Italian lifting equipment manufacturer Ascom will make its first independent appearance at Seawork 2027, bringing more than five decades of lifting expertise and a new generation of marine handling equipment to the show. Ascom, which owns the brand Abi Trailers, has been to Seawork before with with the Italian Trade Agency but will exhibit independently in 2027 as it looks to develop relationships with UK customers and strengthen its position in the British marine sector. Ascom says Seawork offers an 'ideal opportunity to strengthen relationships within the UK market, a region that has always played a strategic role in the company's international development' as it plans to introduce several new innovations and developments across its lifting and transport equipment. This includes the expandable amphibious boat hoist that's already operating in the UK, which is capable of launching and hauling vessels directly via a ramp. The company is also developing a compact 60-tonne jib crane equipped with four lifting points. At the larger end of the scale, Ascom makes a 1,700-short-tonne-capacity boat hoist featuring a 48-wheel configuration. Founded in 1972, Ascom initially began as a manufacturer of lifting equipment for industrial applications, before entering the marine sector in the 1980s. Founder Gian Franco Schedoni began a partnership with Giorgio Bottero in 2002, which led to the formation of boat transport specialist Abi Trailers.
