipment,
parts or service availability.
"We are excited about this new chapter with Mountain, an organization known for integrity, innovation, and exceptional service," said Daniel Melnyk, vice president of sales North America at Tadano America.
The acquisition is poised to strengthen market presence, deepen industry relationships, and provide enhanced value to North American customers according to a joint Mountain, Lennon and Tadano America press release. n
New rigging acquisition for Bishop Lifting
Bishop Lifting, a portfolio company of Altamont Capital Partners, has completed the acquisition of American Rigger’s Supply, a leading sling fabrication and rigging supply company headquartered in Kansas City, KS. American Rigger’s designs and manufactures custom lifting solutions made from wire rope, chain, webbing, wire mesh, and continuous fiber. In addition, the company provides training in rigging and fall protection, equipment inspections, proof testing, and repair of lifting devices.
This acquisition marks Bishop’s 15th acquisition since 2012 and the eighth add-on since Altamont’s investment. Following the transaction, Jennifer Hughes and founding employee Jim Leach will assist with the transition. Neal Edwards will serve as Branch
Manager, leading day-to-day operations.
“Bishop Lifting is the right fit for our employees and our customers,” said Jennifer Hughes, owner of American Rigger’s Supply. “I am proud to see the company my father started more than 50 years ago join a team that will continue his legacy, invest in our people and provide expanded opportunities for growth.” n
n Engineered Giving, established as the charitable arm of Engineered Rigging, has named University of Michigan student Jaden Rozum as the first recipient of its annual $3,000 scholarship, created to support young people pursuing careers in the heavy lifting and transport industry.
n Watco Logistics has acquired Colossal Transport Solutions, based in Spring, Texas.
Pictured left to right: Andrew Broussard (Tadano), Scott Lennon (Lennon Crane), Louis Bello (Mountain), Cameron Phillips (Mountain), Jack Fendrick (Tadano), Paul Belcher (Mountain), Josh Chafin (Mountain), Randy Crabb (Tadano)
Kansas City-based American Rigger’s Supply has been acquired by Bishop Lifting. PHOTO: AI-GENERATED VIA CHATGPT
Deep South is the winner in the Large Company category.
Morrow partners with AMCS Technologies
Morrow Equipment Company has selected AMCS Technologies as its exclusive supplier of anti-collision systems, strengthening a partnership between two well-known names in the crane sector. As part of the agreement, Morrow will integrate AMCS’s DCS 61-S anti-collision solution into its training center, giving operators hands-on experience
with the technology during instruction. The move reflects a growing emphasis on safety innovation and crane management systems in operator training, according to AMCS Technologies.
“We are honored to expand our relationship with Morrow Equipment, a key player in the crane sector in North America,” said Radoine Bouajaj, sales director at AMCS Technologies.
The arrangement underscores Morrow’s commitment to enhancing jobsite safety while standardizing the use of anticollision systems across its fleet. It also builds on AMCS Technologies’ expanding footprint in the United States, as more crane companies adopt advanced electronic safety controls to support operational efficiency and risk reduction. n
First-of-its-kind STS crane demolition
Global Rigging & Transport (GRT), working with AMIX, carried out the controlled demolition of a towering shipto-shore (STS) gantry crane in Campbell River, Canada. The project is believed to be among the first STS crane demolitions in the country.
The crane, a 1996 ZPMC
with a 50-ton single-lift capacity, stood at 170 feet tall and weighed approximately 1,323 tons. After nearly three decades of service at the Port of Vancouver, during which it is estimated to have moved more than two million containers, the crane was transported by
barge to Campbell River for dismantling at the end of its working life.
GRT’s team executed the project using a controlled-fall demolition method designed to maximize efficiency and minimize risk. To begin, all oils, hydraulics and lubricants were carefully purged and removed to ensure environmental safety. Reinforcements were then installed to stabilize the crane at the designated fall location. Once secured, the team carried out a planned series of strategic cuts to weaken key load-bearing members. Finally, the precision severing of the support lines guided the crane’s controlled descent, bringing it down exactly within its intended footprint.n For video of the demo visit: craneandtransportbriefing.com
Link-Belt RTs power water project
Posillico Civil is relying on a pair of 85-ton Link-Belt 85|RT rough terrain cranes to advance critical work on the Oltorf Street Reclaimed Water Project in Austin, TX.
The cranes, rented from HOLT Crane & Equipment, are operating above 60-footdeep pits as crews work to connect more than 7,000 linear feet of reclaimed water lines. Positioned along the section of the project that runs beneath Interstate 35 and parallel with Mariposa Drive, the cranes are supporting excavation, shoring and maintenance tasks while also assisting with placement of mini tunnel boring machines that are driving trenchless tunnels for new water lines.
The project is designed to create a redundant loop to deliver reclaimed water for irrigation, manufacturing and cooling systems.
Pictured is Morrow Equipment’s training center, which will utilize AMCS’s DCS 61-S anti-collision solution.
A Link-Belt 85|RT lifts materials above a 60-foot-deep shaft on the Oltorf Street Reclaimed Water Project in Austin, TX.
The crane was moved to the Campbell River by barge before being demolished using an engineered controlled-fall technique.
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LTR 1150
The most economical transport concept in its class! No other telescopic crawler crane in this lifting capacity class can be transported in full with its crawler carriers on one low loader. All the counterweight can be ballasted on the crane with just four hoists. And for the first time: the well-trusted VarioBase® lifting capacity calculation now on a crawler crane, for three fixed track widths. www.liebherr.com
Mobile and crawler cranes
Fall forum
The AWRF Fall General Meeting, hosted by the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators, is set for October 19-22, 2025, at the Omni Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. This pivotal
SUNDAY – OCTOBER 19, 2025
8–11 a.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Registration/Badge Pick-Up
5–5:30 p.m.
Emerging Leaders Reception
5–5:30 p.m.
First Timer’s Reception
5:30–7 p.m.
Opening Reception
MONDAY – OCTOBER 20, 2025
7–8 a.m.
Networking Breakfast & Safety Awards
8–11 a.m.
General Business Sessions
industry gathering convenes leading professionals from the lifting, rigging and loadsecurement sectors, including experts in wire and synthetic assemblies.
Following is a preview of the event schedule. n
11:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m.
Networking Golf Tournament, Tradition Golf Club 6–7 p.m. Reception
TUESDAY – OCTOBER 21, 2025
7–8 a.m.
Networking Breakfast 8 a.m. –12 p.m.
General Business Sessions 2–4 p.m.
Business Optimization, Leadership for the 21st Century 6–7 p.m.
Pickleball Tournament, Pickleball Charlotte 4:30–6 p.m.
Closing Reception
Mammoet installs mega modules for new Dallas Fort Worth terminal
Mammoet has installed six prefabricated modules to form the first phase of a new terminal at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The milestone marks
significant progress in the airport’s multi-phase Terminal F expansion, which will increase capacity at one of the nation’s busiest hubs.
Working with Walsh Group, which is leading the Innovation Next+ joint venture, Mammoet transported and set the largest airport terminal modules ever moved. The heaviest unit weighed 3,660 tons and measured 279 feet in length. Built at a fabrication site on airport property, the modules were delivered one by one using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) equipped with custom metal supports to carry the massive loads across the tarmac. The modular approach
Mammoet SPMTs carry one of six prefabricated terminal modules into position at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s new Terminal F.
shortens schedules, improves safety, and minimizes disruption for passengers by reducing on-site construction. Mammoet previously supported similar work on Terminal C, which will add nine gates, and is preparing to assist with the next expansion phase at Terminal A.
Mammoet project manager Reid Whitley said: “Modular construction techniques allow construction companies to reduce the scope of work at building sites, and for different structural elements to happen in parallel. This can be incredibly beneficial for sites like airports, where space is limited, and lessening disruption for passengers is critical."
PHOTO: IMAGE GENERATED WITH CHATGPT
3D LIFT PLAN APP
- Use any device with apps
- Brand new user interface with, integrated access to other apps
- Intuitive controls layout for easy use
JOBSITE DESIGNER
- 1-Click scaled building creation
- Import CAD object capability
- Draw custom shapes
SKETCH PAD
- Bring in a scaled jobsite with touch of button
- Superior annotation tools
- Great for field sales teams
RIGGING DESIGNER
- Point, click, drag, and drop rigging components
-Create save simple or complex rigging for any lift equipment
Intelligent
AMCS Technologies’
Radoine Bouajaj discusses how AMCS Technologies has evolved its crane safety and operator assist technologies to the top of the lifting market.
D.Ann Shiffler reports.
AMCS Technologies was started as an idea that emerged from the needs of the French construction market, particularly in dense urban areas like Paris, where tower cranes operate in very close proximity. AMCS Technologies was founded in 1994 as an expert in crane safety and operator-assist technology company.
“Our first anti-collision systems were designed to be reliable and user friendly,” said Sales Director Radoine Bouajaj, who markets AMCS products worldwide. “Over time, we evolved the technology to become more intelligent, precise and integrated. Each generation improved safety, usability and adaptability. With our last system, the DCS 61-S, we’ve expanded our ecosystem to be able to include solutions like IoT Lifting, which brings real-time jobsite data to managers and fleet owners, and ARC (Automatic Rotation Control), which automatically manages crane rotation, based on real time wind, collision risks and site conditions, maximizing safety and productivity without manual intervention.
Engineering safety Bouajaj’s background is a mix of international business and industrial technology. He joined AMCS Technologies in 2015, leading the company’s international sales department.
“I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of safety, innovation and engineering, and AMCS offered the perfect
environment to contribute meaningfully to the future of smart construction,” he said. Today he oversees the company’s global commercial strategy, key partnerships and corporate communications.
He works closely with AMCS’ engineering, support and product development teams to ensure that solutions address the real needs of lifting professionals and general contractors worldwide. I caught up with Bouajaj at the AMCS booth at Bauma last spring, and he impressed me with his passion for his company’s products and the desire to produce the best technology available for the lifting sector.
Since we met at Bauma, AMCS Technologies has announced several partnerships with key manufacturers and clients using and distributing AMCS products, including Manitowoc, Wolffkran, Maxim and Morrow Equipment. Keep reading to learn about the rapid progress AMCS is making in terms of product development and how Bouajaj envisions the further roll out of these technologies.
THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT AMCS PRODUCES ARE IN THE REALM OF SEEING THE JOBSITE THROUGH CAMERAS AND ANTICOLLISION SENSORS AND DEVICES. HOW DO YOU POSITION THESE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE REALM OF OPERATOR SAFETY AND OPERATOR-ASSISTANCE?
