Deep In The Heart Of Texas

The Westin La Cantera Resort, nestled on a hillside overlooking a limestone canyon near San Antonio, TX, is the stage for the 2007 Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association Annual Conference. The conference is shaping up to be an important event, the agenda filled with pertinent education sessions, governing and committee group meetings, networking events and leisure activities.

While this year's conference likely has something to please, interest or engage everyone, year after year it is the networking that attendees enjoy the most. The movers and shakers from all sectors of the industry will be on hand, including specialized transportation, machinery moving and erecting, industrial maintenance, crane and equipment rental, manufacturing and all sorts of related service and support companies.

Allied Insurance Brokers

For 25 years, Allied Insurance Brokers has been serving the crane industry, specializing in meeting the industry's unique insurance needs. Allied management extends an invitation for members to stop by their booth to meet their principals. The company says members can rely on a comfy booth for their relaxation needs, and Allied's crane insurance experts are there to discuss their insurance needs. Also, register to enter Allied's drawing for an Apple iPod.

ATS Specialized

ATS Specialized, a long-time SC&RA member, values its relationship with the organization. ATS Specialized has long worked with SC&RA members and has the attitude that “their success is our success,” says Jeff Brunner, director of sales. “As their needs change, we adapt to these changes and continue growing our relationships.”

ATS strives to be a specialized transportation leader in safety and quality. Alongside Brunner, ATS will be represented by Rollie Anderson, president; Gary Stang, general manager, specialized; and Jim Hunnicutt, regional sales manager.

Avon Bearings

Avon Bearings is a manufacturer specializing in supplying new and remanufactured large diameter slewing ring bearings for a broad spectrum of applications. The bearings manufactured by Avon Bearings range in size from 10 to 240 inches outside diameter. Avon Bearings maintains a large inventory of new and remanufactured bearings for all makes and models of lattice boom, crawler, tower, all terrain, knuckle boom, offshore, yard, rough terrain, and dockside cranes.

Avon's remanufacturing program features the ability to repair all ball, roller and multi-row bearings, regardless of the original manufacturer. The benefits of Avon's remanufacturing program include short lead times and substantial savings versus the new replacement costs. Emergency breakdown services are also available on request.

Beck Inc.

Beck Inc. is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of The Traksporter Self-Propelled Crawler System, which was designed as an alternative for moving heavy equipment in tight spaces.

The Traksporter system reduces the need for trucking forklifts and other equipment to a jobsite to make an in-plant move.

The crawler has a low profile, provides smooth continuous power, gives the ability to navigate corners non-stop and to place a machine in tight areas. The radio remote control gives the operator control and the flexibility to walk around the object being moved to see all critical areas. The Traksporter has a load capacity of 60,000 pounds and a towing capacity of over 150,000 pounds.

At this year's Product Fair, Beck announces the development of the Jeep, an attachment the company says will increase the load capacity to 110,000 pounds and increases the towing capacity to more than 200,000 pounds

An electrical add-on kit will allow the existing system to be switched from propane to factory voltage to move equipment in hospitals, food service, nuclear facilities, and the like. Representing Beck will be new Beck Sales Manager Mike Dobbratz and owner Rob Beck. At the booth, members can view video footage of several different machinery moves.

Bellville Rodair International

A global project forwarder, Bellville Rodair International (BRI) specializes in providing international freight services for over-dimensional cargoes, cranes and heavy construction equipment, as well as offering a full expedited air freight service for parts. BRI will be exhibiting at the Product Fair, showcasing its theme “Building Reliability” and offering information about the company's international export and import capabilities. Representing BRI will be Paul Mcauley, manager of North American projects and Mike Fuentes, general manager of operations. Their goal is to offer helpful information about international shipments, helping customers learn how to avoid unexpected freight costs, and offer resource information on industry conditions.

Bigge

A Product Fair veteran, Bigge Group will be on hand to promote its extensive range of lifting equipment. Among the world's most successful distributors of Terex Cranes, the company sold more cranes in 2006 than any other Terex dealer worldwide, the company says. Bigge recently started selling and renting Terex-Peiner and Terex-Comedil tower cranes as well as the full range of Terex, Terex-Demag and Terex-American branded mobile and crawler cranes. Bigge is also an authorized distributor for Liebherr crawler cranes, Broderson carry deck cranes and Zoom Boom reach forks.

Bigge has both new and used cranes for sale, offering a wide selection of rough terrain, all terrain, hydraulic truck, crawler, carry deck and tower cranes. To meet the needs of the heavy lift market, Bigge is also the sole distributor across North, Central and South America of Hydrospex Super Boom Lift hydraulic gantries and Hydrospex strand jacking systems. The advanced features, such as the Intellilift control system, make Hydrospex equipment among the world's leading hydraulic jacking systems.

