If there is one thing that sets the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) apart from other industry groups, it is the preparation and marketing of its standards. The group takes this extremely seriously and is working to be the go-to resource for crane information and expertise. Recently, MHI Solutions spoke with industry stakeholders to better understand how leading crane manufacturers are promoting the standardization of cranes.
Dan Beilfuss, vice president of the CMAA Engineering Committee and director of Material Handling for the Magnetek subsidiary of MHI Member Columbus McKinnon Corporation, credits CMAA’s Engineering Committee and Service and Safety Committee for standards development. “These committees are made up of a combination of engineers of various disciplines, technical professionals, overhead crane service and safety professionals and business leaders within the overhead crane and hoist industry. The CMAA committee members who work on the specifications work for CMAA member companies, including crane and hoist OEMs, service companies, and component suppliers to the crane industry,” Beilfuss explained.
The 28-year industry veteran goes on to explain how the CMAA positions itself as the industry expert for overhead material handling. “Engineering delegates of the CMAA Engineering Committee must meet one of the following criteria. They must hold a bachelor’s of science degree in engineering or engineering technology and have at least five years of engineering work experience for crane related equipment. Or, they can hold an associate’s degree in engineering or engineering technology and have at least ten years of engineering work experience for crane related equipment.”
By Stephen Murdoch