Crane Talk

“A good safety culture starts with leadership willing to look in the mirror.” In this episode of Crane Talk, the crew sits down with Billy Woolf, acting Safety Director for Davis Crane Service, to discuss the realities of managing safety, liability, litigation, and accountability inside one of the country’s largest crane and rigging operations. Billy shares how his background working directly in t...

In this episode of Crane Talk, Isaac Smith is joined by Ron Thompson and Jean Greiner to break down what Ron heard during his trip to Capitol Hill with trucking and crane industry representatives. The conversation covers the real business pressure facing crane, rigging, and trucking companies, from rising insurance costs to the growing impact of litigation on family-owned operations. The hosts dig...

In this episode of Crane Talk , the team is joined by OSHA defense attorney Michael Rubin to unpack what really happens after a serious crane accident. From the moment the phone rings on a Saturday night to navigating inspections, interviews, and citations, Rubin explains when to involve legal counsel and why early strategy changes outcomes. The conversation dives deep into OSHA enforcement practi...

In this episode of Crane Talk, the team sits down with Chris Thomas, CEO of Artes, a London-based MGA specializing in bespoke insurance programs for cranes, rigging, and heavy equipment.  Chris walks Ron and Gene through the realities of crane and rigging insurance, from underwriting complexity to claims discipline and subrogation. He explains why many insurance programs fail after just a few year...

This episode of Crane Talk features Aaron Jackson, EVP of Redstone Underwriters, providing an underwriter’s perspective on the challenges facing crane and rigging insurance. He unpacks the impact of social inflation, third-party litigation funding, and shrinking capacity in the casualty market. The discussion highlights practical tools like cameras, telematics, and strong contracts, along with eme...

Laura Schoefer, Senior Vice President of Claims at DUAL Specialty Construction & Transport , joins Crane Talk to share how she helped reimagine safety from a dry compliance function into a powerful company culture asset. From near-miss reporting campaigns to marketing safety wins, Laura’s team brings a creative, proactive approach that resonates with their workforce and clients alike. We dive...

Jason Baynard, an Inland Marine underwriter at AmWINS, joins Crane Talk to unpack the volatile world of heavy iron insurance. From his early days at Chubb to building custom underwriting programs, Jason has seen it all—and has strong opinions about what makes crane companies stand out today. We cover the difference between first-party and third-party coverage, the real-world impact of nuclear verd...

In this packed solo episode of Crane Talk , Ron and Gean dig into the Texas legislative session and what it means for crane operators, contractors, and heavy equipment companies. With nearly 8,000 bills under review, the team spotlights critical legislation that could impact everything from payment timelines and contract fairness to venue jurisdiction and incorporation-by-reference clauses. They a...

The tower crane industry is feeling the squeeze—rising costs, increasing competition, and the ever-evolving world of construction are putting companies to the test. In this episode of Crane Talk , Craig Martin, from Sun Crain & Hoist, joins the cast to discuss the state of the tower crane market , including the impact of rising interest rates, tighter financing requirements, and shifting deman...

In this episode of Crane Talk, Billy Smith, Executive Vice President at NBIS, takes listeners through his extraordinary career in the crane and rigging industry. From his early days as a crane operator to leading safety and risk management initiatives across the U.S. and Canada, Billy's wealth of knowledge provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of the industry. He explain...

In this episode of Crane Talk , hosts Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner sit down with Lee Parsley, President and General Counsel of Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), to discuss the pressing issues surrounding Texas' legal environment and its impact on the crane, rigging, and heavy construction industries. Lee explains how "nuclear verdicts," fraudulent medical claims, and third-party lit...

Ron and Gene are back fresh from the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association Conference in Phoenix, AZ. They recount stories of their time there, dig into the strategic importance of registered agents in determining lawsuit jurisdictions and how having the right agent location can mitigate legal risks. They also look at the impact of “social inflation” in the industry and some of the new AI t...

How does a chance encounter with a crane operator turn into a successful business? Join us on Crane Talk as we welcome Chad Skogsberg, one of the founders of Ginger Cranes, who shares his incredible journey from the retail world to dominating the crane and rigging industry. From the serendipitous moment that sparked the idea of establishing Ginger Cranes to where he and the business are now. Liste...

In this episode of Crane Talk as we unravel the secrets behind top infamous jurisdictions that are being referred to as Judicial Hellholes in the Crane and Heavy Iron industry. Ron and Gene spend time spotlighting the notorious Fifth Circuit Court in Dallas, Texas, and Georgia's record-breaking judgments. They also dissect how Louisiana's judicial system is plagued by legislative influen...

Join us for a riveting journey through the high-stakes world of crane safety with Jim Wiethorn, the seasoned founder of International Cranes and Construction and Safety Solutions. As we tackle the summer boom in crane operations, especially in the sweltering Texas heat, you'll get an insider's perspective on the industry's resilience even in fluctuating economies. Dive into Jim&apos...

Strap in for a deep dive into the insurance market's currents and undercurrents, where we unravel the tapestry of legislative endeavors like Texas House Bill 19, set to reshape the future of litigation costs. We're not just talking shop here; we're decoding the legislative language and exploring tech breakthroughs poised to revolutionize safety on job sites. Our conversation pivots...

In this episode, Ron and Gene outline the complexities of the crane and heavy equipment industry, shedding light on the stark realities of sky-high insurance premiums and the challenge of increasingly elusive reinsurance options. Today’s focus is on the tactics behind the aggressive legal advertisements that are more than just an eyesore on your morning commute; they're driving up costs and p...

This episode peels back the curtain on the multi-million dollar jury awards driving insurance premiums through the roof and the concept of social inflation that's inflating costs across the board. We're unpacking the layered complexities of non-capped punitive damages, the evolving perception of big money, and the formidable hurdles introduced by third-party litigation funding that are f...

Strap in for a ride through the misunderstood landscape of crane accidents and the reality behind the statistics, where the culprit is more than just operator error. We're discussing the critical need for preparedness in the face of catastrophe, involving claims specialists and forensic engineers—because disasters don't wait for business hours.  We also talk about the The Texas Crane Own...

Come hang out as we cover crane rigging, heavy construction, and the critical importance of insurance with Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner, two industry titans that have seen quite a lot in the crane insurance business. Cap off this episode with high-flying stories that illustrate the day-to-day exhilaration of insuring some of the country's most ambitious projects. Laughter might not be the fi...