Bigge will be handing out DVDs that demonstrate the Hydrospex equipment. Based in San Leandro, CA, Bigge has operations in Concord, CA; Auburn, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; and Richmond, VA. Craig Welch and Craig Truscelli from Bigge will be on hand to discuss crane needs and to explain the features of Hydrospex equipment.

Center Capital Corp.

Since 1987, construction and transportation companies, equipment makers and vendors have been returning to the construction and transportation equipment fi nancing division of Center Capital Corp, the company says. Center Capital has become well known for its creative and flexible equipment fi nancing solutions in the industry. A subsidiary of Webster Bank, N.A., Center Capital works to build on its distinguished track record of repeat business with an approach to set them apart from other lenders. This approach is driven by four elements: people, knowledge, flexibility and rock-solid customer focus, according to the company. The company's management team has worked to develop extensive equipment fi nancing skills and experience in their territories. Center Capital is a boutique operation, committed solely to the construction and transportation industries. The company understands equipment owners’ needs and the unique demands of their business. Representing Center Capital will be Henry Olson, regional sales manager; Tim Woodcock, vice president; Arnold Goldberg, senior vice president; and Denise Fernandez, business development manager.

Cranes Today

Cranes Today is an international magazine dedicated to the cranes sector. It covers every aspect of the lifting industry with the latest news, features, products information, exhibition previews and regional focuses.

Doral Equipment

Doral Equipment Rentals, based in Milwaukee, WI, is a specialty rental house that provides lifting solutions and is well known for its fork truck fleet. The company's fleet includes hydraulic truck cranes and gantries. Doral Equipment carries Versa- Lift, Rigger-Lift and Yale branded fork trucks. The company owns some 60 fork trucks and has 10 additional Versa-Lifts on order for delivery in 2007. Ready to serve members coast to coast, Rob Keelan and associates are on hand to answer questions about their products.

Fleet Cost & Care

Now in its 13th year, Fleet Cost & Care is a software development, training and support company. Its products were developed to specifically meet the needs of businesses requiring total fleet management in the construction and equipment rental industries. The software is designed to schedule and track personnel, vehicles and equipment, as well as those companies requiring an extensive fleet service and preventative maintenance capability.

Through its affiliate company, JJ Curran Crane Co. and Fleet Cost & Care, there are a combined 65 plus years of experience in the area of equipment rentals. This experience has allowed Fleet Cost & Care to create software unique to the construction and equipment rental, and rigging industries, allowing companies to easily produce and track the daily information so critical in today's business climate.

Fleet Cost & Care's product line consists of: Cost & Care Fleet Management System and NexGen Fleet Management System. In addition, Fleet Cost & Care is a Sage Pro ERP authorized partner. SC&RA Product's Fair attendees who visit the booth will have access to product demonstrations, feature overviews, and collateral materials. Several staff members will be on hand, including Jeff and Larry Curran, owners of Fleet Cost & Care; Sagar Maramreddy, product development; Linda Curran, product support specialist; and Kelly Curran, marketing manager.

Garrod Hydraulics

Founded in 1978 by Eugene and Barbara Garrod, this family-oriented business remanufactures hydraulic cylinders and components along with industrial hard chrome plating. Located in south central Pennsylvania, the company says it takes pride in the craftsmanship and skill of its workforce - a workforce that has enabled the company to grow from its humble beginning in a four-bay garage to its current 65,000 square foot facility with plans for expansion.

A company focus on the mobile crane industry has resulted in the development of proven remanufacturing methods that bring cylinders back to “like new” condition.

Garrod Hydraulics has the capability to plate rods up to 48 feet in length and 60 inches in diameter. The company says a combination of plant capacity, skilled craftsmen and high quality standards (ISO 9000 certification) result in a complete “in house” cylinder repair that will meet or exceed OEM standards. Garrod Hydraulics recently announced a new partnership with Manitowoc Crane Care to provide this same service for Manitowoc Crane Group products. Representing Garrod will be Brian and Jennifer Hollerbush.

Goldhofer

Offering individual solutions for the heavy duty transport sector is the daily business of the German manufacturer of specialized transporters Goldhofer. Goldhofer works to multiply its clientele by new developments, for which it has distinguished itself, and has become among the world's leading supplier of heavy duty transporters. Heavy duty modules are the main pillar of this range of products. These modules offer a flexible transport system that solves all kinds of transportation tasks in the payload range of 70 to more than 10,000 tons.

Goldhofer has developed a special modular system for the North American market, including a two- and four-axle heavy duty modules type THP/DL that can be used as so-called dual lane trailers with increased axle loads on public roads. This is achieved with required axle spacing, special axle configurations and track widths being adapted to the US market. This concept is accepted by most states since operation of the modules is possible in three different vehicle widths, including 16, 18 and 20 feet.

