The lifting attachments industry has seen an increase in demand for hoisting, chain sling systems and self-locking safety hooks and while projects in the offshore sector have been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, demand for safety critical lifting equipment within the renewables sector is growing says William Hackett.

Combilift Auto Spreader Bar with Grapple Arms
Combilift SC & rail cart
Combilift Single Beam Spreader Bar

Electricity-producing assets like wind and solar projects are still generating yield today but according to Gorbel we will see a shift to more flexible technology that utilises less people and the expansion of work areas due to social distancing guidelines. In adherence with the need for speed and safety, Combilift talks about why it expanded its Combi-SC Straddle Carrier range, with the Combi-IMSC Intermodal Straddle Carrier and CODIPRO (part of ALIPA) has launched a swivel lifting ring range: the QLR (Quick Lift Ring) for fast anchoring.

William Hackett is a manufacturer of below the hook lifting equipment and supplies products globally across several different sectors. “Last year we witnessed a dip in the UK market with many industries coming to a standstill due to Covid-19. International trade has continued to grow despite many projects in the offshore sector being delayed.

We are now noticing an increase to the UK market as many businesses have adopted new ways of working.

Furthermore, the renewables industry is continuing to grow and with increased backing from UK government more UK projects are being commissioned therefore, the demand for safety critical lifting equipment within this sector is increasing,” says Rod Bell, technical and operations director, William Hackett Lifting Products.

According to the UK Financial Times, renewable energy is one of the few sectors that has managed to weather the devastating effects of coronavirus, with new deals and new records being struck, even while the rest of the world has been grappling with the pandemic.

For example, Abu Dhabi Power Corporation (ADPower) says it has secured the world’s lowest tariff for a solar power plant, as it moves ahead with a planned 2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate. The utility says it has received a bid of 1.35 U.S. cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the large scale project.

The Al Dhafra scheme is set to be one of the largest solar PV plants in the world once it is completed by mid-2022. Abu Dhabi is already home to one very large plant, the 1.2GW Noor Abu Dhabi, which started commercial operations in April 2019. Once operational, the Al Dhafra solar plant will produce enough power for approximately 160,000 households, says ADPower, which will reduce the emirate’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons a year.

Dubai will also complete the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Q3, 2021, said to have the largest energy storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, to provide clean energy for 320,000 residences, and reduce 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year. The mega solar park is being built by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). BloombergNEF, research group, claims renewables are now the cheapest source of new electricity for more than two-thirds of the world’s population.

In other sectors, William Hackett Lifting Products has strived to produce a range of DA Offshore Swivel Self Locking Hooks to meet the arduous working conditions of the offshore environment.

“With regards to product categories, we have seen an increase in demand for hoisting, chain sling systems, and more recently Yoke DA self-locking hooks. The DA range of offshore self-locking hooks have been awarded type approval by DNV-GL – DNV-GL-ST-0378, certificate no. TAS000011K as well as complying with international standard NORSOK R-002:2017. These sophisticated hooks are widely used within the oil and gas industry for crane pennants,” adds Bell.

“The focus on safer lifting appliances has led William Hackett to design and manufacture a load attachment product that is designed for offshore and marine environments. These were originally intended for onshore lifting applications and were often fitted with a 12.9 or higher tensile bolt. However, there have been recent failures due to hydrogen embrittlement which was the basis of WHLP’s Offshore Swivel Hoist Ring with a UK manufactured L7 bolt. These have now been deployed through our distributors to offshore contractors around the world.”

Enhanced Production Efficiency

Gorbel G-Force and Easy Arm are high speed, high precision, intelligent lifting devices that often require end tooling to complete a total solution that will grip, lift, move, lower and release a load.

“Gorbel’s global mission is that ‘we improve people’s lives.’ We do this through products that offer enhanced production efficiency, increased profitability through cost reduction, and improved ergonomics and safety in a variety of industrial settings. Whether you’re moving 50lbs in like a highly repetitive task or you’re trying to move 40 ton across the factory floor, Gorbel manufacturers a range of ceiling and floor mounted cranes to meet those needs,” says Pooja Sinha, product marketing manager, Gorbel.

“We specialize in workstation cranes, a variety of jib and gantry cranes and as heavy-duty patented track cranes under our Cleveland Train rail line. Not only do we manufacture the crane structure, but we also have an extensive line of lifting devices as well, so we have our chain hoist line that allows users to move one. Our intelligent lifting device called G-Force, allows precision control of products and parts. Basically, the G-Force has the ability to essentially unweight whatever product you’re trying to lift. It eliminates cost of damaged goods and supports ergonomic lifting and safety for your employees.”

Demand for speed & safety in critical lifting equipment is on the rise