Crane plant might fit within existing Rector facility

When SooToday.com asked Albert Giommi yesterday what size facility might be needed for a new overhead-crane manufacturing line proposed for Sault Ste. Marie, he juggled a few numbers in his head and told us about 50,000 square feet.

Today, howver, Giommi's re-crunched those numbers and he now estimates any new facility will be 10,000 square feet, not 50,000.

The cranes, used inside factories, are between 30 feet and 125 feet in length.

Giommi's National Supply Supply Centre Ltd. has obtained North American distribution rights for the as-yet-unnamed Italian crane manufacturer's product.

It's been decided that manufacturing and installtion of cranes for the North American market will be based in Sault Ste. Marie.

The manufacturer is currently talking to Rector Machine Works Ltd. about taking on the job.

Herv Rector tells SooToday.com that the cranes might be built using as little as 5,000 aquare feet and it's possible the new line could be accomodated within Rector's existing facility on Sackville Road.

So far, the identity of the Italian manufacturer has not been disclosed.

Giommi told us this afternoon that it's not ASCOM S.p.A., a manufacturer of overhead and gantry cranes based in Formigine, south of Modena, Italy.

Further details are expected to be released after formal contracts are signed.