H&E Equipment Services

Established in 1961, H&E Equipment Services is a full-service equipment distributor, providing rentals, sales, parts, service and training. H&E specializes in heavy equipment for construction, industrial, material handling and mining, along with nearly every SC&RA application. This year's SC&RA Show visitors are encouraged to review a focused exhibit that targets the Crane Remanufacturing Services of H&E Equipment Services.

With locations in Belle Chasse, LA; Birmingham, AL; and Houston, TX, H&E has the distinction of being one of a few crane dealerships capable of re-manufacturing cranes to meet manufacturer specifications and requirements.

The booth will graphically showcase the remanufacturing process of a Manitowoc 4600 Dragline crane from a core machine through tear down, inspection, blasting, reassembly, painting and delivery-ready.

Although H&E Equipment Services is the authorized Manitowoc, Grove, American/Terex, E-Crane, Shuttlelift, and Marine Travel Lift dealer in many locations throughout the US, the company can service and remanufacture nearly every make and model, including Link-Belt, Bucyrus Erie, Lima and P&H.

J&R Engineering

A regular Product Fair participant, J&R Engineering is the manufacturer of Lift-n-Lock hydraulic boom gantries. Meet key staff and see examples of J&R Engineering products in action. J&R gantries are claimed to offer the ultimate in structural strength when lifting heavy loads to ever-increasing heights. Safety features include telescopic booms and a Cam Lock system.

Kalyn Siebert

Kalyn Siebert, a subsidiary of Heil Trailer International, is a leading manufacturer of low bed and heavy haul trailers located in Gatesville, TX.

Representatives will be on hand at the Product Fair to talk about their trailer line, specifically the “Commander” series, introduced last year. The name Commander was chosen for the new line of hydraulically detachable gooseneck trailers because of their superior market performance, the company says. The Commander excels in demanding and diverse work environments, both on and off road, under extreme weather conditions and under various types of loads and loading profiles.

KHL Group

KHL Group, publisher of American Cranes & Transport and our sister publication International Cranes and Specialized Transport, will also a booth at the SC&RA Annual Conference Product Fair. As the largest provider of international construction information, KHL has nine magazines, two exhibitions, digital magazines, internet, e-casting, contract publishing, direct mail, research, directories, books, videos.

Products include: International Cranes and Specialized Transport, American Cranes & Transport, International Construction, Construction Europe, Demolition & Recycling International, International Rental News, Access International, International Construction China and American Lift & Handlers. KHL also publishes the weekly World Construction Week e-newsletter. Stop by the booth to hear about the newest product launch, a history book in a coffee-table book format commemorating the 60th anniversary of the SC&RA.

Liddell Trailers

Liddell Trailers, located in Springville, AL, has been a leading manufacturer of premium-quality, custom low bed trailers since 1981. The company specializes in custom, heavy-haul units for both on- and off-road use for a variety of companies on a local, national and international level, providing trailers ranging from 55 ton, three-axles to 14-axles and hydraulic transport systems. Liddell Trailers also serves as the US sales representative for Nicolas Hydraulic Suspension Trailers. Liddell has a full-functioning manufacturing facility, but also encourages repair jobs on any brand of trailer, as well as full refurbishments.

Liebherr Ehingen

The Liebherr plant in Ehingen, Germany is among the world's most advanced mobile crane factories. A leading manufacturer of mobile and crawler cranes, Liebherr's product range of all-terrain mobile cranes spans from two-axle 35 metric ton cranes up to nine axle cranes with a load capacity of 1,200 metric tons. The lattice-boom cranes on truck carriers or crawler chassis achieve load capacities of up to 1,350 metric tons. The universal boom and jib systems and comprehensive additional equipment offered by Liebherr make these cranes popular on building sites throughout the world. Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH was founded in 1969 and has matched customers’ needs by expanding and updating the factory's facilities. This policy of reinvestment to maintain Liebherr's position as a world crane market leader has resulted in constant technical advances for the lifting industry. The Ehingen facility can produce more than 1,400 mobile and crawler cranes each year.

Liebherr Nenzing

Liebherr Nenzing Crane Co. manufactures and distributes lift cranes up to 330 ton capacity, duty cycle machines, and combination piling and drilling machines. Representing the Nenzing group are Scott Moreland, vice president of sales; Tom Diano, sales Gulf Coast; Thomas Heller, sales Midwest; and Tobias Haemmerle, Houston inside sales administration. Please stop by the booth to pick up literature and/or load charts for the full line of lift cranes, duty cycle machines and piling and drilling machines. Be sure to ask about their new 330-ton LR 1300 lift crane.

Lift Systems

Lift Systems Inc. has introduced three new models to its extensive gantry product range. The company's range includes more than 27 models with capacities ranging from 20 to more than 1,000 tons. Two models expand the MiniJack series of hydraulic telescopic gantries: the Model 2033SC ranges from 6 feet tall retracted to 16 feet tall extended, and the Model 2033SCT ranges from 7½ feet tall retracted to 20½ feet tall extended.

