Operating in the Black

OUR APPROACH

GUIDED BY OUR PRINCIPLES AND CORE BELIEFS

Every great company shares a common foundation—people united by purpose. Operating in the Black explores how shared values, discipline, and accountability create not just financial success, but a culture of integrity and excellence. Written by Americrane CEO Jim Robertson, the book reflects decades of leadership experience and lessons learned from building strong teams and resilient businesses. It serves as both a guide and a philosophy for achieving lasting success through trust, communication, and consistency. At its heart, Operating in the Black is about more than profit—it’s about doing the right things, for the right reasons, and creating a company culture that empowers everyone to succeed.
crane rental company operating procedures Americrane Operating in the Black San Antonio

Our 7 Guiding Principles

Every Team Partner at Americrane operates by the same set of principles, laid out by CEO Jim Robertson in “Operating in the Black.” They’re the foundation of how we work, on every job, every day.

1. Safety (Always First)

Safety isn’t a priority, because priorities change. Safety is our First Guiding Principle and the foundation on which we operate — for our team and for the public.

2. Service

With 24/7 crane dispatch, Americrane is the mobile crane rental company contractors trust and call when it’s needed most. Customer feedback drives our internal quality systems, helping us improve and respond with precision.

3. Integrity

Integrity is the foundation of everything we do — rooted in honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior at every level of our organization. Every Team Partner is held to the same standard.

4. Attitude

A positive attitude spreads. The two things in life you can always control are your attitude and your effort — and at Americrane, that mindset shapes how we show up for every customer and every project.

5. Community

Giving back isn’t a checkbox at Americrane — it’s a calling. Our commitment to the communities we work in is rooted in action, not recognition, from supporting youth programs to honoring veterans.

6. Professionalism

We hold ourselves to the highest standards in behavior, communication, and appearance. First impressions open the door; professionalism keeps it open.

7. Continuous Improvement

Excellence isn’t a destination, it’s an ongoing process. Yesterday was good. Today is great. Tomorrow will be even better.

“There is a common denominator to companies operating a safe, efficient, and profitable business — the people. Having a team with a set of shared values, goals, attitudes, and practices is extraordinarily powerful. Our culture defines who we are. It is the heartbeat of our organization.”

Jim Robertson, CEO/President

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Operating in the Black"?

“Operating in the Black” is Americrane’s company culture philosophy, written by CEO Jim Robertson. It outlines the guiding principles — safety, service, integrity, attitude, community, professionalism, and continuous improvement — that every Team Partner at Americrane is committed to.

Americrane operates by seven guiding principles: Safety, Service, Integrity, Attitude, Community, Professionalism, and Continuous Improvement. Together, they define how the team approaches every project, every customer, and every day of work.

Americrane treats safety as a foundation, not a changing priority. Every policy and practice is built around keeping the team and the public safe, and that commitment shapes every other decision the company makes.

Americrane refers to its employees as Team Partners, reflecting the belief that everyone contributes directly to the company’s success and shares in its mission, not just its workload.

“Operating in the Black” was written by Americrane CEO and President Jim Robertson, drawing on decades of leadership experience in the crane and construction industry.