about us
Our History
William A Groot was on a contract with Northern Messenger, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. William had great insight and saw the need for crane services, as equipment, namely vaults were getting harder to lift with manual labour and tow trucks.
William A Groot purchased the first HIAB crane in Manitoba, in 1963. His cranes formed the heavy lifting division at Northern Messenger. After leaving Northern Messenger in 1975 and purchasing United Towing, Willm’s Craning Ltd. was formed. William’s brother Joseph joined as a partner at Willm's Craning Ltd. in 1977.
Bill and Joe had the ability to adapt to an ever changing industry with machinery moving becoming more technical, heavier and larger. The introduction of ATMs and computerized security equipment presented more challenges. Through dedication, hard work and a commitment to quality workmanship a solid reputation was built.
In September 2006, Willm's Craning Ltd. was sold to Bill & Joe’s nephew Ron Groot and his wife Robin. Ron had been employed as a Supervisor with Willm's Craning Ltd. since 1982. Joe retired in April 2007, with Bill following in September 2007.
Today Willm's Craning Ltd. operates with a fleet of 12 trucks and a staff of 13. Willm's Craning Ltd. is committed to the same quality workmanship and customer satisfaction that their outstanding reputation is built on.
Our Team
We employ a crew of 11 full time employees, which include crane operators, machinery movers and security installation specialists.
Ron Groot
President
Ron has been employed with Willm’s Craning Ltd since 1982, and became owner in 2006. Ron is a journeyman crane operator, and has 28 years of experience in all areas of craning, machinery moving and security installation.
Robin Groot
Accountant
Robin became owner with Ron in 2006. Robin looks after all the accounting at Willm’s Craning Ltd.
Reid Mackenzie
Senior Security Installation Specialist
Reid looks after most all Security installations from ATM,s CDU’s, Safe Moves, and all other banking service calls.
Blaine Rempel
Supervisor Machinery Moving & Printing Installation
Blaine a journeymen crane operator has been with Willm’s Craning for over 12 years.
Kevin Swanson
Crane Operator
Matthew Groot
Security Installations
Tony DeBraga
Crane Operator
T J Debraga
Security Installations
Blair MacIvor
Machinery Mover
Scott Baraschuk
Crane Operator
I wanted to compliment Willm’s Craning Ltd for an excellent job relocating our valuable equipment .
Your employees were early to the job site, polite, professional and skilled.
A sincere thank you from Westfield Industries.- Brian Wilcox,
Process and Quality Engineering Manager,
Westfield Industries
I would like to take the time and thank Reid and 2 other guys for their excellent and professional service they provided today when they moved a Biological Safety Cabinet in our Lab. This is the 2nd time our lab has used Willm’s Craning service and they took care of everything from uncrating the equipment to careful placement of unit. I highly recommend their services.- Angeline Giftakis,
Charge Technologist,
Cell Therapy Laboratory
