A unique service whereby lifting machines and lifting tackle can be examined and tested on-site, giving clients peace of mind that they comply fully with all regulatory requirements, as well as ensuring the safety of all personnel, is available from the newly-established Mandirk Lifting.

The company is part of the Mandirk Group, a specialist supplier of engineering tools and equipment for Maintenance, Repair, and Operating (MRO) applications in a range of industrial sectors. The lifting division was established to extend the group’s service offering and total solutions approach, under GM Jaco Vorster, who points out that management has over 30 years’ combined experience in the lifting industry.

“In addition to our extensive expertise, we also have a comprehensive inventory of equipment and spares stockholding, and are able to leverage off the nearly 250-branch network that the Mandirk Group has access to through its holding company BMG,” Vorster comments.

The internationally-renowned brands represented by Mandirk Lifting are KITO (electric chain hoists, manual chain blocks, and lever hoists, with SABS permits on the manual units as well as the chain), Ingersoll Rand (lifting and materials-handling), Liftall (chain blocks and lever hoists), and below the hook (sling protection and load hugger cargo control.) Lifting tackle brands available are Myte, McKinnon Chain, and Umoya. Enerpac is a leading manufacturer of hydraulics tools, equipment, and bolting solutions.

The combination of all these global brands means Mandirk Lifting can offer complete solutions tailored to suit specific requirements, as well as different budgets. “What gives us the leading edge in the marketplace is that we have the full support and back-up of all of the global brands we represent, which gives us a depth of technical support that is hugely beneficial to our customers.

In addition, all of our global brands are not only SANS- and SABS-compliant, but subscribe to all relevant international regulations and accreditation,” Vorster points out.

The importance of the on-site service offered by Mandirk Lifting is that testing and certification of lifting equipment is not only a legal requirement in South Africa, but must be carried out by qualified specialists with access to calibrated testing equipment. It also issues certificates for all new equipment sold, in addition to inspecting, testing, and certifying equipment that is already in the field.

Here Mandirk Lifting complies fully with the requirements of the Lifting Machine and Lifting Tackle Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. The company is a certified member of the Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of South Africa (LEEASA), and a certified member of the Chamber of Engineering Technology (COET).

Its lifting machinery inspectors are certified in terms of the Engineering Profession Act 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000), and it is a registered member of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). The Department of Labour has approved the company in terms of the Driven Machinery Regulations 18(5) of the Occupational and Safety Act 1993, for examining and testing lifting machines and lifting tackles.

The scope of approvals offered includes lever hoists, chain block, and lifting tackles. An ongoing training and skills development programme ensures that Mandirk Lifting’s personnel are up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

The equipment range catered for includes mechanical ratchet jacks, hydraulic pumps and cylinders, chain and lever blocks, geared and plain crawls, pneumatic hoists and winches, Tirfors and ropes, mechanical grabs and clamps, and slings (chains, polyester, and steel wire rope), together with inspection and proof load testing services.