OZ LIFTING PRODUCTS: Lifting & Material Handling Equipment

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Innovation Drive

The new warehouse racking system offers four times the capacity of the previous facility, significantly improving inventory management and operational efficiency. This expansion allows OZ Lifting to stock more products, reducing lead times and ensuring faster order fulfillment.

 

Spring 2025 | Overhead Crane & Hoist Magazine

 

OCH meets Steve Napieralski, as the president of ever-growing OZ Lifting Products, collects another set of keys. Innovative products inspire innovative solutions, he says.

Steve Napieralski says you can never have a big enough garage. And he knows a thing or two about upsizing.

When we catch up with the president of OZ Lifting Products, he is about to relocate his 20-year-old business, a manufacturer of davit cranes and industrial lifting equipment, five miles or so further south east along the banks of the Mississippi River. It will be the fourth time the company has relocated, having been founded in December 2004 with two staff.

“If you’re looking to expand, make sure it’s big enough. It’s like building a garage — it can never be big enough,” he quips.

Witty, yes, but Napieralski is an earnest businessman too. From humble beginnings, akin to a suburban garage; today, he employs 25 people full-time and has a distributor network that spans North America. The new facility, appropriately located on Innovation Drive, not only sprawls across 40,000 square-feet of Winona, but it sits on a five-acre lot and is primed to facilitate further expansions. Innovation is a company cornerstone and is even signposted in its ‘Innovate. Elevate’ tagline.

“We’re moving to the opposite side of town to an industrial park,” says Napieralski. “Winona is a small community and it’s exciting that we will continue to be able to call it home. The owner of the property learned that I was looking for an existing building or land to build on. He reached out to me, and the rest is history.”

The sale went through over a year ago, but a significant renovation project was required and, after extensive demolition, a build-out didn’t commence until last Fall. Construction, including 5,000 square feet of office space, lasted until the end of February this year. Excess inventory and manufacturing equipment has been moved across in a piecemeal fashion.

“All the subcontractors are local to the area,” adds Napieralski, a graduate of Winona State University. “I like to keep as much business local as I can. All four of our facilities have been in the same town. It not only helps the community, but from a maintenance perspective it’s nice to have subs [subcontractors] that can take a call and come quickly to our facility.”

The site will facilitate additional engineering capabilities, with room for more specialized equipment. Future expansions will enhance in-house manufacturing, more automation, and advanced testing capabilities. A nine-foot-deep pit, for example, is a notable addition because it will allow for live load testing. Napieralski says wider goals are increased safety and efficiency across the board for everyone on the team.

At the point of use

Over two decades, OZ Lifting Products has grown a distributor network than spans North America. It is a dealer matrix that delivers its davit cranes and industrial lifting equipment to the point of use in a multitude of marketplaces. Such is the diversity of end-use applications, even the company’s president doesn’t know where it all ends up.

Luckily, OCH continues to cover interesting case studies, many of which were of interest to attendees at the recent AHR Expo, where OZ Lifting exhibited to a delegation of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals. In one example, a maintenance system, based on a Tele-Pro, was utilized on the top of a roof.

In another, at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, OZ provided equipment for a high-profile rigging job that involved lowering a $250k Lucid Air Sapphire electric car. Residuals and biosolids applications are aplenty too.

Napieralski says, “Innovative products inspire innovative solutions. We have found that all of our products have been used in many different applications. Put simply, we offer innovative products and solutions that make the job easier and safer.”

 

Davit crane pro

OZ Lifting is best known for its range of davit cranes, including the 1,200-lbs. capacity CompOZite model that is made from advanced composite material and weighs only 83 lbs. The CompOZite Elite, meanwhile, is what Napieralski refers to as, “The world’s most innovative davit crane.”

It’s hard to argue, given that it offers the same capacity as the other model, but with a total crane weight of only 37 lbs. Then there’s the recently relaunched Tele-Pro davit, available in 500 lbs., 1,200 lbs., and 2,500 lbs. capacities, which allows users to leverage the benefits of the manufacturer’s other cranes, while telescoping the boom in and out under load. Among other davits and accessories are manual and electric hoists and winches, in addition to a range of beam trolleys, clamps, and wire rope products.

It is a product range that has been strategically assembled over time — and not just during the two decades since inauguration. Napieralski cut his teeth in lifting back in 1988, when he worked for an equipment manufacturer. He launched his first business in the mid-1990s, representing other manufacturers, specializing in the lifting and rigging business.

