Columbus McKinnon has announced its participation in Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2026, marking the company’s first involvement in the international safety initiative since combining with Kito Crosby, a long-time supporter of the campaign.
This year’s GLAD theme, “Not all lifting equipment is created equal,” highlights the importance of quality, reliability and informed decision-making when selecting lifting equipment. In support of the initiative, Columbus McKinnon will launch a series of educational resources, including expert blogs and white papers, designed to help customers better understand the value of high-performance lifting solutions and the importance of ongoing product training.
The company, which combines more than 260 years of lifting and material handling expertise through its brands and legacy organisations, aims to promote safer lifting practices across a wide range of industries.
“At Columbus McKinnon, safety is at the core of everything we do,” said Melissa Ruths, Chief Marketing Officer at Columbus McKinnon. “Global Lifting Awareness Day provides an important platform to reinforce that not all lifting equipment is created equal. Quality, reliability and proper training matter.”
The company emphasised that its commitment to safety extends beyond product design and manufacturing, incorporating training, technical support and customer education throughout the equipment lifecycle.
“By combining the deep expertise of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby, we’re helping customers around the world make more informed choices that protect their people and their operations,” added Melissa Ruths.
Global Lifting Awareness Day is an industry-wide initiative supported by manufacturers, suppliers, associations and end users worldwide. The campaign aims to raise awareness of safe lifting practices, the importance of quality equipment and the critical role of training and compliance in lifting operations.
