One of the largest crane companies in BC’s Southern Interior has gone out of business. Armstrong Crane & Rigging of the North Okanagan has sold its fleet and a spokesman says the owners of the family business are considering their future. Operations manager Greg Nachtegaele says last year’s tragic crane collapse in Kelowna was “a real turning point for us and the entire industry.” That incident claimed five lives when a Stemmer Construction crane collapsed during dismantling at a high-rise project in downtown Kelowna. The incident shocked the industry and remains under investigation. Armstrong has been in the business for 25 years. A message on the company’s voicemail reads: “We would like to inform you that we are no longer providing crane services as we have closed our operations… Thank you very much for the work in the past.” Nachtegaele says health reasons were among the reasons for the closure, which affects fewer than 10 people. The brothers plan to resurface in an as yet unknown business venture. “We’re waiting for the dust to settle,” Nachtegaele said, thanking the community for its support over the years. “We’re thinking maybe we’re doing something different.” He said the industry is changing and it has become harder to find skilled employees. Sacrificing safety or quality was not an option, he added. “We will not sacrifice the safety of our customers, operators or related personnel to provide the best service,” the company’s website states. The company lifted everything from modular homes, to heavy machinery and sensitive computer equipment. Earlier this year, he erected five new tanks at Vernon’s Okanagan Spring Brewery, each capable of holding 1,500 hectoliters of beer.

title: “North Okanagan Crane Company To Close Says Kelowna Tragic Accident A Blow To Entire Industry Vernon News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-24” author: “Hector Bryan”

One of the largest crane companies in BC’s Southern Interior has gone out of business. Armstrong Crane & Rigging of the North Okanagan has sold its fleet and a spokesman says the owners of the family business are considering their future. Operations manager Greg Nachtegaele says last year’s tragic crane collapse in Kelowna was “a real turning point for us and the entire industry.” That incident claimed five lives when a Stemmer Construction crane collapsed during dismantling at a high-rise project in downtown Kelowna. The incident shocked the industry and remains under investigation. Armstrong has been in the business for 25 years. A message on the company’s voicemail reads: “We would like to inform you that we are no longer providing crane services as we have closed our operations… Thank you very much for the work in the past.” Nachtegaele says health reasons were among the reasons for the closure, which affects fewer than 10 people. The brothers plan to resurface in an as yet unknown business venture. “We’re waiting for the dust to settle,” Nachtegaele said, thanking the community for its support over the years. “We’re thinking maybe we’re doing something different.” He said the industry is changing and it has become harder to find skilled employees. Sacrificing safety or quality was not an option, he added. “We will not sacrifice the safety of our customers, operators or related personnel to provide the best service,” the company’s website states. The company lifted everything from modular homes, to heavy machinery and sensitive computer equipment. Earlier this year, he erected five new tanks at Vernon’s Okanagan Spring Brewery, each capable of holding 1,500 hectoliters of beer.