Media release: Queensland government invests in world-first crane safety device
The Queensland Government has made a “significant” investment in Brisbane-based smart technology company Verton Australia, which has developed a revolutionary remote electro-mechanical load-management system designed to dramatically improve safety in crane operations.
Verton’s R-series is the world’s first remote load-management system and eliminates the need for human held taglines to control suspended loads, thereby improving safety and productivity for crane operations.
National crane company Universal Cranes recently became the first customer of the R-series, while Verton has secured deals from mining companies and is in private partnerships with global construction and shipping operators.
The State Government’s $80 million Business Development Fund (BDF), which provides funding of up to $2.5 million for individual innovative Queensland businesses, has committed to supporting Verton, which this month will be represented in Munich, Germany, at the world’s largest construction industry trade fair, BAUMA 2019.
Set-up bauma 2019
An Bauma trade fair: Bauma 2019 will be spread over an area of 614,000 square meters. That’s the size of 100 soccer fields. Since the last edition of bauma, the world’s largest trade fair has added nearly 9,000 square meters. Image Source Bauma.de
Verton CEO Trevor Bourne said: “This significant investment from the Queensland Government and the BDF will accelerate Verton’s development and product commercialization, which will help create more jobs and international investment in Queensland.
“The R-series is world-first technology that will revolutionise suspended load-management for the transport, construction and mining industries and also many other sectors. It provides unprecedented safety for crane operations as it eliminates the need for tag line use and associated workloads. Workers will no longer be near or under moving loads.”
Verton manufactures the R-series in Brisbane and is taking orders from interested industries worldwide. The company was also selected to be part of the PortXL Port and Maritime Accelerator program in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said supporting emerging companies such as Verton through the BDF underpins the Government’s commitment to growing jobs and strengthen the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“The BDF has been successful in growing the pool of angel and venture capital funding to support the growth of innovative businesses, which in turn creates high-value jobs and showcases Queensland in Australia and around the world,” she said.
Moving heavy loads using cranes or hoists can be extremely dangerous with industry research showing proximity to a load, let alone actual contact, accounting for 80 per cent of crane-related fatalities.
Verton Founder and Chief Technology Officer Stanley Thomson said the R-series, which is available in various models and can manage loads of up to 20 tonnes, not only improves crane safety but provides the biggest improvement in production and efficiency since the crane was invented.
“When State and Federal Court convictions over crane accidents are trending toward higher penalties, the R-series is a beacon of light for Corporate Responsibility,” he said.
“While also significantly improving safety, the implementation of the R-series will save worksites millions of dollars over its lifetime with payback possible within a year."
For media enquiries contact Steve Connolly on 0414 296 379
About Verton Technologies Australia
Brisbane-based Verton is a smart technology company which has developed the world’s first remote-controlled electromechanical load-management system that provides immediate safety and productivity benefits. The R-series is available in various models managing suspended loads of up to 20 tonnes. The R-series offers the biggest improvement in productivity and efficiency since the crane was invented.