Barnhart Crane & Rigging USA is expanding in East Tennessee after buying the crane and rigging assets of C Reed Davis Contractors of Knoxville.
Until now, Barnhart’s project office in Knoxville has primarily done plant relocations, large crane rentals and engineered heavy lifts.
‘Barnhart Crane & Rigging will couple the traditional crane services of C Reed Davis with the speciality lifting services offered by Barnhart to continue our strategic growth plan to expand into other markets throughout the USA,’ said Barnhart vice president Jeff Swanson.
Barnhart plans to add locations in Richmond (Virginia), Tampa and Chicago later this year.
Barnhart has also signed a contract with Mirant Corporation to transport and store equipment for a delayed power plant project. Generators, turbines, and other components are to be stored at Barnhart’s Memphis facility until the project is ready to restart.
Project manager Art Porter explained: ‘The power industry is in the middle of an unexpected construction slowdown caused by limited financial resources as a result of the Enron crisis and other economic factors. The slowdown has resulted in power construction projects being put on hold throughout the country.’ The slow-down of projects had created a need for storage, he said.
The Mirant contract calls for Barnhart to transport and store a variety of components ranging from duct sections to combustion turbine/generator units. Storage will be for 18 to 24 months.
