A Derbyshire crane hire company transformed their equipment management across their entire operations.
Steve Foster Cranes Limited runs a serious operation. With mobile cranes spanning 7 to 300 tonnes across the fleet, they handle everything from standard CPA crane hire to complex contract lifts. But like many lifting companies they were drowning in the manual processes that come with managing heavy equipment safety and legality. Their inefficient system was becoming a genuine business risk. It was time to replace paper LOLER compliance with mobile technology.
The Challenge of Paper Compliance Systems
Paper-based LOLER compliance creates a perfect storm of operational headaches. For Steve Foster Cranes, the problems were mounting:
Missing critical inspection deadlines was their biggest concern. “We faced significant challenges in keeping track of our lifting equipment and monitoring when certifications were due to expire,” explains Vincent Whalley, Yard Operations Manager at Steve Foster Cranes. “With such a large volume of equipment, some items were occasionally missing their LOLER inspections.”
Audit nightmares began eating up valuable time. “Auditing was also extremely time-consuming, as it involved manually searching through individual pieces of paperwork to find the right records,” Vincent notes.
Limited equipment history made strategic decisions almost virtually impossible. “In addition, we had limited traceability of each item’s history, making it difficult to track inspections, repairs and usage over time.”
These aren’t unique problems. Most crane hire companies still rely on spreadsheets and filing cabinets to manage their regulatory compliance.
Finding CheckedOK as the Right Fit for their Complex Operations
When frustrations reached breaking point, Vincent began the search for a proper equipment management solution. He worked through several options before discovering CheckedOK.
“I first came across CoreRFID through online research, where I learnt about their new product, CheckedOK,” he recalls. “I had already tried other companies’ solutions, but none seemed to fit our needs as effectively. After meeting with Chris McCartney and going through what the system could offer, it was clear that this was the right fit for the job.”
CheckedOK was designed specifically for lifting equipment management. CoreRFID knew the crane hire business, which showed in how well the solution fitted Steve Foster’s needs.
The Time Was Right to Replace Paper LOLER Compliance
Moving hundreds of pieces of lifting gear into a digital system sounds daunting. But CoreRFID made the transition to CheckedOK simple. Having a Liverpool-based support team of software developers who understood both the technology and crane operations made the process smooth.
“The setup was straightforward following the training provided by the CheckedOK team, which was carried out onsite and gave the process a personal touch,” explains Vincent. “Transferring and setting up all our existing equipment is never a simple task, but the bulk import options made the migration much easier and far more efficient.”
From Freedom and Flexibility to Feedback and Improvement
Since implementing CheckedOK in 2024, Steve Foster Cranes has seen real improvements across their business.
Mobile accessibility has changed how the team works daily. “For us, the biggest changes have been the time savings and the consistency the system brings. It has made the team’s job much easier, with everything accessible from a phone or tablet, meaning tasks can be carried out anywhere. We’ve also noticed that CheckedOK continually improves the software, taking on board suggestions from end users, which makes the system even more effective over time.”
“The biggest impact has been on our testing and crane maintenance team, as most of the processes are handled in-house,” says Vincent. “The solution has saved them a considerable amount of time and, in the long term, money, by making everything more efficient.”
And those pesky manually inspections? They’re a thing of the past. CheckedOK “ensures that we now produce accurate, professional reports with ease.”
What Makes CheckedOK Different?
Vincent highlighted two unique aspects of CheckedOK:
- Easy mobile-first technology: “What really stands out is the ease of use – everything can be managed quickly from a phone or tablet, which has transformed how we work day to day.”
- Reliable ongoing support: “On top of that, the support from the CheckedOK team has been excellent, with any questions or issues dealt with promptly and professionally.”
Support response times particularly impressed Vincent.
“One pleasant surprise has been how quickly any issues are resolved. If a problem does arise, it is dealt with promptly and efficiently, which gives us confidence in the system and the support behind it.”
Integrating RFID Brought Surprising Benefits
Steve Foster Cranes had been wrestling with asset tracking issues for a while, so CheckedOK’s RFID technology caught his attention during the supplier review process. CoreRFID’s Technical Director, Richard Harrison, showed how to integrate ruggedised tags seamlessly into CheckedOK. Rather than needing multiple systems, everything now sits on a single platform.
The RFID approach made more sense than barcode systems for crane operations. The tags are built to withstand all weather conditions, and the handheld readers are robust enough for high-traffic, high-usage environments, making it more cost-effective over time.
“The unexpected benefit has been the RFID integration, which really adds another layer of efficiency and traceability to our processes.”
The RFID technology enables automatic equipment identification, reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy across inspections and maintenance records.
Better Compliance means Better Customer Service
CheckedOK improved more than internal processes. Vincent notes that “by improving our efficiency, compliance and record-keeping, it indirectly benefits our customers by ensuring our equipment is always maintained to the highest standard and inspections are never missed.”
But would Vincent recommend us?
“Yes, I would definitely recommend CheckedOK. It’s a straightforward and reliable system that makes managing equipment, inspections and reports so much easier. The time savings, efficiency, and professional results speak for themselves, and the support team are always quick to help if needed.”
Need a New Way To Manage Your Lifting Equipment?
Steve Foster Cranes’ experience shows what happens when you move beyond manual processes to purpose-built compliance software. Many crane hire and lifting companies are still managing compliance with spreadsheets and paperwork, creating ongoing risks and missed opportunities.
Ready to see how CheckedOK can transform your lifting equipment management? Book a demo today to discover how our LOLER compliance software can streamline your operations and strengthen your compliance.