Event Review By Brian Ethridge
Drawing a Crowd
Celebrating 170 Years of Innovation and Excellence at WOLFFKRAN
On a lovely, warm day in Houston, Texas, WOLFFKRAN celebrated its 170th anniversary at its customer day and innovation showcase. The event, held on May 30, drew a huge crowd of industry leaders, partners and enthusiasts excited to witness the latest in crane technology and sustainable power solutions.
Since its inception in 1854, WOLFFKRAN has been almost synonymous with innovation and excellence in the crane industry. From their humble beginnings in a former iron foundry to the groundbreaking introduction of the first quickly assembled tower crane in 1913, the company’ s journey has been marked by continuous technological advancements. Over the decades, WOLFFKRAN has set industry standards with innovations like the first trolley jib crane with its own electric carriage, advanced climbing tower systems and state-of-the-art luffing cranes.
The event in Houston showcased their spirit of innovation. Highlights included live demonstrations of the latest technology in load control and on-site hybrid power generation. WOLFFKRAN’ s partners, Vita Industrial and E-Power International, were present to demonstrate their cutting-edge solutions.
E-Power International, the first company in America to create sustainable power generators, showcased its groundbreaking hybrid power solutions. Their hybrid power solution, the P-Grid, combines the benefits of a battery pack with the reliability of a conventional generator. Designed to meet diverse needs, this hybrid solution offers incomparable flexibility by controlling power peaks, reducing fuel consumption, and being modular and mobile.
Vita Industrial presented its Vita load navigator, a dynamic approach to lifting and moving loads that promises to revolutionize the industry. This innovative system enhances efficiency and safety, further cementing Vita Industrial’ s reputation as a leader in load control technology.
“ I think this is the first time we have showcased three types of innovative technology that can work together or independent improving the safety, performance and efficiency of lifting in the industry,” Caleb Rosenberger, global product training manager for Vita Industrial, told Crane Hot Line.“ The‘ P-Grid’ system provides a powerful and affordable sustained hybrid power source for
WOLFFKRAN’ S customer day and innovation showcase was held on May 30.
your cranes, Vita Load Navigator and other equipment onsite.”
The third type of innovative technology Rosenberger refers to is WOLFFKRAN’ s high-speed positioning system( HiSPS), which assists crane operators in controlling load sway, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient lifting.
Rosenberg added,“ When you add one,
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