American Crane and Transport magazine has named Adrian Lacey, a lift planner at Sims Crane & Equipment, as the first place winner in its Lift Plan of the Year competition.

“In today’s complicated construction environment, computer-based planning for heavy lifts is playing an ever more vital role in safe, successful and cost-effective operations,” said Dean Sims II, vice-president at Tampa-based Sims Crane & Equipment Co. “Having our top lift planner win an industry-wide completion by developing an extremely complex lift plan that worked successfully is not only an honor for Adrian, but a testament to the focus we have on applying technology to provide the safest and most reliable services for our clients.”

Tampa-based Sims Crane, employs 281 and has  381 cranes, lifting devices and associated support equipment operating out of 10 Florida offices.  The 50-year-old business reported sales and rental income of $48 million in 2012.

Lacey, a 20-year veteran certified crane operator, used A1A’s 3-D Lift Plan software to set the stage at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to kick off the Brothers of the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Jake Owen.

The actual lift consisted of more than 200 workers using several large cranes and support equipment during the two-day operation. Lacey’s plan was judged as the best of eight plans submitted in voting by more than 2,000 crane industry professionals.

Sims Crane & Equipment was the first major heavy lift and transport company in Florida to acquire A1A’s 3-D Lift Plan software, which provides construction managers, government inspectors, lift planners and insurance companies with a three-dimensional, comprehensive view of all aspects of a heavy lift before it is initiated, a news release announced.  The software also allows lift planners to specify just the right equipment and support materials for very complex lifts, saving time, personnel, equipment and money, while ensuring jobsite safety.  \\