Italy / USA - An agreement has been signed between Columbus McKinnon in the US and Litec in Italy for the creation of a new line of electric chain hoists and for a cooperation in some R&D areas. Columbus McKinnon is the main worldwide producer of chain hoists for entertainment use. Litec, with its division EXE, is committed to developing new technologies applied to structures of the whole hoist and staging movement world.

According to Craig Johnston and Giuliano Luvisotto, managing directors of Columbus McKinnon and Litec respectively, the collaboration between the two companies will have an important strategic meaning in the development of their own products.

The first concrete result of this cooperation is the realization of an electric chain hoist, which is entirely BGV-C1 compliant. The new product will carry the EXE-Lodestar logo and will be distributed by Litec sales network, whilst the interior control technology will be available for original CM products through the CM distribution network.

The EXE-Lodestar line includes the hoist mechanics of CM Lodestar and the electronic systems and software developed by EXE, while its exterior has been re-designed starting from the famous Lodestar profile and restylized. The new product is presented at Litec stand at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt. It has been already tested by TUV, certified CE and in conformity with BGV-C1 requirements, the companies say.

(Lee Baldock)


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