Background
Woodward manufactures valves and actuators for gas and steam turbine power plants. The new facility in Fort Collins, CO, was designed for optimal product flow and needed overhead cranes to match that flow.

The Problems
Previously, jib and overhead cranes were in use as well as gantry cranes. Operators had to wait for crane availability in order to stage their pieces, slowing production. When using the gantry, operators had to contend with extra weight of the gantry plus maneuver around people and objects to move his product.

The Solution
About 40 Ceiling Mounted Work Station Cranes were installed and since feedback from the employees has been very positive. Where there used to be three bridges installed on a system, nine were installed, allowing for a dedicated bridge to each aisle which gives an operator immediate access instead of having to stage their pieces and wait for crane availability. Now with the overhead ceiling mounted systems in place, they are out of the way and available for immediate use when needed. The Gorbel Cranes were able to match the flow of the new facility and help to increase efficiencies and productivity.

2017 is a big year for Gorbel® as they celebrate 40 years of excellence. Gorbel’s story began in 1977, when it was founded by Dave Reh and at that time Dave had over a decade of experience selling material handling equipment in the Rochester area. The first Gorbel® plant was located on O’Connor Road in Fairport, and its main focus was on jib cranes. Gorbel® quickly built a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service. In 1986, Gorbel® added enclosed track Work Station Cranes to their product line, by first importing and private labeling them from European manufacturers, and eventually making them here in the US. It wasn’t soon after that Gorbel® outgrew their location in Fairport, and in 1990 made the move to their current headquarters location on Fishers Run in Victor. With continuous growth, Gorbel® build a second manufacturing facility in Pell City, AL, in 1996 to allow the company to better meet customer needs.

Gorbel® has always put innovation as one of the key component to it’s success. In 1997, Gorbel® introduced their public website (www.gorbel.com). In 1999, Gorbel® launched the G-Force® Intelligent Lifting Device, which gave operators the ability to lift loads up to 165lbs with only 3lbs of force. (Today, G-Force® technology has advanced to have the capabilities up to 1320lbs!). CraneBrain® a dynamic program that configures cranes and makes life drastically easier for distributors and users was introduced in 2000. In 2002, Gorbel® purchased the Cleveland Tramrail® product line, which gives consumers the capabilities to lift, carry, and rotate around curved edges to meet any facilities layout demands. During this period, Brain Reh (Gorbel®’s current CEO) began his career at Gorbel®, in 1998 he was hired as a Manufacturing Operations Specialist. Later on, he became Business Development Manager and in 2003 he officially became President of Gorbel®.

Over the years, Gorbel® has continued to show rapid growth and advancements with their products/services. Gorbel® has continued to seek out new markets and opportunities to further expand their business. In 2009, Gorbel® ventured into the safety industry and offered the Tether Track™ Rigid Rail Fall Arrest System. With Gorbel®’s dedication to innovation and growth, Gorbel® enter the medical industry by launching the SafeGait 360® Balance and Mobility Trainer, which takes the G-Force® Intelligent Lifting Technology and uses it to help individuals in the rehabilitation process.

Today, Gorbel® is celebrating their continued success throughout the years by recognizing the importance of where the business started and how far and wide the business has grown. Gorbel® is recognizing the dedicated and passionate employees who continue to contribute to the success that Gorbel® has seen and will continue to see. So here’s to 40 more successful and fulfilling years Gorbel®!

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Expectations for the U.S. and global economy improve

MHIsolutionsmag.com

Optimism about the U.S. economic outlook that increased at the end of 2016, strengthened even further in the first quarter of 2017. U.S. consumer confidence rose sharply in the first quarter and data from the ISM Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing purchasing manager indices (PMIs) and the MHI Business Activity Index (BAI) was positive. Although there had been downside risks to U.S. GDP growth in the first quarter from a strong dollar and slowing automotive sales, second and third quarter growth have been exposed to the downside from potential U.S. policy disappointment.

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