Wood's Powr-Grip® Offers Improved Cladding Cups For Handling Insulated Metal Panels

Laurel, MT - With an eye to the growing use of Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) and the standard practice of vacuum lifter installation, Wood's Powr-Grip® (WPG™) has released a new series of Hand Cups that are specially designed for IMPs and other cladding.

"At Wood’s Powr-Grip® we have witnessed the growth of Insulated Metal Panels in construction for several years now," said Jake Knaub of Wood's Powr-Grip®. "The widespread use of IMPs in Europe has begun to flow into the United States, slashing labor costs, raising thermal efficiency, lengthening building lifespan, and reducing building maintenance. Our below-the-hook vacuum lifters have proven ideal for installing these innovative panels. We were able to witness this first hand with the 17,500 square foot [5,334 square meter] addition to our production facility. Contractors were impressed with both the speed and ease with which these large, cumbersome panels could now be installed."

Knaub said the new Cladding Cups have the added benefits of low-marking, flexible rubber, along with all the other features that customers have come to trust and rely on in WPG’s Hand Cups. This new rubber compound enables the cups to attach to many textured, contoured or patterned surfaces found on IMPs and cold storage panels. They have a load capacity of 60 lbs. [27 kg], putting sturdy handles on large panels for final positioning, or lifting smaller panels with a partner.

Some benefits of the new Cladding Cups:

• Protect hands from sharp, exposed metal edges.

• Free up the use of a vacuum lifter for larger panels, while workers handle manageable sections directly.

• UV-resistant rubber resists deterioration on the work site.

• Enable fine positioning and smooth installation of panels into tight spaces.

• Help stabilize load during transport and placement.

• Available with rustproof ABS polymer for light weight and durability (N4000C) or robust metal construction for industrial reliability (N4950C).

• Red-line indicator warns user of any significant vacuum loss.

• Check valve allows repumping without removing vacuum cup from surface.

• Valve lever permits quick and complete release.

• Supplied with protective carrying case.

Knaub added, "With the rise of Insulated Metal Panels and related cladding, Wood’s Powr-Grip lets you get a grip on the future! Visit the Wood’s Powr-Grip Authorized Dealer nearest you or contact one of our Technical Sales Representatives to discuss which cups and lifters are best for your IMP and cladding needs."

About Wood's Powr-Grip

Wood's Powr-Grip Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes tools and equipment that improve efficiency, enhance safety, and lower costs for the industries that it serves. The company offers a full line of hand-held vacuum cups, below-the-hook vacuum lifters and vacuum mounting cups that make material handling and equipment mounting easier. The products are used to lift, hold and position a variety of smooth, nonporous materials such as insulated metal panels, glass, plastics, engine valves, sheet metal, solid surfacing, laminates, stone slabs and appliances. Powr-Grip products are individually tested before being shipped from the production facility, in order to ensure quality and promote safety for the user.

Wood's Powr-Grip's headquarters are located in Laurel, MT, and its vacuum cups and equipment products are distributed internationally in nearly 50 countries through an extensive network of dealers and distributors. For more information, visit www.wpg.com.