We position our solutions as advanced operator-assist systems that significantly improve site safety while optimizing productivity. The DCS 61-S, for instance, offers real-time 3D zoning and anticollision. It provides the operator with live feedback and automatic slowdown and braking when necessary. Our IoT Lifting platform extends this visibility to site managers, providing full situational awareness, diagnostics and traceability. These technologies reduce human error, support better decision-making and help enforce safety protocols.
HOW DO YOU POSITION AMCS IN THE SCOPE OF THE LIFTING INDUSTRY?
We see ourselves as technology enablers
for safer and smarter lifting operations. While we don’t manufacture cranes, our systems are critical enablers of efficiency and compliance on complex jobsites. Our expertise in electronics, software and connectivity complements OEMs, rental companies and contractors by delivering safety-critical intelligence and automation tools.
WHAT IS YOUR DISTRIBUTION MODEL?
We work through a combination of direct sales, strategic OEM partnerships and certified installers in over 30 countries. We also have strong relationships with global crane rental companies and general contractors, allowing us to serve major infrastructure, high-rise and industrial projects worldwide. After-sales support, training and remote diagnostics are a key part of our offering.
AMCS RECENTLY FORGED A PARTNERSHIP WITH MAXIM CRANE WORKS TO SUPPLY SOME OF YOUR PRODUCTS FOR ITS TOWER CRANE FLEET. WHICH PRODUCTS ARE THEY USING? WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE THEY USED ON?
Yes, we are proud of our partnership with Maxim Crane Works, which is deploying our DCS 61-S anti-collision and zoning systems across their tower crane fleet. These systems are being used on complex, multi-crane jobsites where maximizing uptime while ensuring operator safety is essential – particularly in high-rise commercial and infrastructure projects in dense urban areas.
YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PARTNERSHIP WITH WOLFFKRAN AND MANITOWOC, AND MORE RECENTLY, MORROW EQUIPMENT?
Indeed, Wolffkran, a leading tower crane manufacturer, has integrated our DCS 61-S system as part of its safety and performance offering. The collaboration ensures seamless integration between crane mechanics and our electronics. Wolffkran promotes our systems for both new sales and retrofit projects worldwide, reinforcing our shared commitment to site safety and innovation.
Also this year we announced a strategic
safety
partnership with Manitowoc Potain, also one of the most respected tower crane manufacturers in the world. This partnership was officially announced at Bauma 2025 and focuses on integrating AMCS Technologies’ advanced safety systems into Potain tower cranes. Potain tower cranes are now available with the DCS 61-S OEM anti-collision and zoning system for the customers. This integration accelerates the deployment of smart lifting technologies across the construction industry and reinforces our joint commitment to safer, more efficient and more intelligent jobsites. We are proud of this collaboration, as it represents a strong endorsement of our technology.
As part of our strengthened partnership, Morrow Equipment will integrate AMCS Technologies’ DCS 61-S, into its training center. This strategic move aims to enhance the operator training programs with the latest in safety innovation and crane management technology. AMCS Technologies is proud to be named the exclusive and official supplier of anticollision systems for Morrow Equipment, reinforcing a shared commitment to safety, technology and excellence in crane operations.
AMCS RECENTLY INTRODUCED THE AUTOMATIC ROTATION CONTROL (ARC) SYSTEM THAT WAS DEVELOPED IN COOPERATION WITH MANITOWOC AND BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION. WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT BRING TO THE REALM OF TOWER CRANE OPERATIONS?
ARC is a smart automation feature that enhances both safety and productivity on multi-crane jobsites. When a low crane is on weathervane, but still located in the interference zone of a higher crane, currently you can find an operator in the cabin – even if the crane isn’t working. ARC changes that.
The system automatically controls the crane’s rotation based on real-time wind, interference zones and site conditions, all while activating our DCS 61-S anticollision system. This ensures the crane safely positions itself and doesn’t block active cranes, without needing any
manual intervention. Once the work is done, all cranes automatically switch to weathervane mode.
HOW DO YOU CHARACTERIZE THE MARKET FOR AMCS PRODUCTS?
The market is increasingly mature, with a growing understanding that anti-collision and zoning systems are not optional –they are essential. Safety regulations are evolving, and contractors now demand systems that go beyond alarms – they want data, traceability and automation. Our products serve high-risk environments: urban high-rises, infrastructure mega projects, energy sites and more. The appetite for connected and modular systems is growing rapidly.
DO YOU ENVISION THAT YOUR PRODUCTS WILL BECOME STANDARD ON TOWER CRANES? WOULD THERE EVER BE A MANDATE TO ASSURE ANTI-COLLISION DEVICES ON JOBSITES WITH SEVERAL TOWER CRANES? Yes, we strongly believe these technologies will become standard. In several countries, they already are. As urban density increases and safety standards tighten, mandating anti-collision and zoning systems for multi-crane sites is not only logical – it’s inevitable. We’re also working with regulators and contractors to help shape those standards globally.
WHERE ARE THE HIGHEST GROWTH MARKETS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS?
We see significant growth in North America, as well as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
I UNDERSTAND AMCS PRODUCTS
HAVE BEEN USED TO TRACK THE MOVEMENT OF MOBILE CRANES ON A JOBSITE, ASSURING COLLISION AVOIDANCE BETWEEN TOWER AND CRAWLER CRANES. IS THE MOBILE CRANE MARKET A SIGNIFICANT AREA OF GROWTH?
Yes, we’ve successfully
We strongly believe these technologies will become standard. As urban density increases and safety standards tighten, mandating anti-collision and zoning systems for multi-crane sites is not only logical –it’s inevitable.
RADOINE BOUAJAJ
Sales Director, AMCS Technologies
deployed our systems on mobile cranes and crawler cranes. This involves real-time position tracking via GNSS and integrates it into the anti-collision calculation with tower cranes.
This capability is particularly valuable in dense or high-risk environments, where mobile and fixed lifting equipment operate simultaneously. It’s an area of growth, as customers feel comfortable having the same company manage all machines across the entire jobsite.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENGAGED IN WHAT YOU DO?
What drives me is knowing that our work directly protects lives on construction sites. Beyond that, it’s the intersection of engineering, digital innovation and human factors that makes this field so fascinating. We’re solving real-world problems that matter – and helping push the boundaries of what lifting operations can be.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN PRESENTING YOUR PRODUCTS TO THE MARKET?
One of the key challenges we face is being compared with low-cost solutions
that don’t operate under the same standards or level of technical rigor. Some clients initially underestimate the complexity of deploying a reliable anti-collision or lifting management system – they see only the device, not the organization required to make it perform over time.
At AMCS Technologies, we offer more than just a product. Behind every system we deliver, there’s a full ecosystem: a dedicated R&D department, in-house production, technical support, after-sales service, training and methods engineering. We provide a high-end solution with an extremely high standard of reliability and safety, but that level of seriousness is not always recognized at first.
As a result, we sometimes see cases where clients choose cheaper alternatives, only to come back to us later when they encounter technical or operational difficulties. It’s also challenging to be placed in competition with startups that may not even have a structured team or
Behind every AMCS Technologies product there’s a full ecosystem – a dedicated R&D department, in-house production, technical support, after-sales service, training and methods engineering.
service infrastructure – especially when you consider the depth of what we deploy across international job sites.
WE SEE YOU IN THE UNITED STATES QUITE OFTEN. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
I’m based in Paris, but I travel extensively, particularly to North America to support clients and strategic partners. The U.S. is a key market for us, and we are committed to long-term growth there.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST BUSINESS ADVICE?
Stay curious, stay customer focused. In a technical industry like ours, trust matters just as much as performance. Always listen deeply to client pain points – and build solutions that solve real problems, not just technical showcases. 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.
Immersive training
Amanda Long and Grant Winters discuss how simulator-based
training can be an effective tool in the realm of crane operator and rigger training.
THE AUTHORS
With more than 15 years of experience serving as a crane and rigging instructor and a training solutions advisor, Amanda Long is senior vice president of industrial solutions at ITI, an Interplay Learning company. Grant Winters , a training solutions consultant at ITI, has more than a decade of experience in technical training and workforce development. His role focuses on virtual reality crane simulations and online learning.
Moving heavy objects, whether by operating a crane or through a rigging process, is inherently risky. Even a small accident can result in physical harm or damage to costly assets.
That’s what makes effective training so important, not only to create a safe workspace, but to ensure all crane operators and riggers are equipped to do their work carefully, efficiently and with full regulatory compliance. Historically, crane and rigging training can be a challenge because training employees in a live environment can be physically hazardous. Thanks to advances in
Training for tomorrow
ACT rounded up a host of VR training options in North America.
With labor shortages and rising safety standards, simulation is becoming a frontline tool in operator development. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as one of the most effective tools for preparing crews for the field. These technologies highlight how VR is no longer a futuristic concept, but a present-day tool that is reshaping crane training and planning.
A1A’s VR play continues to be 3D Lift Vision, a virtual crane simulator built directly on actual lift plans from 3D Lift Plan, so the scenario an operator “flies” in VR is the same plan engineering/ops will use in the field. That one-to-one link remains the differentiator: crews can validate crane selection, rigging and sequencing while seeing blind spots, obstructions, traffic paths and ground conditions before mobilization.
In 2025, A1A has been actively promoting the system’s portability and recruiting angle, contractors and rental houses are using 3D
Lift Vision at job fairs and training days to “gamify” lift planning and spark interest in operating careers, while still giving risk, sales and training teams a realistic sandbox to rehearse critical picks. The current product listing underscores the core claim (“the industry’s only virtual crane simulation built on actual lift plans”), and recent coverage highlights how users load their own 3D Lift Plan files, then practice communication, hand signals, and site logistics in VR to shorten learning curves and reduce costly on-site trial-and-error.
An immersive rehearsal
For shops already standardized on 3D Lift Plan, 3D Lift Vision is a low-friction expansion: it leverages the same data you’re producing for submittals and pre-lift meetings but turns it into an immersive rehearsal and onboarding tool for new hires and cross-functional teams.
industrial training methodologies, though, contractors and team leaders now have safer, more effective ways to help workers develop and improve skills. Simulationbased training can be especially effective, providing a depth of familiarity and expertise that spans a range of different work environments and activities.
