OZ Lifting Products, LLC®’s full range of innovative davit cranes and lifting solutions will be showcased at AHR Expo 2024. These patented davit cranes have a wide range of capabilities, ready to meet any demanding application or environment.

The CompOZite® Davit Crane is made of advanced composite material, making it 40% lighter than steel, weighing only 83 lb. The CompOZite Elite® Davit Crane’s carbon fiber and high-strength aluminum construction is ultra-lightweight and portable, with 1,000 lbs. capacity.

OZ’s Alumi-Lite® Davit Crane is made of lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum, and features a one-person, zero-tool assembly, making it a truly portable option.

For those in need of further reach, the XR Series® Davit Crane has a maximum 62-inch reach and 87-inch hook height that maintains maximum weight capacity in all positions.

The Tele-Pro® Davit Crane boasts a telescoping boom that adjusts while under load, with 360-degree rotation, featuring a corrosion-resistant zinc-plated finish.

OZ’s wide range of davit crane options allow construction and HVACR professionals more options and versatility. These lightweight, portable cranes can be easily transported to and from job sites, and can also be set up quickly and easily, which saves time and money. These davit cranes are smaller and more maneuverable than traditional cranes, which means they can be used in tight spaces and difficult-to-reach areas, such as rooftops or inside buildings.

From the pedestal, wall mount, or socket base options to the manual, AC & DC winch options, as well as a variety of crane accessories, including headache ball, and davit crane cover, OZ Lifting Products, LLC® allows a fully-customizable solution to any lifting challenge.

Visit the OZ Lifting Products, LLC® booth to view the wide range of material handling solutions that can improve safety, efficiency, and productivity in the HVACR industry.

OZ Lifting Products LLC offers davit cranes, hoists, and lifting components that are suited to the unique demands of Alaska.

The Winona, Minnesota-based company—a new member of The Associated General Contractors of Alaska (AGC)—offers an extensive catalog of powder-coated and zinc-plated products. The range is widely used in marine, construction, and civil engineering applications.

OZ Lifting’s equipment is used nationwide—and globally—in oil and gas; bridge and highways construction; fishing; general manufacturing; property management; and wastewater applications. However, it is especially suited to the most demanding environments, even high and low temperatures, where competing technologies are less efficient.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “During a recent visit to Alaska, I was inspired by the wide range of lifting applications I observed. We can provide solutions for many industries, including those that endure Alaska’s tough climate. We are looking to strengthen our relationships with dealers in the area and build new partnerships; we look forward to meeting fellow AGC members along the way too.”

The Tele-Pro davit crane allows users to leverage the benefits of other lifting technologies in its range, while telescoping the boom in and out under load. The corrosion-resistant, zinc-plated crane is available in 500 lbs., 1,200 lbs., and 2,500 lbs. capacities; every model is individually tested and certified at 125%. Beyond the telescoping boom, that can be adjusted under load, users note other key features, such as 360-degree rotation of the crane on sleeve bearing. A DIN-rated hand winch is equipped as standard with a load holding weatherproof Weston brake; and a quick connect winch handle comes with a power drill adapter.

The CompOZite and CompOZite Elite carbon fiber models—named after composite construction—are also popular in saltwater and extreme environments, as are the long-reaching davits. Stainless steel products, including hoists, beam clamps, trolleys, and a manual winch that boasts a drill-adaptor feature, are also available in Alaska, as are spark-resistant hoists and trolleys.

Napieralski added: “I visited the Anchorage and wider area recently and remarked how healthy the construction sector appeared to be. We recognize the uniqueness of Alaska’s geographical and environmental attributes; we are well placed to provide innovative lifting solutions to the wide range of industries that call Alaska home.”

Published May 23, 2023 | Lift & Hoist International

A team’s ability to have respectful, meaningful conversations is a cornerstone of healthy company culture, says Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting.

 

If you read this magazine’s recent ProMat review, you’d have seen an interview with Parker Hale, inside sales specialist at my company, in which he reflected on his first trade fair appearance.

“Wow,” Parker said. “I expected the show to be large, but I was amazed when I walked into McCormick Place for the first time. I did not expect there to be that much room under one roof.”

It was a great experience for one of our newer employees to work an exhibit for a week and meet some of the people that use our equipment. He certainly came away with a better appreciation of how our products fit into the marketplace.

