Acculift has supplied and installed two specialised crane systems at Walters Group’s facility in Princeton, Ontario, addressing distinct material handling needs in separate production areas.
The project involved the delivery of a 4,000lb capacity workstation crane for use within a CNC processing cell and the provision of a dual-hoist overhead crane for the welded wide-flange beam line.
Walters Group, a structural steel fabricator working on projects across North America, sought solutions for two contrasting lifting challenges at its Ontario site.
In the CNC processing area, operators previously relied on forklifts to remove remaining steel cutoffs from the cell, a process complicated by equipment layout and safety features.
The new ceiling-mounted, enclosed-track bridge crane supplied by Acculift offers a 4,000lb lifting capacity, a 25ft aluminium bridge, and an electric chain hoist.
This system is designed to allow for more precise material positioning within the cell, reducing manual handling and minimising the need for forklift intervention.
Walters plant manager Steve Van Manen said: “It was exactly what we needed. It was set up exactly how we were looking for.”
He noted that observing a similar system in operation at Acculift’s Woodstock location assisted in evaluating the solution before installation.
For the wider beam production line, Walters Group faced demands for greater lifting capacity and enhanced flexibility.
Acculift installed a 44ft-span overhead crane equipped with two 5t hoists.
The system provides radio control, collision-avoidance functions, and dual-speed bridge and trolley motion.
One hoist, fitted with a rotating device, enables steel components to be turned as required for welding, while the other, equipped with lifting clamps, supports material loading processes.
Acculift coordinated with Walters Group throughout the engineering and installation stages, conducting site visits to verify dimensions and ensure the solutions matched operational requirements.
Manen said: “There were zero issues with anything from start to finish, from the engineering and sales side all the way through installation.
“Responses were fast, I didn’t have to chase for information, and everything was completed within the timeline we were given.”
Both crane systems were installed within the agreed timeframe, allowing Walters Group to continue production with minimal disruption.
The new equipment now provides dedicated solutions tailored to the differing needs of each production process at the facility.
In September 2026, Acculift supplied a free-standing workstation bridge crane system to a manufacturing client, designed to provide adaptable lifting capabilities throughout a large production space.
