Articles

The South African manufacturing sector currently produces below installed capacity levels, resulting in manufacturing firms not benefiting from economies of scale and competitive advantages that they would enjoy if they were operating at manufacturing capacity. Low demand, stagnant domestic growth, competition from imports and high input costs are all contributing to the strain on the manufacturing sectors growth prospects. Despite these challenges, local manufacturers poss

The equipment rental industry has long been defined by scale — big machines, big projects and big investments. But in recent years, a new trend has taken hold that flips that logic on its head. Micro-sized scissor lifts, once considered niche tools, are now among the fastest-growing segments in the access equipment market. Compact, electric-powered and engineered for indoor and outdoor work-at-height, these machines redefine productivity in tight spaces. As urban job sites be

Niftylift has been named Supplier of the Year at the 2026 Hire Awards of Excellence, held in London, marking the third consecutive year the company has received the award. The recognition highlights outstanding performance across the equipment supply sector, including innovation, customer support, employee development, and sustainable business practices. This latest win brings Niftylift’s total to eight Supplier of the Year titles. In addition to this success, Niftylift was a

Fleet uptime is the backbone of success in the supply chain environment. Toyota Material Handling, a division of CFAO Equipment, is meeting this challenge head-on with Rapid Response, a powerful communication and service platform that is transforming the way customers handle maintenance and repairs. Customers are not just noticing, they are experiencing the difference. CFAO Equipment’s Customer Relationship Manager, Ferial Leech, says Rapid Response bridges the gap between

The SCC2000A-EV combines zero-emission technology with the performance of a 200-tonne crawler crane. Sarens is taking a decisive step into the future of heavy lifting with the introduction of the SCC2000A-EV, the first fully electric heavy crawler crane of its kind to join the fleet. Designed for demanding lifting operations without compromise, this crane combines the performance expected of a 200-tonne class crawler with the advantages of zero-emission technology. At the hea

PHL Hydraulics UK Ltd, a specialist engineering solutions company, recently completed a complex 3-meter incremental lift of large structural steel beams at a construction project in North West London. Installing the beams in a highly constrained environment was achieved by deploying six Enerpac Cube Jacks to lift synchronously lift and position multiple beams, avoiding costly project delays. Tasked with overcoming the challenge of lifting heavy structural cross beams where

Large-scale infrastructure, industrial facilities and data center construction require a crane that can meet the moment. The SANY SCA3300A lattice crawler crane is built for exactly these challenges. With 330 USt maximum lifting capacity, a main boom that extends to 301.8 feet and a maximum tip height of 540 feet, the SCA3300A brings serious reach and power to the most demanding jobsites. One of the longest luffing jib configurations in its class gives operators the flexibili

PALFINGER completes its FL range with the FLM 15. This compact middle-seat model is lightweight, precise and has been developed especially to meet the challenges of modern logistics. It delivers maximum efficiency even in confined spaces. Especially in its fully electric version, the FLM 15 electric meets the specific requirements of the beverage and retail sectors as a quiet, low-emission solution. With its extensive portfolio, PALFINGER is strengthening its position as a le

Alimak is proud to unveil the Alimak Levato 450 construction hoist, designed to elevate safety, efficiency, and sustainability in vertical access. Built on Alimak’s reliable rack and pinion technology, the Levato 450 is engineered to meet the demanding needs of modern construction and rental projects. Modularity The Levato 450 features a modular cage design, enabling reconfiguration into various sizes and capacities. With multiple door and ramp options, including gate placeme

iTek Drives, a leading supplier of variable speed drives and control panels, has moved to larger premises in the industrial and commercial hub of Meadowdale, near OR Tambo International Airport. The new property provides a warehouse with facilities for receiving and dispatch, a large workshop for product assembly and repair, a variable speed drives (VFD) showroom, reception area, a training room, and offices. The building has space for further growth. iTek Drives is Africa’s

There are situations where working at heights demands far more than just compactness. It requires precision of movement, a minimal footprint, reliability, and, above all, the ability to operate in environments where cleanliness, quiet operation, and zero emissions make all the difference. It is from this practical need that Magni’s Oil-Free approach to vertical mast lifts was born: a solution designed to make working at heights more streamlined, more efficient, and better sui

Liebherr-MCCtec GmbH has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal for sustainable business practices. The company has progressed from Gold to Platinum thanks to improvements in the areas of the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The company is now ranked among the top 1% of more than 150,000 companies assessed worldwide. Nenzing (Austria), March 2026 – Compared to the previous year, the overall score showed significant improvement. This

A portal making it simple to get started on the LEEA membership journey is live, ready and waiting for your application, says Matt Barber, Director of Membership at LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association). LEEA’s Membership Application Portal is designed to streamline the application process and make it easier than ever for organisations to join the global community dedicated to the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and to get access to the world class r

Keeping cleanrooms free of contamination and regulatory compliant is a top priority for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, laboratories, electronics and other industrial sectors, particularly as this sector has annual growth predictions through to 2030 in South Africa. The Konecranes belt hoist, specifically designed for applications within cleanroom environs, is lubrication-free with completely sealed pulley bearings thereby minimising the risk of cross co

Integrated lithium-ion batteries provide design engineers with a range of opportunities to enhance vehicle ergonomics. Linde Material Handling (MH) leverages this benefit in its new Linde Ei model series of electric counterbalance forklifts. The three- and four-wheeled models, which are available with load capacities ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 tons, are technically based on the standard Linde E electric forklifts with a classic replaceable battery system. However, the new Ei mod

Clark is presented its new, highly integrated lithium-ion battery technology, ‘Clark Fusion’, for the first time at LogiMAT 2026. The battery solution was developed specifically for the entire range of Clark electric-powered industrial trucks (48-80 volts). The launch is accompanied by a new multi-voltage charger that can handle both voltage classes. With its networked Clark Fusion battery technology, the industrial truck manufacturer is setting new standards for efficiency a

Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) Group’s Tshwane branch continues to strengthen its position within local industry: combining innovative, ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking with a hands-on service culture and disciplined, sustainable growth. The branch is led by Operations Manager and Group Director Phil van der Westhuizen, who has been with B.E.D. for over 28 years, previously managing B.E.D. Rustenburg. Evolving from its early establishment phase in 2020, the Tshwane branc

Our economically viable a-frame gantry crane kits are designed, manufactured and certified in South Africa. For a cost-effective portable solution to your lifting needs, the a-frame gantry is ideal. Our a-frames are supplied in a knock-down form for easy transport and erection on site. These versatile units are currently being used by many of our satisfied clients across Southern Africa and even in the states! Their use for our a-frames include: • Maintenance workshops • Agri

Swarm Automation Transport is a multifaceted automation solution that seamlessly integrates into mixed fleets, simplifying processes, reducing errors and protecting goods from damage. Designed to automate a wide range of warehouse operational flows, Swarm Automation Transport is a multifaceted automation solution that seamlessly integrates into mixed fleets, simplifying processes, reducing errors and protecting goods from damage. With its latest solution, Toyota Material Hand

Tower crane Training in South Africa is conducted by experienced tower crane operators, who are also registered instructors at the South African Construction Skills Training Council (CSTTC). The instructors provide guidance, support and instruction for students to pass their relevant courses. Tower crane courses are available at OHStraining centres in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria.We at OHStraining and our sister company OHStower Cranes have been offering rai