At Engineered Systems, from the beginning stages of design to inspections and maintenance, we strive to provide safe and reliable equipment and services that our customers can depend on. 

As part of our continued commitment to the industry, Engineered Systems became a member of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) in 2025. The CMAA is an industry group of the Material Handling Industry (MHI) that brings together crane manufacturers and other industry professionals with a shared focus on the safety, design, operation, and maintenance of overhead crane systems.  

For ESI, becoming a CMAA member was another way for us to stay involved in the industry we have served since 1969. In this blog, we’ll discuss what the CMAA is, the role it plays within the overhead crane industry, and what our membership means for both our team and our customers.

What Is the CMAA?

The history of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) dates back to 1927, when it was originally established as the Electric Overhead Crane Institute (EOCI). The organization was created to promote greater consistency in crane design, quality, and performance across the industry. It later became the CMAA and was incorporated in 1955. Today, it is an independent trade association affiliated with MHI, the largest material handling, logistics, and supply chain association in the nation.

The CMAA brings together companies from across the industry to develop trusted technical specifications, educational materials, and other resources surrounding the design, operation, inspection, and maintenance of overhead cranes.

What Does the CMAA Do?

One of the CMAA’s most recognized contributions to the overhead crane industry is the development of technical specifications.

Some of the most commonly referenced CMAA specifications include:

• CMAA Specification 70 – Top Running Bridge and Gantry Multiple Girder Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes
• CMAA Specification 74 – Top Running and Under Running Single-Girder Electric Traveling Cranes
• CMAA Specification 78 – Standards and Guidelines for Technical Services Performed
• CMAA Specification 79 – Crane Operators Manual

The CMAA also provides inspection and maintenance resources, educational materials, and other information to help support safe and reliable overhead crane operations.

What Does CMAA Membership Mean for Engineered Systems?

Engineered Systems has been part of the crane and hoist industry for over 55 years. Over the decades, we have seen the industry change as technology advances and safety knowledge continues to improve. Our CMAA membership gives us another opportunity to stay connected to these changes and remain involved in the conversations that help shape the future of the overhead crane industry.

Membership also gives our team greater accountability and the opportunity to work alongside other leading manufacturers and industry professionals. By sharing experiences, lessons learned, and technical knowledge, members can learn from one another and work toward improving the safety and reliability of overhead lifting equipment and practices.

CMAA resources also play a role in our day-to-day operations. For example, our engineers reference current CMAA specifications when designing overhead crane systems. Staying connected with the CMAA helps our team remain informed as these specifications and industry practices continue to develop.

How Does the CMAA Impact Our Customers?

Our CMAA membership shows our customers that our team is committed to staying connected to industry knowledge and other professionals who share a focus on safety, quality, and integrity.

For our customers, this means we are continually looking at how equipment can be properly designed and applied for the work it is expected to perform. One example is crane service classification. CMAA identifies crane service classes ranging from Class A through Class F based on factors such as how frequently a crane operates and the types of loads it handles. A crane used occasionally for maintenance does not have the same operating requirements as a crane that frequently handles heavy loads.

Properly evaluating these factors from the beginning helps our team determine the right equipment for each project while supporting safe and reliable operation throughout its service life. The CMAA’s guidance goes beyond the initial design of a crane, as it also provides additional resources surrounding proper operation, inspection, and maintenance. These guidelines help provide a consistent framework for how overhead crane systems are designed and specified.

Our Future with the CMAA

The crane and hoist industry continues to change as equipment, technology, safety practices, and customer needs evolve. Being involved with organizations like the CMAA allows Engineered Systems to stay connected with those changes while also learning from other companies and professionals throughout the industry.

As we continue to grow, our goal is to provide our customers with equipment and services they can depend on while continuing to learn, improve, and contribute to the crane and hoist industry as a whole.

Learn more about the CMAA here: CMAA Industry Group – MHI.

If you have questions about overhead cranes and hoists, inspections, maintenance, or an upcoming project, contact Engineered Systems today.