09.02.2026

New compliance manager for RSS

UK lifting and rigging equipment supplier Rope and Sling Specialists - RSS - has appointed Bob McFarlane as engineering and compliance manager.
He joins the company from the mechanical and industrial engineering company Lloyds British, where he has spent the past 25 years as site services and was also technical manager.
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Bob McFarlane

He will be based at the RSS Netherton depot, near Dudley, west of Birmingham, and report to depot manager Paul Smith.

Managing director and owner Steve Hutin said: "I've known Bob for more than three decades. When he became available, we had to act quickly to secure the recruitment, given his background and experience. We are at an exciting dawn of an era where digitalisation and compliance technology will transform the way lifting and rigging gear is supplied, used, inspected and serviced - and Bob's addition will be of incalculable value as we look to pioneer these positive changes in our supply chains."
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Steve Hutin

McFarlane added: "With truly national coverage, supported by experienced managers, competent engineers and inspectors, the business's testing, examination and compliance services are positioned for further growth. As digitalisation and compliance technology further shape our industry, we will continue to support this transformation from local depots close to the point of use - some of which are well established and others that will be opened over the coming months.”

“I am extremely impressed with the way RSS has identified new products and placed innovation at the centre of ongoing expansion, in a marketplace where some companies have contracted in recent years."

Hutin acquired RSS in 2006, having worked for the company from 1998 to 2002. As owner he turned it from a regional lifting and rigging gear supplier in South Wales, into a national lifting and ‘below the hook’ equipment supplier, operating from 11 locations from Plymouth in the southwest as far north as Edinburgh in Scotland. In 2023 Dutch company Prolift Holding took a majority stake in the business.