Kito Crosby, a leading manufacturer of lifting and securement solutions, is pleased to launch the Oliver Crosby & Edwin Harrington Memorial Scholarship through the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) association scholarship program. The new scholarship is named in honor of the founders of Crosby and Harrington Hoists and furthers Kito Crosby’s commitment to supporting education and professional development in our industry.

The $3,000 scholarship is available to a current employee or child of a current employee of an AWRF member company in the United States or Canada. Eligible candidates must plan to attend an accredited technical, career, or trade educational institution.

Robert Desel, Kito Crosby CEO, said: “The Oliver Crosby & Edwin Harrington Memorial Scholarship is a testament to our belief in the power of education and its potential to change lives. We are committed to empowering talented individuals who aspire to make a meaningful impact in their trades, and this scholarship will serve as a stepping stone toward their success.”

Oliver Crosby (1855-1922) was born in Maine and served as co-founder, president, and chief engineer of American Hoist and Derrick Company (AmHoist). In 1888, he invented the first wire rope clip, marketed as the ‘Crosby Clip,’ which is still sold today. He was the inventor or co-inventor of 36 patents between 1887 and 1925, primarily hoisting and cable devices, and invented the first traveling cranes that were mounted on wheels modeled after railcars. Crosby’s dream was to establish a facility at his alma mater, Maine State College (now the University of Maine), where mechanical engineering students had a place to thrive. In 1926, Crosby Hall (Crosby Labs), a workshop for engineers, was created with the funds he donated.

Edwin Harrington (1825-1891) was a machinist and inventor who started a machine tool business in Vermont in 1854. He relocated to Philadelphia in 1867 to focus solely on the hoist market. Throughout his career, Harrington developed a number of unique inventions including the spur gear hoist, the use of anti-friction bearings and the pioneering of the Weston-style brake. He obtained several patents and was best known for developing one of the first electric chain hoists in the country. Harrington Hoists, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kito Corporation in 1990 and expanded the product line with jointly designed innovative products. Harrington Hoists became part of Kito Crosby in 2023 as a result of the business combination between The Crosby Group and Kito Corporation.

The AWRF Scholarship Committee will award the first scholarship this fall.

Learn more at awrf.org/awrf-scholarship-program.