West Australian contractors who work between the hook and the load have long known Lifting Gear Hire & Sales (LGHS) for its deep inventory and quick turn-arounds.
Now the Henderson-based specialist has fresh backing. In May 2025 Axel Johnson International’s Lifting Solutions Group bought Lifting Gear Hire & Sales – its second rental acquisition in Australia after Dynamic Rigging Hire in 2022 –bringing the two long-time partners under the same umbrella.
“Within the first month we were approved for A$150,000 in new-gear capex,” said Lifting Gear Hire & Sales Manager Damien Treverrow, who has steered the hand-over. “The extra buying power means more choice for local clients.”
From one shed to a global family
Lifting Gear Hire & Sales started in 2015 from a single-shed hire yard. Damien, an ex-oil-and-gas rigger who “came from the other side of the hook”, joined 18 months ago and now runs day-to-day operations. A six-person team blends more than 30 years’ field experience with third-party engineering support for lift plans when required.
The yard sits in Perth’s southern marine precinct, minutes from the Australian Marine Complex and Garden Island naval base.
“Shipbuilders, offshore contractors and Defence suppliers keep us busy, but we also send gear to mining and civil sites as far as the Pilbara,” Damien said.
Cross-hire links inside the Global Lifting Group help Lifting Gear Hire & Sales mobilise at short notice. “If we get a contract and haven’t got the equipment, we’re constantly cross-hiring from Dynamic Rigging Hire in Melbourne or Queensland Rigging Hire,” he said.
What’s on the shelf?
Lifting Gear Hire & Sales primarily serves the construction and resources markets in Western Australia, providing a wide range of general lifting gear. Its rental fleet includes Modulift and Maxirig spreader beams, heavy rigging gear with Crosby and Van Beest shackles, and a comprehensive selection of precast lifting gear with clutches from Reid, Ancon, and PSA.
One of the latest additions to the fleet is an offset crane work box from Maxirig. This work box features a rear counterweight and an extended working platform, providing a 1.6 metre (m) working area beyond the lifting chains. This enhanced access allows occupants to work safely and efficiently close to structures or during assembly or inspection. The counterweight ensures the work platform remains level with both occupants at the front.
The precast rigging gear inventory has been expanded to include all Reid, Ancon, and PSA face lifting clutches, edge lifting clutches, loop thimbles, and mistake plates. These items are all ready for hire, complete with certificates of test and non-destructive testing (NDT) reports for the mistake plates, ensuring full documentation for use.
Air hoists are a key component of Lifting Gear Hire & Sale’s rental fleet, and J.D. Neuhaus (JDN) stands out as the highly regarded brand in this space for its reliability and simplicity. Lifting Gear Hire & Sales stocks JDN air hoists from 1t through to 25t capacity, offering the flexibility to cater to the specific chain fall lengths of each end user. All load chains for their air hoists are sourced from RUD.
Machinery movement work is also well-catered for with a range of toe jacks, hydraulic lifting systems, load skates, and air castors. The 30t Aero Go air castor system, manufactured in the United States, is a high-quality option that allows for the installation of critical equipment in clean areas without leaving any markings on the floor surfaces.
Lifting Gear Hire & Sales’ inventory has everything needed between the hook and the load. The catalogue includes:
• Spreader & lifting beams (1t – 300t)
• Slings, shackles and load cells for secure and measurable lifts
• Portable gantry cranes and materials-handling gear for confined sites
• Hoists – air, electric and manual chain blocks
• Hydraulic jacking, skates and pad-eye testers
• Winches, air compressors and test weights
Fast, compliant and documented service model
Every item is inspected before dispatch, again on return, and placed in a rolling third-party recertification program.
“It’s a constant process,” Damien said. For engineered lifts, Lifting Gear Hire & Sales brings in a chartered engineer, but most solutions start with the in-house team’s “20 or 30 years’ experience”.
The proof can be found on the ground. Lifting Gear Hire & Sales beams have been on Bechtel’s Woodside Train 2 gas-module build at Karratha for 18 months. Up to 15 Maxirig and Modulift beams – from 50t to 110t – are still on site.
Why the Axel Johnson deal matters
Axel Johnson International’s Lifting Solutions Group controls more than 25 specialist companies across Europe, Asia and Australia. The Lifting Gear Hire & Sales purchase cements a west-coast footprint and gives the Henderson yard access to group-wide buying, engineering and sustainability initiatives.
Damien sees tangible benefits already. “Being part of the group makes us far more competitive on supply and equipment.” He also points to circular-economy targets: refurbishing and re-certifying gear extends service life and reduces waste across the rental pool.
Even with enquiry volumes “unusually quiet”, utilisation remains high. “We’re still busy – there’s a lot of gear out, and we make sure people aren’t waiting,” Damien said.
Backed by new capital, stronger east-west links and an inventory that keeps growing – one offset work box and Aero Go air-castor at a time – Lifting Gear Hire & Sales aims to stay the first name Perth lift planners call when heavy loads need to move safely and fast.