Handling Solutions from Woods Powr-Grip® for Insulated Metal Buildings

Handling Solutions from Wood's Powr-Grip for Insulated Metal Buildings

by Lisa Hagel

Since 1964, Wood's Powr-Grip has been the industry leader in the use of hand-held vacuum cups and below-the-hook vacuum lifters for glass handling. As Wood's Powr-Grip continues to make glass handling more efficient, ergonomic and secure through innovative engineering, we understand the critical role our products play for customers in a variety of different industries.

A few years ago, one of our distributors brought to our attention the need for a vacuum lifter to handle insulated metal panels. Since 1990 the use of insulated panels has increased in a variety of wall and roof cladding applications. These types of panels are popular for a number of benefits they provide: Insulated panels are considered to be a "green" product. The steel or aluminum on the panel's skin often contains recycled content, and when insulated panels are removed, they can be used on other projects. One of the biggest benefits is the energy efficient savings insulated panels offer over the lifetime of the building.

Insulated panels are available in a variety of widths, lengths, gauges and finishes and can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Panels can vary in length and weight, depending on the application. This is one of several reasons Wood's Powr-Grip has designed a line of vacuum lifters specifically for the lifting and handling of insulated metal panels. Another problem is handling loads that need to be installed in tight spaces, such as roof overhangs, or panels that extend from floor to ceiling, leaving little space for a hook, sling or strap. Vacuum lifters are an ideal choice to lift and manipulate cladding panels from the front when there is no space above or around the loads for traditional lifting tackle. When dealing with fragile loads, Powr-Grip's uniquely designed vacuum pads do not shift while attached to the panel surface, but feature a soft suction seal to help avoid damage to panel finishes and surfaces. These pads are also available in multiple styles to accommodate various panel profiles.

The Cladding Lifter series is ideal for handling all kinds of metal panels and other cladding materials. These dual-circuit vacuum lifters were specifically designed for the safe, efficient handling and installation of cold storage panels, as well exterior cladding and corrugated roofing. Standard with an expandable pad frame, the Cladding Lifter series can stretch to a length of more than 14 feet [4½ meters], making them indispensable for lifting longer panels. The Cladding Lifter's vacuum pads were designed to meet the challenge of cladding panels with surface contours. Movable vacuum pads and removable pad frame extensions also enable this manual tilter to be configured in a variety of ways, to handle many different material sizes.

To obtain more information on the Cladding Lifter and other Wood's Powr-Grip products visit a distributor in your area or contact one of our Technical Sales Representatives at 800-548-7341.


Lisa Hagel was the Advertising / Marketing Coordinator for Wood's Powr-Grip. She was responsible for developing marketing and advertising plans, conducting market research and assisting the Marketing Director. Lisa has a B.S. in Business with a Marketing option from Montana State University, Billings. Her experience in the advertising industry includes consultation with small businesses on developing marketing strategies.