“Prior to launching [OZ Lifting],” he reflects, “I was nine years into my rep business, uneasy about the contracts I had with each of the companies I represented. I was able to leverage the strong relationships I had with all the distributors that I called on. Around the same time, I met two Australians who were looking for someone to distribute their hoist equipment exclusively in the U.S.”

The foundations of the company’s initial offering were built on a simple manual lever and chain hoist, equipped with overload protection. Interestingly, these lines have grown into today’s Premium series of products. U.S.-made items were soon added to the catalog; today’s 540 stock keeping units (SKUs) represent a combination of both domestically manufactured and imported products.

Add a new website to the 20th anniversary celebrations and relocation, and it’s a heady cocktail. A passionate philanthropist, and new grandfather too, it’s remarkable that Napieralski fits it all in. Yet, his gait is evenly paced and his demeanor as relaxed and comfortable as his Cole Haan shoes.

“It has been an interesting past year,” he beams.

But not 12 months or so that would have totally surprised him.

“The whole operation is built on a customer-centric approach,” Napieralski continues. “We serve customers across various industries, often identifying solutions they didn’t even know they needed. At the numerous tradeshows we attend each year, we listen closely as people share their lifting challenges and pain points. We then collaborate with the team to develop innovative solutions — many of which are industry firsts, like the CompOZite davit crane. By leveraging advanced materials and techniques, we create groundbreaking products that, in turn, inspire innovative solutions for end users.

“Our needs have changed over the years; we went from strictly an import business to now over half of the offering being products we are making here in the U.S. And that was by design; we have four patented products [and two more patents are currently pending].”

The rigging department houses multiple test stands, including a 50-ton stand engineered to test OZ Lifting’s highest-capacity hoists. By performing rigorous in-house load testing, we ensure that every hoist meets or exceeds industry safety and performance standards before reaching the customer.

Visitors to ProMat — the exhibition takes place March 17-20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place — will see the U.S. Patented Tele-Pro davit crane, for example. While all lifting specifications, hook reach, and lifting heights remain the same, several improvements have been made.

Napieralski points to smoother boom operation under load; enhanced maneuverability; clearer capacity limits; industrial, high-visibility powder coating; and simplified maintenance. These five features will be showcased during on-site demonstrations. The CompOZite model, also patented, will be at the exhibition as well.

“We will be working towards same day shipping,” says Napieralski. “We currently ship within two business days but with this additional space the goal is same day. It’s the way industry is moving. So many things have changed, with the most obvious being how people access information. In the 90s it was literature — that was your sales tool. Now, with the internet, you really need a user-friendly website. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to see it first. After Covid, I think trade shows have gained in popularity. People like to physically see products — especially new products. Then when they have a need for them, they want them quickly. Tomorrow, even.”

The company’s new website aligns with these trends and captures every product in the catalog. More than that, it’s an online portal to the business. Significant investment has been placed in design and search features to ensure that visitors — distributors, reps, and end users — can easily navigate the multifaceted platform.

The developers conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including corporate decision-makers, engineers, end users, distributors, and sales reps, to understand their needs and challenges. By gathering their feedback and insights, the team was able to tailor the website to provide a seamless and efficient experience for everyone who visits.

Giving back

Dog-lover, Steve Napieralski, the president of OZ Lifting Products, has recently committed to funding training for police dogs.

As part of a new initiative, the company will fund one dog every year through the Code Blue K9 program. The first one will be delivered to the City of New Hampton Police Department in Iowa later this year. At the concept’s heart is the company’s new facility, where an out-building will be utilized by Trace Erickson, a former law enforcement officer, to complete his 13-week training programs.

Napieralski says, “I met Trace at our local YMCA. As he told me, there are many police departments that would love to have a dog on staff but can’t afford the upfront cost. My wife, Jane, and I felt this is a way to give back to a community.

“We are so excited about this new program. My father was a Chicago policeman and Jane’s father was a Winona fireman — so public service runs through our veins. It’s a complete honor to give back. It gives us so much joy.”

As part of the agreement, OZ Lifting-funded dogs that pass through Erickson’s program will have ‘OZ’ somewhere in their name, for example, ‘Ozzie’, adding to the initiative’s charm and legacy.

“This is a way to create a personal connection between the company and the communities it serves, making the program memorable and unique,” says Napieralski.

