Member Article

Nicholson?s crane division is aiming high

A former British Army Sergeant is helping to lift a transport company’s mobile crane division to new heights.

Mark Cook spent 22 years in the Green Howards specialising in plant and logistics, before joining Nicholson’s Transport earlier this year.

The Billingham-based business has invested £200,000 in new Hiab machinery in 2012 and is hoping Mark can help establish Nicholson’s as the region’s leading Hiab crane operator.

He said: “When I was with the Army in Afghanistan, I was working on some huge projects, rebuilding camps and lifting various aircraft engines, satellite communication dishes and concrete blast walls.

“The Army put me through all of the relevant qualifications and when I left after a full career in 2010, I knew this was the sector I wanted to work in. Nicholson’s has given me a great opportunity and we’re very confident of significantly growing this side of the business.”

Nicholson’s Hiab service has been the backbone of the business for more than 20 years, with a range of front and rear-mounted cranes providing machinery moves, remote site deliveries, contract lifts and engineering project support.

The business has seen an increase in demand from customers within the energy and utilities sector, particularly lifting equipment into gas pipelines and electrical control panels into wind farms and electricity sub stations.

Mark, from Newton Aycliffe, added: “The advantage of Hiab cranes is their flexibility; allowing work in small confined spaces and providing accessibility to remote sites and lifts. We’ve carried out some really unusual job requests, such as lifting a large container out of an allotment and placing it in the client’s rear garden, and we’ve also moved private boats out of marinas, no two jobs are the same.

“It’s a highly skilled and qualified role. There are a lot of tight positions that we operate in, so there are always awkward jobs, and increasingly every job has its own health and safety issues that require on the spot risk assessments to make sure everything is being done correctly.”

Nicholson’s Transport is aiming to increase its Hiab fleet from three vehicles to five in the coming year as it picks up additional work from new markets and sectors. The business carries out a site survey for every job and all Hiab operators are highly experienced with the relevant qualifications.

Managing Director David Nicholson said: “We aim to significantly grow our Hiab business, bringing in new staff and growing the fleet to become the region’s leading operator.

“Large contractors are looking to cut costs so they don’t tend to have their own Hiab teams and we have been able to capitalise on those opportunities. Having qualified personnel such as Mark, with significant experience means we are very well placed to grow the Hiab division.”

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