Certex customers now have access to one of the largest test beds in Northern Europe, thanks to new equipment installed recently in Denmark.
The new bed measures 20.5 meters long with the capacity to test lifting equipment up to 1200 tonnes (pulling force) and dimensions up to 15 meters, and has been installed in a purpose-built facility in the Port of Esbjerg by Peter Harbo A/S – a member of the Certex International group of companies.
This 5million DKK-investment has been made to meet market demand for heavier and bigger constructions that require correspondingly larger lifting devices. Examples of the type of equipment that can be tested using the bench include: steel wire rope; chain, chain accessories, hooks and rings; crane hooks and blocks; fiber ropes, mooring lines, hawsers, single bouy moorings; as well as lifting beams, brackets and triangles.
The new capacity is expected to open up and expand business opportunities in the offshore, wind power, shipping, marine and construction industries, across Northern Europe. Previously larger pieces of equipment would have been out-sourced for testing, so being able to carry out this process in-house will ultimately be time-saving for users.
Charles Gillespie, Director of Sales and Marketing at Certex UK, explains that this is one of the advantages of being part of Certex International, a group of companies owned by Axload AB, a Swedish subsidiary of Axel Johnson International and one of the market leaders in the supply of lifting and lashing equipment across Europe.
“This huge investment was possible thanks to the size and influence of our Swedish mother company, especially at a time when companies in general are holding back on investments which could strengthen their market position.
“Having access to shared equipment and facilities provided within the wider group of Axload companies means that we can provide better services for our existing customers as well as reach out to new ones,” he said.
The new test bed which is housed in its own purpose-built facility has the capacity to perform the following tests:
- Pull test up to 1200 tonnes (direct line pull)
- Breaking test up to 960 tonnes (direct line pull)
- Spreader beam test up to 500 tonnes (angle test).