The other model introduced is an addition to the PowerTower series of gantries, the Model 34PT5400WT, a 500 ton capacity PowerTower with a maximum lift height of 35 feet. Standard features of this gantry include tandem pumps for equal jack extension, large work platforms, and the proprietary Wedge Interlock System to prevent wedge engagement during retraction.

The recently introduced CARL (Computer Aided Remote Lifting) Control System has provided a leap forward for gantry technology with several models already working in the fi eld. Other new rigger friendly accessories added to Lift Systems’ line up include Universal Risers, Continuous Side-Shift Systems, and Adjustable Lift Links.

Lifting Gear Hire

At the Lifting Gear Hire booth meet Tony Fiscelli, general manager of LGH USA operations, and Keith Marynowski, manager of the Chicago branch. Lifting Gear Hire will feature an exhibit which displays all aspects of its business - rental, sales, and service of all kinds of lifting and rigging equipment. The company carries numerous hoisting products for rental or sale such as come-a-longs, clamps, lifting and spreader beams, modular lifting beams, personnel baskets and barrier grabs. They also stock rigging, pulling and jacking equipment such as wire rope slings, hydraulic jacks and rams, winches, and sheave blocks.

Link-Belt

Link-Belt is proud to attend the SC&RA 2007 Annual Conference and to sponsor the breakfast on Thursday, April 12. Bill Stramer, vice president, marketing, sales and customer service; Brax Snyder, manager, worldwide sales; and Pat Collins, manager, lattice boom cranes will represent the company at the conference. The Link-Belt sponsored breakfast will feature Doug Keeley's, “The 12 Notes of Music: Limited Tools, Unlimited Potential.” The message: “It's not the tools; it's what you do with them.“

Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co., with headquarters in Lexington, KY, is a leader in the design and manufacture of telescopic boom and lattice boom cranes for the construction industry worldwide.

LJ Companies

The LJ Companies of Rhode Island - including LJ Crane & Rigging, LJ Heavy Hauling and Rigging, and LJ Specialized Logistics - is a fastgrowing privately held crane, rigging and specialized logistics company that does business throughout North America. In 2006, LJ was named by Inc. magazine to its exclusive “INC. 500” List of Fastest Growing Private Companies. Formed in 1999, LJ is a privately held enterprise that provides subcontractor services across North America in the construction and transportation industries. LJ Crane & Rigging provides crane service and crane rentals through both bare and operated rentals of hydraulic cranes, crawler cranes, and tower cranes.

LJ Specialized Logistics provides specialized rigging and transportation services to the manufacturing, construction, defense, and Fortune 500 client base covering both public and private sector work. LJ Heavy Hauling & Rigging provides heavy hauling and equipment transportation services. According to Paul Fioravanti, vice president and COO, “LJ's success is the result of focused planning, hard working employees, streamlined processes and communication among all employees, unique, high quality equipment and assets, and most importantly, an obsession with responsiveness to customer needs.” The team at LJ Companies looks forward to its presence at the SC&RA Product Fair.

LUBE-A-BOOM

Lube-A-Boom, based in Indianapolis, IN, develops and distributes specialty lubricants for the heavy equipment market. Its product line includes Lube-A-Boom lubricant, Lube-A-Boom aerosol, Lube-A-Rope wire rope lubricant, Lube-A-Boom dry fi lm and Lube-A-Gear open gear lubricant. Lube-A-Boom sells its products through a dealer network throughout North America.

Manitowoc Crane Group

The MCG collection of crane brands has a single focus: to offer customers the most advanced and comprehensive range of lifting solutions. Brands include Grove, Manitowoc, National Crane and Potain. Also represented will be support services Manitowoc CraneCare and Manitowoc CraneCredit. Meet members of the Manitowoc team, including Larry Bryce, vice president worldwide marketing and business development; Bob Hund, vice president worldwide marketing; David Birkhauser, senior vice president sales; Bruce Buchan, vice president sales; Bob Hixon, director of sales, North America; Roland Hammer, director of strategic accounts; Dave Pengelly, director of customer fi nance; Jay Buechler, customer fi nance manager; Tom Cioni, director of worldwide marketing communications; and Chris Bratthauar, marketing communications manager, Americas.

Manitowoc CraneCredit

Capital starts with a business and keeps it growing. Equipment allows a business to do its job more efficiently and competitively. Both are essential. Holding on to both often requires considerable effort and the right fi nancial solution. Manitowoc CraneCredit can allow businesses to keep their capital and acquire the cranes they need. CraneCredit is the preferred provider of fi nancing and leasing for all Manitowoc crane products. Manitowoc CraneCredit has a team of fi nancing professionals to offer proven industry experience and the highest level of service quality.

