YOKE BlueSupra Wins in Environment Category at Lifting Africa Awards

YOKE Industrial Corp.’s BlueSupra digital chips won the Environment Award at the inaugural Lifting Africa Awards, which were presented on 29 August at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa.

September 10, 2025

The awards were organised by Lifting Africa, a media platform dedicated to Africa’s lifting and material handling industry. The Environment Award recognised a concept that significantly contributes to environmental protection, sustainability, and conservation. The awards more broadly recognised innovation and leadership in the lifting industry.

As judges concurred, through utilisation of BlueSupra, end users of lifting and other equipment can keep up with today’s rigorous requirements. By moving to paperless systems, companies can improve the accuracy of maintenance, safety checks, incident reports, and regulatory compliance, while supporting seamless information sharing.

Steven Hong, president at YOKE, said: “It was an honour for BlueSupra to be recognised by such an esteemed panel of judges in a region that is of the utmost importance to us. Long before BlueSupra can be put to industry — or nominated for any awards — countless hours of work were put in by multiple teams at the company on digital chip technology meaning that today, every user with a mobile phone capable of paying a bill now also has the ability to check a component for identity and safe use.

“It’s clear why the concept scored so highly against the criteria of contributing to environmental protection, sustainability, and conservation.”

Surita Marx, managing director of Lifting Africa, said: “The awards shine a spotlight on the visionaries, trailblazers, and unsung heroes driving our industry forward. Every winner and finalist represent a story of perseverance, innovation, and dedication. We are proud to honour individuals and companies whose commitment continues to raise the bar for safety, sustainability and technical excellence.”

ESPR-ready Digital Product Passports

The award was timely recognition of YOKE’s SupraNano digital chips, which can be pressure-fitted directly into steel or retrofitted to snatch blocks and other products using tags. The manufacturer’s complete range of lifting and rigging products are now equipped with Digital Product Passports (DPP), as industry conforms to the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

YOKE’s expansive catalogue includes Grade 80 and Grade 100 lifting chain fittings; swivel hoist hooks; shackles; angular contact swivels; wire rope clips; and lifting points. It integrates a digital chip within every item, allowing end users to utilise a DPP throughout a product’s life — and much more.

A DPP is a data management tool that records a product’s lifecycle information, including material composition, energy performance, maintenance guidelines, and recycling methods. A DPP, therefore, promotes compliance and transparency, while improving resource efficiency and supporting circular economy goals.

YOKE has campaigned for digital chips and Software as a Service (SaaS) to be more widely utilised by the lifting industry for many years — and remains dedicated to simplifying and digitalising the processes around compliance and traceability for equipment management. While regulations are now giving momentum to much wider acceptance, YOKE is ahead of the curve.

Hong added: “We continue to focus on the development of Africa. We have enjoyed strong support in the mining and manufacturing industries in South Africa and see similar results in Namibia, Egypt, and West Africa. Not only do we see growth in our traditional markets, but further expansion into sectors such as oil and gas, automotive, and construction.”

YOKE is well represented in the region, with a leadership team including Marelize du Toit, sales director; Shaun Bruwer, technical sales manager; and Richard Oldknow, consultant.