Lifting Gear Hire Corp., a subsidiary of Lifting Gear Hire Group plc, and specialist in the rental, sales, service, inspection and testing of lifting and winching equipment, recently opened a new distribution center in New Orleans, La. The new location houses a rental inventory worth more than $1 million and holds full hoist load testing capabilities up to a 25-ton capacity.

Lifting Gear launched the distribution center because of the high volume of business it was experiencing in Louisiana.

“Opening a New Orleans distribution center was truly a common sense move,” said Kyle Johnson, a sales representative who covers the New Orleans market. “We can now serve our Louisiana customers locally and even offer same day equipment equipment delivery within 60 miles of New Orleans.”

Customers interested in purchasing or renting Lifting Gear Hire’s products can call its national rental center at 800/878-7305. Orders are then dispatched to local distribution centers that best meet customer site location and equipment needs. Lifting Gear also operates U.S. distribution facilities in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Washington.

“Our business is about managing resources, solving problems and helping our customers to work safely, efficiently and cost effectively by minimizing the cost of equipment ownership,” said Pat Fiscelli, vice president of LGH’s U.S. operations.

Based in the U.S. in Bridgeview, Ill., Lifting Gear is No. 95 on the RER 100. The company has operations in the United Kingdom, Holland and Germany.