News

Commitment to SED 2011

01/07/2010

Following the cancellation of the 2010 event, we have committed to the 2011 show at the SED site in Corby.

The show is the best opportunity to promote our crane sales division however it has also proved popular in the past for enquiries for used equipment, crane hire and operator training.

For more information on the show see www.sed365.com/

For details of our crane sales see www.ladybirdcranesales.co.uk/

Tower Crane Register

01/05/2010

From 6 April 2010 all 'conventional' tower cranes on building sites in the UK have to be notified to the HSE. As the owner of a tower crane, Ladybird Crane Hire has a legal duty to notify the HSE of a crane's installation under the Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010. The aim of the register is to improve the safe use of such tower cranes and to help reassure anyone concerned about their safety.

Our range of top-slewing City Cranes are subject to this legislation however our Self-Erecting Cranes are excluded.

For more information about the scheme please see www.craneregister.org.uk

Fire Rescue Training

01/03/2010

A Ladybird MC68 tower crane was recently the centre of attention in Plymouth.

The local fire brigade used the crane, erected on a Leadbitter site, to practise their rescue procedures for recovering an injured person from height. They lowered a dummy using a harness system and also in a full stretcher.

The training was carried out on a Saturday and Ladybird provided an engineer to inspect the crane prior to the exercise taking place. The sun was shining and it was a great day for photo opportunities!

New for 2010 - Appointed Person Training Courses & CPCS Tests

25/01/2010

As part of our focus on providing a complete service to our customers, LBCH is now able to offer Appointed Person Training at its Training School.

Our training course is designed to train candidates in preparation for the CPCS test which can also be offered at our CPCS Accredited Test Centre.

Both courses are run over 4 days and the Appointed Person CPCS test, if required, is on the 5th day. A grant to cover the cost of the tests and a proportion of the training fee is available to full CITB levy payers.

CALL NOW FOR COURSE AVAILABILITY AND PRICES.

First NVQ's completed.

21/09/2009

Ladybird Training Facility Since our approval as a CPCS test centre in 2008 we have tested many operators in both the A40 Slinger/Signaller category and the A63 Pedestrian Operated Crane Driver Category. Once the tests have been completed, candidates are enrolled on the NVQ program which is the only route to progress from a CPCS red card to a CPCS blue card.

Funding for NVQ's is available for companies that pay the CITB levy.

Anyone interested in further details of our CPCS courses or to enrol on the NVQ should contact Sarah at our head office.

Company celebrates Long-Service Awards

30/06/2009

Two long standing employees reached landmark anniversaries in June 2009. Jackie Carpenter in accounts and Peter Barrett in the field celebrated 30 years and 25 years of working for the company respectively. The company has not always been focused on crane hire but it is the same company that was started 33 years ago serving the construction sector. The occasion was marked with a celebratory lunch for the whole company. Whilst Jackie is retiring soon, Peter is hoping to complete another 25 years before he retires!

Aberdeen work continues

01/06/2009

Our Potain MCT68 City Crane has continued is love affair with Aberdeen moving across town to work on a new apartment block for Barratt Homes.

The MCT68 is the first topless version of the MC68 in the UK and can lift 1.1 tons at 46m; it has a 3.0 ton maximum lift. The crane is positioned in the centre of town with a great view over the docks. More Photos

SED 2009

19/05/2009

GAPO Demonstration at SED 2009 Ladybird exhibited at the SED for the third consecutive year to promote both crane sales and crane hire. It was also the first time that the Gavarini GAPO towing system has been exhibited in the UK.

The show generated excellent interest from visitors looking to save money on up coming projects by turning to pedestrian operated cranes to solve their material handling issues.

The GAPO machine really caught the imagination and was demonstrated on request many times over the show. The GAPO allows cranes to be safely, quickly and cost effectively installed using its four wheel steering capability.

For more information on crane sales go to www.ladybirdcranesales.co.uk

The Impossible Installation?

28/02/2009

LBCH installed an IGO21 self-erecting crane on the end of the harbour in Mevagissey, Cornwall The installation was only possible due to LBCH’s investment in the latest technology to allow us to 4 wheel steer the crane through the narrow Cornish streets. Click the attached link to see exactly how the job was done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEnKZb5D6kg

Ladybird Crane Hire – New Transport System Demonstration Day

12/01/2009

Self-propelled machine for moving Self-Erecting Tower Cranes

GAPO Open Day Ladybird Crane Hire ran a demonstration day for a revolutionary new machine for moving Self-Erecting Tower Cranes on 12 January at their offices in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

The machine being demonstrated is a newly available self-propelled, four wheel steering transport system. Ladybird Crane Hire is the first company to have invested in this technology and ran a demonstration day to promote the benefits of the machine to customers and other crane owners with a view to hiring out the machine in the future.

The ‘GAPO’ has been developed over a period of 8 years by one of Italy’s major distributors and hirers of Potain tower cranes. The unit was created to improve the speed and safety of installation and removal of self-erecting cranes which can be difficult to install in particularly tight sites and on difficult terrain.

