OCH magazine

OCH sales manager Mark Bridger and I will be among a number of people devoting time to a brand new initiative at ProMat next January, in addition to manning our own exhibition space at booth 252.

There are clear advantages of, say, bridge, gantry, jib cranes and hoists over more widely used lift trucks and alternative forms of 'lifting and moving' materials handling: reduced lifting accidents; improved workplace health and safety; reduced product damage; improved workflow; lower costs; a green solution that reduces environmental impact, to name just a few.

To spread this message, the newly formed Overhead Alliance (OA), a Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) group entity, will exhibit for the first time at ProMat.  I was fortunate enough to be at the first marketing team meeting in Pennsylvania almost exactly one year ago.  A lot has happened since and further impetus will be gained on the largest relevant show floor in the Americas in 2009.

The OA was formed to serve member companies organized under certain MHIA affiliated trade associations - CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), HMI (Hoist Manufacturers Institute), and MMA (Monorail Manufacturers Association).  The three groups faced common opportunities and challenges, and determined they could compound the results of their efforts by joining forces and pooling resources.

End users need to be given a better picture of the materials handling movement within their plants and the OA, an ad hoc working group, intends to provide it.

The OA will also show visitors to ProMat the potential lean and green benefits of overhead lifting and the positive impact it can have on your operation and your bottom line, in addition to a raft of other benefits.

It will also address, for example, manual handling and ergonomic lifting.

According to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), back injuries cost American industry $10-14billion in workers’ compensation costs and about 100 million work days annually.

In the past, light loads were lifted manually contributing to the statistics of on the job injury.  Installing a lifting and moving solution that limits the amount of manual handling by your employees is a good measure to prevent physical injury.

The booth will provide resources to connect "horizontally" to MHIA member companies, in addition to government, compliance, regulatory and safety bodies via OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

It will provide educational resources, primarily through the CICMHE (College Industry Council on Material Handling Education) section of MHIA and offer hourly giveaways (premiums supplied by member companies).

The booth will be staffed by member company personnel (including OCH magazine) in addition to other industry experts.

OA in brief:

Mission

The OA exists to advance both the awareness and employment of overhead lifting and moving technologies.  It utilizes industry knowledge, member company resources, MHIA platforms and a variety of marketing communication tools to reach a broad spectrum of current - and especially prospective - customer bases.  Its non-commercial structure, internal expertise and independent organisation give the OA market credibility not available to individual member companies.        

Structure

The OA is equally represented by member companies within CMAA, HMI and MMA; as well as MHIA staff.  Member personnel include marketing and other professionals, and are directed by a three member steering committee - one each from CMAA, HMI and MMA.  It is funded and therefore held equally accountable to each of those three MHIA organizations.

Market presence

Effective January 2009, the OA will be publicly visible through its website, media advertisements, targeted direct mail and/or email campaigns, promotional literature and member company promotional campaigns.  OA will also host two educational workshops at ProMat.

In pictures:

The Overhead Alliance will outline the advantages of overhead lifting in a brochure which it will distribute from booth 362.

 Product damage can be devastating, and costly. Don't let your lifting and moving solution be responsible.

Does moving materials through factory aisles make you feel like you're trapped in a maze?  Overhead lifting solutions allow you to swiftly guide loads over aisles and above obstacles in a direct path, says the Overhead Alliance.

Contact information:

Hal Vandiver, executive vice president - business development, MHIA, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Scott Miller, OA chair, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Jeff McNeil, OA marketing team chair, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

www.overheadalliance.org

Blog by Richard Howes, Editor