Jacksonville-based United Rigging acquired by Ascent Lifting

The maritime and industrial supply companies will merge under the CERTEX USA brand.


  • By Joe Lister
  • | 6:00 p.m. August 6, 2026
  • | 2 Free Articles Remaining!
Ascent Lifting Inc., a full-service distributor and fabricator of lifting and rigging products, said in a news release it acquired United Rigging on July 31.
Ascent Lifting Inc., a full-service distributor and fabricator of lifting and rigging products, said in a news release it acquired United Rigging on July 31.
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A Phoenix-based company announced Aug. 6 it has acquired United Rigging Inc. of Jacksonville, a supplier of maritime and industrial rigging, lifting and fall protection products. 

Ascent Lifting Inc. said in a news release it acquired United Rigging on July 31, its sixth such acquisition. Ascent has 42 locations in the United States operating under the CERTEX USA brand.

A subsidiary of Chicago-based private equity firm Shorehill Capital LLC, Ascent is a full-service distributor and fabricator of lifting and rigging products, including wire rope, chain, synthetic slings and other hardware. Its products serve the agriculture, construction, marine, manufacturing, mining and data center industries.

United Rigging, founded in 1980, will combine with Ascent Lifting’s CERTEX branch in Jacksonville, according to the release. DeWayne Mueller, United Rigging’s former owner, will be the company’s operations manager.

“United Rigging has built a strong reputation for responsive, hands-on service across Florida’s agriculture, construction, marine, manufacturing, and mining markets,” Dee Schweigert, CEO of Ascent Lifting, said in the release. 

“Combining their capabilities with our CERTEX branch in Jacksonville deepens our presence in the region and supports our mission to be the preferred partner in the U.S. rigging industry.”

“For years, our team has focused on quality products and fast, dependable service for our customers,” Mueller said in the release. 

“As part of CERTEX, we’ll be able to serve them even better while continuing the hands-on approach that has defined United Rigging.”

 

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