A flexible lifting solution
At Oppunda Svets & Mekanik AB in Sweden, steel structures, sheet metal fabrication, and welding are part of everyday operations. The company provides services including laser cutting, press braking, and welding for both the construction and industrial sectors. Many tasks involve handling heavy materials in confined workspaces, making workplace safety and ergonomics key considerations when the company began searching for a more flexible lifting solution.
Oscar Samuelsson:
I didn't buy it to lift steel plates. I bought it to save people's backs
Workplace ergonomics matter
According to owner Oscar Samuelsson, the investment in a Smartlift was about more than moving materials: it was about protecting employees.
"I didn't buy it to lift steel plates. I bought it to save people's backs,"
he explains, emphasizing that employees should be able to go home after a long workday without shoulder or back pain.
For Oscar Samuelsson, workplace safety is also closely linked to recruitment and employee retention in an industry facing increasing labor shortages.
"The industry is crying out for skilled workers. If you want to attract good people, you need to give them a reason to choose your company,"
he says.
The need for a Smartlift became particularly evident in situations where overhead cranes and jib cranes could not reach the work area or were already occupied. In addition, Oppunda Svets & Mekanik regularly performs installation and service work at customer sites where lifting equipment is often unavailable.
TALK TO ONE OF OUR EXPERTS
Strength and mobility
The company chose a Smartlift SLI 250 HLE, capable of lifting up to 250 kg with a maximum lifting height of 4.1 meters. The machine is battery-powered and can operate for a full working day on a single charge. Oppunda Svets & Mekanik selected the model equipped with a hook and extension arm, providing additional flexibility for a wide range of lifting tasks.
One of the key advantages is mobility. The Smartlift can easily be driven up a ramp and into a service van, allowing it to be transported quickly to installation and maintenance jobs at customer locations.
Today, the Smartlift is used for service work as well as handling sheets and components at grinding stations and laser, plasma, and milling machines. Employees quickly embraced the machine.
"It is appreciated because of its simplicity and ease of use,"
says Oscar Samuelsson.
For Oppunda Svets & Mekanik, Smartlift has become an investment in efficient material handling, improved workplace ergonomics, and a more attractive working environment.
