Alex Lowe launches Crane Inspection Training Services

Crane Inspection Training Services is a new company set up by Alex Lowe in the UK. Lowe has been in the crane industry for more than 30 years, recently for eight years at HTC Plant, formerly Hewden Tower Cranes. For 10 years before that he was responsible for the mobile crane division at Hewden Stuart Crane Hire, headquartered in Scotland. He also has recent experience in the aerial access equipment rental industry.

Lowe’s new venture aims to bring together a range of experience and skills from many people as a one-stop shop for lifting industry services. “This is not just about me but many others who I have worked with over the years,” Lowe told IC. CITS can supply resources that include appointed persons, staff for holiday and sickness cover, and personnel for operator inductions and assessments.

“CITS can replace the valued plant department experience, which has been lost today in many businesses, at lower cost than previously associated with this function. You only use the service when it is needed,” Lowe explained.

Consultancy services that the firm can handle include thorough examinations on cranes, depot audits, inspections and assessments. Crane purchase, disposal and other aspects of fleet management are all offered. Planning the lifting element of projects for tenders, assisting with managing incidents involving cranes, and business trouble-shooting can also be handled, Lowe said.

CITS has achieved associate membership to the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association headquartered in the UK. "All courses covered by LEEA will be to an accredited standard well worth having," Lowe said.

“In the wrong hands cranes are dangerous. I hope I can change something in this industry and make it safer,” Lowe concluded.