Austin Hoist and crane is known as a leader in Overhead cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, monorail cranes, semi - portal cranes, hazardous cranes, bridge cranes and special custom cranes in fact many factories and workshops bear the name “Austin’s” on hoists they are using but this has not always been an easy path to achieve this status. We have to wind the clock back some 100 years when the company was founded by Edward Arthur Austin who was born at Stoneleigh in Victoria in 1868.

After finishing his engineering apprenticeship at the firm Thompsons Engineering in Castlemaine, he moved to Melbourne to join another engineering company. After gaining experience here, he decided to start his own business in 1904 at 494 Little Bourke Street. He was a very clever and practical engineer and soon established an expanding clientele for his business.

In 1928, he manufactured the first Australian designed small electric hoist which eventually led to the production of monorails and small overhead cranes. When World War II broke out in 1939, Australia was faced with the need to produce its own war equipment and Austin Hoist & Crane products became sought after as part of the war effort. During the war years, countless overhead cranes and hundreds of electric hoists were produced.

In 1942, Edward passed away and his brother, Harold, took over the running of the company. After the war finished, the company built the largest crane it had ever built for AIS Port Kembla Works. With a capacity of 50 tonnes and a span of 30 metres, the fence around the company had to be dismantled to get the huge crane out! In the subsequent generation, Arthur, along with his son Russell, took over the running of the company in 1962. Arthur has only recently retired while Russell continues to act as a consultant to the company. After the war, the company supplied hoists and cranes to all segments of industry and it was even used by General Motors on the first assembly line when manufacturing Holdens! The following three decades saw the company continue to manufacture a wide range of equipment for many diverse industries, from mining companies to food and beverage manufacturers.

The result of this long history in the industry is an entrenched position in the engineering sector and vast experience which has stood the test of time. Not one to rest on their laurels, Austin Hoist & Crane continues to refine how they work. The100 year celebrations saw Austin Hoist & Crane develop a new strategic plan that maps out the direction the company intends to take over the next ten years. The plan sets out to achieve success and harmony for their clients, suppliers and staff.

Austin Hoist & Crane see themselves as a trusted voice in the engineering industry and believe that each current and potential client will benefit from a shared strength of purpose and all their experience gained over the past 100 years. Austin Hoist & Crane operate by partnering with their client’s needs and collaborating with them on their project site to ensure the whole project runs smoothly. Once on site working with a client, they aim to reduce costs by using their procurement role to select the right product for the job creating long-term solutions.

When Austin Hoist & Crane’s customers were asked in a recent survey why they do business with them, they said: ‘they are the most recognized industry practitioners in regards to industry know-how’... ‘their designs incorporate quality, safety and efficiency’ ... ‘they use the highest quality materials in all of their products’ ... ‘safety features are built-in thereby giving peace of mind’.

Austin Hoist & Crane believe the fact that they are Australian owned and operated and provide excellent quality and safety features, with over 100 years of solid experience, highlights the key difference between them and their competitors in meeting and satisfying their customers’ needs –both now and into the future. The Company is about team work – working together, customers and staff, to make sure every experience is a pleasant one and ensuring customers get what they are looking for – technical assistance, equipment availability and efficient, professional service every time. Austin Hoist & Crane manufactures cranes with lift capacity from125 to 150,000 kg in any environment. Their team will design, manufacture and install a product to fit your exact requirements in any location.

The most common types of cranes include:

• overhead cranes
• gantry cranes
• jib cranes
• monorail cranes
• semi-portal cranes
• hazardous environment cranes
• explosion - proof hoists
• special cranes

In addition to the design and manufacture of new cranes, they are experienced in refurbishing or rebuilding older cranes to meet today’s safety standards. Their experience extends to the manufacture and installation of goods lifts in commercial and residential buildings. Austin Hoist & Crane can supply a complete range of electric, pneumatic and explosion proof hoists. Hoists are available as a part of a complete crane installation or as a stand alone unit.