For more than two decades, Titan Lifting Technologies has partnered with Taiwanese manufacturer Wirop to supply high-precision swaging, testing and wire-rope processing equipment to the Australian market.
It is a relationship built on trust, technical capability and a shared focus on safety, that continues to grow as both companies expand their product offerings.
Titan Lifting, part of the Allan Marketing Group (AMG), has been designing and distributing lifting and rigging equipment for more than 25 years. Its portfolio ranges from chain and lever hoists to electric chain hoists, trolleys, lashing equipment, shackles, rigging hardware, slings and wire-rope products. Wirop complements this by bringing global expertise in swaging presses, hydraulic test beds, ferrules and aluminium sleeves, Flemish eye fittings and wire-rope handling systems.
A partnership that began decades ago
Titan Lifting founder and Chief Executive Officer Ian Allan first met Wirop founder Ben Chiu more than 30 years ago, long before Titan Lifting began distributing Wirop products. “Ben was just starting out with a very simple factory and limited capital,” Ian said. “Over the years he’s grown the company into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hydraulic testing and swaging equipment.”
When Titan Lifting launched its own brand, Ian approached Wirop to formalise a partnership for the Australian market. At the time, Wirop sold directly to various customers across the region with no appointed distributor. That changed when the companies signed an agency agreement.
Chief Operating Officer, John Di Michele added that Wirop has since expanded globally by opening its own offices in the United States and Germany. “But in Australia, they’ve trusted us to operate on their behalf,” he said.
A complete offering for the industry
Wirop’s technology is built around wire-rope fabrication and testing – a field central to the crane, lifting and rigging sectors.
The product portfolio includes:
• Swaging presses and sleeves
Wirop manufactures aluminium and copper ferrules, Flemish eye sleeves and oval steel sleeves, all designed to meet European, DIN (German Institute of Standardization), JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), Australian and international standards.
“These fittings are integral to making wire-rope slings,” John said. “They form the eyes and terminations used across crane and rigging operations.”
Wirop also builds both traditional H-frame presses and its unique C-type swaging presses, which offer improved operator access. “The C-frame is much easier and safer for the operator,” Ian said. “You can get the sling in and out more efficiently, and the machines won’t overload because the system cuts off automatically.”
• Horizontal test beds
These machines, widely used in hoisting shops and testing facilities across Australia, are known for their sophistication and build quality. “The Wirop test beds are computerised, fully databased and feature protective functions such as safety covers and real-time load monitoring via the software,” John said. “The major players in the industry prefer them because of the reliability, safety and functionality.”
Test beds can be configured for a range of capacities and can test wire-rope slings, chains, fittings, hoists and various tension-loaded components.
• Wire-rope reelers and handling systems
Wirop produces a complete range of reelers capable of spooling, storing and measuring wire rope that Titan Lifting has also supplied into local workshops.
• Load-cell technology
A more recent addition to the range is Wirop’s wireless load-cell system. Offered in both rectangular-shaped load cells and shackle-integrated variants, capacities range from two tonnes up to 500 tonnes.
“They’re growing quickly in popularity,” Ian said. “Crane crews don’t always get the load exactly right, and these cells help ensure operators know precisely what they’re lifting.” John added that up to eight load cells can be connected using software.
“The software enables users to log and track every lift,” he said. “If something goes wrong, they can go back and see exactly what weight was applied.”
Reliability, safety and standards
Safety underpins Wirop’s engineering approach, and Titan Lifting ensures every unit installed in Australia meets both local and international compliance requirements.
On test beds, automatic interlocks prevent the machine from operating unless the covers are fully closed. Emergency stops are positioned on both the main console and hand-held pendant. “And training is key,” John said. “We always show clients how to set up the rigging correctly, secure the assembly and operate the tester.”
Swaging presses also include built-in safeguards to avoid overloads. Wirop performs extensive internal testing to ensure their ferrules do not crack under pressure.
“They press them one way, rotate them, press them the other way. It’s the ultimate test to make sure they perform safely in the field,” John said.
Wirop’s manufacturing is ISO 9001 certified and adheres to major global rope and lifting standards. “These products are sold worldwide, including in the US where compliance is incredibly strict,” Ian said.
Fast delivery and strong after-sales support
Wirop’s investment in automation, including robotic picking systems and in-house aluminium extrusion for ferrules, has reduced lead times significantly. Smaller components can be picked, packed and shipped within two weeks, while equipment such as swaging machines typically carry a two-to-three-month delivery window. Test beds, depending on complexity, may take longer.
Titan Lifting supports every installation locally. “If customers need help, we support them by phone or in person. And if it’s something more complex, Wirop technicians can dial in remotely,” John said.
With cranes using wire rope across almost every lifting application, the demand for reliable swaging, testing and load-monitoring equipment remains strong.
“Wirop’s manufacturing is aligned directly with the wire-rope industry,” Ian said. “It’s been a successful partnership for both sides.”