RUD Australia opened the doors of its Brisbane engineering and manufacturing facility to host its exclusive Lifting Innovation Day, strategically timed alongside the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) 2025 conference.
Planned specifically for the crane industry, the event brought together crane business owners, lifting engineers, operations managers and industry partners for a practical demonstration of lifting and lashing technology.
During the Lifting Innovation Event, RUD conducted live breaking and load restraint tests to showcase how its engineered lifting and load securing solutions impact safety, productivity and compliance on Australian worksites.
A legacy of lifting excellence
Founded in Germany in 1875, the RUD Group celebrated 150 years of innovation in 2025. RUD is still family owned by the Rieger family and employs more than 1700 people globally, with offices and partners in more than 140 countries.
RUD Australia celebrated 40 years in 2024 and is led by the Nuttall family since 1984. RUD Australia has spent four decades supporting the local crane sector with engineered lifting and lashing solutions. Today, the Brisbane head office includes a 6000 square metre facility with advanced robotic welding technology and 200/500 tonne test beds, ensuring locally manufactured products exceed industry standards.
The highlight of the event was the collaboration of Australian manufacturing expertise with German engineering heritage to offer safe, secure and innovative technologies to the crane industry.
ICE Grade 120: Lighter, stronger, safer
At the centre of RUD’s lifting solutions is its Innovative Chain Evolution (ICE) Grade 120 chain technology. Designed for maximum strength to weight performance, it is approximately 30 per cent lighter than a Grade 80 chain, delivering a big safety advantage for riggers working at heights.
When paired with a RUD balancer, a 16 millimetre ICE chain can lift up to 48 tonnes –among the highest capacity in its class.
Mark Read, Director of SureLift Crane Hire in Queensland, has long relied on RUD products. “They’re the best chains in the industry,” he said. “The balancer is a huge point of difference for us. It allows higher capacity lifts while maintaining safety.” Starting with a single crane in Moranbah and now operating more than 16 cranes, SureLift uses RUD lifting products exclusively. According to Read, the performance and reliability of the equipment “embodies the message of safety”.
Brisbane-based Hulk Lifting also shares a similar confidence. Director Ben Rose said, “Knowing that we are using RUD’s products provides us with a sense of comfort and reassurance. Through the design, manufacturing and final build stages; everything is simply top-notch.”
Demonstrating innovation in real time
Live demonstrations were a highlight of Lifting Innovation Day. The visitors witnessed controlled breaking tests, load restraint demonstrations and detailed discussions around lifting design.
One key topic addressed was sudden shock loading – a common but underestimated hazard in crane operations. RUD engineers explained how shock loads can dramatically increase forces beyond static load calculations, placing equipment and personnel at risk. In many cases, dynamic loading can exceed nominal working load limits within milliseconds. By selecting appropriate chain grades, components and safety factors, operators can significantly reduce exposure to these dynamic forces.
RUD’s portfolio includes more than 700 boltable and weldable lifting points with load capacities up to 250 tonnes, along with locally engineered spreader and lifting beams. RUD’s manufacturing capacity for bespoke design ensures that crane companies receive custom solutions rather than modified off-the-shelf components.
Load securing – Beyond the hook
While lifting remains core to crane operations, safe transport and load restraint are equally critical. RUD’s load securing solutions reflect an integrated, engineered approach to transport safety.
A key focus for RUD is to integrate lashing points during manufacture rather than retrofitting them later. This is a design philosophy that improves structural performance and long-term durability.
Innovations such as the LPW or OPTILASH/OPTILASH-CLICK lashing points demonstrate how intelligent design enhances flexibility and safety. International transport specialist August Alborn relies on this technology for heavy haulage applications, highlighting the importance of certified, rotatable lashing systems in modern logistics. RUD’s load restraint systems are engineered to meet Australian compliance requirements while improving efficiency on site and in transit.
The RUD Sling Configurator
RUD has introduced a digital Sling Configurator to simplify the process of selecting the appropriate chain slings for the job. In six steps, users can configure a chain sling tailored to their lifting application.
Customers can select between VIP-100 and ICE-120 chain systems, compare components, review lifting tips and generate a 3D visualisation of the final assembly. The platform also allows users to download a PDF summary or CAD (Computer-aided design) file suitable for inclusion in lift plans. Scan the QR code below to visit the Sling Calculator website.
Service beyond supply
A common query during the Lifting Innovation Day was RUD’s commitment to after-sales service and support. “RUD is always available to provide advice on maintenance, new products and different lifting solutions,” said Mark Read.
Ben Rose added, “Whenever we get something in from RUD, there is always an engineer coming afterwards to inspect the product and ensure that it is performing exactly as it should.”
Both agree this approach reinforces RUD’s position as a supplier and a technical partner to the crane industry.
Continuing To Lead
As the crane sector faces regulatory scrutiny, heavier lifts and complex projects, engineered lifting and lashing solutions have become critical.
The RUD Lifting Innovation Day showed that innovation is not just about stronger chains or higher capacities, it is about integrating safety into every stage, from design and manufacture to transport and on-site execution.
RUD combines 150 years of global engineering heritage with advanced local manufacturing to deliver safe, reliable and future-ready lifting solutions for Australian crane operators.