To understand the benefits of simulation-based training, it’s important
3D Lift Vision has been utilized at job fairs and training days to “gamify” lift planning and spark interest in operating careers.
to contrast it with how crane and rigging training has been conducted in the past. Conventionally, training has involved video tutorials, followed by operator seat time accrued on actual equipment. This often takes a crane out of production, which is an expensive proposition. There are multiple problems here, starting with the use of video. Not only can training videos quickly become outdated,
failing to account for advances in ASME or OSHA regulations, but they don’t offer a truly interactive component. At best, learners gain theoretical knowledge, but not the kind of confidence or muscle
Simulation specialist CM Labs has continued to broaden its crane-focused training offerings in 2025, introducing two significant additions to its Intellia Intelligent Training System. The year began with the launch of the Intellia Overhead Crane Simulator Training Pack, designed for industrial plants, steel facilities and manufacturing environments where overhead cranes are integral to operations. Leveraging CM Labs’ high-fidelity physics engine, the pack allows operators to practice load control, anti-sway techniques and precision placement in realistic plant layouts. Trainers can monitor performance
memory that comes from hands-on experience.
That’s why the live training exercises are part of the process, but again, this can be problematic. Having new riggers or crane operators complete training exercises in a real work environment means there is real danger – not just of accident and injury, but also of damage to very costly equipment and machinery.
Using actual cranes and rigging equipment for a training session can also create inefficiency. When major equipment is tied up for training, that means it’s not being used for production. Similarly, training sessions with real equipment typically require supervision from senior trainers or superintendentlevel personnel, which takes them away from productive work.
An immersive experience
Virtual reality (VR) and simulation-based training offer a better approach, one in which crane operators can learn in a way that’s immersive and repetitive, but also safe.
In a simulation, employees can actually do different physical activities, gaining exposure and familiarity with different aspects of their work and even experiencing a range of different environments. Carrying out different tasks helps cement foundational knowledge. >19
with objective scoring and instant feedback, helping shorten learning curves while reducing the risk of accidents and equipment downtime. The system also supports multiple crane attachments and fault-injection scenarios, giving supervisors tools to assess both technical skill and situational awareness.
Optimized experience
In May 2025, CM Labs rolled out a major update to its Intellia Ship-to-Shore (STS) Crane Training Pack. The enhancements include instant record-and-replay, enabling trainers to review entire sessions immediately, and timestamped markers that highlight key actions such as safety violations or completed objectives. Optimized lane configurations also bring greater realism to interactions with internal transfer vehicles (ITVs) and straddle carriers, creating more accurate simulations of port environments. These improvements provide instructors with sharper insights and make it easier to evaluate progress across a cohort of trainees.
Simulation-based training can be especially effective, providing a depth of familiarity and expertise that spans a range of different work environments and activities.
In May 2025, CM Labs rolled out a major update to its Intellia Ship-toShore (STS) Crane Training Pack.
THE Building
It can also build confidence, especially for new riggers, as their first exposure to different tasks and environments is in a safe and controlled space, as opposed to being in the field itself.
VR and simulator training isn’t only for novices. These methods also provide a solution for teams looking to keep up with continuous education requirements, allowing more seasoned operators and riggers to try out new technologies, rigging scenarios or even regulatory expectations, all without having to take actual equipment out of the field. By allowing employees to learn through immersion and repetition, minus the dangers and inefficiencies of training in the field, contractors can provide better avenues for onboarding new recruits
and for providing top talent with career progression.
Adopting VR simulator training for crane and rigging operations can benefit employers in many ways. For one thing, the repetitive nature of VR simulators can produce a higher speed-to-competency rate for employees. In other words, it can help them achieve the level of mastery they need to meaningfully contribute to the worksite, and with a shorter timeline and in-seat training time (which can be limited) than what video-based training typically entails.
Something else to keep in mind is that, before crane operators or riggers can participate in actual jobsites, they require certification or qualification of some kind. Employers often pay for their people to get
VR simulators benefit employers by equipping them with data, allowing them to assess areas where particular operators are struggling and areas where they have achieved proficiency. Employeespecific data makes it easier to customize training, identifying skills gaps and pain points that require special attention.
certified, and doing so can be fairly costly. This is especially true when employees must take their certification tests multiple times.
VR simulator training can help reduce the time and expense required for multiple certification tests, boosting first-time pass rates. This is the result of the repetitive, immersive nature of the training itself, and also the fact that VR simulator training provides actual training data and statistics to determine when operators are prepared to take practical exams.
VR simulators also benefit employers by equipping them with data, allowing them to assess areas where particular operators are struggling and areas where they have achieved proficiency. Employee-specific data makes it easier to customize training, identifying skills gaps and pain points that require special attention.
Risk and compliance
There are also noteworthy benefits with respect to risk mitigation and compliance.
RIGGING MATTERS
It’s hard to overstate the hazards that come with handling and transporting massive loads, especially when doing so in an environment that is narrow, treacherous or simply unfamiliar. Simulation-based training can de-risk the learning process by allowing employees to master the fundamentals in a range of different environments, all without the dangers of using actual weight.
And then there’s regulation. Crane and rigging activities are typically governed by both OSHA and ASME standards, and while these standards don’t necessarily change every year, they do tend to evolve and update over time.
To ensure a compliant team, it’s important to provide refresher training that accounts for new processes or safety standards. Again, running simulations allows that to happen expediently and without tying up mission-critical equipment or senior-level managers to administer training in the field.
Another area for emphasis is how digital training helps produce greater situational awareness. For crane operators, simulations can be administered to cover limitless scenarios. These include not only
different types of topography, but also different crane applications. For example, simulations can be ideal to help operators gain familiarity with shipping, hot metal work and beyond, making them more adaptive to whatever the jobsite calls for.
Because scenarios can be fully customized, there is really no end to the configurations employers can adapt. Whatever is happening in their facility, and whatever new projects they take on, they can adjust their crane operation training accordingly.
The same holds true for rigging training, where employees can gain diverse experience with different types of slings, harnesses, materials and more. Here, too, employers can provide training that is laser-focused on the real-world conditions their riggers face, getting them up to speed and onto the jobsite as quickly as possible.
Where to start
For contractors or industrial employers who want to implement a simulationbased training program, an important first step is to find the right use case. High-tech training solutions won’t accomplish anything if there isn’t a specific
goal for them, and a specific plan for implementation.
That plan should encompass ways to make simulation-based training a consistent part of the workplace experience for all employees, including both new recruits and veterans, and to integrate it with on-the-job training, ensuring a more holistic learning journey.
Using skills assessments as part of your implementation strategy can also help ensure that each employee receives customized training geared toward the proficiencies they need to develop, and that the team as a whole possesses a broad spectrum of skills.
A final note: the crane operators and riggers of today and tomorrow are digital natives, people who are used to learning and consuming media via connected devices. Engaging and retaining them means allowing them to learn in the way that they prefer and that feels most intuitive for them. Employers who fall behind in offering this type of training may soon find that their outmoded training modules just aren’t equipped to build the right teams or cultivate the ablest employees.
Finishing Crazy
In 1948, a few years after the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was completed, the Crazy Horse Memorial was started. Located about 17 miles from Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial was conceived by Chief Henry Standing Bear to honor Native Americans. He convinced Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to design and carve the sculpture in the likeness of Crazy Horse, a renowned war leader of the Oglala band of Lakota Sioux.
Ziolkowski and his wife Ruth spent the rest of their lives working on the memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving. Ruth Ziolkowski directed the completion of Crazy Horse’s face in 1998, which at 87.5 feet tall is some 27 feet taller than the heads of the presidents on Mount Rushmore. The completion of Crazy Horse has been slow going due to the size and scope of the mountain carving and the inherent difficulties of sculpting a rock mountain. But the Ziolkowski family has persevered, creating the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation (CHMF) that includes a Visitor Center, museum and university. Today the “in progress” carving is a
Morrow Equipment supplied the Liebherr 1000 EC-H to the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.
D.Ann Shiffler reports exclusively from the Black Hills of South Dakota the inspiring story of a revered monument and a new Liebherr tower crane.
A delegation from Liebherr Cranes and Morrow Equipment attended the dedication that included demonstrations and jobsite tours.
After copious site preparation, Reynolds Rigging and Crane Service dispatched a Tadano AC 7.450-1 all-terrain crane to the Crazy Horse site to erect the Liebherr tower crane.
When it is finished, the Crazy Horse Memorial will measure 641 feet long and 563 feet tall.
Horse
ABOUT CRAZY HORSE
The Crazy Horse Memorial is located at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs in Crazy Horse, SD. While the amazing mountain carving of Lakota hero Crazy Horse is the centerpiece of the memorial, the dedication of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation has led to the development of a Visitor Center, the Indian Museum of North America and The Indian University of North America.
“People are drawn in by the largest mountain carving in progress, but once they’re here, they’re able to discover the whole story of the Native American people,” the Foundation said. “The Crazy Horse Memorial honors all Indigenous people of North America, stands as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation, respecting differences, embracing diversity, striving for unity, and appreciating life’s deeper meaning as it has always been represented in Native American cultural values.”
To read the full story of the Crazy Horse Monument visit crazyhorsememorial.org
leading U.S. tourist attraction.
At ConExpo in 2023, Caleb Ziolkowski, grandson of Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski and Chief Mountain Officer of the CHMF, met with Morrow Equipment’s Peter Juhren about how a large-scale tower crane could greatly escalate the progress to complete Crazy Horse. Juhren was immediately inspired and excited.
“From the beginning, I was intrigued by the energy and passion of Crazy Horse,” Juhren said. He visited the monument later that year. He knew that a tower crane would be a game changer for the project. Two years later, a Liebherr 1000 EC-H tower crane was erected, bringing new efficiencies to the jobsite.
Dedication ceremony
On August 21, 2025, the Foundation hosted an engaging evening event that included local dignitaries, donors, several generations of the Ziolkowski family as well as representatives from Morrow Equipment, Liebherr, Reynolds Rigging and Crane Service and Robotics Solutions, to name a few. The “Dedication Ceremony of the Crane & Robotic Arm” featured a program titled “The Next Chapter,” which will likely see rapid progress in the sculpting of the revered mountain monument.
Tours of the monument and demonstrations were led by the Foundation team, allowing participants to see the intricate carving process up close. After dinner and presentations by Foundation board members, the new tower crane and custom robotic arm were dedicated to the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. Lights on the tower crane blinked on and off, painting the mountain in a beautiful purple glow. n
After the dedication ceremony the mountain glowed amid the lights of the new tower crane.
The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation worked with Robotics Solutions to develop a custom robotic arm that is being used in conjunction with the new Liebherr tower crane to expedite the sculpting process.
Chief Mountain Officer Caleb Ziolkowski highlighted some of the interesting correspondence between his grandfather Korczak Ziolkowski and Chief Henry Standing Bear about the sculpture.
Crazy Horse is the largest ever mountain sculpture.
