Attendees Rate ICHC ProMat Huge Success

End users, manufacturers and distributors gathered at the Industrial Crane & Hoist Conference (ICHC), which was staged by Industrial Lift & Hoist (ILH) magazine and co-located at the ProMat trade show, Chicago, March 22, 2011.

Manufacturers, builders, plant and facilities managers, fleet procurement officers, and production managers in charge of specifying, maintaining, and inspecting overhead hoisting equipment came together in a forum environment to explore collective interests and concerns.

The event was opened by an insightful keynote from Hal Vandiver, managing director, Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI) and Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA).

Carter Kerk, professor of Industrial Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines, was another highlight, addressing cost-effective workplace improvements through effective ergonomics and technological lifting solutions.

Overhead cranes provide easier and less forceful material handling, which plays an important role in any company’s ergonomics success. Carter said implementing this type of equipment creates a more user-friendly workplace, enabling less risk exposure while meeting production requirements and accommodating our ageing workforce.

A series of case studies followed, before a panel discussed regulations and training requirements for overhead crane operators, rigging below-the-hook and signalpersons.

They were just some of the talking points of a day where discussion in the room matched the hotbed of buying activity on the ProMat show floor beneath the conference at McCormick Place South.

The one-day event was an abbreviated version of the full-scale conference, which will take place July 19-20 in Houston, Texas. That two-day event is held concurrently with the Crane & Rigging Conference (CRC) and Reach Expo. Agenda and registration information can be found at ReachExpo2011.com.