In mid-November 2011, Demag Cranes was presented with a coveted prize awarded annually by the internationally respected “International Bulk Journal” (IBJ) in the category entitled “The People Development Award (Cargo Handling)”.
The IBJ Award was presented as a result of the intensive training concept for crane drivers that replaces cost and time-intensive training on a crane owner’s own machines on-site. The IBJ Awards have been presented since 2009 and are felt worldwide to be one of the most sought-after prizes in the bulk materials handling industry.
The award-winning concept was developed by the Services division of Demag Cranes together with the OCHA Training Centre based in the Port of Antwerp and provides crane drivers with the same knowledge and practical skills within three weeks as they could acquire over several months using conventional training methods. This generates a number of advantages for customers: since crane drivers work faster and more productively after such a training course, they achieve improved handling rates and boost income. At the same time, significant cost savings can be realised since the handling company’s own cranes do not have to be made available for the training course and the time spent by the crane drivers off the job is considerably reduced. From the point of view of the crane drivers themselves, the training course enables them to use the cranes far more proficiently which, in turn, reduces stress and increases motivation.
Dr. Martin Habert, Executive Vice President of Services at Demag Cranes , explains: “We consider this training scheme to be a further step in our strategy of providing customers with added value through innovative service solutions to improve their day-to-day working processes.”
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, January 6, 2012; Image: Demag