FULL-SERVICE TURNKEY PROJECTS MADE SIMPLE
From engineering to safe execution of professional service — Bay Crane delivers seamless, start-to-finish support for your most demanding projects
CRANES & EQUIPMENT
Comprehensive fleet of cranes and auxiliary equipment, tailored to meet the needs of any project or application, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in a wide range of industries.
HEAVY TRANSPORT
We provide an unlimited range of state-of-the-art trucks & trailers with the latest technology, capable of handling any capacity or type of cargo, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery for both small and large-scale needs.
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Delivering a massive rigging inventory with unlimited range of innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique demands of any work environment, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adaptability across various industries.
Equipped and Capable to handle any sized project anywhere.
Ready to roll
Boom trucks cater to many specialized lifting markets.
D.Ann Shiffler reports.
For the most part, five manufacturers participate in the North American boom truck market – Altec, Elliott, Load King, National and Manitex, which was acquired by Tadano at the start of 2025.
Each of the boom truck OEMs have a distinct niche in the markets they serve. Some companies specialize in large fleets of boom trucks, using them as taxi cranes that can perform two or three jobs a day. Booms trucks are easy to operate and can be dispatched quickly. Boom trucks are also popular owner/operator machines, especially in the tree and sign industries.
ACT asked each boom truck producer about their boom truck product line up and the markets they serve.
Load King
Load King is dominant in the utility market (high reach with basket), general construction and oil, according to John Lukow, senior vice president of cranes for Load King.
Load King’s line of boom trucks range from 10 to 80 tons capacity.
CAPACITY: 40 tons
MAXIMUM BOOM LENGTH: 142 feet
JIB LENGTH: 55 feet
MAXIMUM HOOK HEIGHT: 207-foot tip height
HOOK HEIGHT: 204 feet
OUTRIGGER TYPE: Out and down
Boom trucks are easy to operate and can be dispatched quickly.
probably be stuck there,” he said. “I don’t see any economic factor that is likely to move that needle. Fortunately, we still have room to grow in this space. We expect to see double-digit growth for the next couple of years.”
Load King’s range of boom trucks is from 10 to 80 tons capacity. Lukow said Load King segregates its boom trucks into three categories.
First is the 10 to 30-ton category.
“The key phrase is simple, reliable and cost effective,” he said of these models. “These just go to work, do what they are supposed to do and deliver years of service.”
Next, he said is
National NBT60XL
CAPACITY: 60 tons
MAXIMUM BOOM LENGTH: 151 feet
JIB LENGTH: Two options – 36-foot lattice and 26 to 45-foot tele-jib
MAXIMUM HOOK HEIGHT: 205 feet
OUTRIGGER TYPE: Four-position out and down
the 30 to 45-ton market.
“Here we add some sophistication, mainly longer booms,” he said “This is where the small crane company steps up into their first riding seat or 127-foot boom. All out and down (outriggers) in lieu of A-frames with a comfortable cab on the RS.”
And then he described the last market, which is 50 tons capacity and higher.
“This is the Crossover,” he said. “It’s a real truck crane on a commercial chassis.”
The Load King models are rated at 10 feet, instead of the competitor’s 5 or 6 feet. Lukow said these models have lots of modern features including the LK-1 control system, formed booms and touch screens with intuitive technology.
“I think we also differentiate by listening to our customers and making improvements,” he said. “Examples include adding a tilt cab to the joystick, asymmetrical outrigger support and A92.2 basket work.”
Load King has also improved the remote systems on all its smaller cranes, Lukow said.
“A new larger cab is being introduced on the RS with tilt, and LK-1 control system,” he said. “Extended outrigger jacks are being introduced on all the Crossovers +9-inch penetration.
A new interior is being introduced on the Crossover cab next year, eliminating all the remains of the RT cab. They have removed all the old switches, matching panels and operator storage.
“We have a new ladder planned for the Crossover,” he said. “My point is we are
National Crane’s product range extends from 10 to 60 tons.
going to keep fine-tuning the product to suit customer feedback.”
Manitowoc National
Bob Ritter, Product Manager of National Crane, said that there is a cautious approach to new equipment purchases with the evolving tariff discussions for many of the markets.
“We still see a strong demand for cranes in the utility markets such as telecom and electrical transmission/distribution work,” he said. “Over the past several years, there has been a consistent trend to larger boom truck capacities – 40 tons and higher have seen the most growth while 30 tons and below remain strong, yet steady.”
What will it take to see an uptick in the
Elliott 40142
CAPACITY: 40 tons
MAXIMUM BOOM
LENGTH: 142 feet
JIB LENGTH: 57 feet
MAXIMUM HOOK
HEIGHT: 209 feet
OUTRIGGER TYPE: Out and down
boom truck market?
“We think once the activity around tariffs starts to normalize the activity and demand in boom truck end markets will trend upwards,” Ritter said. “National Crane has been a market leader by working very closely with our dealer distribution network and end customers to develop the right products for their applications. We focus on how our products can work for our customers. We do this through many factory-built customizations to go along with our already best-in -lass load charts and ease of operation.”
National Crane’s product range extends from 10 to 60 tons.
Elliott
Elliott President Jim Glazer said the boom truck market is fairly steady.
“We find the market to be steady overall,” he said, “with pockets of strong demand where long reach and customization matter, such as utility transmission work, public-sector maintenance (traffic/ lighting/water), and engineered jobs that need longer booms, augers, rail gear, platforms or specialty tooling. Rental first, then purchase, continues to be a common path in transmission.”
The strongest markets for Elliott are utility and transmission contractors,
Elliott’s boom trucks range from 10 to 50-ton capacities.
Crane Certifications
That Carry Weight
PRODUCT FOCUS BOOM TRUCKS
government/municipal and custom/ engineered applications, where Elliott’s long-boom, factory-custom approach wins, Glazer said.
“The capacities in the most demand are the 40 to 50-ton capacities for transmission/heavier construction picks and 18 to 36 tons for public works, sign/ lighting and general construction where non-CDL or compact footprints matter.”
As for what it will take to drive the market, Glazer pointed to grid hardening and transmission build-out, municipal infrastructure cycles, greater availability of chassis and faster lead times.
“Elliott’s ability to engineer multifunction trucks helps owners justify CapEx when volumes are uncertain,” he said. “Elliott’s boom trucks are distinguished by long-boom reach with smooth, chatter-free operation, friction-free jib extension; fieldproven reliable designs with outstanding fit and finish; operator visibility, ergonomics and control smoothness; an industryleading warranty; and customization from the factory (augers, platforms, rail gear, tool circuits, storage; multiple control packages) so fleets get one machine that does more work.”
Elliott’s boom trucks fall into three families, from 10 to 50-ton capacities, Glazer said.
The 10 to 18-ton models have boom lengths from 39 to 125 feet; the 26 to 36-ton models have boom lengths from 51 to 142 feet and the 40 to 50-ton models have boom lengths from 95 to 142 feet.
Altec Altec Cranes Market Manager Ryan McGiboney said Altec primarily serves the electric utilities market with its boom truck cranes – specifically transmission construction and maintenance.
“In those segments, I would characterize the boom truck market as extremely positive with significant growth and demand,” he said. “The strongest markets within electric utilities is transmission construction and maintenance. The 45 to 65-ton segment is in the most demand.”
McGiboney said the market isn’t totally flat.
“The entire boom truck market dropped 35 percent at the onset of the Covid pandemic,” he said. “Since then, we have seen steady 7 to 10 percent year-over-year growth since 2021.”
He said there are also some interesting nuances to the recovery of the boom truck market.
“The small, stand-up crane volume is dropping compared to larger swing-seat cranes,” he explained. “These larger swingseat cranes make up more of the market than they used to. Smaller, typically standup cranes had historically held most of the boom truck volume. However, in 2022, the overall volume of large cranes surpassed small cranes, and has remained like that ever since.”
Speaking specifically about the transmission market segment, where maximum boom tip and platform working height are king, he said, “Altec is seeing
Tadano Manitex produces boom trucks from 19 to 65 tons capacity.
Tadano Manitex
TC65159
CAPACITY: 65 tons
MAXIMUM BOOM LENGTH: 159 feet
JIB LENGTH: 38 feet
MAXIMUM TIP HEIGHT: 209 feet
OUTRIGGER TYPE: Out-and-down
fantastic growth in demand for long boom machines.”
MAXIMUM HOOK HEIGHT: 215 feet max sheave height (with jib), 211 feet max hook height (with jib)
OUTRIGGER TYPE: Swing out-and-down with four distinct outrigger spans and Smart Zone Rating functionality, allowing the user to deploy each outrigger in any position in space.
“I think the reason boom trucks sell well into the transmission/electric utilities market is because the market is used to the formula of a machine mounted on a vocational chassis,” he said. “It’s what utilities and utility contractors have always had with their other equipment, such as digger derricks and aerials. To that end, I think what it will take to see a major uptick in the boom truck market is a step change in the legislation, incentives and regulatory processes around new transmission planning. We are in an historic growth period for the electrical grid, but the pace is throttled almost entirely on state and federal permitting and other aspects of the transmission planning process.”
Regarding other market segments, McGiboney said the newest generation of the large swing seat boom trucks are pushing the limits of capacity, reach and technological sophistication.
“The arms race of developing a bigger and better boom truck has pushed us into the lower end of what truck cranes and all-terrain cranes can do,” he said. “In those markets, owners and operators are used to the form factor of what an all-terrain truck is. So, in these segments, it will take time for users to feel comfortable with the unit-on-chassis,
Altec produces boom trucks from 40 to 65 tons.
cable-crowded boom style architecture of a boom truck crane.”
The attributes of Altec boom trucks are that they are dual rated to ASME B30.5 and ANSI A92.2, he said. Altec produces boom trucks from 40 to 65 tons.
Tadano Manitex
Retail demand for boom trucks is flat yearover-year, according to Randy Robertson, Director of Inside Sales for Manitex, now owned by Tadano.
“This is mainly due to inflation and interest rates” Robertson said. “Lower interest rates would stimulate customers on the fence to buy before the end of the year.”
Robertson said the strongest markets for boom trucks is in the utility sector.
“Demand for boom trucks in the above ground utilities is strong,” he said. “Cross country transmission line construction projects are ramping up, driving demand for high reach machines equipped for utilities.”
In terms of capacities, the 30-ton capacity and higher machines are “the mainstay” of the industry, Robertson said.
“Swing cab models are becoming more popular in operated, maintained fleets, due to their mobility and quick setup to tackle daily taxi-crane applications,” he said. “Conventional boom trucks still have a place in the utility and mining sectors as well as commercial and residential material delivery applications.”
Robertson said there may be an uptick in the market towards the end of the year.
