Ranger Lifting has appointed industry heavyweight Liam Mccaffrey in response to growing demand for its products and services in Queensland.
Ranger, a Sydney-headquartered lifting, rigging, and height safety equipment supplier, already serves the state from New South Wales, and positioning a widely respected professional closer to the point of use was a natural next step. The company also has a facility in Melbourne.
Mccaffrey, who will be business development manager, was previously a national infrastructure manager for a large generalist safety company, where his specialist field was lifting and rigging. He will immediately become the Queensland point of contact on national projects, before working mid-term to grow a team and establish a physical presence in the region. The company’s comprehensive inventory in Sydney will provide necessary stock in the meantime.
Ashley Thacker, general manager, said: “Southeast Queensland has been on our radar for at least two years now but like all new areas, it wholly relies on having great people. We have competed against Liam on a great number of large projects all along the east coast, so we know the level of contacts and relationships that he will bring along with him. The first two years will be the hardest, so we required a partner who can hit the ground running. Liam has the drive, hard work ethic, knowledge and, most importantly, fits our culture.”
Brisbane-based Mccaffrey said: “I respect Ranger for their focus on compliance. They walk the walk and invest in training and up-skilling. The timing is perfect to execute a 10-year growth strategy and business plan of this type. Of course, this is a competitive environment, but with the right people in the right positions, supported by a comprehensive service model, success will follow.”
Mccaffrey already has several key targets in mind that could potentially expand the team over the coming months, while relocating staff from further south is also a viable option. Ranger is renowned for its abundance of stock and breadth of expertise at all existing locations, which will be used as a resource while the Queensland operation gathers pace. Thacker is transparent about aiming for a team of 10 within five years, following a similar blueprint to Melbourne, which was opened in January 2018 and is now self-sufficient.
Mccaffrey said: “Last year, Queensland proved that the best way to recover from the impact of Covid was to invest in infrastructure. A solid, five-year pipeline is in place. Victoria and New South Wales were 10 years ahead of Queensland due to respective populations and significant investments were made, largely through major transport upgrades. It’s Queensland’s time to shine.”
Thacker added: “No matter what the climate may be, if a great person comes available, you take that opportunity straight away. We are not going into the region to dabble in it—we want to give Liam all the resources he needs to become the largest lifting supplier in Southeast Queensland.”