About
Request
a Quote
Visit Our Rentals Shop
Edmonton-based
Overhead Crane
Company.
Exceptional people. Impeccable process. Our values are simple. We invest in the best people and continuously refine our processes in the safest possible environment. Our commitment to enhancing every step and system allows us to deliver industry-leading overhead crane and hoist service our customers can trust.
Our Management Team
Meet the talented leaders who contribute their diverse knowledge and expertise toward a common goal of doing things better.
Tom Kovacs
Project Manager
As a seasoned Project Manager, Tom oversees manufacturing, engineering and document control, and provides direction and technical support for the company’s ISO Quality Management System. In 1991, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and earned his Project Management Certificate in 2013.
Since joining Hoisting in 2009, Tom has excelled in various roles including Service Manager, Inside Sales and Estimator.
Stewart Swanson
CFO
Stewart joined the Hoisting management team in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Management, Chartered Accountant Designation and MBA.
Andrew Phelan
VP Sales
Andrew oversees all sales efforts at Hoisting Overhead Cranes, including service, parts, and rental clients. He is also the lead for domestic and international manufacturing sales.
As the commercial and executive liaison for major (EPC) clients, he enjoys delivering customized, application-focused solutions. Andrew also advocates for a risk-based service and maintenance analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, both from the University of Alberta.
Kevin Toms
Service Manager
As a dedicated Service Manager, Kevin is responsible for all day-to-day activities involved in Hoisting’s service, maintenance and inspection departments.
After earning his Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and Journeyman Electrician tickets, Kevin quickly realized he had found his calling and began his career in the crane industry in 1997. Before joining Hoisting in 2018, Kevin gained experience in multiple roles including Technician, Estimator, Outside Sales and Management.
Rick Daigle
Vice President Operations
Rick brings over 23 years of experience in the overhead crane, manufacturing, and technical services industries. His educational background includes receiving diplomas in Steel Fabrication and Welding from NBCC Moncton & Bathurst. He’s also a certified CWB – Level 1 Welding Inspector and CWB Welding Supervisor designations.
In 2024 Rick joined Hoisting as Vice President of Operations, where he actively oversees the service and manufacturing departments.
Drawing upon his robust work ethic and determination, Rick has ascended from his beginnings in the steel fabrication, design, and welding industry to secure multiple promotions and senior management positions over the past decade. His long-term career objective has consistently been to contribute to a team that sets the standard for customer service and manufacturing excellence within the industry.
Tom Kovacs
As a seasoned Project Manager, Tom oversees manufacturing, engineering and document control, and provides direction and technical support for the company’s ISO Quality Management System. In 1991, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and earned his Project Management Certificate in 2013.
Since joining Hoisting in 2009, Tom has excelled in various roles including Service Manager, Inside Sales and Estimator.
Stewart Swanson
CFO
As CFO, Stewart oversees the accounting and corporate finance functions, and is responsible for developing Hoisting’s financial strategy. He works closely with all departments to develop process-driven solutions to overcome challenges that help grow Hoisting year after year.
Stewart joined the Hoisting management team in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Management, Chartered Accountant Designation and MBA.
Andrew Phelan
VP Sales
Andrew oversees all sales efforts at Hoisting Overhead Cranes, including service, parts, and rental clients. He is also the lead for domestic and international manufacturing sales.
As the commercial and executive liaison for major (EPC) clients, he enjoys delivering customized, application-focused solutions. Andrew also advocates for a risk-based service and maintenance analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, both from the University of Alberta.
Kevin Toms
Service Manager
As a dedicated Service Manager, Kevin is responsible for all day-to-day activities involved in Hoisting’s service, maintenance and inspection departments.
After earning his Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and Journeyman Electrician tickets, Kevin quickly realized he had found his calling and began his career in the crane industry in 1997. Before joining Hoisting in 2018, Kevin gained experience in multiple roles including Technician, Estimator, Outside Sales and Management.
Rick Daigle
Vice President Operations
Rick brings over 23 years of experience in the overhead crane, manufacturing, and technical services industries. His educational background includes receiving diplomas in Steel Fabrication and Welding from NBCC Moncton & Bathurst. He’s also a certified CWB – Level 1 Welding Inspector and CWB Welding Supervisor designations.
In 2024 Rick joined Hoisting as Vice President of Operations, where he actively oversees the service and manufacturing departments.
Drawing upon his robust work ethic and determination, Rick has ascended from his beginnings in the steel fabrication, design, and welding industry to secure multiple promotions and senior management positions over the past decade. His long-term career objective has consistently been to contribute to a team that sets the standard for customer service and manufacturing excellence within the industry.
Tom Kovacs
As a seasoned Project Manager, Tom oversees manufacturing, engineering and document control, and provides direction and technical support for the company’s ISO Quality Management System. In 1991, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and earned his Project Management Certificate in 2013.
Since joining Hoisting in 2009, Tom has excelled in various roles including Service Manager, Inside Sales and Estimator.