“The annual IRS Section 179 program incentivizes buyers to purchase new equipment and typically boosts sales at the end of the year,” Robertson said. “This should help to reduce inventory and make room for new equipment going into 2026.”
While the transition from the Manitex product to the Tadano product line is
currently underway, Robertson said Manitex boom trucks are distinguished in the market for a number of reasons.
“New features and options include asymmetrical outrigger spreads and the self-leveling feature on select models of the TC-Series,” he said. “Tadano Manitex offers short, compact crane packages ranging from 22 to 50-ton models that can navigate tight streets and residential areas for tree care and construction applications. The shorter configurations are widely popular with smaller operated-maintained fleets.”
He said Remote Winch Control (RWC) and Remote Outrigger Control (ROC) are new options for the popular 22101S,
widely used in tree care. These features make machines easier to set up and move for one-man operation, he said.
“Manitex introduced the ECSY, Electric Crane System, at ConExpo 2023 in response to oil and gas service companies’ request for electric-powered cranes,” he said. “There is growing interest in operating on well locations without having to run a diesel engine to power the crane. The ECSY package can be ordered with a new unit or added to an existing rental machine, making rental fleets more diversified.”
The Tadano Manitex ranges in capacities from 19 to 65 tons with a maximum tip height of 209 feet. n
The Tadano transition
In the nine months since Tadano closed the deal to acquire Manitex boom trucks, an inordinate amount of change has taken place at the Georgetown, Texas manufacturing facility. Tadano America
President and CEO Dean Barley has taken the lead to transform the 31-year-old plant into a facility representative of the Japanese crane manufacturer’s core values of safety, quality and efficiency.
On a sunny day in mid-August, as a part of the AEM Manufacturing Express tour, I had the opportunity to attend
Tadano America
President and CEO Dean Barley discussed Tadano’s commitment to transforming the Manitex plant into a world class facility.
The transition of Manitex into the Tadano fold is happening quickly and efficiently.
D.Ann Shiffler reports exclusively.
the event that celebrates the economic impact of equipment manufacturing in the U.S. In 2025, the Texas leg of the tour included stops at Texas Hydraulics, Tadano Manitex, Caterpillar Engines and LiuGong, to name a few. AEM reports that
manufacturing in Texas supports 350,000 jobs and contributes more than $50 billion to the state economy.
Strategic
investment
Georgetown Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Pitts and other economic development officials attended the event that highlighted the achievements of the boom truck plant and its workers, and included speeches, lunch and the placement of a Tadano sticker on the huge AEM Manufacturing Express bus. “Manitex arrived in Georgetown in 1993 when the population was 18,000 and the average household income was $28,000,” Pitts told the crowd. “Today, 31 years later, the population sits at 101,000 and the average household income is $95,000.”
Barley presided over the celebration, helping serve lunch to Tadano team
To commemorate the stop at the Tadano plant in Georgetown, a Tadano sticker was placed on the huge AEM Manufacturing Express bus.
members, local dignitaries and the AEM team. In his welcoming address, Barley talked about Tadano’s investment in the boom truck business.
“With the acquisition of Manitex, Tadano has made another strategic investment in the United States and the U.S. economy,” he said. “We didn’t have a boom truck or articulating crane in our product line up. We are incredibly thrilled to be a part of the transition of these products into the Tadano family. Right now, we are doing some reconstructive surgery on the plant.”
In a quick sit-down interview, Barley said he was spending a lot of time in Georgetown to oversee the transformation of the plant, which started with a safety audit and a “rip off the Band-Aid” type assessment of the manufacturing processes and procedures.
“In February we assembled the team here into a conference room for some intense discussion,” Barley said. “At the end of three days, we walked out with a new direction and a strategy. And that’s what we’ve been working toward. It’s about protecting Tadano’s reputation for quality. We determined that nothing leaves the building that isn’t perfect. That meant slowing things down for a time. It meant a lot of clean up and reworking of the plant.”
Refining the processes
The transformation also meant team building, and that started with the hiring of Jeff Grillo as vice president of Tadano Business Systems. Barley had worked with Grillo previously, and he is convinced that together with the Tadano corporate team, they can transform the Georgetown facility into the plant of the future. Barley is working one-on-one with the sales team while Grillo focuses on operations. “We all figured out really quickly that to grow this business at the pace we want to grow it, we will need to leverage this facility,” Barley said. “We have a lot of clean up still to do, refine the inventory, refine the production processes, refine the
quality steps to assure we are producing world class products.”
Already, the Manitex plant looks different. The manufacturing line has a new layout and everything looks very clean and organized.
“We did this with the telecrawler business, and that division is now focused on building reliable, high-quality products that truly meet and exceed what our customers need,” Barley said. “We are investing in inventory and doubling down on quality. We are very excited about what’s ahead for this plant, which we are rebranding Tadano Manufacturing Texas.” Boom trucks that were on display at the AEM event still featured the old Manitex logo and design. But photos and mockups of the new Tadano boom trucks are everywhere in the offices and on the plant floor. The Tadano transition is in the works and full steam ahead. n
The AEM Manufacturing Express made a stop in Georgetown at the Manitex plant that is being rebranded Tadano Manufacturing Texas.
Vice President of Tadano Business Systems
Jeff Grillo and Tadano America President and CEO Dean Barley have been working to transform the Manitex plant into a facility that is representative of Tadano’s core values of safety, quality and efficiency.
Tadano Chairman and Corporate Secretary Hiroshi Nishizaki discusses Tadano’s commitment to quality manufacturing.
Hannah Sundermeyer compiles your guide to the highly-anticipated 2025 Utility Expo held October 7–9 in Kentucky.
WHEN October 7-9, 2025
WHERE Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY
REGISTRATION
Scan the QR code or visit: theutilityexpo.com/attend-the-show/ registration-and-pricing
Louisville
The 2025 Utility Expo brings together the latest equipment, technology and solutions driving progress in the utility construction industry. From cranes and aerial devices to rigging, transport, and safety innovations, the Kentucky Exposition Center will be the main stage for showcasing products and services tailored to the specialized needs of utility professionals.
American Cranes & Transport’s Utility Expo Show Guide features information submitted by exhibiting companies displaying products and services that cater to the utility industry.
Cranes
ALTEC will display three cranes this year: the AC40E-152S, the AC45E-127S and the AC65E-155S. Each of these units will display an option or attachment designed to meet the needs of transmission construction and maintenance. The
sluggers
axle, federal bridge law compliant build, which removes the need for permitting in most states. Altec also provides a second “heavyweight” configuration that features 12,500 pounds of customizable counterweight on a five-axle, twin steer chassis.
AC40E at the show will be equipped with the IJ26 CAT A 500kV insulating jib. This jib transforms the AC40E into a barehandcapable aerial with a maximum working height of 193 feet. The jib is also available on the AC45E. The AC45E on display will be equipped with Altec’s bespoke pole guide attachment, which expands the capabilities of the crane with improved pole handling.
The AC65E at this year’s show is equipped with the LineWise TLL-2000 triple line lifter, highlighting a new partnership between Altec and LineWise announced in June of 2025. This triple line lifter allows the AC65E to hold an entire energized circuit with one crane.
ELLIOTT EQUIPMENT is bringing some of its strongest hi-reach, material-handling and heavy lifting units to Utility Expo 2025. With both an indoor and outdoor booth, the company will be showcasing a bevy of equipment, along with the opportunity to learn more about Elliott’s other offerings. On display outside will be the Elliott 40142 boom truck. The unit is a heavy boom truck in the 40-50 ton class, with a 142-foot telescoping boom, full hydraulic or electric/hydraulic control options and strong lifting specs (~80,000 pounds) for customers needing crane-level reach plus truck mobility. The boom truck is ideal for material handling and lifting for construction and utility sites.
FRANNA, global manufacturer of pick and carry cranes, join Terex Utilities at Booth E255, where it will showcase the AT24 US model, an advanced pick and carry crane tailored for the needs of the North American market.
The AT24 US offers a range of intelligent features that support precision and control in the field. The crane includes automatic counterweight detection, operator-settable maximum working height, maximum
The AC65E comes in multiple configurations to best suit customer needs. Featured at the show is the seven- >34
The 2025 Utility Expo is set to welcome a record-breaking crowd and exhibit floor.
Altec will display the AC40E-152S, AC45E-127S and AC65E-155S crane models.
On display outside will be the Elliott 40142 boom truck.
COMPANY
BOOTH
A1A Software E808
Almetek Industries S3313
Altec Industries E531 / E331
Arrowhead Winch N936
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) EH2201
working radius and front axle weight monitoring. Rigging limits and real-time feedback on percentage of rated capacity further enhance operational awareness, making the AT24 US a reliable choice for utility applications.
Additionally, the AT24 US incorporates a suite of safety technologies to provide secure lifting operations and protect both personnel and the surrounding environment. These include overload protection, Franna’s proprietary Dynamic Load Moment Indicator (LMI), an external emergency stop and an ergonomically designed operator cabin.
Join MANITOWOC at Booth E365 to see a utility equipment from both NATIONAL CRANE and GROVE.
On display will be the NTV45142 a National Crane 45-ton unit mounted on a Prinoth T22 chassis. This robust off-road configuration combines mobility with lifting power and is equipped with a 151-foot main boom, providing extended reach in challenging environments. Also featured is the NBT60XL, a National Crane 60-ton model with a 151-foot main boom, engineered to deliver heavy-duty performance for demanding utility applications.
The booth will also highlight the National Crane 900A, a 23-ton unit fitted with a 14K-foot auger, making it ideal for pole setting and drilling. Visitors can also learn about the NBT45142, a 45-ton National Crane equipped with the MAX Counterweight Package, which is engineered to provide industryleading lifting capacities, enhanced stability, and outstanding performance for complex lifts.
For jobs requiring versatility in confined
spaces, Manitowoc will showcase the Grove GDC25 carry deck crane. With a 25-ton capacity and a compact design, it offers reliable lifting solutions for tight job sites. In addition, Aspen Equipment will present its turnkey upfit solutions, including an electric service body and a mobile dielectric testing trailer, demonstrating the future of utility work truck support services. will be displaying an all-new 40-142RS. The boom truck features 40 US tons capacity and 142 feet of synchronized keel boom. The company has combined what they learned developing the crossover line into the RS with a new pump and valve combination and new swing motor. Operator comfort has also been improved with a new VISION cab with the LK-1control
Load King will showcase their all-new 40-142RS boom truck.
At Franna’s booth, the company will display their AT24 US model pick and carry crane.
and Gearmatic winches, hoists and drives. “At The Utility Expo, it’s all about solutions that make life easier for utility fleets,” said Paul Hiltenbeitel, director of sales at Arrowhead Winch. “We want to show managers and contractors how specifying our products can cut downtime, reduce maintenance headaches, and deliver real results on the job.”
