New Developments in the hoisting and fixing equipment industry

In industrial, logistics and various engineering operations, safe and efficient cargo fixation and hoisting are of vital importance. Webbing, Tie Down Straps, Ratchet Straps, Wire Rope Slings, Chain Slings and Lifting Slings are key tools to ensure the safety and smooth progress of operations. Its technological innovation and market development have always attracted much attention. Recently, this field has witnessed a series of exciting new news. ​

Innovative products lead the new trend of convenience and safety
The Camjam™ ratchet tensioning band series launched by Nite Ize can be regarded as a major innovation in the industry. This series has been under development for seven years and represents a major innovation in the field of ratchet tensioning belts over the past 50-plus years. Its patented design of a removable and Adjustable ratchet enables users to flexibly position it according to actual needs. The built-in tensioning technology allows operators to easily handle the tensioning work of medium and heavy loads. Not only that, the Camjam™ HookLock™ ratchet tensioning system is equipped with a spring-driven HookLock buckle that can be instantly fixed to various anchor points and will not fall off even in a tension-free state, greatly enhancing the safety and convenience during operation. This innovative product has caused a strong response in the market as soon as it was launched, providing a more reliable solution for goods fixation. Since its launch, the Camjam™ ratchet tensioning band series has sold over 100,000 sets worldwide, with a market share of 30% among similar innovative products. ​

And the Wrap Tie™ bundle from Australia is equally eye-catching. It discards the complex crank design and easy entanglement problems of traditional binding straps, and revolutionizes the user experience through a unique connection method. Its "Quick Grab" function can easily fix any fixed point without causing damage to the object. The "Automatic grab" function has increased the binding speed by 80%, which is four times faster than that of ordinary binding straps. Furthermore, the "Neat tail End" design of Wrap Tie™ avoids the shaking of excessive straps. It is as simple to use as Velcro but can withstand a load of over 100 pounds. With industrial-grade strength labels and high-tension elastic webbing materials, it brings users an unprecedented binding experience and has quickly opened up markets in more than 30 countries around the world. At present, Wrap Tie™ bundles have more than 500,000 users worldwide, with an annual sales growth rate of 25%. ​

Market demand drives the continuous expansion of the industry
With the acceleration of global industrialization and the vigorous development of infrastructure construction, the demand for various hoisting and fixing equipment has shown a rapid growth trend. Take the wire rope sling market as an example. In Germany, its market size reached 500 million US dollars in 2024 and is expected to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8% from 2026 to 2033, reaching 850 million US dollars by 2033. In Germany, industry, construction and manufacturing are the main application fields of wire rope slings, especially in the construction industry, where the demand for them accounted for more than 40% of the total market in 2023. To meet the strict requirements of these industries for the efficiency and safety of heavy hoisting operations, suppliers are constantly developing high-strength, highly flexible and durable products, which has effectively promoted the development of the market. ​

In Asia, the markets for wire rope slings in countries such as China, Japan and South Korea have also performed well. China has become one of the world's largest markets for wire rope slings, thanks to its rapid urbanization process, large-scale infrastructure projects and the vigorous development of its manufacturing industry. In 2024 alone, the market size of wire rope slings in China reached 1.5 billion US dollars. Domestic manufacturers are actively investing in product innovation and strictly adhering to international safety standards to meet domestic market demands and expand exports. Japan's mature industrial system, such as the automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding and construction industries, has a stable demand for high-quality hoisting solutions. Its manufacturers focus on technological innovation, using advanced alloys and corrosion-resistant coatings to extend the service life of products and enhance their performance. The market size of wire rope slings in Japan has remained stable at around 500 million US dollars for many years. South Korea, relying on its strong manufacturing industries such as shipbuilding, electronics and machinery, has continuously driven the development of the wire rope sling market. In 2024, the market size of wire rope slings in South Korea reached 300 million US dollars and maintained an annual growth rate of 5%. ​

Safety and sustainable development have become the focus of the industry
In a recent accident case released by the International Maritime Contractors Association (IMCA), a crew member slipped and fell from a height of 4 meters while crossing a temporary passage ladder fixed to an unprotected platform by a ratchet tensioning belt, resulting in a pelvic fracture. This case once again warns the industry that safety is a key link that cannot be ignored in the process of hoisting and fixing equipment. Whether it is the design, installation or use of the equipment, safety regulations must be strictly followed, a comprehensive risk assessment must be conducted and effective protective measures must be taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening. According to incomplete statistics, the direct economic losses caused by safety accidents resulting from improper use of hoisting and fixing equipment amount to hundreds of millions of US dollars each year, and the indirect losses are even more incalculable. ​

Meanwhile, the concept of sustainable development has gradually been integrated into the industry's development. In the field of webbing, some manufacturers have begun to pay attention to the application of environmentally friendly materials, such as using recyclable materials to make webbing or implementing low-environmental impact finishing processes in the production process to reduce the negative impact on the environment. This not only conforms to the global environmental protection trend but also lays a solid foundation for the long-term development of the industry. At present, about 20% of webbing manufacturers have begun to use recyclable materials in their products, and it is expected that this proportion will increase to 50% within the next five years. In terms of product design, integrating intelligent technology has become a new trend. For instance, some enterprises are developing intelligent lifting slings with real-time load monitoring functions. By using Internet of Things technology to transmit data to operators, they can promptly grasp the lifting status and further enhance the safety and efficiency of operations. It is expected that by 2030, the market share of intelligent lifting slings will increase from the current 5% to 30%. ​

With the continuous emergence of innovative products, the sustained growth of market demand, and the increasing emphasis on safety and sustainable development, the hoisting and fixing equipment industry is moving towards a brand-new stage of development. Whether they are manufacturers, suppliers or end users, all need to keep up with industry trends and actively embrace changes in order to occupy a favorable position in this market full of opportunities and challenges. ​