Stewart Swanson
CFO
As CFO, Stewart oversees the accounting and corporate finance functions, and is responsible for developing Hoisting’s financial strategy. He works closely with all departments to develop process-driven solutions to overcome challenges that help grow Hoisting year after year.
Stewart joined the Hoisting management team in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Management, Chartered Accountant Designation and MBA.
Andrew Phelan
VP Sales
Andrew oversees all sales efforts at Hoisting Overhead Cranes, including service, parts, and rental clients. He is also the lead for domestic and international manufacturing sales.
As the commercial and executive liaison for major (EPC) clients, he enjoys delivering customized, application-focused solutions. Andrew also advocates for a risk-based service and maintenance analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, both from the University of Alberta.
Kevin Toms
Service Manager
As a dedicated Service Manager, Kevin is responsible for all day-to-day activities involved in Hoisting’s service, maintenance and inspection departments.
After earning his Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and Journeyman Electrician tickets, Kevin quickly realized he had found his calling and began his career in the crane industry in 1997. Before joining Hoisting in 2018, Kevin gained experience in multiple roles including Technician, Estimator, Outside Sales and Management.
Rick Daigle
Vice President Operations
Rick brings over 23 years of experience in the overhead crane, manufacturing, and technical services industries. His educational background includes receiving diplomas in Steel Fabrication and Welding from NBCC Moncton & Bathurst. He’s also a certified CWB – Level 1 Welding Inspector and CWB Welding Supervisor designations.
In 2024 Rick joined Hoisting as Vice President of Operations, where he actively oversees the service and manufacturing departments.
Drawing upon his robust work ethic and determination, Rick has ascended from his beginnings in the steel fabrication, design, and welding industry to secure multiple promotions and senior management positions over the past decade. His long-term career objective has consistently been to contribute to a team that sets the standard for customer service and manufacturing excellence within the industry.
Board of Directors
While each director brings a unique set of skills and experience to the boardroom table, they share the same focus: creating a world-class overhead crane company right here in Edmonton, Alberta.
A.J. (Jim) Guthrie
Jim brings 52 years of international executive experience in oil and gas exploration and production, plus three years serving as CEO of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Having worked in over a dozen countries on five continents, Jim has successfully led and managed firms in areas of the world undergoing dramatic cultural, social, political, and technological change.
In addition to holding a commercial pilot’s license, Jim has completed advanced training in Emergency and Disaster Management and Oil Spill Response and Cleanup.
Doug Thomas
Doug is a chartered accountant and certified financial planner with 25 years’ experience in accounting and auditing. In 2006, he retired from public practice and began a new career as a consultant and business advisor.
As a director with Hoisting, Doug oversees financial and organizational governance through a sharp financial lens. In addition to serving as a director for two private firms, Doug was a board member with many nonprofit organizations, including The United Way of Edmonton and the Edmonton Junior Golf Association.
Don Cummings
Don has enjoyed a distinguished career in professional executive and client management, specializing in strategic management and organizational transformation.
Today, Don is a Chair/Director of six privately held entrepreneurial businesses. He is also a past Chair of the Fort Edmonton Management Company and Past President of the Royal Mayfair Golf Club.
Don loves working with executive teams and boards to develop systems and processes that enable everyone to successfully fulfil their unique roles within the organization.
James Guthrie
An expert in the field of accounting, James has shared his knowledge with students for over 20 years by teaching at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
He’s conducted research in the areas of mobile learning and student engagement, and he has served as VP Finance of the NAIT Academic Staff Association for five two-year terms.
As a senior consultant for Deloitte & Touche LLP, James also co-founded a new service line and was instrumental in reaching significant financial goals in the first year of operations.
Our History
Headquartered across two acres in Nisku/Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve been safely manufacturing and overhead cranes and hoists since 1990. We’ve since opened up a second shop in Calgary to effectively service all of Alberta.
Over the years, we’ve grown to become industry leaders in Alberta, delivering expert material handling solutions from our 20,000-square-foot fabrication facility and 3,200-square-foot service facility.
Key Partnerships
We’ve spent 30 years solidifying robust relationships with the world’s leading overhead crane and hoist brands—just so you can access the best.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Our Blog + News
Introducing Over & Above Crane Inspections
As an equipment owner, you need to keep your overhead crane running safely. You also need to know that your crane technician is not only an expert, but also has your company and staff’s best...
Reviewing overhead crane repairs, replacement, and modernization with OHS Canada
In the January 2022 episode of Safe Zone, OHS Canada editor Marcel Vander Wier wrapped up Hoisting’s interview series by speaking with technical sales representative Jason Sarluis and VP sales...
Discussing industry standards for maintenance and inspection with OHS Canada
In the December 2021 episode of Safe Zone, service manager Kevin Toms and crane technician Chris Shakeshaft of Hoisting Ltd sat down with OHS Canada editor Marcel Vander Wier. They talked about the...