BRADEN will also unveil a new hydraulic winch bumper system at the show, designed specifically for the utility industry. With a 12,000 pound (5,443 kilogram) hydraulic winch, capstan extension and unique removable bumper design, the UCB12 will replace the HUP12. Arrowhead Winch offers OEMs the ability to be part of the design process to meet customer needs.
system, a new ergonomic seat and locker for personal belongings. The cab also now tilts for operation at high angles. Cameras have been added to view the winch and the area opposite the cab.
Also in the booth this year is Load King’s first collaboration with LineWise. The 50-155U “Utility” is displayed holding the Triple Line Lifter 1300. Load King plans to broaden their cooperation with LineWise in this important attachment market.
PALFINGER will be expanding its lineup at the show, and will spotlight the redesigned PAL Pro 43 mechanics truck, built for the toughest jobs with unmatched durability and corrosion-resistant e-coat protection. Quick to deploy, Palfinger service cranes deliver precise, heavy-duty performance while keeping crews safe.
Attendees will also experience the Palfinger PK 53002 SH knuckle boom crane, offering powerful, precise lifting and unmatched versatility for the most demanding jobs, the company said.
Rigging gear
ARROWHEAD WINCH invites attendees to explore how the lineup of BRADEN, CARCO
BIGFOOT will be showcasing its line of outrigger pads, ground mats and cribbing at the Utility Expo next month. At the center of the exhibit will be Bigfoot’s signature Custom Composite and wood outrigger pads, engineered to handle demanding utility applications while extending equipment life and reducing jobsite risk. Visitors will also have the chance to explore specialized solutions built with utility crews in mind, including the A-Frame outrigger pad, pole puller plate, pole stand, bucket cover riser, the Slick Willy self-lubricating tool holder, Bigfoot’s lightweight manhole cover and the innovative Guard Rail Pad, which uses extendable and retractable rails to draw attention to the outrigger system and help prevent collisions, trips and falls.
Bigfoot will also unveil brand-new product lines, including the Rigging Rack, Wall-Mounted Rigging Rack, and the Modular Outrigger Pad System, a flexible, stackable solution that allows users to add thickness or leveling when ground conditions demand it, or remove layers when they don’t. Also on display will be Bigfoot’s steel crane mats, purpose-
built for 200T–500T applications. Beyond stability gear, Bigfoot also supplies rigging solutions such as wire rope and nylon slings, along with wheel chocks to round out its comprehensive safety lineup.
BISHOP LIFTING has been helping to serve the line men and women in the power delivery sector for many years. Attendees can expect to see Bishop Lifting’s broad range of wire rope, rigging and steel fabrication product and this year’s show. The company is also promoting its expansion into the Midwest through its recent acquisition of American Rigger’s Supply.
DICA will feature two recently launched products that are making their debut at this year’s show. EcoMax Crane Pads and expanded sizes of the award-winning LevelRight Outrigger Pad.
The new EcoMax Crane Pad combines the stiffness and strength of steel with the durability and longevity of engineered composite material. Designed as a costeffective alternative to traditional timber or all-steel mats, EcoMax provides maximized load distribution and longterm reliability. A built-in center plate assists operators with outrigger float placement, improving setup efficiency and safety. Rated for a maximum capacity of 160,000 pounds, EcoMax is ideal for cranes in the 150-ton class.
Also on display will be the expanded LevelRight Outrigger Pad line. First introduced in 2024, LevelRight quickly gained recognition for its ability to create a stable, level setup on unlevel terrain without wedges, digging, or shoveling. Now available in four sizes, LevelRight accommodates a wide range of equipment, from bucket trucks to aerial lifts, with rated capacities up to 350,000 lbs. Made from DICA’s proprietary SafetyTech material, LevelRight features SafetyTexturing for grip and a built-in bubble level for precise adjustments.
Bigfoot will display it’s line of outrigger pads, ground mats and cribbing at their booth.
DICA’s EcoMax Crane Pads are ideal for cranes in the 150-ton class.
Safety and training
A1A SOFTWARE will showcase all of its industry-leading products.
The latest releases of the A1A Product Suite: 3D Lift Plan (App version); 3D Lift Vision, the only crane simulator where you are transported into the cab of the user’s lift plan. Rigging Designer, for custom rigging plans; Jobsite Designer that transforms the site instantly and the latest mobile-friendly Sketch Pad, that provides the most efficient way to capture necessary job site data for planning, bids and estimates.
station will feature new and existing equipment training packs designed to teach core skills, such as navigating around underground utilities and buried infrastructure.
products
iCraneTrax continues to be the “go to” platform for storing data, from every aspect of a crane business, including telematics info and turning it into useful information and reports, allowing you to make important decisions on how to best utilize your assets to achieve maximum profits.
CM LABS SIMULATIONS, a vendor of simulation-based training solutions in the utilities, construction and ports industries, will showcase Intellia, it’s Intelligent Training System. At the expo, CM Labs will also debut all-new Intellia equipment training packs designed to reflect the complex realities of today’s utility jobsites and help organizations build safer, more skilled crews with simulation training that mirrors real-world challenges. In addition, CM Labs will also exhibit hands-on live demonstrations of new changes coming to its walkaround inspection training.
Attendees will also be able to engage with CM Labs’ new and existing training packs at two themed 5-screen simulator stations. One
The other station will showcase CM Labs’ latest training packs for overhead operations, which provide scenario-based, progressive training for operating in tight spaces and high-risk environments such as near power lines. The station will also highlight the industry’s only Digger Derrick Simulator, plus additional solutions for overhead utility work.
Technology/operator aids
AUTEC NORTH AMERICA will be showcasing a full suite of remote controls designed for the construction and mobile machinery industries. The company engineers and manufactures products to enhance safety and optimize the operational efficiency of applications such as mobile cranes, concrete pumps and excavators. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about Autec’s new HT4 Pistol Grip, as well as their other products. Concurring with this major event, Autec will also be launching a completely redesigned
Discover the spectrum series, a cutting-edge line of customized control technology from HBC, designed to meet the exact needs of your application. Choose from a wide array of display sizes and an extensive
selection of features and functions to create a control solution that is precisely configured to your specifications. Whether operating complex industrial machinery or streamlining operations across large-scale systems, spectrum adapts to customer demands. From intelligent safety features that enhance operator protection, to advanced control concepts that drive process efficiency, spectrum delivers, the company said.
OEM CONTROLS, INC. has designed and developed electrohydraulic controllers and control systems for more than 55 years. Each product is configured to customer specifications, using proven components and a wide range of available options. The company also provides complete system design and assembly services. Core products include one-, two- and three-axis joystick controllers, multi-grip handles, electronic valve driver boards, microprocessor-based logic controllers and integrated panel systems.
In addition, OEM Data Delivery develops connected solutions that support operators and fleet managers with equipment monitoring and safety. The Fasten Tracker system helps ensure operators are clipped in before equipment is used, adding a layer of accountability and compliance. n
CM Labs will debut all-new Intellia training packs.
HBC-radionmatic’s will show the spectrum line.
The core joystick controller
from OEM Controls will be shown at the company’s booth.
Pictured is the Autec HT4 Pitsol Grip remote control device.
The Trail King Hydraulic Sliding Tail will be on display at the company’s outdoor booth.
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300-Ton| 275 mt All Terrain Crane
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Contract clarity
As contractors rely more on borrowed employees and temporary crews to fill labor gaps, liability risks are on the rise. Joel Dandrea discusses the specifics.
Labor shortages aren’t going away anytime soon, and contractors are filling the gap with subcontractors, temp workers and staffing agency crews. While these arrangements keep projects on track, they also create complicated questions around liability when someone gets hurt on the job.
A borrowed employee is anyone who works for one employer but is lent (formally or informally) to another. The risk shows up when that worker is injured and it becomes unclear who is responsible: the supplying employer, the subcontractor
SC&RA Leadership
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
TREASURER
Michael Vlaming
Vlaming & Associates, Vallejo, CA
Keith Settle
Oxbo Mega Transport
Solutions
Houston, TX
ALLIED INDUSTRIES
GROUP CHAIR
Troy Geisler
Talbert Manufacturing
Rensselaer, IN
CRANE & RIGGING GROUP CHAIR
Peter Juhren
Morrow Equipment Salem, OR
TRANSPORTATION
GROUP CHAIR
Joanna Jungles
Anderson Trucking Service
St. Cloud, MN
SC&R Foundation
PRESIDENT
Kate Landry
Deep South Crane & Rigging
Baton Rouge, LA
VICE PRESIDENT
Tyler Henley
Mazzella Companies
Oklahoma City, OK
TREASURER
Shelly Gayring
Select Crane Sales
Fort Pierce, Florida
or the general contractor.
The answer usually comes down to control. If the contractor directs the work – sets tasks, supervises execution, enforces safety rules – then the contractor is likely seen as the employer for liability purposes regardless of what the contract says. Courts regularly look past contract language to assess who was truly in charge. That means a general contractor can find itself facing exposure not just under workers’ compensation but also under negligence claims, which can result in much larger payouts.
That said, even the cleanest language about which party is the “employer” for workers’ comp purposes won’t hold up if the facts on the ground say otherwise. That’s why site supervision, safety protocols and documentation must match what the agreement outlines. If a contractor is truly directing the work, the risk transfers with it.
Job progress
For SC&RA members, the best practice is to treat this as a front-end issue, not a back-end surprise. Contracts should clearly spell out who is responsible for payroll, wage determination, insurance coverage and safety oversight. Provisions for indemnity, caps on liability and proof of coverage are critical. Contractors should also require subcontractors to disclose whether they are using borrowed employees and, if so, ensure there’s adequate coverage for them downstream.
Insurance is the other key lever. Workers’ compensation coverage should be confirmed for every worker who steps on site, regardless of who technically employs them. In states where courts presume general employment, contractors should be prepared to demonstrate that the borrowed employee relationship exists if they intend to claim workers’ comp immunity.
Beyond contracts and coverage, there’s a cultural component here. Transparency between contractors, subs and staffing providers reduces the chance of surprise liability after an accident. Jobsite safety
meetings, supervision protocols and even something as simple as making sure rosters accurately reflect who is working for whom can go a long way toward clarifying responsibility before an incident occurs. Proactive communication also improves morale and trust, especially among temporary workers who might feel disconnected from jobsite expectations. And this is not just about risk avoidance – it’s about productivity. When roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, injuries are investigated faster, disputes are minimized and job progress stays steady. In an era where every lost day carries a significant cost, clarity around borrowed employees helps keep schedules, budgets and relationships intact.
