ITI acquires AICB in share merger deal

Industrial Training International (iti.com) has acquired American International Crane Bureau (cranebureau.com) through a share merger in which AICB's founders, the Jordan family, will become a shareholder in the joint-company.

The combination brings together proven innovators with a common set of values leading to a mission that places a premium on life-long learning, servanthood, and stewardship. Additionally, both companies thought-leadership in the crane and rigging industry is robust with founders Mike Parnell of ITI and Don Jordan of AICB joining forces.

“We have tremendous respect for Don, Amanda, and the whole AICB team and the company’s commitment to doing things the right way,” said Mike Parnell, co-founder and technical director of ITI. “When we first started to explore the possibilities that eventually led to this merger, we emphasized the value creation opportunity for our customers, and in reality, the industry as a whole. I can honestly say that ITI is in a better position to serve the crane, rigging, and load handling industry now, then we have been at any other point in the company’s 30 years.”

AICB was founded in 2008 by Don Jordan, long-time crane industry veteran and subject-matter expert. Mr. Jordan began his career in the crane and rigging industry in 1973 as an Operating Engineer working in petrochemical environments. He is the former chairman of the Houston Business Roundtable Crane and Rigging Committee and continues to serve the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (nccco.com) as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Rigging Program Management Committee. Mr. Jordan, with daughter Amanda Jordan, VP of Operations, has built an outstanding reputation and team conducting the bulk of their work at the AICB training center in Pearland, Texas. Ms. Jordan has contributed significantly to AICB's growth over the past five years operating the business and delivering courses as well. She will serve as ITI's Regional Director in Houston as the organization aims to bring the Gulf Coast region many new offerings including 15+ courses at ITI's training center at the Houston Area Safety Council in Pasadena, virtual reality (VR) simulators, and online course libraries including ITI's ASME-Approved for CEUs, Fundamentals of Rigging Engineering Program.

“We are extremely excited about this transformative merger and the profound benefits it will bring to our customers, our people and our shareholders," reflected Ms. Jordan. "Both companies have passionate employees who are committed to serving all members of the high-risk load handling industry. The additional scale of the combined company will allow us to continue to push the innovation envelope in order to meet the needs of our customers, and at the end of the day, keep families safe by spreading knowledge within ITI’s curriculum."

Ms. Jordan, along with General Manager, Justin Meade, Office Manager Rosa Gutierrez, will be joining ITI personnel based out of the Houston Area Council Executive Suites, John Hellums, Training Solutions Advisor, and Efren Solis, Instructor.

ITI was founded in 1986 by Mike and Darlene Parnell who still serve the company on a daily basis. The company made a major entry into the Houston region in 2015 when it announced its partnership at the Houston Area Safety Council in Pasadena. With the addition of the AICB team in Houston, ITI will employ over 35 people across North and South America.

ITI President, Zack Parnell shared that, "Our team has big plans for 2017 and beyond. We couldn't be happier to join AICB in Houston as they have built an impeccable reputation and their team adds tremendous human capital value to ITI that will serve our customers at a deeper level in the Gulf Coast and worldwide."