The list of philanthropic work is growing. In 2024, OZ Lifting donated over $27,000 to local charitable organizations. Recipients included: Habitat for Humanity; Winona Area Public Schools; YMCA; Winona Volunteer Services; Chicago Police Memorial Fund; Mayo Clinic; and National Child Safety Council. A number of racing car drivers that work at the company also benefit from funding.

“I want to help my community and coworkers succeed in all facets of their lives,” continues Napieralski. “And I really want people to enjoy coming to work with and for us. I am blessed with the quality people I have around me and I don’t take them for granted. We are fortunate that we have enjoyed the success we have had — and we look forward to more community contributions.”

Anyone interested in supporting the Code Blue K9 program or any of the aforementioned charitable endeavors, should contact OZ Lifting for further details.

 

It’s a digital world that Napieralski has adapted to, like every member of his generation. For new grandson, Noah, life will be different and altogether more technological. However, the same family values endure at home and in business, he believes.

“My wife, Jane, and I have strived to be the best parents we can be. Providing for our children has been our top priority and working hard has been central to that objective. I’ve been there to help my children through life, allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them. I’ve taught them to treat people with respect and encouraged them to be the very best that they can be. Family and business continue to have much in common.”

It’s working. A once humble start-up is now metaphorically, “Entering its college years,” as Napieralski sees it. With lots more expanding to do, it continues to enjoy aggressive growth and is once again seeing a double digit year to date increase. Spring is finally in the air too.

See Napieralski and his team at ProMat (Booth S309).

You Get What You Pay For

It’s a slippery slope when companies are more concerned about their investors than customers, says Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting.

March 2025 | International Lift & Hoist | The Insider | By Steve Napieralski

Control the controllables

 

The words ‘Trump’ and ‘tariffs’ have rarely not been used in the same sentence since we welcomed our new president here in the U.S.

 

Inevitably, the world is waiting to see what happens. Nobody has a crystal ball, but my hope is that world leaders are working behind the scenes to figure out a common ground solution.

 

Without dodging the issue, I’ve always remained steadfast in only worrying about that which I can impact or control. And what happens in the White House is definitely not in that category. Our goal is to keep introducing innovative products — always with our customers at the forefront of our minds — whether they are made stateside or abroad.

 

We have had tariffs on some of our imported products since Trump’s previous term started in 2017, so this is nothing new to us, even if media headlines are making it appear to be unprecedented. We have become adept at refining our internal processes to help offset tariff costs.

 

I know our distribution network has its ear to the ground. As a dealer in any supply chain right now, there is the consideration of passing costs onto end customers. From a users’ perspective, the arguments in the main body of this article will be put to the test. Regardless of policy, the need endures to complete lifts timely and safely — and industry will find a way.

 

However, that’s not to say concerns about the political climate are not valid, and we’re having daily conversations about diversification; reshoring and nearshoring; stockpiling; and pricing adjustments. I understand the desire for reshoring, but a tariff without government help is futile. As a manufacturer myself, I know that most don’t possess the resources to have it both ways — to pay a tariff and reshore at the same time.

 

It’s certainly a period of time where we will all need to keep drilling down our processes and become as efficient as we can be.

 
There are many analogies about sales, nearly all of which point to the ability of the salesperson, challenged to sell the most at the highest margin.

It might be said that someone ‘good’ at sales, could sell chocolate teapots; meaning they’re so masterly at the dark arts of their science, that they could make a prospective customer overlook the fact that the product is useless and will melt at first use. It is also suggested that a ‘bad’ sales representative couldn’t sell a boat to an islander; in other words, they’d be so poor at pointing out the benefits of a solution, even someone who desperately needs it wouldn’t see the value in the purchase.

I don’t like either of these adages, or any of the others that mean the same things. For me, a sale is a description of a transaction and not a skill or purpose. If you solve a problem that exists in the marketplace, price becomes less of a factor, and sales are not the motivation. In fact, focussing on sales versus customers is often where businesses go wrong.

Sadly, for many firms, price is the single driver. It’s the top line on every agenda and it’s the only metric that performance is measured against. It makes sense to a lot of workforces because they likely make many of their decisions in personal life based on price. The signs in grocery stores point to special offers and people talk over dinner about how they managed to achieve more for less that day. True enough, I’ll join in the light-hearted conversation when it comes to paper towels, napkins, or something used daily and thrown out after use. But why is the same theory applied so readily when lives are at stake?

