Hovmand is looking to capitalise on growth in next gen data centres with its modular, ergonomic lifters, designed to help operators manage ever-heavier equipment.
Speaking to IoT Insider at Tech Show London, Oliver Bredgaard, Business Development Manager – Data Centres at Hovmand A/S, outlined how the Danish company’s lifters are increasingly seen as essential tools in workplaces where both equipment and operational complexity are rising.
“All the equipment is getting bigger and heavier,” said Bredgaard. “I think it will only get heavier. At some point we will not be able to lift it manually anymore, so we need to have the lifters ready.”
The Denmark-based company, which has delivered more than 50,000 lifters globally, operates subsidiaries in Germany, Spain, France, and the United States. The company has developed a range specifically for data centres, with a specialised leg set that fits into narrow aisles and platforms that slide side to side for easy server extraction.
Bredgaard said data centres present a unique set of challenges in terms of lifting. Narrow aisles, heavy and increasingly complex servers, and strict uptime requirements mean that lifting and moving equipment safely is critical.
“Most servers weigh around 100 kilos, and some can reach up to 300 kilos,” Bredgaard said. “Our lifters handle that safely and can position equipment from one unit up to 60 units. It’s all about taking care of the people who work inside the data centre.”
While much of data centre operations are automated, Bredgaard emphasised that human operators remain central. “Most discussion focuses on AI and energy efficiency, but we must not forget the people inside. They are not automated, and we need to take care of them,” he said.
Moreover, he added, in high-tech environments, downtime can be costly. A lifter allows a single operator to manage tasks that would otherwise require multiple people. “If a server breaks down and it’s 52 units high, a single operator cannot extract it manually,” Bredgaard said. “With a lifter, one person can handle it immediately. It saves time and prevents injury.”
The company is also exploring smart technology to make lifters more intuitive and configurable. “We have an app configurator on our website that lets you design your own lifter and see it in your environment, similar to how Pokemon Go places characters in real space,” Bredgaard said. “AI and augmented reality help both us and our customers visualise and test solutions before committing to production. It makes the equipment smarter and easier to use.”
Hovmand’s modular approach allows the company to operate across industries beyond data centres. “We also serve pharma, food, and advanced manufacturing,” Bredgaard said. “In each case, we examine operational requirements and adapt the lifters accordingly. In pharma, there may be clean room standards. In food, hygiene considerations. Our modular system lets us meet these requirements without redesigning from scratch.”
Looking ahead, Bredgaard highlighted a shift in workplace culture. “Health and safety managers are playing a bigger role, and awareness of ergonomic solutions is increasing,” he said. “We work alongside other material handling companies — colleagues rather than competitors — to raise awareness and improve workplace safety.”
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