Award-winning new hooks, designed to eliminate serious hand injuries, are being marketed by Reel Group following the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement with the manufacturers, Nautilus Rigging.

The revolutionary hooks this week won the prestigious ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) IPTI Woelfel Award for best mechanical engineering.  The award, which is judged on innovation in design, commercial application and safety, was made at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. The safety features incorporated in the innovative design of Nautilus Hooks deliver a cost-effective solution to eliminating serious and potentially costly pinch and trap hand injuries during lifting operation. 
The hooks set a new safety standard for a broad range of industries and applications.
The key benefits and safety features of the hooks include:

• a unique integral safety handle, eliminating pinch and trap injuries
• a protected dual-sided locking slide, eliminating external lock protrusions
• a unique internal load-bearing profile for quick and easy load  or discharge

Under the two-year deal recently formalised between the two companies and valued at an estimated £1.5million, Reel have exclusive distribution rights for the north-west European region, including  the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.  Reel have already taken delivery of the first consignment of NH-SL8 series 8 tonne hooks.

Reel Managing Director, Russell Ritchie said:  “Across the range of services we provide to the offshore industry safety is always a paramount concern and we are delighted to be associated with this excellent new product that will undoubtedly reduce the risk of injuries.
“The introduction of this product is an excellent addition to the comprehensive selection of wire rope services we already provide to the industry.”

Bill Toon, Managing Director of Aberdeen-based Nautilus Rigging, also welcomed the launch of the distribution agreement.
He said:  “We are confident that with the unique design of Nautilus Hooks, we will make a significant contribution to improving the safety of lifting operations.

“We are very pleased to have teamed up with such a widely recognised and highly respected company as Reel Group to distribute this product in this highly important marketplace.”