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Hoist UK’s School of Thought

Hoist UK has just completed their inaugural Motor and Truss Workshop.

The school was hosted by Litestructures GB Ltd in their premises in Wakefield utilising their remarkable new rehearsal space with their own Lee Brooks presenting a very informative truss section on the second day. The workshop was also enhanced with the guest speaker Siobhan Hitchen of Rope Assemblies, who went through wire rope inspection and LOLER requirements as well as taking part in the workshop as a ‘student’.

The main emphasis of the workshop included the current and potential future legislation that the entertainment touring and event industry could encounter. This subject was comprehensively covered by Verlinde’s Hans van der Moolen, who has been at the forefront of the advances in technology and safety within the entertainment event rigging industry throughout Europe for the last 30 years.

Tony Dickson, one of the founders of Hoist UK Ltd and a well known veteran and advocate of motor schools and training within the entertainment industry says: “I was amazed at the response we had to this course, especially when there seems to be so many in the market at the moment. I think it was because of the relevance of the course and the attention to safety and legislation that it had a more ‘industry’ feel to it than other courses that I have been involved in. The majority of this course focused on issues that effect the whole industry rather than just focusing on a particular product, of course there was the usual section on Verlinde products and the state of the art hoists and controllers that meet and often surpass all of the current legislative standards and codes of practice that we must adhere to.

“I am sure that there are people that do not fully agree with some of the codes of practice and standards that are in circulation, but the fact is that we all need to be aware of these and fully understand them. I know there are people in the industry that offer their opinion as to the relevance or even the necessity of some of the safety features in these provisions, but the fact is that they are there and we, as an industry, should and must strive to embrace and meet these standards at all times. I often listen to people who say that “there hasn’t yet been a brake failure or limit failure in that unit! Why do we need to add a second one?” And I have to agree especially with the word “yet”. I do not want to be the one that is the first and I don’t think anyone would put themselves up for that position. There is no longer a place in this industry for risk takers and people who flaunt the law, second guessing what is and isn’t safe. Any innovation must come with the correct research, trials and meet all of the standards. The Hoist UK workshop emphasised this and quite rightly so.”

Paul Jordan, fellow founder of Hoist UK Ltd added: “It was remarkable to see the wide spectrum of people from the industry who attended, from freelance riggers, industry specifiers and safety officers. We were asked by Verlinde to limit the school to eight attendees and could have filled the workshop three times over - but we managed to persuade Hans to increase the class size to 10.

“We promise to run another school later this year. I am sure that this and future Hoist UK schools will show the UK entertainment industry why the rest of Europe regularly choose to use the Verlinde products and how Verlinde have made and will continue to make improvements and innovate lifting products. We feel that once people have the full details of what is available in the market place, they will be able make an educated decision as to the equipment they utilise, its suitability and if its fitness for purpose. The workshop was a great success and we believe that the industry is ready to move forward towards a higher level of safety and new technology that is fully supported by the manufacturer and not a compilation of products put together to form a system by a distributor or even by the end user.

“Verlinde, through Hoist UK, offer a complete package that is fully guaranteed and certified by a single manufacturer. We can offer fully compliant equipment from a single source, which provides the end user with peace of mind and confidence. You only have to read through some of the comments of the attendees”.

Jeff Demain of Performance Space Ltd said: “It was a well balanced, informative event that reminded me how good the Verlinde Motors are.” John Anderton, also of Performance Space Ltd commented: “It was great to see that Verlinde is now back in the UK market, with a good set of hoists that really are LOLER proof and meet all the relevant regs, affordable, and serviceable. The workshops from Hoist UK, Lite Structures and Verlinde were very constructive and practical - I recommend that anyone in this field of the business should attend the next one.”

Malcolm Honeysett, Safety Officer of Middlesbrough College, said: “It was worth the time as it introduced to me some of the issues and how they have been addressed by design. The technical knowledge from Verlinde was reassuring. I came away very positive about the product and the approach taken by yourselves. “

Alan Bosworth of Canary Wharf Group said: “A valuable insight into the mechanics and capabilities of the full Verlinde range with the added bonus of Litestructure’s truss experts.“

Siobhan Hitchen of Rope Assemblies commented: “I found the course to be most informative and interesting. Tony and Paul obviously put a lot of thought into the content, demonstrating the adaptability of the Stagemaker hoist which is amazing! I am sure that many of my customers will be delighted to add the Stagemaker into their stocks.”

Lee Brooks, technical sales manager for Litestructures said: “Thank you for involving us in the first (of many) Hoist UK/Litestructures School. It was a pleasure to host the event and we’re proud to be associated with Hoist UK”

Hoist UK will be represented on the Verlinde stand at the ABTT Theatre Show.

In picture: Hans van de Moolen of Verlinde teaching the group and the full Motor & Truss Workshop group

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Hoist UK’s School of Thought

21st May 2007

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