MTU Detroit Diesel

MTU Detroit Diesel Inc. is the North American regional headquarters of MTU (a Tognum Group company), one of the world's most important providers of diesel engines and drive, and propulsion systems for ships, heavy-duty land and rail vehicles, and decentralized power plants. Under the brand names MTU and Detroit Diesel, the company offers a complete line of power solutions from 30 to 12,200 bhp (20 to 9,100 kW). As the former off-highway division of Detroit Diesel, MTU Detroit Diesel also enjoys a long and proud heritage and the reputed best off-highway service and support network in North America. MTU Detroit Diesel is the only engine company with a factory and distributor support team dedicated specifically to the crane market. With MTU Detroit Diesel, owners can expect long engine life, outstanding reliability, personalized service and support, and the lowest possible life cycle costs. At the annual conference, MTU Detroit Diesel representatives will be on-hand to discuss sales and service opportunities for the Series 60, Series 500 and Series 900 engines for the crane market, and show members how its factory and distributor support team can help.

NBIS

Nations Builders Insurance Services Inc. (NBIS) provides customized insurance coverage for SC&RA members. The company was organized in October of 2001 by a group of insurance professionals who responded to a distinct market need for specialty construction insurance. Over the past fi ve years, the company has added products and services that compliment its industry position. The company's integrated approach includes in-house underwriting, claims adjusting, safety management, litigation control and marketing services.

NCCCO

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will be announcing plans for the expansion of its CCO program in the coming year with the addition of two new programs: rigger and signalperson certification. Information on opportunities to participate in the development process will be provided. In addition, complete information will be available on the latest refinements to the CCO mobile, tower and overhead crane operator programs, along with updated candidate and employer handbooks.

North Cascade Industrial

North Cascade Industrial is a software developer for the crane, rigging and trucking industry. The company makes lift planning software (Compu-Crane), dispatch software, and web applications (LiftQuote.com) designed to aide the construction industry with tools for calculating ground bearing pressure and sling lengths, view load charts, and fi nd the right crane and crane rental company needed to make a lift.

North Cascade Industrial will be showcasing its new dispatch program, ground bearing pressure program and lift planning program. The company will be demonstrating a new product in development for rigging and 3-D planning. With this program, users will be able to create a rigging plan that can be saved as a CAD drawing and that can be loaded into any lift planning program or drafting program that accepts dxf/dwg graphics. The program will also have easy to use drawing and dimensioning tools to monitor spacing between objects.

Other modules in development include the ability to order and download permits, calculate miles and fuel usage, fleet maintenance, driver logs, quoting, and accounting integration. Brad and Tawnia Weiss will be present at the show to answer any questions.

Rayco-Wylie Systems

Rayco-Wylie Systems has been in the crane monitoring systems, products and services business for more than 70 years. The original Wylie Systems founded in 1933 pioneered the fi rst crane overload warning system in the world.

Ridewell Suspensions

Ridewell Corp. has served the truck, trailer, bus, motor coach, and recreational vehicle industries in North American and international markets since 1967. The engineering-driven company was built on its ability to design and manufacture a wide range of innovative air-ride, rubberride, steel spring, and mechanical suspensions and controls for niche markets.

Ridewell holds over 30 active patents for exclusive features that provide for low maintenance and superior ride quality. An outstanding feature for air suspensions is their double-bonded, clamped-in monopivot bushing that forms the basis for many easily serviced, single pivot designs. The bushing is replaceable with simple hand tools, no hydraulics required.

For alignment, Ridewell's Speed Set feature permits 1/2 to 1 inch manual adjustment with a pivot bolt torque requirement of only 450 feet pounds. Other patented features, such as their contoured weld-on axle seat, reduce weight and maintenance by eliminating U-bolts and decreasing axle stress concentrations.

For rubber-ride models, Ridewell's proprietary geometry offers independent axle movement on tandem drive applications. The design process at Ridewell utilizes CAD/CAE/CAM engineering and fi nite element analysis. Prototypes undergo accelerated fatigue testing on the company's state of the art 4-axis test rig. Combined with fi eld testing, the tests allow Ridewell to put a product on the road with confidence that it meets performance and durability requirements.

Ridewell Suspensions are installed by major O.E.M.'s and a network of US and international dealers who also provide service parts.

Rigger Lift

Rigger Lift, a custom forklift manufacturing company based out of Davison, MI, was originally founded in Canada. Owner Dirk Rinz purchased the company in mid 2004 and relocated it to Michigan. After carefully redesigning and incorporating 25-plus years of machinery moving experience into the forklifts, its current design has allowed the company to grow from the original 12,000 square foot facility into a 48,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

With such growth comes a very promising future. Rigger

Lift units are built to the highest manufacturing standards without recycled components. While imitations are available, the true Rigger Lift is manufactured in the US. Rigger Lift has assembled a group of employees dedicated to manufacturing outstanding forklifts for all applications. Happy to help in any way, Rigger Lift can also manufacture custom booms, repair competitors’ forklifts, and manufacture any specialty equipment for forklifts.