Competitive edge
Borrowed employees are an essential part of today’s workforce model, but they shouldn’t represent a hidden liability. A combination of strong agreements, consistent oversight and proactive legal review can help contractors protect themselves while keeping projects on schedule.
Ultimately, this isn’t just a legal issue, it’s a risk-management issue. When responsibility is clearly defined, properly insured and well-communicated, projects run smoother, injuries are handled faster and costly disputes are avoided. For contractors navigating a tight labor market, that clarity isn’t just protection – it’s a competitive edge that can strengthen client relationships and set the stage for repeat work. Review your contracts, insurance and site protocols now, before the next project kicks off, so that borrowed employees become a solution, not a liability surprise. n
Skills rising
The Foundation’s 2025 efforts focus on awareness, education and resources that connect students, educators and employers – turning workforce challenges into opportunities for the entire industry.
Within today’s fast-changing job market, now more than ever, the traditional approach to workforce development no longer keeps pace. Employers face a perfect storm – the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, shrinking birth rates and a widening gap between the skills young people learn and the ones the industry desperately needs.
For the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF), the mission is clear: strengthen the industry by strengthening its workforce. From research that drives policy and advocacy to scholarships, training grants and on-the-ground outreach at student events, the Foundation is building the pipeline of future talent one initiative at a time.
The message is simple – it takes a village. And with that in mind, SC&RF continues to work with SC&RA members, partners and educators to raise awareness, create opportunity and ultimately bring more people into the crane, rigging and specialized transport sectors.
In 2025, the Foundation’s Workforce Committee has been releasing workforce development tools to assist both their own national efforts at SkillsUSA and FFA, and those of SC&RA member companies engaging in their communities.
One of those resources, the SC&RF Career Pathways site, was launched in March of this year, and has become
A recruitment strategy SC&RF has found success with at SkillsUSA events and Crane & Rigging Workshops is an all-ages interactive booth featuring remote-control cranes and trailers.
an indispensable resource for both members and educators alike. It features 21 detailed career profiles – from Mobile Crane Operator and Crane Mechanic to Heavy Haul Truck Driver and Project Manager – each outlining required skills, certifications, responsibilities and even salary expectations.
The site even offers users the opportunity to connect with a company in their area through a company search link – to find the training, apprenticeship programs or discuss open positions.
Targeted resources
SC&RF also created a key resource this year for educators with the CTE (Career Technical Education) Pathways Flyer. Designed as a quick reference, the flyer outlines careers in the industry and explains what career clusters (such as heavy equipment, mechanics or Jackie Roskos, SC&RF Director.
welding) offer transferable skills into this industry.
“The flyer was designed to be a starting point for industry and educators.,” said Jackie Roskos, SC&RF Director. “It connects the dots for educators from what they are teaching in their ‘career cluster’ to how students can begin a career in crane, rigging and specialized transport – and it puts students on a path to discover scholarships, training programs and real career opportunities in the industry.”
Similarly, a series of “Career Post Cards” and standard letter-size fliers were created this year, designed as quick, engaging resources for students, educators and employers alike. Each card spotlights a specific career path – from crane operator and rigger to diesel mechanic and SPMT driver – outlining the skills, training requirements and earning potential that come with the role.
The fliers are available as a download and go a step further by including a section where companies can add their own information, making them an ideal
printed flyer for job fairs, school visits and recruitment events. Together, these resources provide a convenient way for members to start conversations and showcase opportunities when working with their local communities.
On-demand value
SC&RF’s library of on-demand webinars remains one of its most practical resources for members looking to sharpen their
Kate Landry Varisco – SC&RF President, with Deep South Crane & Rigging.
workforce strategies. Each quarter, the Foundation hosts sessions designed to address realworld challenges and opportunities in recruitment, retention and talent development.
The next installment arrives this month with the Q4 Workforce Ambassador Webinar: Building a Standout Brand to Attract the Next Generation Workforce. This session will dive into what makes a brand stand out, how to define and communicate a compelling value proposition and how to identify the most effective channels to tell your story. The webinar features Erin Haines, Digital Strategist, and Susan Iris, Brand Strategist, at The Studio by Navigate.
“These webinars are about giving our members real, actionable tools they can put to work immediately,” said Roskos. “Many of the companies in the industry are building strong pipelines in preparation for a sustainable industry and they are generously willing to share what has been successful for them. Webinars like this one provide invaluable information, with the opportunity for networking and questions.”
SC&RA members are encouraged to explore SC&RF’s growing webinar archive, which offers a library of past sessions on best practices in recruitment, how to partner with a CTE educator, classroom visits and even how to host a small-scale Lift & Move – a valuable, on-demand resource for anyone looking to strengthen their talent pipeline.
United effort
Under the educational assistance area, SC&RF’s Company Training Grant
remains available in 2025 for members looking to offset the costs of workforce training.
With $12,000 still available and applications accepted on a rolling basis, the program helps companies invest in developing the skills and readiness of their teams. It’s a straightforward way for members to strengthen internal training efforts while directly benefiting from the Foundation’s mission to grow industry talent. Members are encouraged to find out more and apply!
On the research front, the 2025 State of the Workforce Report was released in late September. It reinforced both the urgency and opportunity facing the industry. Succession planning remains a critical concern, with more than two-thirds of executive roles held by employees 55 and older. At the same time, the pipeline of younger workers is thin – as many as 100 percent of organizations report fewer than 10 percent of executives, managers and support staff are under 30. Even manual labor roles face gaps of 25–69 percent in young talent.
Recruitment methods have shifted, too. Employee referrals now account for nearly half of new hires, while reliance on jobsites has dropped sharply – underscoring the need for fresh approaches to reach the next generation. High school education paired with industry certifications has become the most common entry point, while union training continues to decline, especially in crane operations.
The takeaway is clear: the industry must commit to succession planning, creative recruitment and training strategies, and a united effort to build a workforce that can sustain growth for decades to come.
“At the end of the day, everything we do is about creating opportunity for the next generation,” added Kate Landry Varisco – SC&RF President, with Deep South Crane & Rigging. “The more we invest in education, training and resources now, the stronger and more resilient our industry will be for years to come.” ■ For more information, visit www.scr-foundation.org.
The SC&RF Career Pathways site, launched in March of this year, features 21 detailed career profiles – from Mobile Crane Operator and Crane Mechanic to Heavy Haul Truck Driver and Project Manager – each outlining required skills, certifications, responsibilities and even salary expectations.
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EXHIBITS: JANUARY 20-22, 2026
EDUCATION: JANUARY 19-22, 2026
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER
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Introducing CCO’s new crane operator evaluator program, which brings structure, consistency and rigor to OSHA’s framework.
Launching January 2026, CCO’s Crane Operator Evaluator program gives a clear pathway for employers to ensure the evaluation of crane operators is performed by a certified individual. This new program is the first of its kind and brings structure, consistency and third-party rigor to the part of OSHA’s “train-certify-evaluate” framework that has historically varied from site to site.
Why now?
Since OSHA’s Crane & Derricks in Construction rule took effect, operator qualification has been a three-step process: training, certification and evaluation. OSHA requires that a crane operator evaluator is qualified. However, OSHA did not provide any guidance as to how an individual becomes qualified. Certification is indispensable, but OSHA is explicit that a certification alone does not make someone qualified to run a specific crane, in a specific configuration, on a specific job. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure evaluations are performed with the knowledge, training and experience to assess an operator on the actual equipment and task. In practice, that has created ambiguity since it has been up to the employer to determine the parameters of an evaluation and can often create bias. CCO’s new Crane Operator Evaluator Program provides an industry-backed, structured pathway with clear answers.
Training framework
The program delivers a structured pathway for professionals seeking to become qualified evaluators in the crane industry. Participants can choose from three specialization tracks: Mobile Crane Operator Evaluator, Tower Crane Operator Evaluator or Articulating Operator Evaluator. They develop defined competencies that emphasize judging practical skills and risk recognition specific to the crane, its configuration and the task at hand. Through standardized methods and documentation, the program ensures consistent planning, performance
Evaluation expertise
and recordkeeping, resulting in more reliable and defensible outcomes. It clarifies the role of an evaluator, whether the participant is a safety manager, an experienced craft professional or a thirdparty agent, by clearly outlining what it means to be “qualified to evaluate.”
As evaluator task force chair John Manes notes, evaluating operators isn’t “just throwing the keys to them.” It requires defined competencies and a deliberate process to ensure the right person is in the seat when work begins. “The certification is going to help other contractors, and other companies with crane operations be more consistent in how they authorize their operators and how evaluators evaluate their capabilities,” he said.
A gold standard
This certification serves employers and site owners who must formally designate qualified evaluators to meet OSHA obligations. This program is also appropriate for seasoned professionals who regularly assess operator performance, as well as for third-party providers acting as employer agents, since it establishes a recognized benchmark that clarifies scope, expectations and accountability.
Evaluators will be examined through rigorous testing that encompasses jobrelevant competencies, including taskfocused planning, structured operator interviews, site and condition verification, live performance observation, risk recognition and stop-work culture, clear
documentation, evaluator ethics and impartiality, and OSHA rule clarity.
CCO is recognized for being the gold standard of certification in the construction industry. This new program extends that leadership to the critical, on-thejob step after certification for evaluating personnel. This dedication to operational excellence improves safety, documentation and confidence across contractors, owners, insurers and operators. “We only get one opportunity to get it right,” Manes said.
Getting started
The program sets clear criteria for evaluator qualification and the documentation that supports it, provides a repeatable method that scales across projects and crane types, and standardizes records so scope, criteria, outcomes and authorization limits are captured consistently. It also improves alignment on what “qualified to operate this crane for this task” means in practice, while supporting but not replacing each employer’s existing authorization process. From an employer’s perspective, getting started typically begins with selecting prospective evaluators, such as safety managers, lifting and rigging experts, or trusted third parties and starting the application process through CCO. Organizations then align internal policies and form to CCO’s standardized approach and communicate expectations for crews and subcontractors.
The candidate handbook will be publicly posted in October and covers the core competencies candidates are expected to master. There is no practical exam required for this certification. Candidates are expected to recertify every five years after passing the written exams. ■
January Board & Committee Meetings
January 4-7
Hotel Del Coronado
Coronado, CA
April 20-24
Omni Amelia Island Amelia Island, FL
February 24-26
Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Birmingham, AL
September 22-24
Hilton Omaha Omaha, NE
Joseph Doerr discusses how late claims reporting fuels losses nationwide.