This is the grim reality that is even evident in the lifting industry. Companies are out there that are more concerned about their investors than their customers. They are so motivated by cost that they forget to consider the user. The simplest example is when manufacturers move activities away from their own country; the likely consequence is reduced cost, yes, but sometimes at the expense of quality. We offset any potential quality issues by sourcing only from trusted manufacturers and testing all products in-house. Each product we sell comes with an individual serial number and test certificate.

There are many considerations that should be put before cost: first and foremost, is it safe? Does it meet the application requirements? Is it cost effective? Each of these questions should be answered in the affirmative before anything else is considered.

Here’s another question: what’s the price of life? That’s what businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector, are bargaining with. The irony is, most apparent in litigious societies, the cost of an accident can far outweigh the investment in greater diligence earlier in the process. Some cranes and hoists lift loads worth tens of thousands or even millions of dollars. Then there’s the burden of consciousness that a business owner and decision makers have to live with should a cut corner lead to someone not returning home to their family after a shift at work. You can’t substitute price for safety. It’s non-negotiable.

It’s why informed customers look for safety functions when making their purchasing decisions. Take our top-selling manual chain products, for example; they come equipped with overload systems, so in the event of a miscalculation of the weight of the load, our hoists will help prevent a catastrophic failure. Intelligent buyers think about traceability too. In the event of an incident, a manufacturer needs to retrace the steps of that product or component in question. Individual serial numbers are a must and being able to retrace production cycles is critical.

A commodity mindset should never be applied. While buying a material handling or lifting technology with state-of-the-art safety systems from a reputable manufacturer or vendor, will be more expensive than an alternative, the lifetime cost of ownership is typically much less. It’s true that you get what you pay for, most notably in terms of quality and safety. If budgets are an issue to the point where a cheaper alternative is favourable, speak to the seller to see if a payment plan is available. It’s better to have this conversation than pay the (ultimate) price later.


It pays to train

The same attitude should be applied to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), as failing to train a workforce or not constantly challenging best practices, will only have a short-term impact on the bottom line, and will lead to greater costs later. This is especially important during recessions and downturns in a marketplace, where budgets are stretched.

A training programme goes hand in hand with the sales process discussed above too. At my company, we work hard at solving a problem that exists in an application. If you can demonstrate that, users will come to appreciate and trust you as one that understands what they are up against in the field. To get a whole workforce up to speed takes an ongoing commitment to education and knowledge sharing. We can then solve problems that reoccur in the marketplace and cost has been secondary throughout the whole process.

CPD becomes even more crucial when a business is constantly evolving and innovating. If a company provides a single item, one might assume that it is straightforward for everyone to know everything about it. Every customer visit is the same, and the conversations repeat themselves. There are many reasons why I’d rather work at a dynamic, innovative company by comparison, but a consequence is that there are always new products, pain points, and guidances to understand. Every interface — trade show, video, article, search engine, webpage, etc. — must reflect a commitment to safe solutions.

Company culture benefits as a byproduct. When everyone is informed and energised by education, the sharing of information for continued improvement of best practices is more apparent. Senior staff have an important role to play because they can impart knowledge on younger team members or those with a requirement to understand the nuances of a new product or end-use application.

In conclusion, whether it is in relation to providing the best, safest solution, or supporting it with world-class CPD and training, the focus should always be on the customer, not cost.

 



Steve Napieralski has been in the lifting and rigging industry for 36 years — seven years working for a manufacturer of lifting equipment before setting up his own businesses. In 1995, he started as a manufacturer’s representative dedicated to the lifting and rigging industry, and in 2004 he founded OZ Lifting Products. He is a graduate of Winona State University and holds three patents. Napieralski has been affiliated with associations since 1992 with his membership in Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF).

OZ Lifting Celebrates 20 Years, Expands

November 22, 2024 | Wire Rope Exchange

Winona, Minnesota-based OZ Lifting Products LLC is celebrating 20 years in business.

The manufacturer of davit cranes and industrial lifting equipment was inaugurated on December 4, 2004 with two staff; today, it has 25 full-time employees, a distributor network across North America, and is preparing to relocate for a fourth time.

OZ Lifting: December 2004 to December 2024 — and beyond.

 

Even as the company celebrates the milestone, expansion into a state-of-the-art 40,000 square-foot facility is on the horizon. The new five-acre property, on Innovation Drive in its home town, is four times larger than the current building.

