Certified Slings Bounces Back

Patricia Hurtado sews a safety harness at Certified Slings.

Certified Slings & Supply is on pace to regain its pull in the rigging, overhead lifting and load securing market, after revenue dropped by half between 2006 and 2009.

The Casselberry-based maker of wire rope, aircraft cargo tie-downs and synthetic nets is forecasting revenue of $20 million in 2011 — $4.3 million more than its low point of $15.7 million in 2009. Among the company’s clients: Lockheed Martin Corp., The Mosaic Co. and Brasfield & Gorrie.

Since 2009, Certified Slings re-entered a growth phase fueled by increasing its markets and market share, opening a new office in West Palm Beach and expanding in Ocala. It also has offices in Tampa, Miami and Fort Myers.

CEO Douglas J. Worswick, 54, envisions further expansion to North Florida and the Panhandle. Certified Slings also has been growing shipments of its products overseas, with a goal of reaching $3 million in export revenue in 18 months to South and Central America.

In addition, the 53-year-old company unveiled a new product called Bubba Rope, which is aimed at off-road enthusiasts to pull vehicles out of mud, snow and sand. Bubba Rope represented about $1.8 million in sales last year and about $4 million this year, said Worswick.

Certified Sling’s expertise in rigging products and quick service has kept Apopka-based All Sunshine Crane Rental Corp. doing business with the company for more than nine years, said service manager Dennis Frizzell.

Worswick believes the future is bright, particularly with selling to companies involved in expanding the state’s infrastructure, roads, bridges and utilities.

Orlando Business Journal – by Bill Orben

Get the free newsletter

Sign up for news, trends and equipment for sale in the lifting and rigging industry.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Latest Products For Sale

Type Description
Lifting Products
Blocks
8" Tong Line Sw. Eye RB WLL 3T
Lifting Products
Shackles
3" Galv Allow Wide Mouth Tow Shackle 80T
Lifting Products
Sockets
2.1/2" ~ 2.5/8" Galv Open Spelter - Korean
Lifting Products
Sockets
1.5/8" Galv Open Spelter - Korean
Lifting Products
Sockets
1.1/8" Forged Galv Closed Spelter - Korean

News & Articles