It took me back. I went to my first material handling event in the early 1990s; it was called the Plant Engineering & Maintenance show, from memory. I recall how eye-opening and new everything was. Every event we go to there are people, like Parker, doing it for the first time. We tend to forget that amid the hustle and bustle.

However, my main takeaway from Parker’s eloquent responses was that it is important to constantly be mindful of the level of experience and knowledge base of everyone you engage with – colleague, customer, end user, etc – and respect them all.

“I was surprised by the amount of people that were walking through; they were from so many different backgrounds and nations too,” Parker added.

As these people stop at an exhibit or cross paths and talk in the aisles, the individuals getting the most from each encounter are those that can understand the needs of the person they’re talking to and present solutions to their problems. As I’ve said before, it’s why listening is crucial. Misread, misunderstand, misinterpret, and you’ll miss altogether.

ProMat brings together manufacturing and supply chain solution providers, but we participate in many events. At the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference (WEFTEC), we engage with those that provide pumps and railings for wastewater plants; they use our davit cranes to lift semi-submersible equipment, for example. We often talk about the different material we have incorporated into our cranes, whether it be composite, aluminium or steel, and when you might use one over the other. The principles, from ProMat to WEFTEC, are the same.

 

All the world’s a stage

As Parker said, this is certainly true of a trade show, but similar in day-to-day life as well. Think about someone in their early moments at a company and/or an industry. I believe that the biggest mistake we can make is to assume they know nothing. It’s remarkable how quickly people catch on and get the gist of tools and their application. Yet, they obviously don’t have the same knowledge as someone that has been in a position for decades.

A technique I use is to teach them how products are used in the field. This way, valuable information can be imparted without it appearing patronising. Even a day-one newcomer will know that a crane lifts things, but what, when, where, why, and how? That’s the important stuff. Once it becomes clear how they’re used and what features add safety and efficiency to the point of use, then it’s just a case of drilling further down into the engineering and science behind it all.

Each layer of a supply chain presents different opportunities to get it right—and wrong – when working with people. Every conversation is like the next person calling on Parker at our ProMat booth, or a WEFTEC attendee presenting us with another semi-submersible application. Dealers and distributors come in all shapes and sizes. With new partners, we talk about how easy it is to do business with us in terms of reiterating that there is no minimum order quantity, outlining our freight policy, and giving clarity around shipping turnarounds. An established dealer, meanwhile, might see such information as a sales pitch, so, instead, we talk about new products and/or application success stories.

In each instance, it’s possible to think on one’s feet, which is simply a skill that must be mastered by anyone working a trade show exhibit or talking to professionals in dozens of different sectors daily. When talking with someone that works around saltwater, it’s prudent to mention a stainless steel line of products or remind them how composite material doesn’t rust. When an oil and gas worker comes calling, then a spark resistant solution will get them thinking. The tone must be adjusted again when talking to nuclear and then general manufacturing contacts.

 

What’s in a name?

Without getting too technical, another reason it’s necessary to remember who you’re talking to is that the same product can be referred to differently, depending on who’s in the conversation or around the meeting table. A lever hoist can be called a come-a-long or a lever puller; a chain hoist can be called a chain block. There are cultural differences between large, corporate companies and mom and pop shops (small, family-owned business) too. As culture changes, language and tone does as well. Big companies seem to be top heavy with several individuals needing to sign-off on a new direction or product release. The smaller companies can be nimble and shift gears very quickly. Some corporates can be more concerned about their shareholders than their customers.

I always remember some advice I was given when I set out in business: hire slow and fire fast. Your culture is one of the most important parts of your company, and the way people communicate is a barometer by which to measure it. Our company has worked hard at identifying people that fit in. Even the smartest person won’t be hired if their addition to the team doesn’t represent a good cultural fit. We don’t tolerate co-workers talking down to each other and especially not to our customers. It just doesn’t happen. And it shouldn’t at your company either.

“I greeted people with a smile, brought a positive attitude, and—most of all—listened to the customers’ needs. The rest is straightforward” — Parker Hale. Hear, hear.

Winona, Minnesota-based OZ Lifting Products LLC has launched the Alumi-Lite® series of ultra-portable davit cranes, available in 500 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. capacities.

The new aluminum series is targeted at applications where portability is beneficial, including those in wastewater and water; boats; utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and other trucks, etc, where anti-corrosion materials are also desirable. Each model is available with three bases: pedestal, socket (flush-mount), or wall-mount. 