 

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, celebrates groundbreaking at the new facility with his wife, Jane.

 

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “The new space will provide us with ample room for growth, including increased storage, more advanced testing capabilities, and the potential to expand our manufacturing operations. Most importantly, it will allow us to continue offering the exceptional service and high-quality products customers have come to rely on; while ensuring we maintain the safety standards that are at the core of our mission.”

The company is perhaps best known for its range of davit cranes, including the 1,200-lbs. capacity U.S. Patented CompOZite model that is made from advanced composite material and weighs only 83 lbs. The CompOZite Elite, meanwhile, is the world’s most innovative davit crane, offering the same capacity with a total crane weight of only 37 lbs.

The recently relaunched Tele-Pro davit crane, also U.S. Patented, and available in 500 lbs., 1,200 lbs. and 2,500 lbs. capacities, allows users to leverage the benefits of the manufacturer’s other cranes, while telescoping the boom in and out under load. Among other davits and accessories are manual and electric hoists and winches, in addition to a range of beam trolleys, clamps, and wire rope products.

Pictured is an architectural mock-up of OZ Lifting Products’ future Innovation Drive facility.

 

Napieralski said: “We’ve come a long way. I started in the lifting industry in 1988, working for a manufacturer of equipment, before I opened my first business in 1995, which was a manufacturer representative company, specializing in the lifting and rigging business.

“Prior to launching [OZ], I was nine years into my rep business, uneasy about the 30-day contracts. I knew I had strong relationships with all the distributors that I called on, so I thought, why not leverage them? I was fortunate to meet two Australians that were looking for a U.S. exclusive distributor of their hoist equipment.”

The backbone of the company’s initial offering was a manual lever and chain hoist, equipped with overload protection; this has now grown into the Premium series. U.S.-made products were soon added to the catalog, but today’s 540 stock-keeping units (SKUs) represent a combination of both domestically manufactured and imported products.

OZ Lifting has grown from humble beginnings in December 2004.

 

Napieralski added: “The two-decade milestone and expansion are testaments to the strength of our business, and we’re incredibly proud to be able to continue growing and innovating in ways that will directly benefit our valued customers. If we keep doing what we do, treat coworkers and customers right, continue to bring innovation to market, carry inventory, etc., we will be in very good shape for the future.”

OZ Lifting is continuing a recruitment effort to hire for several key roles.

OZ Lifting Funds Police Dog Training Through Code Blue K9 Initiative

December 4, 2024 | International Lift & Hoist

 

OZ Lifting’s Steve and Jane Napieralski, either side of Trace Erickson, of Code Blue K9.

Oz Lifting Products LLC has committed to funding training for a new police dog every year through the Code Blue K9 program. The first one will be delivered to the City of New Hampton Police Department in Iowa next year.

The manufacturer of davit cranes and industrial lifting equipment is further supporting the initiative by allowing a dog trainer to use an out-building on the property of its new 40,000sqft facility. Trace Erickson, a former law enforcement officer, hopes to complete a 13-week training program twice annually in the Spring and Autumn.

The announcement chimes with 3 December’s #GivingTuesday, which is a global movement that reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. Falling on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it provides an opportunity to highlight impactful initiatives and support meaningful causes  – just like the Oz Lifting and Code Blue K9 partnership.

Steve Napieralski, president at Oz Lifting, said, “I met Trace at our local YMCA. As he told me, there are many police departments that would love to have a dog on staff but can’t afford the upfront cost. My wife, Jane, and I felt this is a way to give back to a community. If there is a police department in a city looking for a dog, we ask that they send a written request outlining how they will use the animal in their community. If multiple departments are looking, we will select which department gets the dog.”

In a submission from Conrad Rosendahl, a police chief in New Hampton, he outlined how the department lost its dog to another law enforcement body and replacing it would provide additional handler protection and enable officers to patrol a corridor between two cities known for illegal narcotics. The dog will also be trained for search and rescue work related to schools, businesses, walking trails, and parks. Rosendahl also said it would provide immediate back-up for officers who currently spend a lot of time working solo.

As part of the agreement, Oz Lifting-funded dogs that pass through Erickson’s program will have ‘Oz’ somewhere in their name, for example, ‘Ozzie’, adding to the initiative’s charm and legacy. “This is a way to create a personal connection between the company and the communities it serves, making the program memorable and unique,” said Napieralski.

