STINIS: A LEGACY OF INNOVATION AND FAMILY IN LIFTING EQUIPMENT SINCE 1830!

Founded in 1830 by Arie Stinis in Krimpen aan de Lek, the Netherlands, Stinis began as a humble blacksmith shop crafting horseshoes and skates for the local community. Over nearly two centuries, the company has transformed into a global leader in container lifting equipment, specialising in the design, manufacture, and servicing of spreaders and custom lifting solutions for ports and terminals worldwide.

The company’s evolution mirrors the advancements in maritime logistics. In 1967, under the leadership of Kees Stinis, the company made a significant leap by introducing its first container spreader, marking its entry into the container handling industry. This innovation was followed by the development of the patented Autotwist spreader in 1989, which automatically locks and unlocks containers, enhancing safety and efficiency. Further innovations include the Long-Twin spreader in 1996, allowing simultaneous handling of two 20-foot containers, and the Split-Headblock in 2001, enabling the lifting of up to four 20-foot containers simultaneously, significantly increasing quay-side productivity.

Despite its global reach, Stinis remains a family-owned business, now in its sixth generation. The company’s ethos emphasises long-term partnerships, trust, and personalised service. Clients are considered part of the Stinis family, receiving continuous support and bespoke solutions tailored to their specific needs.

This commitment to quality and customer-centric approach has solidified Stinis’s reputation as a trusted partner in the maritime industry.

With nearly 200 years of experience, Stinis continues to innovate, driven by a passion for engineering excellence and a dedication to serving the evolving needs of the global shipping and container handling sectors. Read further about Stinis here

In 1989, Stinis developed the patented Autotwist spreader – a robust spreader that automatically locks and unlocks when placed on a container. This spreader type became very popular with shipping lines who put safety first. A Dutch shipping line resold hundreds of Autotwist spreaders in Singapore. This provided the seed for what would become Stinis Asia Pacific.

The demand for spreaders increased as container ports evolved. In response, Stinis launched a number of patented innovations. The single telescopic beam, the ultra-powerful flipper actuator and the Double-Collar twistlock made their appearance. Stinis received international recognition with the introduction of the Stinis Long-Twin in 1996. The Stinis Long-Twin makes it possible to create a 1600 mm distance between two 20’ containers. It has changed terminal activities worldwide. Today the Long-Twin is still the standard for Ship to Shore operations.

In 2008, as part of Stinis continuous growth, Stinis made the strategic decision to expand their production operations from Singapore to Malaysia. 

In 2013 Stinis further enhanced electrical spreaders by creating an electric spreader for ship-to-shore operations. This new electric technology transformed cargo handling and transfer between ships and port terminals.

In 2013, the 6th Generation steps in – with the foundation laid for new growth just in time for the daughters of Kees Stinis to step up and take on duties in the company. Together with their father they make sure that Stinis is ready for the next step into the future.

In 2018, Stinis successfully acquired a new sales office in Singapore, located close to their facility in Malaysia. 

In 2021 Stinis were the first to engineer a revolutionary long-twin container spreader specifically designed for mobile harbour cranes. These spreaders have the container separation capability of up to 1600 mm, setting new industry standards for container handling. 

In 2023 Stinis developed a lightweight chain-driven yard crane spreader specifically designed for all yard operations. The Chain Driven Yard Crane Spreader offers cost savings through its unique design. It can accommodate two spreaders in a single 40 ft. container or flatrack, reducing transportation costs and improving efficiency for our customers. Additionally, this spreader is equipped with an automatic greasing system for smooth and reliable operation, while its chain-driven telescoping system, located on the outside of the spreader, makes maintenance easier and more convenient.