The Solution for Simpson
As Northern Scotland’s leading lifting and plant-hire contractors, Hugh Simpson Contractors was in need of an effective pipe lifting solution which would allow them to lift and unload rail wagons and marine vessels for their customers. They were ready to wave goodbye to their conventional pipe lifting methods and explore all of the possibilities vacuum lifting had to offer their business. We quickly got to work on engineering the right solution for them, and took a trip over the water from The Netherlands to Scotland to introduce them to their new vacuum lifting companions.
What’s wrong with hooks?
Hugh Simpson Contracting provides an exceptional service for customers in a large variety of industries, but for them, serving offshore pipeline construction is their bread and butter. Often responsible for receiving very large pipe deliveries from trains and boats onto delivery trucks within a tight time frame ready for construction. They needed a lifting solution that was highly efficient and their old method of using scissor lifts to hook and unhook pipes was ineffective and time consuming.
The company was in need of a lifter that could conduct successful lifts in minimal time, and if it meant not having to grapple with dangerous hooks to secure loads, this was a welcome advantage. It was time to introduce them to the world of vacuum lifting!
Multiple pipes, minimal problems
With so many pipes to lift in such a short period of time, Hugh Simpson Contracting was in need of a lifting solution that was both strong and versatile. This is why we quickly introduced them to our SC250N and accompanying multiple pipe lifting attachment. With these products they were able to lift up to 4 pipes simultaneously, allowing them to load and unload pipe deliveries faster than their previous conventional methods.
The company was admittedly surprised but delighted as they watched their operational efficiency improve with every lift. Shortly after, they came back to us to try out another of our vacuum lifting solutions with a SC125N lifter, spreader beam and a selection of suction pads. Soon Hugh Simpson Contracting was able to lift any pipe weighing between 13 000 – 16 000 kg, no matter the diameter, length or coating, with just one lifter. There was no turning back from vacuum lifting.
What Did Vacuum Lifting Do For Hugh?
Vacuum lifting provided Hugh Simpson Contracting with the answer they had been looking for in the search for the perfect lifting solution. But what did vacuum lifting allow them to do?- Load & unload delivery vehicles more efficiently.
- Stockpile their yard with pipes safely & securely.
- Stack pipes onto boats effortlessly.
- Install lifters on to their Sennebogen carrier in minutes.
Winning over the skeptics
As with any change in a business, there can often be a little bit of uncertainty. Will it work? Is it going to be worth the investment? Will your team appreciate the change?
These were the exact thoughts of some of the staff when they were first introduced to the idea of vacuum pipe lifting. Although, they were were soon won over as each lift operation went as smoothly and simply as the previous.
“Vacuum pipe lifting increased our material handling efficiency significantly, allowing us to unload wagons 10 times faster compared to our previous conventional methods.”
Hugh Simpson – Director
Hugh Simpson Contractors
The verdict
Hugh Simpson Contracting had been searching for a solution to their pipe lifting operation which would allow them to work more efficiently and improve the safety of their team and loads. For them, vacuum lifting was just that. The company has been using their vacuum lifters on a regular basis and continue to be happy with the performance of the products and the service they received.
If you would like to discuss how vacuum lifting could elevate your business’ operational efficiency, get in touch with us today to explore your options.