Riggers Manufacturing Co.

Riggers Manufacturing recently bolstered the EZLifter line of gantries with the Model EZ600-33. This addition to the EZLifter family of telescopic gantries boasts a 1,380 ton maximum capacity on a four leg set-up with a 710 ton capacity at the full extension of 33 feet.

Well known for their stability, fast setup time, and ease of use, this model rollout incorporates the new CARL Control System to allow the ability to synchronize lift and travel of up to eight jack legs. The portable belly pack allows the operator to view the lift from any angle, maximizing safety on critical lifts. Riggers Manufacturing also has incorporated the CARL Control System on all new Trilifter mobile pick and carry machines.

The addition of the CARL technology has made a vast improvement in the smoothness of operation of the EZLifter and Trilifter over its previous PLC control systems.

Rigging Gear Sales

Rigging Gear Sales, (RGS) located in Dixon, IL is known primarily for one thing - hydraulic telescopic gantries and mobile pick and carry machines. The need versus supply problem is solved with the RGS rent to sell program, supplying customers what they need - zero lead time, and the confidence that they are buying the right equipment to suit their needs.

Another practice employed is the ability for a customer to trade in their current system on a different unit. Over the years, to meet demand, RGS has added inventory to its fleet of hydraulic telescopic gantries for rental and sale. The company's current fleet of new and used gantries ranges from 20 to more than 850 ton systems with maximum heights of over 40 feet with 525 tons.

In addition to an extensive stock of gantries, RGS also has an extensive line of accessory equipment, which it rents with the company's own systems, and to current owners of systems to supplement their equipment inventory. Rigging Gear Sales prides itself on providing onestop shopping. Other products they rent include: high capacity forklifts, mobile pick and carry machines to 75 ton capacity, machinery moving dollies, and hydraulic machinery carts.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is the world's largest industrial auctioneer, conducting more than 175 unreserved industrial auctions every year.

The company has more than 110 offices around the world, including 33 permanent auction facilities. Because Ritchie Bros. guarantees an unreserved auction, there are no reserves, no minimum bids, and no owner buy-backs. Bidders know that they are only bidding against other legitimate bidders.

Buyers can trust that they will pay fair market price where every item is sold to the highest bidder. And when selling equipment in a Ritchie Bros. auction, the seller gets more than a simple unreserved auction, they get the “Ritchie Bros. package.” This can include inspection and appraisals, global marketing and advertising, suggesting and overseeing repairs and refurbishing, searching for liens and collecting sale day proceeds.

On auction day, a Ritchie Bros. auction is an experience in itself, an entertaining, fast-paced affair. Equipment moves onto the ramp past a large, covered seating area where the bidders can participate in comfort, sheltered from weather. Stationary equipment is sold in the auction yard with the help of a mobile sound truck. All services including catering, security and shuttle services are provided for the convenience of customers. The business of Ritchie Bros. is quite simple: the company provides a global marketplace for both buyers and sellers of industrial equipment. Ritchie Bros. works with many equipment owners in all parts of the world and can conduct an auction at any location. Ritchie Bros. is a proud sponsor of the 2007 SC&RA Annual Conference.

Rogers Brothers Corp.

Mark Kulyk, president of Rogers Brothers Corp., will be at the Product Fair, where members can learn about the range of trailers manufactured by the company. Rogers is a 102-year-old, family-owned company dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality lowbed trailers on the market. The company's long-term success is a direct result of its commitment to build the best trailer for each customer.

The result has been a series of design innovations that solve tough hauling problems. Rogers trailers’ attributes include the No Foot, a self-lifting detachable gooseneck designed to provide greater deck height adjustment with no ram foot touching the ground; the Dolly Link, which improves the weight distribution between the trailer and helper dolly; and the Wheel Wells, award-winning wheel-sized depressions built into platform and dropside model trailers, enabling haulers to attain increased overhead clearance for wheel loaders and scrapers without stripping them down.

Rogers’ specialized trailers, which are built to individual hauling needs, offer a wide selection of payload capacities, deck styles, gooseneck lengths and other optional equipment. Add a removable axle, an interchangeable deck or a detachable rear frame for a specialized trailer that masters unusual loads and conditions. For less demanding jobs, the company also manufactures detachable and fi xed gooseneck trailers and lightweight tag-alongs.

Royal Tractor

Since 1970, Royal Tractor has been custom designing and manufacturing heavy mobile industrial material handling equipment. The company's Liftmasters and Rig-n-Lift cushion tire lift truck product lines are available from 15,000 to 150,000 pounds capacity. The Rig-n-Lift models are designed for the rigging industry and include hydraulic powered booms, extendable frames and segmented, removable counterweights.

