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Mar/Apr 2026


LEEA Sets Date for Global Lifting Awareness Day 2026
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has scheduled the latest Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) for Thursday 2 July 2026. This year’s theme is: ‘Not all lifting equipment is created equal.’ Global Lifting Awareness Day 2026 — #GLAD2026 — will be powered by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) on Thursday 2 July. The seventh staging of the event, powered by LEEA, its members and supporting industry stakeholders, will culminate in publication of a


Raising standards - reinventing the LMI pathway
South Africa’s lifting industry is expanding and adapting as new technologies, methods and ideas are introduced. From harbour cranes and warehouse forklifts to truck tail lifts, lifting equipment keeps our economy moving—supporting exports, warehouse logistics and retail supply chains. As machinery and operational practices evolve, the sector that safeguards safety and compliance must evolve too. An LMI inspector conducts a thorough examination of a crane hook at a busy shipp


Bobcat confirms launch of largest diesel forklifts
Bobcat announced the launch of the new DV180/250S-9 diesel forklifts, the largest machines in the company’s line-up, exceeding many competitors in their class and extending Bobcat’s heavy-duty material handling portfolio in the Europe, Middle East and Africa market. The new Bobcat DV180/250S-9 diesel forklift skillfully handles a large pipe in an industrial environment, demonstrating its remarkable lifting power and sturdy construction. The Bobcat stand provided a comprehensi


Jungheinrich EFG and AntOn electric forklifts: a smarter electric path for South African operations
Across South Africa’s warehouses, factories, packhouses and distribution centres, material handling requirements are rarely one-size-fits-all. Some operations prioritise affordability and simplicity, others demand high performance across long shifts, and many sit somewhere in between. The sleek and vibrant purple design of the new Anton electric forklift showcases modern innovation in material handling, combining efficiency with eco-friendly technology. That’s exactly where t


Telescopic power. Crawler stability. One machine.
Bridge work, road construction and confined jobsites demand a crane that can do more without asking for more space. The SANY SCA1100TB telescopic crawler crane delivers exactly that. A SANY telescopic crawler crane was effectively stationed at a construction site, its boom reaching high into the clear blue sky, aiding in the construction of an overpass bridge. With 110 USt lifting capacity and a 5-section full power boom that extends to 174 feet, the SCA1100TB combines the gr


Reliable chains where they count most
BMG has been appointed the exclusive authorised distributor in Southern Africa for pewag, a global leader in premium chain systems and lifting solutions. A detailed view of a heavy-duty conveyor belt chain highlights its sturdy build and weathered texture. “Through this new agreement, the BMG team supplies and supports pewag’s conveyor and hoist chain systems, engineered for tough industries, including mining, power generation and industrial sectors,” says Carlo Beukes, Busin


Electric overhead crane failures: the hidden cost of structural neglect and poor maintenance
In heavy industry, overhead crane failures are often blamed on defective components. In reality, that is only part of the story. Many failures begin long before a gearbox seizes or a wheel cracks. An overhead crane spans the steel framework of an industrial building, illustrating its pivotal role in material handling and heavy lifting operations. “If it cannot be lifted safely, it should not be lifted at all.” This firm belief from Carlos Marques, founder of Shosholoza Consul


Refurbished crane customised and modernised
HP Cranes Consulting and Engineering recently undertook another exciting project to deliver an overhead crane to the client’s specification. The brief was to refurbish, customise, and modernise the client’s crane, and HP Cranes Consulting and Engineering delivered the final product in just three weeks. Refurbished and upgraded crane ready for deployment, showcased outside HP Cranes Consulting, highlighting their expertise in crane enhancement and modernization. Due to buildin


Sarens expands its operations in Namibia with a new logistics hub near Walvis Bay
Covering an area of more than 4 hectares, these new facilities will enable the company to strengthen its presence in strategic projects in oil and gas, mining and offshore activities, both in Namibia and in Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A Sarens truck carrying an oversized load navigates a dirt road Thanks to this new hub, Sarens will offer its customers abnormal solutions, warehousing, staging, shunting and material handling solutio


First Liebherr mobile cranes with LICCON3 delivered to South Africa
Following the market launch of more and more Liebherr mobile cranes with the innovative LICCON3 crane control system, Marlboro Crane Hire and Concord Cranes have become the first two recipients in Africa. A powerful LICCON3 crane from Concord Cranes is ready for action, showcasing its robust design and advanced technology. The new acquisitions form part of the two leading companies’ quest for smarter, more efficient and safer lifting solutions. The recent arrival of the LICCO


