No business succeeds as we have without the right people. Our company is well managed, our staff well-disciplined and team orientated. The result is competency in manufacture and after-sales service.

Our people are experienced specialists in providing researched and responsible solutions to materials handling challenges. We are all committed to producing only the best-quality hoists and cranes and providing top-class service, advice and assistance to our clients. The key personnel are:

Barry Hartney, General Manager

Barry has spent 29 years in the hoist and crane business, commencing with specialised machinery engineering. He holds a Diploma of Design — Mechanical Engineering from RMIT. Barry is responsible for overall production, design and the ongoing maintenance of production and service standards. He is also responsible for business development, continuing the company's eading-edge tradition of ethical, transparent operation, world-class research and development and quality manufacture.

Challenged by the requirement for an explosion-proof hoist for a major petroleum site, Barry teamed with hazardous environment experts to develop a home-grown unit in the absence of anything suitable around the world. In another world-first, Barry developed an electric 'smart drive' offering total flexibility of speed, acceleration and braking in crane and hoist systems. Other successes include a locally-designed custom-built torsion crane and underwater pneumatic serial winch with corrosion-proof coating to meet a stringent specification for BHP Petroleum.

 

Russell Austin, Director

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Robert (Bob) Dowdell, Production Manager

With more than 40 years experience behind him as a specialist electrician, Bob brings a wealth of ability and competency to his role of Production Manager at AHC. He spent nine years in the Royal Australian Navy, 10 years as an electrician and shift supervisor at Nubrick Bricks in Craigieburn (Vic.), and 17 years at Redfern Flinn Hoisting Equipment, firstly as a serviceman and later as service manager. He has been with Austin Hoists and Cranes as production manager for the past four years.

His role involves specifying the electrical circuitry for hoists and cranes, ordering  all electrical components as well as the required steelwork, and sourcing the additional equipment and fittings. From there, Bob supervises the installation personnel and processes and liaises closely with customers about runway installation. He also oversees load-testing and commission the equipment as well as servicing and fault-finding with lifting equipment.