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LiftWerx launches GenHookTM up-tower crane system


Designed and built by Kenz Figee

LiftWerx, a specialist in alternative lifting solutions for wind turbine corrective repairs, in close co-operation with Kenz Figee and Eager.one, has developed the world’s most cost effective, versatile, and environmentally-friendly up-tower crane for the wind energy O&M industry.

LiftWerx’s GenHookTM cranes are designed to perform major corrective repairs in wind turbine nacelles. In less than one year, Kenz Figee, in close partnership with Eager.one, has delivered this new crane technology, designed to work in the harshest of weather environments.  The cranes are equipped with fully-electric winches which can lift and exchange gearboxes, blades, and generators with extreme accuracy, while working in wind speeds up to 18 meters per second.  Last week, LiftWerx successfully executed its first gearbox replacement with its first GenHookTM crane on a GE 1.6-100 wind turbine in Michigan, United States.

According to Glen Aitken, President of LiftWerx: “We are proud and excited to deliver this new crane technology to our customers. It is our strategy for our new GenHook™ cranes to reduce downtime, costs, and disruption compared to using traditional cranes. By combining the ideas and talents of our employees, clients and suppliers, we have developed a new crane technology which is simple, cost-effective, powerful, and user-friendly. And the best part is that these Zero-Emission Cranes are completely green. They are powered by the wind turbine itself, and unlike traditional cranes, they do not generate any CO2 emissions.”

Kenz Figee’s CEO, Jan-Pieter Klaver said: “The delivery of the first GenHookTM up-tower cranes to LiftWerx, which are rated at a lifting capacity of 27 tonnes, has marked a new era for Kenz Figee to enter the rapidly-growing renewable energy market. Thanks to the efforts of our team, combined with the skills of LiftWerx and Eager.one, we have produced an innovative new crane technology which will set the bar even higher for the wind energy industry.”

For more information, please visit the websites www.liftwerx.com, www.eager.one and
www.kenz-figee.com, or contact the following:

About LiftWerx

LiftWerx, headquartered in Cambridge, Canada, specializes in alternative up-tower lifting solutions for wind turbine corrective repairs. LiftWerx offers state-of-the-art technology, which is safer, more reliable, and less costly as compared to using large traditional cranes.  The principals of LiftWerx have more than 150 years of combined experience in the field of wind energy, heavy lifting, crane design, rigging, and major corrective repairs. The company, which is a subsidiary of the MeeMaken Group, operates from offices in Canada, the USA, and the Netherlands. 

About Kenz Figee

Based in Zaandam, the Netherlands, Kenz Figee is a well-established leading supplier and service provider of tailor-made cranes and lifting solutions for the marine, offshore, and wind energy industries. Established in 1836, it has designed and built more than 4,000 cranes that fit the specific needs of its clients in the most demanding conditions. Reliability and durability are paramount in delivering innovative solutions to meet clients’ requirements.

Kenz Figee has experienced professionals who provide services and innovative solutions to clients on a worldwide basis, making day-to-day operations more efficient. Kenz Figee operates from Zaandam, the Netherlands, and Abu Dhabi, UAE. The company has been part of the MeeMaken Group since July 2016.