OZ Lifting Announces Official Opening of New Facility
OZ Lifting Products will host a grand opening celebration of its new facility in Winona, Minnesota on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
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| The new Oz Lifting facility is four times larger than the previous location. |
The event will include an official ribbon-cutting, led by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors.
Located on a five-acre lot and designed to accommodate future expansion, it is the fourth time the company has relocated.
At 3 p.m., the Innovation Drive facility will be officially opened at by Christie Ransom, chamber president and CEO, who will present Steve Napieralski, president of OZ Lifting, with a commemorative plaque.
In addition to Napieralski, Minnesota state Sen. Jeremy Miller, owner Miller Scrap & Disposal in Winona, representatives of local universities and colleges, trade press and local officials are expected to attend.
“Our move to the new Innovation Drive facility has been a real step forward, and to formally open it among such esteemed company is a landmark moment in our history,” Napieralski said. “The building is four times larger than our previous space, which has given us room to grow and work more efficiently. Winona is a small community and it’s exciting that we will continue to be able to call it home.”
Guests and media will congregate at 10 a.m. to enjoy refreshments and a private guided tour of the 40,000 square foot facility.
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| Steve Napieralski, president of OZ Lifting |
Doors will open to the public at noon, with lunch provided by local food truck, Chef’s Table. Further tours will take place ahead of the formal opening ceremony, starting with an overview of the company’s 21-year history.
The tour will guide guests through the lifecycle of a product, beginning with research and development in engineering, moving into prototyping and validation testing, then on through manufacturing, assembly, rigging, quality assurance load testing, and finally shipping.
Visitors will interact with a variety of davit cranes and base styles, along with hoists, clamps, trolleys, and winches. Recent innovations include the 250-lb. capacity parapet davit crane base, which is compatible with the XR Series 250 davit crane, and can be temporarily installed on rooftops without causing damage on installation or removal.
Attendees will be able to see the Tele-Pro davit crane, leveraging the benefits of the company’s other davits, while telescoping the boom in and out under load; and the Alumi-Lite davit, crafted from lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum, and offering exceptional durability without compromising on ease of transport.
“We’re encouraging our employees to invite friends and family,” Napieralski said. “It’s a chance for them to share what they do every day and show off the new location. While this facility was originally a kayak factory, we are transforming it to highlight our commitment to innovation and safety.”
A former water-testing pit in the warehouse is being reimagined as a dedicated live-lift testing area.
In addition, he said plans include a mezzanine, product testing stand, and a monorail for operator fall protection. These additions will significantly advance OZ Lifting’s in-house testing capabilities.
“It’s going to be a momentous occasion, we can’t wait,” he said. “Early fall is when the Winona Driftless River Valley truly shines, so out-of-town guests are in for a treat.”
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