All Liftmasters and Rig-n-Lift models are designed to offer compact dimensions for the best maneuverability in their rated capacity class. Jim Hardwick, president, and his wife Kathy, and Ron Christopher, national sales manager, and his wife Jolene, will attend the conference.

Senarc Systems/Crane Dispatch

Developing computer software that lifts scheduling and dispatching to a higher level is the specialty of Senarc Systems. Visual Dispatch takes a powerful yet fiexible approach to scheduling equipment, employees and jobs. Print job tickets and invoices, and integrate with accounting software.

Create reports that can be exported to Excel or printed to a PDF fi le. Send text messages to operator cell phones with job information, reminders or bulletins. Add multiple resources, equipment and employees to any job with just a few mouse clicks. View schedules in a traditional spreadsheet format or a graphical chart. With the intuitive interface users can modify the layout to fi t their needs. Companies of all sizes save time with Visual Dispatch. Point. Click. Schedule. See a live demonstration under the Crane Dispatch display.

Slingmax

Jeff Susman, president, will host the Slingmax booth, assisted by local dealers. Slingmax Rigging Solutions include both high performance slings and high performance wire rope slings. These products are fabricated and sold under license by 34 independent companies in 11 countries.

Southwest Wire Rope

Southwest Wire Rope, Southwest Synthetic Systems and Haynes Wire Rope combine to make Telefiex Heavy Lift “your single source” for wire rope, synthetic rope, related hardware and wire rope installation and spooling services. Products include a large inventory of wire ropes including Gold Strand, which is available in a full range of diameters and constructions to meet customers’ varied needs.

Southwest Wire rope offers a complete range of lifting products, including wire rope slings, shackles, thimbles, sockets, related hardware and testing capabilities up to 2 million pounds. Cordage products include web and round slings and high performance synthetic ropes for marine and lifting applications. Cordage products include Plasma, Spectra, Vectran, Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene and towing lines, as well as face and wing wires.

Statewide-Nationwide Bucket Truck Escorts

Statewide-Nationwide Bucket Truck Escorts was formed in 2003 by

Billy D. Ralls, president and CEO, as a division of Statewide Traffic Signal Co. With its offi ce in Houston, TX, Statewide-Nationwide Bucket Truck Escorts responds to the growing demand to provide bucket truck assistance to transportation companies moving high loads throughout Texas and nationwide. The division is managed by Gary Tuttle and a team of professionals with expertise in route surveying and removing and reinstalling traffic signals to allow easy passage of high loads through intersections, non-high voltage wires, and highways.

Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.

Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. is the manufacturer of the Rowles-A-Long rigger skates as well as rubber and polyurethane solid industrial tires, and rubber and polyurethane track pads. Superior Tire products, such as OEM tires and wheels, can be found on most major brands of lift trucks including the heavy duty rigging trucks familiar to the SC&RA membership.

Superior Tire & Rubber offers a complete range of sizes and mounting designs for track pads to attach to excavators, dozers and some cranes. Rowles-A-Long skates are designed with high capacity, yet low rolling resistance polyurethane load wheels. Additional distinguishing design benefits include a heavy duty 1-inch shaft to eliminate breakage, special 6205zz-16 bearings and a permanent rubber pad for cushion and grip. New this year is the Rowles-A-Long steer skate. As always, replacement components including wheels are available directly from the manufacturer. Representing Rowles-ALong and Superior Tire & Rubber are Tim Rowles, designer of Rowles-ALong skates, and Bill LeMeur.

Trail King Industries

Trail King manufactures a complete line of trailers for the construction, commercial hauling, aggregates, waste, recycling and agriculture markets. Trail King open deck trailers include utility, tag, tilt, rollback, hydraulic tail, and sliding axle trailers; rigid, mechanical, and folding gooseneck trailers; hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailers; and specialized multi-axle trailers for heavy haul applications.

Trail King materials hauling trailers include half round, side dump, bottom dump, and dry bulk pneumatic trailers; aluminum frame-type and frameless end dumps; and live bottom trailers. Trail King is part of the Transportation Products segment of Carlisle Companies, which is based in Charlotte, NC, and owns 12 operating companies, and employs more than 12,000 people around the world.

Transport Systems and Products Inc.

Transport Systems and Products brings new and innovative products to the Product Fair this year. Leading the way is the new SPMT 3000-SPIC from Scheuerle, a 9.8 feet (3 meter) wide self propelled modular transporter that utilizes Scheuerle's state-of-theart electronic steering program and hydrostatic drive system.

TSP will also be introducing a maintenance/restoration solution for water-spotted, faded and mineral deposit stained windows. Using this polymer polish/cleaner on windshields will improve visibility and safety by helping to keep windshields cleaner and longer.

