MADISON, Ind. – Rotary Lift, Forward Lift and Direct Lift, the lift brands of Vehicle Service Group (VSG), welcomed 75 lift inspector candidates to Madison, Ind., last week for factory training to prepare them to take the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) Lift Inspector Certification Program Pre-Course Examination. VSG is the first lift manufacturer to provide this training to its distributor network. Attendees came from 36 lift service companies located in 24 states. 
“Factory training is not a requirement of the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program,” said Ron Lainhart, Rotary Lift parts and service manager. “But education is one of the defining factors in making ours the strongest lift installation and service network in North America. We are taking extra steps to support Rotary Lift, Forward Lift and Direct Lift distributors who have committed to getting their lift inspectors certified. We believe this will allow them to better serve our mutual customers: the shops and technicians who depend on their lifts every day.”
Lift inspection has long been a focus at VSG, the company states. Rotary Lift invested heavily in a multi-year "Inspect to Protect" campaign highlighting the importance of regular lift maintenance and inspections. Lainhart; Bob Ford, Rotary Lift customer service manager; Paul Lee, Rotary Lift sales heavy-duty support; and Josh Scroggins, Forward Lift product support; have helped develop the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program, serving on the pilot group as well as being named factory-designated trainers.
There are currently 94 VSG distributors participating in the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program, with more than 200 candidates enrolled — that’s more than any other lift manufacturer.
Over the span of two full days on Jan. 3-4, VSG trainers reviewed key concepts that will be covered on the lift inspector pre-course exam, including fundamental electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic principles.
The new ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program is the only program in North America that independently tests and certifies vehicle lift inspectors. The ANSI National Standard covering vehicle lift operation, inspection and maintenance, ANSI/ALI ALOIM: 2008, requires that all installed vehicle lifts be inspected annually by a qualified vehicle lift inspector. The certification program will provide assurance to lift owners that when they hire an ALI Certified Lift Inspector, that inspector is qualified to perform the inspection.
The first group of ALI Certified Lift Inspectors will be announced May 15. At that time, an online database at www.autolift.org/certified-inspectors.php <http://www.autolift.org/certified-inspectors.php> will enable customers to locate a local certified inspector.
VSG plans to offer additional classes to its distributors’ certification candidates this year. Distributors should contact Lainhart at (800) 640-5438 (ext. 5536) or Ford (ext. 5510) for details.