“Police dogs represent not only a safer alternative in law enforcement but also a bridge between police forces and the public,” he continued. “This initiative aligns with our core values of reliability, trust, and service, both in business and in our community. If a suspect sees a K9 present, they are less likely to use force against an officer or flee — they will safely cooperate. K9s are also the only use of force that can be recalled immediately, causing no harm. If an officer deploys a gun, taser, etc, they cannot stop once the trigger is pulled.”

Napieralski added, “Unfortunately, like many regions, the Midwest faces challenges related to narcotics. Police K9 units are vital in combating these issues, providing efficient and effective drug detection, while enhancing community safety. While New Hampton isn’t in our immediate vicinity, it’s part of the wider region, which we proudly call home. Many of our customers and employees have connections across the Midwest, so it’s still a local investment in the safety and security of our extended community.”

Interestingly, the Napieralskis descend from families of public servants. Steve’s father was a police officer in Chicago, while Jane’s was a firefighter in Winona. Many of Oz Lifting’s 25 full-time staff are dog owners. Napieralski said, “They view their pets as family members. This shared love for dogs makes the K9 donation program especially meaningful for our team.”

The City of New Hampton Police Department and the local community are the latest beneficiaries of the company’s charitable contributions. In 2023, it donated over $10,000 to a variety of local causes, including the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and Winona Area Humane Society. It also supports local youth sports, schools, and organizations such as the Rotary Club.

Anyone interested in supporting this or other Code Blue K9 programs, should contact Oz Lifting for details.

Winona’s OZ Lifting Products to relocate to larger facility on Innovation Drive, continue growth

October 19, 2024 | Winona Daily News | By Rachel Mergen

 

Winona’s OZ Lifting Products will soon have a new home in the city.

The business, which is currently located in a 15,000-square-foot facility on Sixth Street, is planning to move to a 40,000-square-foot building on Innovation Drive that once housed Wenonah Canoe’s kayak facility.

The business is working to prepare the new space at the moment, as it has been gutted and the office space is currently being built out.

Its move-in day is expected to be in January, according to OZ Lifting Products president Steve Napieralski.

Ashley Blum, OZ Lifting Products marketing manager, provides a tour of the company’s Sixth Street facility ahead of the move to a larger Innovation Drive space.

It’ll be the fourth move for the company, which has grown from two employees to 25 since Napieralski, who has 36 years of experience in the lifting and rigging industry, started the business 20 years ago in Winona with a partner who has since retired.

“I think this will be the last move, because we’ll have plenty of space to grow into,” Napieralski said.

The new facility sits on five acres, he said, so there’s ample room for growth.

Ashley Blum, OZ Lifting Products marketing manager, said the company’s racks are completely filled with products. In the past, the business has had to even rent additional space, Napieralski said.

OZ Lifting Products employees put together, test the safety of and prepare equipment to be sold at the company’s Winona facility.

 

“We’re just flat out of space, which is a good thing. The business has been growing. It’s been great,” Napieralski said.

The business sells multiple lifting products, including davit cranes, hoists and more. End users of the business’ products include Tesla, SpaceX, Amazon, Walmart, NASA, the U.S. Navy and Boeing, Napieralski said.

“The new facility has more racking, which means more product, which means we have more products to send out to customers,” Blum said.

Storage space isn’t the only improvement that will come with the new building, though.

OZ Lifting Products employees prepare and test products like davit cranes, hoists and more to be sold through distribution.

“We also will have more advanced testing, and so we can really focus on safety, making sure that all of our products meet the highest safety standards. We’re also doing some engineering advancements,” Blum said.

“We’re really looking forward to getting in that space and just being more efficient,” Napieralski said.

The business farms out the manufacturing of its products, many of which are made in the United States.

OZ Lifting Products president Steve Napieralski and his wife Jane celebrate the groundbreaking of the business’ new facility in September.

 

In Winona, the business works to put together the items and then test, box and prepare them for sale.

The new space will allow for the business to potentially do some of its own manufacturing in the future, Napieralski said.

OZ Lifting Products president Steve Napieralski stands outside of the business’ current location.

 

The business also plans to add more employees in the future.

For more information about OZ Lifting Products, visit ozliftingproducts.com.

Pictured is an architectural mock-up of OZ Lifting Products’ future Innovation Drive facility.