In an effort to meet current and potential customer needs, Sims Crane, Florida’s premier crane and equipment provider, has announced the opening of a new location at 363 Tall Pines Rd. in West Palm Beach. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the Sims’ West Palm Beach office should support between 20-30 employees with 12 to 18 crane units on site.
With 11 locations across the state, Sims Crane & Equipment is the leading crane and rigging company in Florida. The new West Palm Beach location comprises approximately 2,000 square feet of office space, with an additional 3,000 square feet of workshop space. The property boasts more than three acres of parking, with room to lease an additional five acres as growth demands.
“We have long identified West Palm Beach as a market we needed to service with a home base because of the volume of work between Vero Beach and Miami-Dade,” said Dean Sims II, Sims Crane Vice President of Marketing. “Opening a full-service office in West Palm Beach provides better local access to existing and potential clients, with faster emergency response time for after-hours work.”
Sims management estimates the market potential for operated crane service in West Palm Beach is roughly $25 million to $30 million annually, with additional potential for $15 million to $20 million in rigging services for the newly-launched SimsHD.
“There is a great deal of opportunity in the area,” said Sims. “Our goal is to capture 20 to 30 percent of that market potential over the next 24 months.”
To date, Sims Crane has conducted work totaling approximately $120,000 per month in the West Palm Beach area, which was handled as out-of-service-area work from other locations.
“Opening in West Palm Beach provides easier access to a tremendous amount of infrastructure and utility work in the area,” continued Sims. “Our new location near the Florida Turnpike and I-95 allows for quick access to more efficiently service a greater area.”
Sims Crane has tapped John Dewhurst, a 40-year crane-industry veteran, to lead the team in West Palm Beach. As general manager, Dewhurst brings a well-rounded perspective to the team and extensive knowledge of lifting and moving solutions.
“I am excited about this new opportunity and being able to serve my many long-standing clients in the area,” said John. “I made the move to Sims knowing I would have greater access to resources and more empowerment to grow the business.”
Dewhurst’s experience in cranes, rigging and heavy haul trucking began in 1974 when he worked at Leonard Brothers in Miami. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Barry University in Miami in 1984 after 12 years with Leonard Brothers. Dewhurst spent the past 30 years with Hunter Crane. He has been highly involved in the crane industry, sitting on multiple committees for the Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association and on the board of directors for the Florida Crane Owners’ Council.
“My favorite part of working in the construction business is seeing a project progress from beginning to completion,” said Dewhurst. “Sims is a family-owned and operated business with strong principals and professional integrity and that is the environment I want to work in.”
Sims Crane has embarked upon two major expansions during this quarter; not only has the company opened the new location in West Palm Beach, last month Sims Crane also launched SimsHD, a heavy-duty moving solutions business for industrial applications. The newly-formed rigging company provides horizontal building access and the ability to enter confined or restricted spaces. The company also specializes in moving large, heavy machinery that can’t be budged under normal circumstances. SimsHD’s two Versa Lift forklifts offer high capacity lifting of 60,000 and 100,000 pounds each.
“This is an exciting time in our company’s 50-year history,” said Sims. “Florida is growing and Sims is growing, right along with the state.”
About Sims Crane:
Founded in 1959 in Tampa, Florida, Sims Crane & Equipment Co. is the leading crane and rigging company in the state, with over 50 years of innovative safety practices and education, sophisticated technology and financial stability. Since Founder Thomas H. Sims bought his first H-5 mobile crane in 1961, customer service principles have been built around family values and nurturing client relationships.
As a third generation family owned and operated business, Sims Crane & Equipment is ranked 18 in the ACT Top 100 of the largest crane owning companies in North America and 45 among the RER Top 100 equipment providers. Sims offers the latest in equipment and boasts a fully trained service department. With on-site consultations, and detailed 3D lift planning, Sims Crane application specialists help safely move valuable assets.
Sims Crane & Equipment has 11 locations around the state of Florida in Daytona Beach, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Mulberry, Ocala, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach, Vero Beach and headquarters in Tampa. Call Sims Crane at 888-97-CRANE (888-972-7263) or visit www.simscrane.com.
