Inventor of the popular Little Giant Ladder system whose sole UK importer is Cardiff firm TB Davies, died recently aged 72.
Hal Wing, the founder of America’s largest manufacturer of home-produced ladders, patented the Little Giant Ladder which became a household name in the decades following the 1970s.
T B Davies have been UK seller of the US firm’s products since 2003. The classic Little Giant Ladder is marketed as a handful of ladders in one. It doubles as an A-Frame step ladder, extension ladder, 90 degree step ladder, trestle scaffold platform and a stair ladder. The fact it can easily be folded also makes transportation and storage very simple.
A spokesman for leading UK ladder specialist T B Davies said: “We were very saddened to hear about Hal’s death. He was a well-known and popular figure both here and in the States and we have always enjoyed an excellent working relationship with him and his colleagues at Little Giant Ladders.”
Mr Wing set up the Little Giant Ladder company from his home in Springville, Utah and began selling the ladder at fairs and trade shows. Its popularity grew as it became recognised as one of the strongest, safest and most versatile ladders available. A year later the ladder was being manufactured at a special plant in the town.
Wing Enterprises are one of the world’s largest ladder design manufacturers around today with several global patents and trademarks in existence. Meanwhile their research and development arm continues to come up with innovative products for the health and safety industry, commercial outlets and domestic homes everywhere. The firm also sells a range of related accessories such as work platforms and a paper towel dispenser
A family man, Mr Wing was voted National Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 by the global accountancy firm Ernst and Young and was known for his philanthropic outlook, especially when it came to his employees. Colleagues reported that he insisted on giving individuals with a physical disability or even those who had notched up a criminal record, the opportunity to work.
Work colleague Jeff Dinsdale said: “Hal was extremely personable with all his employees at Little Giant Ladders. He made us all feel like we were all part of one big happy family. He knew every single employee by name, even if they had started at the firm just a few days earlier.”
A spokesman for the company, which is still based in Springville, said they were saddened by Mr Wing’s death but that ‘the show would go on’ and they would continue to build on the firm’s excellent reputation for producing highly-rated aluminium and fibre glass ladders in particular.
24 September 2012
Notes to editor
