Wiggins’ Bruce Farber Selected as ASME Engineer of the Year

Wiggins’ Bruce Farber Selected as ASME Engineer of the Year

Wiggins’ Bruce Farber Selected as
ASME Engineer of the Year

Wiggins Lift Co., Inc. was honored last year by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Channel Islands (ASME) for our innovative Marina FLX. This year, our own Bruce Farber has been named the ASME Engineer of the Year.

Bruce has been a vital part of the Wiggins’ team for almost twenty years as Technical Director at Wiggins Lift. He was recently promoted to Director of Business Development and Special Projects, making use of his expertise, experience, and intimate knowledge of Wiggins’ products to help customers make the best choice.

 

From the ASME release:

Bruce Farber stands out as not just as the ASME Mechanical Engineer of this Year, but his technical and professional achievements over the arc of his career span many areas of Mechanical Engineering. Bruce is a local product, having earned both his BS and MS Mechanical Engineering degrees from UCSB in 1979 and 1980, respectively. As an undergrad, he earned Highest Honors, Magna Cum Laude, and also resurrected the dormant ASME Student Chapter at UCSB. Over the 36 years of his professional career, Bruce has served as a member and officer of both ASME Channel Islands and California Society of Professional Engineers.Over 36 years, Bruce has demonstrated his technical skills and leadership, from Lab Assistant to Engineering Director, from the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory in Port Hueneme to Oceaneering Technologies to the present day at Wiggins Lift Company in Oxnard. Along the way, he has earned 9 patents –for the US Navy for seawater hydraulic diver tools, tennis racquet improvements to prevent tennis elbow, an exercise chair for paraplegics, and forklift safety technology. He analyzed and helped install the JAWS sharks in Florida and the first plastic wastewater outfall in California.

Key points of EOY’s career of accomplishments that merit recognition as EOY:

  1. Credentials include BS in Mechanical Engineering (1979) and MS in Mechanical Engineering (1980), both from UCSB; California Professional Engineer license in Mechanical Engineering.
  2. Progressive professional growth and technical achievement throughout his career, from Lab Technician to Engineering Director. Companies include Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, Oceaneering Technologies, Allison Fitness, Hi-Temp Insulation, Proactive Technologies and Wiggins Lift Company. Recently he has taken a new position at Wiggins Lift as Director of Business Development and Special projects which allow him to combine his technical background with sales acumen.
  3. Holds 9 patents. 5 patents for the US Navy covers a seawater hydraulic tool system for divers, 2 patents cover improvements for tennis racquets to prevent tennis elbow. 1 patent for an exercise chair for paraplegics. 1 patent in forklift technology for enhanced stability control.
  4. Active member of ASME for 39 continuous years, from 1978 as undergraduate student at UCSB who helped re-establish the ASME UCSB Student Chapter to the present as member of ASME Channel Islands Section where he has held various leadership positions (including Chair) over the years. Also a member and officer of California Society of Professional Engineers where he also served as officer several times.

Congratulations to Bruce and our gratitude for his excellent work over the years! We are proud that you are part of the Wiggins’ team!

Wiggins Lift at the Miami International Boat Show

Wiggins Lift at the Miami International Boat Show

Wiggins Lift at the Miami International Boat Show!

We had a wonderful time at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show—saw a lot of customers and met some news ones! Thanks to everyone who came by—our booth was pretty crowded at times.

Thank you for also celebrating with us—we have been manufacturing the Marine Bull for forty years! Our experience and knowledge is unmatched, and it is what makes the Marina Bull the best lift in the industry. Quality, experience, and money savings over the life of the machine. That’s our dedication to our customers and friends.

Finally, to our partners, dealers, and friends at Taylor, Taylor SSI, XL Lifts: Al, Ozzie, Bryant, Alberto, Mike, and so many others. You’re the best!

Welding Class Field Trip!

Welding Class Field Trip!

Welding Class Field Trip!

We were privileged to have the Channel Islands High School welding class for a visit Wiggins Lift!

Joe, Paul, and some others from our team took them on a tour of the facility, discussed our operations, watched some of the welders work, and got to talk with them all about our work. Thanks to their teacher, Jonathan Throckmorton, for helping set up the field trip. We enjoyed having this bright group of students, and wish them all the best in the future!

Wiggins Yard Bulls work harder and live longer

Wiggins Yard Bulls work harder and live longer

Wiggins Yard Bulls work harder and live longer

Wiggins machines are known for their longevity and durability. To us, “longevity” means fifteen or twenty years, not the four to eight of other manufacturers. There are Wiggins lifts still working in the field after 30 years!

We achieve this standard by starting with quality raw materials and the best components. In the most crucial areas of performance and safety, we overbuild. Our carriages, forks, masts, and axles are the most rugged in the industry. The use of anti-corrosion materials adds to the durability. Our IQAN™ System hydraulic pressures test panel allows monitoring of truck performance and status, allowing the operators and mechanics to stay informed in real time.

We don’t stop there. Our auto-lube system minimizes downtime by automatically lubricating key components—mast and carriage bearings, tilt cylinder, mast pins, and steer axles to ensure smooth operation and to save money. The optional oil purification system reduces costly and time-consuming oil changes. With proper maintenance, the Yard Bull LoPR0 with optional Super Filtration can operate as long as one year without having to change the lubricating oils. This feature alone has proven to extend component life by thousands of hours.

An investment in a Wiggins Yard Bull is an investment for the long haul.

Technology, Safety, and Bigger Boats

Technology, Safety, and Bigger Boats

Technology, Safety, and Bigger Boats

The Wiggins Marina FLX is a perfect example of the wedding of technology to meet safety and size requirements in this new age of Marina industry. Bigger boats require more safety measures. Wiggins Lift leads the industry in innovative approaches to address these needs.

A recent article in Marina Dock Age explores these issues and includes quotes from Wiggins Lift’s Mike Wiggins and Bruce Farber, and XL-Lift’s Mike Marzahl.

Today’s world is full of technology, and consumers expect more more more from their products and equipment. Marine forklifts are no different, and manufacturers are responding with new and better offerings.

The article addresses the need to lift bigger and wider boats, the industry desire for “greener” lifts, need for long-term maintenance, and other trends in the industry.