Studbite Hoist

Innovation overview and development

An overview of the product
The Studbite Hoist is unique devise design for the lifting and installation of fan coil a/c units up to a safe working load of 50kg and a maximum height of 4m. It ensures the load is totally secure all the way through the install process and eliminates the need for manual handling. The product is essentially a hoist that bites on to the threaded rod that is mounted to the ceiling, and is powered by a standard cordless drill. This product has been released to the hire market in the last two weeks and is exclusive to MEP Hire, part of the VP Group.

How the new product was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
MEP partnered with the manufacture, Terlok to finalise the design and ready the product for the hire market and ensure all compliances were met. We have since shown the product to our contractor partners such as ISG in demonstrations across the UK.

How might this product have an influence on the specification
The product has been designed to hang on both M8 and M10 profile threaded rod which already specified on the majority of builds.

How the product improved productivity in the process and/or quality and performance of the interior system
The current method of installing the a/c units is either manually lifted to height or using a gas powered Genie lift. Both methods are awkward for the operative often with the load unsecured when working at height and require multiple people to lift and install the unit. This product enables a safe lift and single person install. A Genie lift requires a bottle of gas to operate, gas products are becoming harder to acquire and are increasing in price. Also the use of non renewable gas products are currently being actively discouraged and greener alternatives are quickly becoming the favoured option.