Member Article

Mechan welcomes anniversary visit from local MP

Sheffield Labour MP, Clive Betts, has paid local rail maintenance equipment specialist, Mechan, a special visit to mark its 50th anniversary.

As Mr Betts was unable to attend the firm’s official celebrations, he was invited to a private tour of its offices and workshop in the Darnall area of the city.

The Sheffield South East MP was greeted by Mechan managing director, Andrew Mott, financial director, Zahir Altaf and sales manager, Lindsey Mills, who explained the history of the firm. Mr Betts was also able to view some of the depot equipment currently under production, including a set of lifting jacks, a bogie drop, destined for the Cairo Metro and a bespoke traverser.

Andrew Mott said: “We were honoured Mr Betts paid us a visit to help mark our milestone anniversary. He is clearly very interested in transport issues and spoke with obvious knowledge about key UK projects, such as HS2, tram trains and the future of the industry. Mechan extended its usual warm welcome to our VIP guest and it was a pleasure to give him a tour of our workshop, where he was able to see first-hand the sheer size and scale of the equipment we produce.”

Mechan was founded in 1969 to serve Sheffield’s steel sector. Its first rail car lifting jacks were launched in 1990 and they now stand sentry in some of the most advanced depots in the world. Just two years ago, the firm joined French rail infrastructure group, CIM, which has subsequently been acquired by Belgium’s CMI.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nina Sorby .