Spider® Celebrates 70 Years of Innovation
Inventors of powered suspended access solution still leading industry today
Seattle, WA, March 9, 2017 – Spider by Safway Group, the trusted leader in powered suspended access, is celebrating its 70th anniversary throughout 2017.
“The theme ‘70 Years of Innovation’ succinctly captures the essence of the Spider brand,” said David Beckett, vice president and general manager, Spider Operations. “Seventy years ago, an innovative idea by our founders launched the powered suspended access industry, changing the way work at heights is reached. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to the concept of innovation – consistently developing new products and access solutions that increase productivity and improve safety in an ever-changing industry.”
In 1947, in a garage in the suburbs of Seattle, brothers Sid and Bud Fisher started tinkering with an external access solution for working at height, and the Spider Staging Corporation was born. The initial product, the iconic Spider basket, which is still in production today, evolved into the market-leading model ST-17 – setting a standard of access efficiency. Starting with a pair of accidental inventors responding to a need for elevated access to industrial structures and high-rise commercial buildings, Spider transformed from a single-solution provider into a vertically integrated, multi-channel platform. The brand’s expansive breadth of customized products and services, along with the expertise of its people, create an unprecedented customer experience for Spider customers around the world.
Safety is Spider’s number one core value, which has played a crucial role in the brand’s success and longevity. Spider invests in ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certifications, Underwriters Laboratory listings and Standard Work Instructions to ensure customers receive the safest solutions in the industry. Spider also offers OSHA-approved training programs for customers as well as their own technicians to equip users with the tools and knowledge necessary to operate safely at height. In 2016, all 25 of Spider’s operation centers were accident-free, a notable achievement that is a direct result of the ongoing commitment to safety.
“As we celebrate our 70-year milestone and prepare for the exciting chapters ahead, Spider remains committed to providing the safest, most innovative solutions for work at height,” added Beckett. “That is the backbone of our history and the cornerstone to our future success.”
In November 2016, Spider was acquired by Safway Group, a leading provider of scaffolding, access and industrial services. “Together, Spider and Safway provide the widest range of solutions and greatest depth of expertise,” said Bill Hayes, president and CEO of Safway Group. “We serve customers in the commercial construction, restoration, petrochemical, oil and gas, power, refining, marine, manufacturing, infrastructure, elevator, and wind energy industries.”
About Spider by Safway Group
Founded in 1947, Spider created the powered suspended access business by introducing the well-known Spider basket. Since then, our product and service offering has expanded greatly to serve the needs of an ever-growing marketplace. Spider manufactures and distributes innovative access and safety solutions to commercial construction, elevator, infrastructure, power generation, offshore and wind energy industries throughout the Americas. From work basket, traction hoist and platform rental, to safety and training, to specialty-engineered products – Spider has a strong team of professionals along with a national network of sales, service and support capabilities to provide the most reliable access solutions. For more information about Spider, visit: www.spiderstaging.com.
About Safway Group
With more than 115 locations in the U.S. and Canada and distribution channels worldwide, Safway Group delivers high-performance multiservice solutions – THE SMART WAY®. Offering the widest range of equipment and the greatest depth of expertise in access, scaffolding, insulation, fireproofing and coatings, Safway Group companies include All-American Scaffold; CL Coatings; Dalco; Industrial Coatings & Fireproofing; MobleySafway; New England Scaffolding; Redi Solutions; Safway Atlantic; Safway Services; Safway Services Canada; S&E Bridge & Scaffold; and Swing Staging. With the most advanced engineering team; an exclusive project management system; award-winning safety; market-leading brands including Spider®, Power Climber® and Power Climber Wind®; and proprietary products like the QuikDeck® Suspended Access System, Safway Group companies design and implement innovative, quality solutions at the lowest total installed cost for projects of any size and scope. Safway has been an industry leader since 1936 and serves commercial construction, elevator, infrastructure (bridges, railroads, airports, shipping ports, stadiums and arenas), manufacturing, marine, petrochemical, power (traditional and renewable), and oil and gas customers worldwide. For more information about Safway Group, visit: www.safwaygroup.com.
