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SEAA Honors Top Steel Erection Projects in 2025
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Konecranes Launches Offline Chatbot for Warehouse Ops
Konecranes introduced a new Warehouse Management System( WMS) Chatbot, an offline digital assistant designed to assist operators with real-time troubleshooting and operational guidance. Initially developed for warehouse environments, the chatbot’ s modular architecture allows it to be adapted for use across multiple industries and facility types.
The WMS Chatbot integrates directly into the WMS interface and functions entirely offline. This ensures that all data remains within the customer’ s secure IT infrastructure, reducing cybersecurity risks and supporting compliance with data protection regulations. Its offline capability also makes it suitable for environments where internet connectivity is limited or restricted.
Pre-trained on Konecranes servers, the chatbot is built using customer-specific documentation, including equipment manuals, service records and electrical diagrams. Once deployed, it provides immediate access to this information— helping operators resolve common issues, locate maintenance data and follow step-by-step instructions to minimize downtime and improve operational safety.
The chatbot supports multilingual use and is designed to fit into customer-specific workflows. Its scalable and customizable architecture makes it suitable for a range of industrial applications beyond warehousing.
This launch is part of Konecranes’ broader strategy to embed artificial intelligence and automation into its material handling systems. The company continues to invest in digital tools that improve safety, uptime and productivity across industrial facilities.
The Steel Erectors Association of America( SEAA) announced its 2025 Steel Erection Projects of the Year winners, recognizing outstanding structural and specialty steel work in Arizona, Florida and New Mexico. This year’ s awards highlight diverse expertise across fabrication, erection and crane services.
Two winning firms served as both fabricator and erector, working closely with engineers to refine original designs, and another is distinguished as a crane services provider offering rigging, lift planning and panel erection. Additionally, a specialty services provider in material handling earned its first-ever recognition.
In Casa Grande, Arizona, ORBIT Industrial Service & Maintenance received the Miscellaneous Metals Over $ 500,000 award for installing three automated process cranes at Lucid Motors’ 3 million-square-foot expansion. Working with fabricator Schuff Steel, ORBIT managed logistics, runway installation and crane mobilization. Hodges Erectors of Miami, Florida, won Structural Class I for its work at the Kaseya Center Arena, installing new steel frameworks for scoreboards and catwalks around active concerts and games.“ The arena was not closed for construction,” the project summary states, detailing extensive demobilization and reassembly to meet event schedules.
In Phoenix, All Things Metal was honored in Structural Class II as both fabricator and erector for an office remodel featuring a unique mezzanine, fitness center and speakeasy. The firm overcame space constraints and as-built discrepancies by collaborating closely and minimizing daytime noise.
Florida’ s GMF Steel Group claimed Structural Class III honors for adding a 600,000-square-foot expansion to the Tampa Convention Center. The coastal project required steel erection from a barge and strict 55-day scheduling to maintain event operations.
Finally, Alliance Riggers & Constructors of New Mexico won Structural Class IV for constructing a new 79,000-square-foot performing arts center amid tight campus access. Using a combination of lattice-boom crawler, telecrawler, all-terrain crane and telescopic handler, they erected steel, tilt-up panels, staircases and elevated seating structures. Lift planning was critical given the single-point site access.
Winners will receive trophy presentations, feature articles in SEAA’ s Connector magazine and opportunities to participate in peer-panel discussions.
CP & A Presents on Wind Load Challenges for Cranes
Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc.( CP & A) delivered a technical presentation on wind load calculations for container cranes at the Port & Terminal Technology Conference, held April 29 – 30, 2025, at the InterContinental at Doral in Miami, Florida.
Mechanical engineer Richard Phillips presented CP & A’ s paper titled Don’ t Get Carried Away by Wind Loads to a delegation of professionals from port authorities, terminal operators, consulting firms, dredging contractors and maritime construction companies. The event, organized by MCI Media Ltd., focused on operational, maintenance and engineering challenges in the cargo handling and terminal equipment sectors.
CP & A provides a broad range of engineering services including specification, design, manufacturing review, modification and accident investigation. Phillips’ presentation centered on the length of time used to calculate wind speed, highlighting the“ chaotic behavior” of wind and its consideration in crane design. He also compared regional design codes, pointing out the inconsistencies even within the same geographic areas.
July 2025 • www. cranehotline. com