Hiab, part of Cargotec, has won a contract to supply 70 loader cranes to Marshalls, the UK's largest manufacturer of hard landscaping materials based in Huddersfield in the UK.
The cranes will be fitted to vehicles supplied by the leasing companies Contract Vehicles Limited, and Ryder, and will replace around 80 percent of Marshalls' fleet. Hiab will also provide a long-term repair and maintenance package. The order has been booked into Cargotec's 2013 third quarter order intake.
Stewart Potter, Group Logistics Director at Marshalls, commenting on the reasons for specifying Hiab equipment, said: "It is important to emphasise that Hiab's investment in research and development over the last few years has meant that they are now the best in their class for technology and driver usability. On a cost versus specification basis, Hiab is very competitive."
Drivers particularly like the ease-of-use, responsiveness, and precision of the radio remote control, which is specified on the cranes. It has no delay, so they feel in touch with the crane, and far safer operating it. The cranes can be remotely controlled from both the ground and a raised standing platform fitted to the crane.
The cranes are also fitted with Hiab's Operator Protector System, which creates a "virtual safety cage" around the driver as soon as he steps onto the operating platform. This prevents the crane from entering the safety cell around the driver, greatly improving safety.
Guy Ripley, Regional Logistics and Fleet Manager at Marshalls, said: "A lightweight but high capacity crane is crucial to us because we need to maximise the payload on the delivery vehicle, without sacrificing the crane's performance. Our Hiab cranes meet the variety of challenging unloading situations we encounter when delivering to builders' merchants, building sites, and residential properties. They are durable and reliable, and the service support is robust. Hiab provides one of the best back-up services across both the UK and Western Europe."
Hiab's National Accounts Manager in the UK John Bailey said: "What is pleasing is that Hiab was the only one to meet the customer's requirements and expectations. It was the combination of product performance and service support that convinced the customer to choose Hiab."
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