Jim Chant in the early days
As Chant Engineering marks its 55th anniversary, the company reflects on a legacy of innovation, quality, and family-driven leadership. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global leader in testing and manufacturing machinery, Chant Engineering has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology to meet the needs of diverse industries. This milestone is not just a celebration of the past but also a testament to the company’s forward-thinking vision for the future.
CHANT TODAY: A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO AND GLOBAL REACH
Range of Products
Chant Engineering is renowned for its high-performance testing machinery, particularly in the lifting and rigging industry. However, its product offerings extend far beyond:
- Manufactured Products: Hydraulic testing machinery, proof and break test equipment, wire rope grips, reeling machines, swaging and cutting machines, and load cells are at the core of Chant’s lifting and rigging offerings. These products are essential for ensuring safety and performance in material handling products. Chants testing machines for the lifting and rigging industry are known to be the best on the market, because we do not compromise on quality.
- Test Stands: Aerospace and Military test equipment and related products. Depot maintenance level test equipment as well as downrange rugged equipment designed specifically for the warfighter.
- Distributed Products: Strategic partnerships with companies like DLM and Friedrich Hoppe allow Chant to also distribute specialized equipment and consumable products widely used in industrial, Military and aerospace applications.
In February 2012 L. James Chant steps down as president and Philip Chant steps in as Chant’s new President.
Range of Services
Chant Engineering provides a comprehensive suite of services to support its customers:
- Engineering & Design: Custom-engineered and standard solutions tailored to meet stringent industry standards. Innovative problem solving, saving customers time and money.
- Calibration & Maintenance: As a certified ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited calibration laboratory, this is a cornerstone of Chant’s service offering. Our preventive maintenance programs and long-term calibration programs keep over 600 customers up and running, all over the world. Our service department ensures the equipment remains reliable, accurate and a profit center for all our customers.
- Training & Certification: Chants local and remote operator training programs are designed to empower customers with the knowledge to operate the equipment safely and effectively, ensuring they are as efficient as possible to maximize their profitability.
APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIES SERVED
Chant’s expertise spans multiple sectors:
- Lifting & Rigging: Both standard and custom, state of the art testing machines, swaging and cutting machines, consumable products.
- Subsea and Offshore: Grapnels, loadcells, and testing equipment for underwater and offshore applications
- Military and Aerospace: Robust, precision-engineered testing solutions tailored to very demanding specifications.
- Manufacturing: Complete engineering, fabrication, electrical, hydraulic, paint and assembly all in house and Made in the USA! Certified ISO 9001, AS9100 and ISO17025 quality control department ensuring product reliability and complete traceability in everything we do.
Chant Engineering horizontal test bed with Hydraulic Power Unit.
Scope of Operation
Chant Engineering’s global footprint includes equipment operating in over 40 countries and growing. 2024 was a record year for exports out of the USA and 2025 looks to continue that trend with Europe, Asia and the Middle East leading the way.
While one of the largest machinery manufacturers in the lifting and rigging industry, Chant’s reach into Military, aerospace, and subsea markets continues to grow, underscoring the impact of innovative engineered equipment solutions.
Founding of the Business: A Visionary Beginning
In 1959, Leonard James “Jim” Chant, a young British engineer, immigrated to the United States to join the nascent space program. Settling in Pennsylvania, Jim’s vision for Chant Engineering began with a recognition of the need for reliable testing machinery in the space program as well as other industries. He designed the first Chant test beds, pioneering touch-screen controls well ahead of their time. Despite initial resistance to this innovation, touch screens are now standard on all Chant machinery, exemplifying Jim’s forward-thinking approach.
Chant Engineering created a custom paint design for a customer’s mobile test bed with a tribute to September 11th painted on the side of the machine.
A FAMILY LEGACY
Leadership Evolution
Philip Chant has served as the company’s president since 2012, preserving his father’s vision while fostering growth. Under his leadership, Chant has expanded to over 60 employees and solidified its reputation as the global leader in lifting and rigging machinery market and an innovative solution provider to the Military and Aerospace markets.
The Next Generation
Mason Chant, M.E., the third generation of the family, brings fresh perspectives as Director of Special Projects. His innovative engineering vision ensures that Chant continues to meet and exceed customer expectations, today and well into the future.
Growth and Development
Strategic partnerships with companies like DLM and Friedrich Hoppe have been pivotal in Chant’s evolution. By focusing on customer challenges and leveraging its engineering and service expertise, Chant has maintained its position as a leader in the lifting and rigging world.
Mason Chant inspecting the motor of a guard for a highly customized test machine that he designed.
Staying Ahead in a Dynamic Industry
Chant Engineering remains deeply engaged with industry organizations such as AWRF and WSTDA, staying attuned to emerging trends and challenges. The company’s ability to engineer and build equipment unmatched in the industry highlights its commitment to innovation.
Looking to the Future
Chant Engineering continues to reinvest in the organization for continued success. Chant has exciting new products in development that promise to revolutionize the lifting and rigging industry. Both machinery and consumables, these products will be introduced in 2025 with the same commitment to quality, customer support, and innovation.
What Sets Chant Apart
Chant Engineering’s dedication to American manufacturing and providing cost effective heavy-duty, reliable solutions for production rigging and depot level aerospace and Military shops is a source of pride. As the company continues to expand globally, its focus on customer satisfaction, high quality and value remains paramount.
Philip Chant inspecting a guard for a horizontal test machine.
A Legacy of Excellence
As Chant Engineering celebrates 55 years, it does so with gratitude to its customers, employees, and partners who have contributed to its success. With a rich history and a bright future, Chant Engineering stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability in the lifting and rigging, Military and aerospace industries. It’s been a fun ride so far, here’s to the next 55 years of excellence!
An inside view of Chant Engineering’s office.