Wing Enterprises is an American company headquartered in
Springville, Utah
Springville is a city in Utah County, Utah, Utah County, Utah that is part of the Provo–Orem metropolitan area. The population was 35,268 in 2020, according to the United States Census. Springville is a bedroom community for commuters who work ...
company, the largest American manufacturer of ladders as of 2005.
The company produces the ''Little Giant Ladder System'', a convertible
aluminium
Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...
ladder
A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used for climbing or descending. There are two types: rigid ladders that are self-supporting or that may be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rollable ladders, such ...
system. The founder of Wing Enterprises,
Harold Ray "Hal" Wing, came across a prototype of the ladder in
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
in the 1970s. He licensed the ladder from the inventor, patented the design in the United States and began manufacturing the ladder in his home and selling it at
trade shows
A trade fair, also known as trade show, trade exhibition, or trade exposition, is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and cu ...
.
Features
The ladder itself is capable of being converted into several heights and configurations from a single ladder. Configurations include a straight or extension ladder, an A-frame ladder, a staircase ladder (an uneven A-frame for use on stairs), a 90° ladder, and both sides of a scaffolding trestle achieved through a triple locking hinge. Each of the ladder positions has three heights in one ladder. The ladder can achieve as many as 24 position/height permutations. The ladder folds to a smaller size for storage. The ladder also has "tip-n-glide" wheels to facilitate movement and positioning.
The Ladder features flared legs for increased stability. Locking, telescoping side rails allow the various height configurations. Trapezoidal rungs create a stable standing surface. They are attached using "double zig-zag" welds.
Models
Little Giants
Type I
*Industrial heavy duty 250 lbs rated
*Available in Model 17 and Model 22
Type IA
*Industrial extra heavy duty 300 lbs rated
*Available in Model 13, Model 17, Model 22 and Model 26
Type IAA
*Industrial special duty 375 lbs rated
*Available in Model 13, Model 17 and Model 22
Ultra Step
*Industrial extra heavy duty 300 lbs rated
*Available in both aluminium and fibreglass versions
*Adjustable from 5 to 8 feet as a single sided stepladder
*Can be used in the parallel (or 90 degree) position against a wall
Industrial Little Giants
SkyScraper
*Industrial extra heavy duty 300 lbs rated
*Available in Model 15 (adjustable 8 to 15 feet), Model 17 (adjustable 9 to 17 feet), and Model 21 (adjustable 11 to 21 feet)
Little Giant Fibreglass
*Industrial extra heavy duty 300 lbs rated
*Made from a special high-quality non-conductive resin
*Available in Model 17 and Model 22
Little Jumbo
Safety Step
*Available in two-step, three-step and four-step models
*Made from rugged, corrosion-resistant aluminium alloy
*Collapse to 5-inch storage depth
References
{{reflist
"Tube time"
External links
Little Giant Ladders Official SiteLittle Giant Ladder Authorized Retailer SiteLittle Giant Ladder UK Official Site
Safety equipment
Manufacturing companies based in Utah
1970s establishments in Utah
Companies based in Utah County, Utah