Industrial Rigging Trade Associations

American Clean Power Association (ACP)

A multi-technology trade group for wind, solar, storage, transmission and clean hydrogen companies; members collaborate on policy, safety, O&M practices, and supply-chain issues that frequently involve heavy lifting and rigging (e.g., wind component logistics and erection).

https://cleanpower.org/ Membership: 750

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

Technical institute and trade association for the U.S. structural steel industry. AISC supports erectors and fabricators with specifications, safety programs, and events—relevant to rigging of beams, columns, and bridge members.

https://www.aisc.org/ Membership: 35,000

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

North America’s equipment manufacturers’ association across construction, utility, mining and agriculture. Many members design/build cranes, hoists, rigging hardware, and related lifting technology; AEM also runs major industry shows and safety initiatives.

https://www.aem.org/ Membership: 1,100

Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF)

Trade association for sling fabricators and makers of rigging components, wire rope and load‑securement products; provides standards work, technical committees, Slingmakers Magazine, and industry events.

https://www.awrf.org/ Membership: 400

Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)

Lift safety standards and certification body for vehicle and service-bay lifting equipment. Membership comprises 20 manufacturer members plus about 300 associate inspection companies; resources include ANSI/ALI standards and inspector certification.

https://www.autolift.org/ Membership: 320

Cordage Institute

International rope and cordage trade association developing technical standards for safe use of fiber ropes applicable to slings, tie‑downs, mooring and specialty rigging. Member count shown is from a published 2010 snapshot.

https://www.ropecord.com/ Membership: 80

EMEA Power Transmission Distributors Association (EPTDA)

EMEA-wide executive association for power transmission and motion control distributors/manufacturers. Members supply hoists, drives, gearboxes, chain and components integral to cranes and rigging systems.

https://www.eptda.org/ Membership: 249

International Association of Movers (IAM)

Global trade association of movers and logistics firms (over 170 countries). Members often provide industrial moving and rigging services for machinery relocation and plant moves, alongside household/commercial moves.

https://www.iamovers.org/ Membership: 2,000

International Association of Structural Movers (IASM)

Trade association for companies specializing in structural moving, heavy building relocation, and specialized lifts—core industrial rigging activities. Provides technical education, networking, and safety resources.

https://www.iasm.org/ Membership: 300

International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)

Leading offshore and marine contracting association publishing lifting and rigging guidance (e.g., lifting operations, walk‑to‑work, DP). Members span diving, marine, ROV, survey and construction companies active in heavy lifts.

https://www.imca-int.com/ Membership: 800

International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)

Powered access federation for MEWPs and MCWPs, with global training and safety programs. Members include manufacturers, rental firms and contractors using aerial platforms that interface with rigging and lifting plans.

https://www.ipaf.org/ Membership: 1,818

IRATA International (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association)

The world’s rope access trade association. Member companies (operators and trainers) perform inspection, maintenance and construction tasks using rope systems that complement/replace conventional rigging and access.

https://irata.org/ Membership: 700

Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA)

Global lifting industry trade association representing companies in examination, manufacture, test, inspection, hire, and use of lifting equipment. Provides training, technical guidance and auditing recognized across supply chains.

https://leeaint.com/ Membership: 1,100

Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA)

North American trade association for distributors and manufacturers in material handling. Members include rigging and lifting product suppliers; programs cover benchmarking, education, networking and market insights.

https://www.mheda.org/ Membership: 600

National Association of Chain Manufacturers (NACM)

U.S. association of domestic welded/weldless chain manufacturers whose products (e.g., Grade 80/100) are fundamental to lifting slings and rigging. Maintains specifications and educates on safe chain use.

https://www.nacm.info/ Membership: 7

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association

U.S. communications‑infrastructure contractors’ association. Members perform tower erection, modification and maintenance—work that heavily relies on qualified crane, hoisting and rigging practices.

https://natehome.com/ Membership: 1,020

Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA)

North American power transmission/motion control channel association. Membership includes 131 distributors, 151 manufacturers and 14 associates supplying drives, gearboxes, chain, couplings, and hoists used in cranes and rigging systems.

https://www.ptda.org/ Membership: 296

Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA)

Trade association for scaffold and access equipment stakeholders (manufacturers, suppliers, contractors). Programs, standards, and training overlap with hoisting, suspended access, and material handling/rigging at height.

https://www.saiaonline.org/ Membership: 925

Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA)

Global association of crane, rigging, machinery moving/erecting and specialized transportation companies. Provides advocacy, safety programs, events, and best‑practice resources specific to industrial rigging.

https://www.scranet.org/ Membership: 1,400

Wire Rope Technical Board (WRTB)

Technical association of U.S. wire rope manufacturers representing the vast majority of domestic production; publishes the Wire Rope User’s Manual and advances standards for wire rope used in cranes, slings and rigging.

https://www.wireropetechnicalboard.org/ Membership: 6