J.R. Clancy Presents ETCP Training April 24-25

We just received a message from JR Clancy’s marketing department about ETCP training. The official Press Release

Syracuse, NY, March 1— Rigging professionals who have earned Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) credentials—and who are employees of a J. R. Clancy Dealer—can earn renewal credit hours by participating in the ETCP program at J. R. Clancy, Inc., in Syracuse on April 24 and 25, 2009.

Developed by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), ETCP is an industry-wide program of rigorous assessments for professional technicians.  The certification renewal program at J. R. Clancy in April includes training in the proper use and inspection of fall arrest and fall protection equipment, as well as servicing, troubleshooting and maintenance of motorized equipment. Instruction in the use of fixed speed and push button controls will conclude the program.
The ETCP renewal training will be taught by four of the industry’s leading experts in counterweight and motorized rigging:

• Bill Sapsis – president of Sapsis Rigging, is one of the nation’s most recognized experts in theatrical rigging, and an entertainment industry professional for more than 35 years.
• Pete Svitavskyis an applications engineer with J. R. Clancy and the company’s in-house PE; his practical experience includes many years as a carpenter before he became a leading rigging system designer for Clancy.
• Larry Eschelbacher has designed control systems and written software for hundreds of motorized rigging systems worldwide as manager of the controls department at Clancy.
• Pete Schmitt has been with SEW-Eurodrive since the company’s U.S.  introduction of its gearmotors and drives—now the standards in the industry— in 1976.

Space in the program is limited to 25 people. To register, call Marilyn Larsen at J. R. Clancy, 800-836-1885, ext. 322, or email her at marilynlarsen@jrclancy.com.  The registration deadline is March 25.

J.R. Clancy Issued Patent for SureGrip Rope

We received a message from J.R. Clancy today that the US Patent Office has issued Patent 7,461,500 to J. R. Clancy for a “System of Determining Wear to Rigging System Lines” or more commonly known as SureGrip™ rope. This is the only theatrical rope with a wear indicator to tell users when the rope should be replaced.

From the J. R. Clancy Press Release:

SureGrip™ was developed by J.R. Clancy specifically to address the safety concerns of worn hand lines.  Excessive wear is indicated by a “telltale” red thread woven into the rope – when red threads are visible, it’s time to replace the line.

“Theatre safety is important to us,” said Bob Theis, President of J. R. Clancy “and the development of SureGrip is part of our ongoing work to reduce risk backstage.”

In addition to the patented wear indicator, the rope contains an identifying ribbon with Clancy’s name, contact information, and year of manufacture.   A pair of “Clancy green” marker threads on the exterior of the rope indicates that it’s Clancy’s SureGrip.

SureGrip™ is available in 3/4” diameter in either white or black and has a breaking strength of 10,000 pounds; more than double that of manila line.  The familiar 3-strand twist construction is traditional in rigging hand lines.  However, unlike the traditional manila rope, its synthetic blend resists rot or stretch from environmental factors such as heat or humidity.

To learn more about the J. R. Clancy SureGrip rope or to locate a dealer near you, visit their website at www.jrclancy.com.