Southern Cranes landmark celebrations

Cranes and rigging services company Southern Crane held its 45th anniversary celebrations in the US.

Earl Johnson Jr. founded the original company, Carolina Crane Corp, in 1962 after discovering there were no rental cranes available in eastern North Carolina. His first machine was a new Lorain Crane MC 325.

In 1982 Johnson began operating his companies under the Southern Industrial banner, serving as its chairman. John Wilson is now president of Southern Industrial Constructors, while Earl Johnson III is president of its crane operations, now known as Southern Crane.

According to the company, it is a leader of a national safety movement to encourage the certification of all crane operators. All of Southern Crane's operators are CCO certified and the company has been recognized for its excellent safety record by North Carolina's Department of Labor STAR contractor scheme.