Helping to create world class competitiveness in the crane industry is the aim of this year’s World Class Crane Management Seminar, to be held in Seattle, USA, between 22 and 24 October. This means ‘improving productivity and performance in people and equipment’, according to organiser of the event, Rolf Lovgren. The seminar aims to show how to integrate quality and safety improvement standards, crane design, manufacture, service, leading edge crane information and training systems.

So-called world class performers plan and control the resources they need. To do this, careful analysis is made of maintenance and repair costs, safety and crane service life, Lovgren says.

This, the sixth such seminar, is designed for directors and general managers directly or indirectly responsible for crane safety, operation and maintenance, plant managers, production managers, crane service company managers and engineers.

Much is promised, starting with an explanation of what constitutes World Class Crane Management and what can be done to achieve It. Other objectives are:

• how to increase safety and productivity

• how to reduce costs and optimise operations

• to meet and learn from the very best in the business

• to access global benchmarking

• to get the latest updates of crane design, safety and maintenance standards

• to meet and exchange experiences with worldwide crane colleagues from areas including: automotive, aviation, paper and steel industries; crane and equipment manufacturers; crane service industries; power generation and utilities; ports; and government and standardisation organisations such as ISO, ANSI, OSHA, CEN, DIN and FEM.

Agenda

On the preliminary agenda are some big names in manufacturing and cranes. Boeing is to reveal how it has organised its crane maintenance operations, worldwide, for about 5,000 cranes. Demag Cranes & Components will share its experience of the impact of globalisation from a crane manufacturer’s perspective. KCI Konecranes America Inc. and Engineered Services, USA will discuss how they improve the performance of existing cranes and reduce maintenance costs by implementing new technology.

General Motors Corporation and CraneCare present a case study of their implementation of ISO/OSHA standards to cranes in a Michigan General Motors plant where there are more than 500 cranes. Another case study will be presented by Ederer which specialises in custom-designed special application cranes that meet quality assurance criteria for nuclear and space flight programmes.

The Michigan branch of OSHA will look at how it develops local standards and how it implements federal and international standards to its own rules. Similarities, differences and examples of safety benefits will be explained. Polish crane inspection company UDT, which has 700 certified inspectors, will give examples of how it uses national and international standards. DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Norway discusses lifting personnel with cranes and what the requirements are for the crane and the basket.

A case study will be presented by Chockie Group International, Port of Seattle, USA and CPartners, Norway on risk-based maintenance guidance development for container cranes.

Dearborn Crane & Engineering, a member of the U.S. runway standards development board, will explain how to solve the ‘forgotten’ issues of runway engineering. Xtek’s subject will be the service life of crane wheels and sheaves. Casar will talk about wire rope development, selection and service life management.

ABB from Sweden, supplier of AC and DC drive products and systems, will explain the when, where and why of using different drive systems such as direct torque control technology and frequency converters. Cattron-Theimeg International will discuss advantages of remote control over pendant or cab control.

Software presented will include Maximo/CPS, from Electronic Data Systems, for crane safety, inspection, maintenance management, condition monitoring, analysis and cost/profit evaluation. The North American Crane Bureau Group will discuss the merits of operator training using a simulator.

Rounding off the seminar will be a visit to what is claimed to be the largest industrial building (by volume) in the world – Boeing’s Everett factory. The manufacturing complex has grown over the years to enclose 13.3 million cubic metres. Its footprint covers 39.8ha and it is where the Boeing 747, 767 and 777 wide-bodied aircraft are assembled.

Sponsors this year, in addition to the Boeing Company, are the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s School of Management and CranePartner International Inc. The seminar will be moderated by Gary R. Waissi, dean and professor, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Rolf Lovgren, president and chief executive of CranePartner International and chairman of ISO TC96/SC5.