TSP will also be showing a full line of GPS navigation systems by industry leaders such as Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and more. They will also be showing an array of vehicle mounts by the most prominent name in the business, Ram Mounts. Ram builds high quality vehicle mounts for laptop computers, printers, tablets, GPS, cell phones, cameras, electronics and more. Remember the TSP motto: Any weight, any speed, any direction - land, sea and air - products that keep you moving.

USI

A leader in crane and rigging insurance and risk management brokerage, USI is focused on helping crane and rigging companies become more successful by offering comprehensive management of insurance programs and risk management needs. USI offers strategic advice and counsel with creative risk solutions to meet individual needs. In early January 2007, USI announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by GS Capital Partners, a private equity affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Randy Proos and Jeff Haynes will be available to discuss USI's services.

Versa-Lift/Custom Mobile Equipment

Custom Mobile Equipment, which has been in the machinery moving business since 1983, will again host a booth at the Product Fair.

The company will be promoting their Versa-Lift product line. The Versa-Lift is a compact, solid-tired lifting machine with two-speed hydrostatic drive, hydraulic boom and extendible frame.

Watson & Chalin

Watson & Chalin was started in 1984 with the intent to revolutionize technology for the commercial freight and trucking industries. They develop several types of auxiliary truck suspensions, from steerables to nonsteer rigid, pusher or tag axles. They cover many areas: Concrete (front discharge, rear discharge, site mixing, pumping), dump tankers, feed, refuse, heavy haul, crane, and logging.

Watson & Chalin also makes all types of trailer suspensions, whether its primary or auxiliary, steerables or non-steer rigid, air ride or mechanical.

They make suspensions for all types of trailers including: lowbed and drop decks, auto hauler, platform (flats), dumps (end dump, belly dump, and side dump), live floor, chip trailers, logging, tankers and dry bulk, feed, heavy haul, specialty and off-road test. Representing the company will be Robert “Bob Voss, OEM trailer sales manager and Robert Schneider, regional sales manager.

Wells Fargo Insurance Services

Wells Fargo Insurance Services is the fi fth largest insurance broker in the US and the fi fth largest insurance broker in the world. The company's 150 offi ces nationwide place more than $8.5 billion in risk premium annually. The company's team has a superior level of knowledge in commercial insurance, employee benefits, administrative services, excess and surplus lines, reinsurance and international coverage.

Well Fargo's industry specifi c concentrations include risk management and insurance services to the crane rental, rigging, millwrighting and transportation industries.

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance provides equipment fi nancing and leasing for virtuallyall equipment needs. The focus is on meeting the demands of middle market companies with creative and competitively priced proposals. Wells can customize leasing programs ranging from general equipment lending to construction, transportation, aircraft or office technology.

WHECO Corp.

WHECO Corp. will be participating in its ninth consecutive Products Fair with Ron Williams, Dave Wood and Jay Shiffler on hand to explain the company's approach to engineered structural repairs and crane restoration. For more than 29 years, WHECO has been providing specialized repair and restoration services to the crane industry. Since last year's conference, WHECO has added a new 43,000 square foot repair facility in Aiken, SC, and has partnered with Liebherr Cranes of Ehingen to provide structural repairs in the western United States.

WHECO provides full turnkey repairs including fabrication, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, machining and painting services. Focusing on the skilled trades allows the company to complete time and cost-effective repairs by being able to fabricate or manufacture long lead time and/or obsolete parts and components. WHECO prides itself on being able to provide OSHA, Cal-OSHA, ANSI and AWS compliant repairs and by bringing integrity to the process and understanding to the misconceptions surrounding engineered structural repairs for cranes.

WHECO is also proud to have three members of its team active on SC&RA committees - including Dave Wood who is on the Allied Industries Group Governing Committee; Jay Shiffler who is serving on the Safety Education & Training Committee; and Doreen Williams who is active on the Ladies Group Governing Committee.

XL Specialized Trailers

XL Specialized Trailers has been a leading manufacturer of premium quality, commercial and construction style trailers that combine safety, durability and value since 1995. XL is a privately held company that boasts an excess of 100 years of trailer building knowledge. XL's selection of specialized trailers includes The Cheater, Hydraulic Detachable, Hydraulic Detachable Extendable, Mechanical Detachable, Mechanical Full Width and Rigid Gooseneck, The Competitor, Step Deck, Step and Flat Deck Extendable, Slider, Pow-R-Tayl, Tag, Tilt Tag, Booster, Flip Axle, and Jeep.

Some other trailers manufactured for the unusual load include The Paver Special, Tank Hauler and The Everything. Quality and workmanship make up the foundation of what this company is based on and have made it what it is today. XL is very proud to be a member of SC&RA. Attending this year's conference will be Scott Wall, general manager.