Essex Crane Rental Corp. last week named Bill Erwin vice president of operations. Erwin will assume full responsibility for all North American operations in addition to his current responsibilities for all aspects of customer support.

“Over the past year and a half at Essex, Bill’s experience helped us make remarkable progress in achieving our mission to provide the best customer service and the highest quality lattice boom cranes available in the construction industry,” said CEO Ron Schad. “He has expanded our field service capabilities by hiring top quality mechanics and equipping them with the right tools and equipment.”

Erwin, who joined Essex in 2003, has more than 25 years in crane related rentals and customer service.

In other Essex news, the company recently received a safety award from Amerisure Insurance Co. Four years ago the company had a lost-time occurrence rate above industry levels. Essex’ senior management team worked to create a cultural change within the company.

The first step involved the modification and evolution of a safety program, including weekly toolbox meetings and hands-on training that encompassed all areas of workers activities. Through this procedure the company recognized many ways of improving safety practices. It followed training with strict enforcement of all safety procedures and introduced a financial reward program. The achievement of a one-year zero-lost-time goal meant all employees were paid a $950 bonus.

Essex Crane Rental Corp., based in Buffalo Grove, Ill., is a leading provider of Manitowoc and Liebherr lattice-boom crawler cranes and attachments.