Lifting specialist, Elephant showcased its range of panel lifting devices at LIGNA 2025. Distributed exclusively in the UK through IMA Schelling UK, the interactive stand featured a range of vacuum lifters powered by compressed air and 2 phase or 3 phase electric drives with fixed, manual, pneumatic and electric tilting models on display.
“Elephant lifting devices are exceptionally dynamic,” begins Andy Hepworth, Sales Manager at IMA Schelling UK. “They can be customised to work with virtually any panel size, weight or application, making one-person operation when loading large or heavy panels onto a machine bed, like a Schelling FH4 beam saw or CNC router, a reality.”
Andy continues, “Most lifters on the market can accommodate weights of 85kg – this is the industry standard – but these machines can be modified to work with much heavier materials. No matter how big or how precious a panel is, we can add single or multiple cup manipulators to accommodate pretty much any material. We’ve supplied a number of lifters to the steel industry because of this very reason. Each vacuum lifter was designed to work effectively with material weighing over 1500kg . This shows just how versatile Elephant lifters can be.”
The standard range includes pneumatic vacuum lifters with manual and pneumatic movements for breathable and non-breathable panels and heavy-weight lifters for doors and solid wood. Tilting capabilities can be between 0-90° on manual models and up to 180° on pneumatic lifters for use on doors.
In addition to this, the running costs of an Elephant lifter is exceptionally low – both in terms of energy use and ongoing maintenance. “This is because of their superior build quality,” says Andy. “They’re built to last and are virtually maintenance free, however replacement parts are available off the shelf. They’re also really easy to use. Anyone ca use one. Compared to a tube lifting device, they have an inverter that makes them really easy and light to handle with full control.”
When it comes to the sales and after-sales support on offer, IMA Schelling UK’s engineers complete the full installation and can oversee any ongoing maintenance. Andy says, “In terms of spare parts, the simplicity of these pieces of kit means very few things need to be replaced during the lifters lifecycle but we do hold stock for every eventuality.”
He continues, “The Elephant brand is a great partner for IMA Schelling UK because their product is an extension of what we do. We often talk to machinery customers who want to reduce running costs, minimise handling, simplify production and reduce the number of operators required to feed our product range. By integrating an Elephant lifter into your production, the whole operation is streamlined. It completes our offering.”
