OZ Lifting Products LLC officially opened its new facility in Winona, Minnesota on Tuesday October 7.
A large crowd gathered outside the Innovation Drive building in early fall sunshine, as Scott Sherman, Mayor of Winona, joined Steve Napieralski, President at OZ Lifting; his wife, Jane; and representatives of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Christie Ransom, Chamber President had earlier addressed attendees, which included Jeremy Miller, Minnesota State Senator; staff; friends; families; and members of the trade press from leading U.S.- and UK-based industry publications. Guided tours were given throughout the day, while guests enjoyed a celebratory lunch provided by local food truck, Chef’s Table.
“It was incredible to see so many people come out to celebrate this milestone with us, from media and partners across the U.S. and UK, to vendors, distributors, friends, family, and our local community here in Winona,” said Napieralski.
“When I started OZ Lifting Products as a small, family-owned business 20 years ago, I never imagined the scale of what we’d build together, yet we’ve held onto those same small-business values every step of the way. The support and excitement around our grand opening really reflect how far we’ve come, and we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum as we grow into the future.”
Attendees discovered how the 40,000 sq. ft. site is four times larger than the company’s previous space and delivers expanded production, warehousing, and innovation capabilities. The business was inaugurated in December, 2004 with two staff; today, it has 30 full-time employees and a global distributor network. The new facility sits on a five-acre lot and is primed to facilitate further expansions; it is the fourth time the company has relocated.
Visitors got the chance to interact with a variety of davit cranes and base styles, along with hoists, clamps, trolleys, and winches. Recent innovations include the 250-lb. capacity parapet davit crane base, which is compatible with the XR Series 250 davit crane, and can be temporarily installed on rooftops without causing damage on installation or removal. Also popular were the Tele-ProÆ davit crane, leveraging the benefits of the company’s other davits, while telescoping the boom in and out under load; and the Alumi-LiteÆ davit, crafted from lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum, and offering exceptional durability without compromising on ease of transport.
Another special guest was Trace Erickson, a former law enforcement officer, who guides OZ Lifting-funded dogs through the Code Blue K9 program. Altogether, the milestone marked a new chapter in OZ’s continued investment in innovation, safety, and global partnerships.