Ihave worked in the crane industry for upwards of 25 years in one capacity or another, and I have seen a lot. I walked off a job site after a near-miss during my time as an operator, sat across from a frustrated business owner after he suffered a six-figure settlement and worked with underwriters as we analyzed claims data that was less than favorable for a client. Time and time again, one problem continues to stand out – even with the most safety-conscious operations: late claims reporting.
I’m not even talking about the catastrophic cases with major injuries that often hit the mainstream media and circulate widely on social media. Those, in most cases, are reported right away. I am talking about the incidents that often get overlooked or dismissed: a minor fender bender, a struck-by incident that results in what seems like an insignificant injury or a cracked slab of property damage. These are the incidents crews brush off, supervisors downplay and everyone assumes they will just go away. But they rarely do. Instead, they quietly morph into extensive legal battles, exaggerated claims and spiraling insurance costs.
Reporting matters
When an incident goes unreported, whether for days, weeks or even months, the plaintiff’s attorneys ultimately gain the upper hand. We have all seen this play out too many times. As Chris Mikolay from National Interstate Insurance says, “Every late claim report in crane and rigging shifts the balance of power – from your defense team to the plaintiff’s attorney. The sooner you report, the better you’re able to control and contain the outcome.”
THE AUTHOR
Joseph T. Doerr brings more than 20 years of experience across the crane, rigging, and insurance industries. He serves as a sales executive at Emery & Karrigan, where he designs tailored insurance programs and risk management strategies for crane and rigging clients.
When an incident goes unreported, whether for days, weeks or even months, the plaintiff’s attorneys ultimately gain the upper hand.
The price of delay
Here’s why delayed reporting is so dangerous:
■ IT ALLOWS THEM TO CONTROL THE NARRATIVE. Without an early defense investigation, the plaintiff’s version of events goes unchallenged.
■ EVIDENCE GETS LOST. Dashcam footage gets overwritten, jobsite photos are never taken, and witnesses forget critical details.
■ MEDICAL COSTS ESCALATE. Soft tissue injuries evolve into long-term treatment plans involving pain clinics, chiropractors, and even surgeries. Claims that should have been manageable can quickly climb into six and seven figures.
Even more concerning is the growing use of litigation funding and medical factoring, where third parties bankroll lawsuits or medical bills in exchange for a share of the payout. These schemes incentivize delays, further driving up claim values and litigation volume.
THE FINANCIAL TOLL: HOW LATE REPORTING EQUALS HIGHER COSTS. To truly understand the financial impact, we need to look at the data. Several studies confirm the cost of delayed reporting:
■ Workers’ compensation claims reported after two weeks cost 51 more (NCCI).
■ Auto liability claims filed after 30 days cost an average of 40% more (The Hartford).
■ General liability claims filed after 30 days? Liberty Mutual reported a 72% increase.
■ Soft tissue injury demands routinely seek 5x the actual medical cost (ATRI). These numbers are not insignificant. Late reporting drives costs for everyone— raising loss ratios for insurers while burdening insureds with higher premiums. The crane and rigging industry is already facing unprecedented challenges: nuclear verdicts, rising insurance premiums and stricter underwriting scrutiny. Late reporting only compounds these pressures. When your fleet is operating on thin margins, the difference between reporting immediately and waiting two weeks could be the difference between profitability and financial distress.
WHY PRIVILEGE MATTERS AND WHY IT MUST BE DONE EARLY. One thing we always stress to our clients: if there’s an event involving bodily injury to a third party, everything is discoverable until attorney-client privilege is triggered. Ideally, privilege should be invoked at the first reasonable sign that a claim may develop. Early involvement allows your legal team to:
PHOTO: AI-GENERATED VIA CHATGPT
■ Investigate under the protection of privilege
■ Shield employee statements from discovery
■ Strategize communications with your carrier and experts
If you wait too long and start speculating in emails, incident forms or group texts, you may be creating discoverable evidence that will later be used against you.
This is especially true in today’s digital environment. Every email, text, or photo can be subpoenaed. Triggering privilege early gives your team the legal framework to protect sensitive information.
THE DOMINO EFFECT OF LATE REPORTING.
Late claims don’t just result in higher payouts – they trigger a cascade of challenges:
■ Litigation becomes more complex and costly, with additional fees incurring.
■ Settlement positions weaken, as unprepared defense teams give plaintiffs leverage.
■ Thorough investigations and root cause analyses become nearly impossible.
■ Insurers see late reporting as a red flag, which can lead to higher premiums or even coverage denial if patterns emerge.
According to ATRI, late and unclear claim settlements average 38% higher than verdicts, largely because the defense was unprepared to push back.
For crane companies, the effect can ripple beyond insurance costs. General contractors and project owners review safety records and claims history before awarding jobs. What starts as a latereported minor incident can ultimately cost a company contracts, reputation and future growth.
BEST PRACTICES FOR CLAIMS REPORTING: EARLY REPORTING IS A STRATEGIC DEFENSE.
For our clients, we recommend a structured claims reporting and response process:
■ Implement a written First Notice of Loss (FNOL) policy. Require reporting as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours.
■ Include minor events and near-misses. If it’s worth talking about, it’s worth reporting.
■ Train all employees. Supervisors, operators, riggers, and drivers must know what to report, when, and to whom. Build a culture where reporting is protection, not punishment.
■ Establish legal involvement protocols. Define triggers for engaging counsel in any bodily injury or third-party incident, with communications marked “Attorney Work Product – Privileged & Confidential.”
■ Leverage technology. Use mobile apps or telematics to capture GPS data, dash or hook-cam footage, operator notes, and photos in real time.
■ Preserve evidence immediately. Secure job tickets, video files, equipment logs, and lift plans while memories are fresh.
■ Encourage near-miss reporting. Many major claims trace back to small, undocumented events.
Adding to this, companies should conduct quarterly claims reviews with their broker and insurer. These reviews help identify reporting delays, evaluate settlement trends and provide training opportunities for staff.
In today’s litigation-driven environment, speed is an asset. The other side is organized, well-funded, and trained to exploit even minor delays. But with fast reporting, preserved evidence and early legal strategy, you take that advantage away.
■
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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.
60 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.
65 Equipment for Sale or Rent
Crane, rigging and lifting equipment for sale or rent, new or used.
69 Safety Products
Training, Fall Protection, Cameras, Safety Apparel, Signs, Lights, Hard hats
70 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 www.morrow.com training@morrow.com
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.
Elevator Rope
General
Oilfield Rope
Crane Rope
Rope
Aircraft Cable (GALV & Stainless)
Wire Rope Slings
Hardware, Fittings & Tools
Anchorage, AK (907) 331-4876
Arlington, WA (253) 254-7950
Bakersfield, CA (661) 578-5854
Fontana, CA (562) 286-6618
Lathrop, CA (209) 597-3824
Kapolei, HI (808) 682-7263
North Plains, OR (971) 202-4002
We are family-owned and operated, with our 4th generation serving the industry. Our fleet comprises Liebherr & Tadano cranes ranging 75 Tons to 1,000 Tons. We are continually investing in new cranes in order to grow with our clients as well as to keep our fleet current & among the youngest in the business.
Contact us for a rental quote; we will structure a competitive proposal based on your job and capital requirements.
Overview of Construction Market Forecasts and Trends
n Maurice van Sante, ING Research
10:20 – 10:45 a.m.
Safe and Well in Tahiti: A Spectacular Transport and Lifting Project Where Safety Was a Sky-High Priority
n Blanca Claeyssens, ASA France
10:45 – 11:25 a.m.
Coffee Break
11:25 – 11:50 a.m.
Leadership Keynote
n Doug Williams, Buckner Companies
11:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Roundtable: The People
Problem—Finding and Keeping a Skilled Workforce
12:40 – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Manufacturer Keynote
n Dean Barley, Pan-America, Tadano Cranes
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Global Mobile Crane Markets
n Chris Sleight, Off-Highway Research
3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
Roundtable: Challenges of Lifting and Transport on Wind Energy Projects
3:50 – 4:20 p.m.
Coffee Break
4:20 – 4:45 p.m.
Fagioli’s Load Out of the 23,000-Ton B212-Charybdis
Offshore Wind Turbine
Installation Vessel Using 880 Lines of SPMT
n Edoardo Ascione, Fagioli, Inc., USA
4:45 – 5:10 p.m.
Digital Assistance Systems for Crane Safety and Safe Operations
n Speaker to be confirmed, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen
5:10 – 5:35 p.m.
Transforming Specialized Transport Operations: Leveraging Next-Gen Technologies
n Steven Todd, ProMiles
NOTE: speakers and timings liable to change.
n Engineered Rigging has expanded its engineering team with the addition of Connor Olivera as project engineer. Olivera recently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Arkansas Tech University. In his new role, he will be responsible for designing and drafting structural and mechanical systems, managing assets and producing engineering reports, calculations and evaluations.
Taking the stage next month, the World Crane and Transport Summit in Dublin, Ireland, is the foremost global conference and networking event for the crane, rigging and specialized transport sector. Set for November 18-19, the event features presentations and roundtables from important global leaders and a worldrenowned economist. The conference will be opened by Joel Dandrea, CEO at Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, WCTS exclusive event partners. ■
(Left to Right) Jon Mosebach, Carrie Gulajan, Austin Reiner, Mike Mulsow, Tanner Myers and Joel Hall.
Not pictured: Jason McElrath.
OCTOBER
October 7-9
THE UTILITY EXPO Louisville, KY Kentucky Exposition Center theutilityexpo.com
NOVEMBER
November 18-19 WORLD CRANE & TRANSPORT SUMMIT 2025 Dublin, Ireland Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Khl-wcts.com
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
SEAA updates Board of Directors
The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has announced new appointments to its Board of Directors.
Returning to the board are Carrie Gulajan of Construction Insurance Agency and Jason McElrath of MP Specialty Insurance. Gulajan, a longtime SEAA member and board member, has been actively involved with the association for more than 15 years. McElrath joined the board in 2021.
Newly elected are Joel Hall
of Porter Steel, Inc., Jon Mosebach of L.R. Willson & Sons, Mike Mulsow of FM Steel Construction and Tanner Myers of Cumberland Steel Company.
“Their companies represent a wide range of steel erection and fabrication work, and each brings field-tested perspective to the table, ranging from operations and workforce training to safety management and project coordination,” said R. Pete Gum, SEAA’s Executive Director. ■
Lifting • Securing• Mobilizing
Lifting • Securing• Mobilizing
Full range of models from 5,000 lbs. capacity up to 180,000 lbs
95% vibration reduction
Load cells don’t have to be removed for use with vibratory hammer
Eliminates wear and tear on hydraulic boom cylinders
Suitable for use with any hydraulic boom/crawler crane and any make/model vibratory hammer
