SC&RA celebrates 60 years

More than 650 SC&RA members and guests gathered at the Hyatt Regency, Bonita Springs, Florida, US, between 15 and 19 April, to help the Association celebrate its 60th Anniversary during the Annual Conference.

At the conference, SC&RA and KHL Group unveiled a coffee-table book to commemorate the special occasion. Lifting and Moving the World chronicles the history of SC&RA and the progress and evolution of the industry over the last 60 years. The book, which features profiles of 67 member companies, is being sent to each of the nearly 1,300 SC&RA member companies as a token of appreciation for their membership support.

The conference and many of the special events reached record numbers and drew favourable reviews from many attendees. Reflective of SC&RA's growing emphasis on its status as an international organization, the conference attracted 75 individuals from 11 nations outside the US – Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Puerto Rico (U.S. Territory), Republic of South Africa and Spain.

Activities during the conference included five educational sessions; the Products Fair with 63 exhibitors; more than 24 board, committee, task force and membership meetings; and the Rigging and Hauling Job of the Year presentations. Social and recreational events included golf, tennis and volleyball competitions; the CCO 3 mile/1.5 mile fun run/walk; a Gala benefiting the SC&R Foundation; and the International Members, First-timers and President's receptions.

The conference built up to the closing-night induction of Randall Goddard, executive vice president of Atlas Industrial Contractors, Ltd., Ohio, US, as the Association's new president. Goddard began his career in the industry at Dobson, his grandfather's company in Michigan, US, while still at school. He started at the bottom, sweeping the floors and changing the oil in trucks at Dobson, one of SC&RA's founding companies.

A 35-year veteran of the rigging industry, Goddard has been with Atlas for 18 years, serving industrial giants in the automotive, steel, power, refinery, food and beverage, and conveyer industries. His international experience makes him a strong proponent of SC&RA's efforts to reach out to specialized carriers and rigging companies around the world.

“In the past, SC&RA's international members have felt a bit left out at times,” said Goddard. “We've made some strides in recent years, but we're really stepping up our efforts now.”

Joining Goddard as SC&RA officers for the 2008-2009 term are:

Chairman: John Ward, All States Freight Systems, Ohio, US

Vice president: Paul LeFebvre, LeFebvre & Sons, Inc., Minnensota, US

Treasurer: Bill Keen, Keen Transport, Pennsylvania, US

Assistant treasurer: William Stramer, Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co., Kentucky, US.

Also joining the Board are four newly elected Group Chairs:

Allied Industries Group: David Wood, Wheco Corporation, Washington, US

Crane & Rigging Group: Joe Bob Joyce, Joyce Crane, Texas, US

Transportation Group: David Lowry, Bennett International Transport, Georgia, US

Ladies Group: Kathy Hardwick, Royal Tractor Co., Inc., Kansas, US.

With the exception of the Board members and the Treasurer, all newly-elected officers will serve one-year terms that will expire at the Association's 2009 Annual Conference.

In addition, SC&RA elected the following six new Board members to serve three-year terms:

• Michael Battaini, Sheedy Drayage Co., California, US

• Tom Bennington, Duncan Machinery Movers, Kentucky, US

• Scott Bragg, Bragg Crane Service, California, US

• David Lowry, Bennett International Transport, Georgia, US

• John McTyre, McTyre Trucking, Florida, US

• Jim Reusch, Rushco Services, Massachusetts, US.

SC&RA's 2009 Annual Conference is at La Quinta Resort & Club, Greater Palm Springs, California, US, 21 to 25 April. For further details go to www.scranet.org or call: +1 703 698 0291.