STILL presents a world first: The AXL 15 iGo automates the loading and unloading of lorries
At LogiMAT, STILL presented a true milestone in intralogistics: the first market-ready, series-produced solution for the autonomous loading and unloading of lorries – without the need for any stationary safety technology at the dock. The AXL15 iGo automated unloader and loader efficiently handles pallets at a loading dock, showcasing advanced robotics in modern logistics. With the AXL 15 iGo low lift pallet truck, the Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist is closing one of


LEEA launches COPSULE Version 10
The LEEA COPSULE Version 10 provides lifting equipment guidance that’s faster, smarter and easier to use wherever you work. Illustration showcasing the LEEA COPSULE's diverse applications across industries: container shipping, oil rigs, wind energy, and hoisting equipment, highlighting its versatility and accessibility on digital platforms. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has launched its Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment (COPSULE) Vers


YOKE drives compliance with digital product passports
YOKE Industrial Corp. is supporting industry’s conformity with regulatory frameworks by delivering rigging products equipped with SupraNano chips and Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Innovative YOKE One-Piece Rigging Solution with supranano chips offers a lightweight design, fast assembly, reduced risk, and cost efficiency, featuring X-Link Double and X-Link Single options. YOKE is committed to transforming compliance demands into business value, helping companies remain com


Man cages all you need to know
We have all heard many different stories about man cages, let us try to validate them. The law on this equipment type is quite direct and simple. Bright yellow steel platform cage designed for secure access and utility work, featuring mesh sides for safety, stands outdoors against a backdrop of industrial fencing and corrugated metal. The man/woman cages must be manufactured in accordance with the standard, and the standard is SANS 583 for a “Non-integrated work platforms for


Installation issue of vehicle hoist and expansion joints
"A strip cut into a concrete slab, often called a control joint, contraction joint, or, locally, an expansion joint, is a deliberate cut made in the concrete to manage cracking. These cuts are strategically placed and timed to encourage cracking to occur along those specific lines rather than randomly across the slab." A heavy-duty blue two-post car lift stands ready for use in a spacious, organized automotive workshop. This helps minimise unsightly cracks and maintain the ov


Growing appetite for digital inspection tools
Digital inspection tools are beginning to replace paper-based equipment checks as South African lifting operators look to improve compliance, reduce downtime and strengthen fleet reliability. According to Mark Turner, CEO of heavy equipment technology company Krank, there is growing appetite for practical, scalable solutions that improve inspection accuracy while reducing administrative burden and operational risk. Lifting Africa finds out more. Mining team conducts briefing


Revaro sees growing African demand for dependable lifting solutions
Demand for dependable, cost-effective lifting and materials handling equipment is growing across Africa as industries look to improve productivity while keeping a close eye on operating costs. The emphasis is on versatility, durability and strong value for money. A Revaro logistics truck is parked outside the Revaro facility, securely transporting a bright red AT50D forklift on its flatbed. For more than two decades, Revaro has supplied South Africa with reliable equipment bu


Raimondi’s Terex Tower Cranes launches high-capacity CTL 712-45 luffing jib crane
Terex Tower Cranes, now part of Raimondi, further strengthens its product portfolio with the introduction of the new CTL 712-45 luffing jib crane. Launched on the first day of CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the next generation model is designed to enhance performance, control and efficiency on high-rise and large-scale projects. “Engineered to deliver precise, responsive load handling across the entire operating cycle, the CTL 712-45 integrates advanced control technologies that enhance ef


Grove unveils new range-topping all-terrain crane
Manitowoc is launching its strongest all-terrain crane to date and setting new benchmarks for lifting performance and versatility. The new GMK8700 expands the range of Grove cranes from 50 t (55 USt) to 700 t (800 USt), broadening choices for crane owners and redefining what’s possible in heavy lifting. The crane is backed by Manitowoc’s industry leading customer support and global dealer network, delivering fast parts availability, expert technical support, and comprehensive


Liebherr mobile harbour cranes further expand their leading market position in 2025
In 2025, Liebherr mobile harbour cranes closed the year with a commanding majority of global new orders. This resulted in a record market share. The development underscores a consistent preference among terminal operators for proven mobile harbour crane options. Heavy‑lift mobile harbour cranes remained central as ports expanded cargo profiles without extending fixed infrastructure. Electric drive configurations continued to gain traction, offering measurable local emission
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