Stratalign

22/10/2026

Ever wondered how you flip a massive marble slab without breaking a sweat (or the slab)? 🤔

Meet the Righetti M3A vacuum lifter. It grips stone slabs of up to 2,000 kg and tilts them from upright to flat, and back again, smoothly and safely.

Watch it in action 👉 https://youtu.be/6liwgLAHBT8

Work with stone or benchtops? Send us a message and the Stratalign team can tell you more. 💬

22/10/2026

Mixed-brand vacuum lifter fleet? We can service it all. 🔧

Tira NDA in Hamilton couldn’t find a local provider to service vacuum lifters from several different manufacturers. Most would only look after what they’d sold.

So we set up a simple programme. They send one or two lifters at a time to our Auckland workshop, where we assess each one, quote any repairs before starting, then recertify it and send it back, whatever the brand.

Read the full story: https://www.stratalign.co.nz/projects/multi-brand-vacuum-lifter-servicing-for-tira-nda-hamilton/

How Stratalign delivered multi-brand vacuum lifter servicing, repairs and recertification for Tira NDA’s sheet metal handling fleet in Hamilton.

08/10/2026

Ever had a vacuum lifter struggle to hold a slab it's supposedly rated for? 🤔

The capacity on the label assumes a clean, sealed surface and full plate contact. Change the slab finish and that number no longer applies.

Our new guide covers what to check before you buy a vacuum lifter for stone:

✅ Porosity vs surface texture, and why they're two different problems
⚖️ How to work out your slab weight (stone yards rarely list it!)
🔄 Matching plate configuration to capacity
🪨 Polished, honed, flamed or bush-hammered? Each finish affects your seal differently
🚨 The safety features every stone lifter should have

Handy for benchtop shops working with both engineered and natural stone 👇
🔗 https://www.stratalign.co.nz/how-to-choose-a-vacuum-lifter-for-stone-and-engineered-stone-slabs/

How to choose a vacuum lifter for stone and engineered stone slabs. Covers surface porosity, slab weight, pad selection, capacity and safety systems.

04/10/2026

🏗️ Is your crane certification actually up to date — or just filed away somewhere?

Most compliance issues we see aren't about the equipment itself. They're about missing paperwork, expired certificates, or documents that aren't where they're supposed to be when an inspector turns up.

Our new guide covers:
✅ Which cranes legally need certification in NZ
✅ Design Verification vs. Certificate of Inspection (they're not the same thing!)
✅ Where your records need to be kept
✅ What can trigger the need for a new certificate
✅ How to prep your site before an inspection

Read it here 👉 https://www.stratalign.co.nz/crane-certification-nz-documentation-inspection/

What documentation NZ crane certification requires, where records must be kept, and how to prepare your site for inspection. Practical compliance guidance.

13/08/2026

Aluminium or steel — which portable gantry crane actually suits your site? 🏗️

Both materials get the job done, but they behave very differently once they're on site. One's built for speed and mobility, the other for raw rigidity under heavy, repeated loads.

In our latest guide, we break down:
✅ Weight, portability & setup time
✅ Corrosion resistance (big one for coastal & wet sites)
✅ Capacity differences
✅ Maintenance & long-term cost

Whether you're moving between job sites weekly or running daily lifts in a fixed bay, this guide will help you match the right crane to your operation.

👉 Read the full breakdown: https://www.stratalign.co.nz/aluminium-vs-steel-gantry-cranes/

Aluminium or steel portable gantry crane? Compare weight, portability, corrosion resistance, capacity, and cost to find the right fit for your NZ site.

23/07/2026

Workstation crane or overhead crane — which one actually fits your operation? 🏗️
Our new guide breaks it down:

📊 Load capacity & coverage differences
🏗️ Installation & building impact
🔄 Flexibility to reconfigure or relocate
⏱️ Which duty cycle suits which system

Avoid over-investing in infrastructure you don't need — or under-specifying a system that can't keep up. Read the full guide 👇
https://www.stratalign.co.nz/workstation-crane-vs-overhead-crane/

Compare workstation crane systems and overhead cranes by load capacity, installation, and duty cycle. Find the right lifting system for your NZ operation.

04/06/2026

🔧 New Blog Post: How to Set Up a Hoist & Trolley System for Your I-Beam or Monorail

Most hoist and trolley installations don't fail during operation — they fail at the planning stage. Undersized beams, mismatched fl**ge widths, and inadequate headroom are all avoidable problems if you catch them early.

Our latest guide walks you through the key steps:
✅ Confirming your beam is rated for the job
✅ Measuring fl**ge width correctly before selecting a trolley
✅ Choosing between push, geared, and electric trolleys
✅ Planning headroom and your load path
✅ Getting your electrical and control setup right

Whether you're setting up a new system or upgrading an existing one, this guide will help you get it right from the start.

👉 Read the full guide here: https://www.stratalign.co.nz/set-up-electric-hoist-with-trolley-system/

Have questions about your setup? Get in touch with our team for an obligation-free consultation. 📞 09 263 7725

Planning a hoist and trolley setup on an I-beam or monorail? This guide covers beam checks, fl**ge width, trolley selection, headroom, and electrical setup.

21/05/2026

New case study! 🏗️

Stewart & Cavalier came to us with a tricky lifting challenge — a crane build where the bridge length and beam size left very little clearance underneath to lift the required loads.

Our solution? An ultra low headroom electric chain hoist with RE series electric trolley from RWM Italy, giving them maximum hook height plus precise lateral movement.

Read how we helped them complete the project 👇
https://www.stratalign.co.nz/projects/stewart-cavalier-low-headroom-electric-chain-hoist/

Stratalign supplied Stewart & Cavalier with a low headroom electric chain hoist and RE series electric trolley to overcome restricted clearance on a crane build.

14/05/2026

Built by Delta Hoists exclusively for Stratalign, this heavy-duty 3-phase hoist is engineered for reliable industrial lifting performance.

▶️ 6m lift height
▶️ Compact, durable aluminium housing
▶️ IP55 hoist / IP65 pendant control
▶️ SIEMENS/EATON electrical components
▶️ Smooth, quiet operation
▶️ NZ engineer verified design

Designed for safety, durability, and everyday industrial use. Watch the product video 👇

https://youtu.be/iavKle5tc6s

Balken Generation 2 – Industrial Electric Chain Hoist is a single-speed, 3 phase hoist, which features a 6 metre lift as standard, manufactured for Stratalig...

07/05/2026

🔌 Single Phase vs Three Phase Hoists — Which One Do You Need?

Choosing the right electric hoist isn’t just about lifting capacity — your power supply plays a huge role in performance, reliability, and long-term cost.

If you’ve ever wondered:
✔️ What’s the real difference between single and three phase?
✔️ Which is better for your workshop?
✔️ Will your current setup handle it?

Our latest guide breaks it all down in plain English — no jargon, just practical advice.

👉 Read the full guide here: https://www.stratalign.co.nz/single-phase-vs-three-phase-electric-hoists-comparison-guide/

Not sure whether you need a single-phase or three-phase electric hoist? Understand the differences, performance trade-offs, and which NZ setup suits your site.