JOHNSONS CRANE HIRE

My company based in JHB were informed of the expected delivery of a container from overseas. Inside the container were a number of pieces of equipment ie large rollers, various boxes and a machine (weight approx. 7 tonnes), we decided to contact the Johnson Crane Hire company to handle the off-loading and emptying (De-Stuffing) of the container at our factory in JHB. After telephonic discussions were held with the Johnson Crane Hire Sales Manager, and having her visit our factory to inspect the off-loading site, and showing her the in factory position to place the approx. 7 tonne machine, we consequently agreed on a price from them to supply a crane capable of handling the "lifting and moving" of the container equipment and the "rigging team" to ensure the job was handled in a "professional" manner. On arrival of the container at our factory the arrival was also of the crane and the "professional Rigging Team", we now learned that the Rigging crew were not equipped with the correct "lifting slings" to pull the machine out of the container. Their efforts to "pull" the machine out of the container resulted in the floor of the container receiving "deep Gouges". Complaints about the damaged container floor were later received from the shipping company. Meanwhile a member of the rigging ream was dispatched to obtain the correct lifting slings so that the machine could be safely removed from the container. While the rigging team were having difficulty in trying to remove the machine from the container, using a turfing machine, a member of our staff made the comment that, we have emptied containers ourselves on a number if occasions using jacks and a fork-truck without a problem. This comment however was not appreciated by the riggers, they now refused to remove the remainder of the equipment and appeared to have adopt an unhelpful and negative attitude towards the job. They also refused to move the 7-tonne machine into it's new position inside the factory. They eventually "packed their bags" onto the crane and drove off. We meanwhile were left with no alternative but to finish the off-loading of the container and the moving of the machinery into the factory position ourselves. We obviously complained bitterly to Johnson Crane Hire about the negative attitude and unhelpful behaviour of the so called "Professional Riggers". The sales manager now informed us that the riggers were only contractors, as if this was an acceptable reason for their behaviour. The other thing we learned from this exercise was, paying up-front for the job was not a good idea!