The Alumi-Lite® 500 weighs in at 24 lbs. It offers capacity of 275 lbs. at horizontal; 330 lbs. at 22.5 degrees; and its full capacity at 45 degrees. Alumi-Lite® 1000, meanwhile, weighs in at 47 lbs. It offers capacity of 550 lbs. at horizontal; 650 lbs. at 22.5 degrees; and its full capacity at 45 degrees. The units’ light weight means that they will commonly be moved from one base to another.

Both fold flat for easy storage or transportation; are made of aerospace / military grade aluminum; and are available with manual winch (including drill drive adapter), AC or DC electric winches. Further, they have a durable, powder coated finish; no tools are needed for assembly / disassembly; and they are made in the USA.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “The Alumi-Lite® can be used any place where carrying the crane could be an issue and the properties of aluminum happen to suit the product to many applications where it might be moved around, perhaps most notably in the water sectors. Our 500-lbs. capacity steel davit weighs 50 lbs., so the aluminum version is basically half the weight.”

As Napieralski mentioned, the Alumi-Lite® expands OZ Lifting’s davit crane family, which includes the Tele-Pro, that allows users to leverage the benefits of other lifting technologies in its range, while telescoping the boom in and out under load; various composite models, made from carbon fiber and pultruded fiberglass; and steel davits.

The Alumi-Lite® capacity range may be widened in time but there are no immediate plans to do so. However, Napieralski admitted that it will continue to add to the davit crane family more broadly. “We have another [crane] on the horizon that will add some additional features not found in our current range,” he said.

He also reiterated that, regardless of type of crane or application, without a base, a davit crane is not usable. The pedestal base is bolted to the floor where users need to make a lift and move the crane from base to base. Socket bases are used mainly in the back of trucks or in an area where the installer will pour cement around the base to keep the surface area flat and offer high mounting strength. The wall-mount base allows a davit crane to be attached to the wall of a facility to save floorspace. In all cases, it is important to check the capacity of the mount and its compatibility with the crane/s selected.

Alumi-Lite® will make its trade show debut at AHR Expo (Booth B128), which attracts heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals to the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, February 6-8, 2023. A month or so later (March 20-23), ProMat (Booth S122) engages all segments of the material handling, logistics and transportation industry, from traditional, manual equipment to computerized, automated systems and smart, connected supply chain technologies. 

Napieralski added: “Business continues to be strong; we are optimistic for 2023.”

OZ Lifting will show a variety of davit cranes at AHR Expo, which takes place February 6-8, 2023 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. The Winona, Minnesota-based manufacturer will exhibit at Booth B128.

The company will showcase its full range of davits for the first time at an expo that attracts a delegation of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals. The centerpiece of the 10 ft. by 15 ft. booth will be its new Alumi-Lite® davit crane.

The ultra-portable davit is available in 500 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. capacities, each available with three bases: pedestal, socket (flush-mount), or wall-mount. The Alumi-Lite® 500 weighs in at 24 lbs. with a maximum capacity of 500lbs. Alumi-Lite® 1,000, meanwhile, weighs in at 47 lbs. with a maximum capacity of 1,000lbs.

Both fold flat for easy storage or transportation; are made of aerospace / military grade aluminum; and are available with manual winch (including drill drive adapter), AC or DC electric winches. Further, they boast a durable, powder coated finish; no tools are needed for assembly / disassembly.

The Tele-Pro davit crane will also feature. The patented model allows users to leverage the benefits of other lifting technologies in its range, while telescoping the boom in and out under load. The CompOZite and CompOZite Elite carbon fiber models will also be of interest to HVACR professionals, as will the recently designed long reach davits.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “As we sell through a distributor network, it isn’t always easy to know about every application that our davits are involved with. However, we do recognize that our cranes get mounted on trucks and rooftops, where they lift chillers, filters, motors, and more. The properties of our new Alumi-Lite® will be of interest, while our lever and chain hoists are perfect for a multitude of HVACR applications.”

Attendees will also be able to see several stainless steel products, designed for use in corrosive environments, including hoists, beam clamps, trolleys, and a manual winch that boasts a drill-adaptor feature. Spark-resistant hoists and trolleys will be of interest too.

The AHR Expo is the essential event for HVACR professionals, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of the industry from around the globe each year. The show provides a unique forum where manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes and specialties come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology.

Among OZ Lifting’s representation will be Napieralski and area representative, Mark Walpole.

Visit OZ Lifting at AHR Expo Booth B128.