Edmonton, Alberta-based, Mi-Jack Canada last week acquired the hybrid energy specialist EcoPower Hybrid Systems of Montreal.

Mi-Jack Products, the parent company of Mi-Jack Canada has been working with EcoPower Hybrid Systems for the past 30 months in the development of the first hybrid-electric RTG crane for the rail industry. The Mi-Jack 1200R EH (electric hybrid) was successfully introduced in January of this year at the Union Pacific Railroad’s Long Beach intermodal facility, and has been performing at an energy savings rate of more than 70 percent annually while also reducing emissions by 70 percent. EcoPower Hybrid Systems received a Clean Air Excellence Award for the development of its EcoCrane product, which has been placed on the EPA emerging technology list. Also, EcoPower has been retrofitting cranes with hybrid systems and has shown the same fuel and emission reductions.

“We did a lot of work with the people from EcoPower Hybrid Systems in the development of the MJ 1200R EH,” said Harvey Schmidt, vice president of technical support for Mi-Jack. “Their expertise in batteries, electric regeneration and their proprietary computer software for maximizing the technology was very impressive. We knew we could both benefit from them coming on board as an organization.”

The acquisition starts a new era for the utilization of this leading-edge hybrid system. The EcoPower Hybrid Systems technologies can reach a much greater market as part of Mi-Jack Canada’s organization.

“With the reach of Mi-Jack’s extensive service division, Technical Services International and integration with the technical developments for ports and intermodal rail operations achieved through Mi-Jack’s Applied Technologies division, EcoPower is now an integral part of an overall advanced system designed to modernize container handling equipment throughout the world,” said Dan Heraty, senior vice president of sales for Mi-Jack.

Founded in 1954, Mi-Jack is a maker and distributor of intermodal rail and port equipment such as self-propelled rubber tire gantry cranes, as well as construction equipment, industrial equipment and operating services.