GAPO Open Day The system is composed of two independent hydrostatically driven wheels mounted either side of the engine and a hydraulic arm that connects to the crane capable of lifting 10 tons. The unit also has an auxiliary hydraulic circuit which is used for steering the rear wheels. In this way the machine can turn cranes in their own length and even drive them sideways. To date the ‘GAPO’ has been used on a number of jobs which would have otherwise required a large mobile crane.

The day passed smoothly with everyone being amazed at the capabilities of the machine and registering interest in either hiring or buying one. Ladybird Crane Hire will continue to market the ‘GAPO’ and intend to demonstrate it to a wider audience at the SED show in May. In the meantime they are looking for wider applications for the machine for use in transport yards and marinas.

Early Christmas Present for Installation Team

01/12/2008

In December we took delivery of a brand new transport system, the first of its type in the UK. Developed in Italy, the ‘GAPO’ is a radio remote controlled, motorised, self-propelled, 4 wheel steering transport system. The unit has been designed to improve the speed, safety and manoeuvrability of our cranes during the installation and dismantle process.

To date the GAPO has already proved its worth by reaching previously inaccessible positions without the need for a mobile crane. This has saved the customer money and has improved our speed and efficiency on site.

Click here for more information on the benefits of our new machine

New addition to the Ladybird family

01/11/2008

The news of importance in November is the announcement of the birth of Isla Bird.

She dropped in at a happy 7lbs13oz and so far has appeared very interested in the details of the family business.

Ladybird invest for the future - October 2008

13/10/2008

LBCH is committed to the future of promoting the benefits of self-erecting tower cranes in the UK market. As part of this commitment we have invested in our yard and support facilities and as part of our programme we have taken delivery of a 30 ton capacity industrial hoist. The hoist will enable us to handle all of our range of cranes onto trailers, transport systems and site axles and improve our productivity and turn around times in the yard.

More SETC Photos

Training Centre given CPCS accreditation

30/09/2008

LBCH has gained accreditation as a CPCS approved training centre. Our training centre and trainers have met the high standards set by the CPCS and this allows us to offer top quality training in a highly specialised area of construction.

Our accreditation allows us to offer CPCS tests for a range of tower crane related skills including:

Slinger/Signaller courses (CPCS - A40)
Pedestrian Operated Tower Crane driver (CPCS – A63).

Our experienced instructors work closely together to ensure that candidates have the best possibility of passing the theory and practical tests as set by the CPCS.

All tests will be monitored by the CPCS to ensure that standards are maintained and to ensure that the candidate has a fair test, which due to the specifications and the complexity of the tests, will be conducted at the Ladybird Test Centre

For more information on our training services Click Here

For more information on the CPCS scheme see: www.cskills.org/centreandschool/cpcs/cpcs-new.aspx

First MCT68 in the UK erected in Aberdeen

25/07/2008

Potain MCT68 in Aberdeen The ever popular MC68 has been updated to be a topless crane that does not require tie bars. This allows installations to be carried out more quickly and reduces the boom height required for the mobile crane.

LBCH have purchased the first MCT68 to be erected in the UK and only the 3rd machine of its type to be produced. The MCT68 has a maximum lift of 3 tons and a maximum reach of 46m. This addition brings the number of topless tower cranes in the hire fleet to 17, being a mixture of Potain and Terex-Comedil machines, and the total fleet to 80 cranes.

The crane has been installed in Aberdeen for Banchory Contractors with a 30m jib and 20m of mast.

Ladybird fly the flag at SED 2008

05/05/2008

Ladybird at the SED Ladybird Crane Sales exhibited a 30m reach self-erecting tower crane and a 40m reach top-slewing city crane at the SED show in May. The stand attracted people from across the industry who were interested in both buying and hiring pedestrian operated tower cranes. For more information on crane sales go to www.ladybirdcranesales.co.uk

First 50m reach tower crane enters hire fleet

28/04/2008

In response to strong customer demand we have expanded our range of pedestrian operated tower cranes to include the 50m reach top slewing MCT88.

The crane is the big brother of the ever popular MC68 and is able to lift 1.4 tons at 50m and has a 5.0 ton maximum lift. The crane can be supplied with a cab or a radio remote; it is the largest that can be legally operated this way.

The first crane has been erected on an Octagon Developments site in Twickenham.

New Operations Manager appointed

07/01/2008

Owing to our continued growth and desire to offer customers and our suppliers market leading service and support, LBCH has created a new Operations Manager position focusing on service and maintenance. Our new man, Richard, has had years of experience in the lift industry, dealing with service delivery at many levels and in more recent years has specialized on regulatory and operational audit compliance. He is already a valued part of the team here and is aiming to take the company towards an ISO9001-2000 Certification.

Fleet reaches 75 cranes

01/10/2007

Continued demand for our pedestrian operated cranes has led to our fleet expanding to 75 units. Demand has been strong across all sizes of cranes however particularly strong demand has led to growth in the top slewing sector which now makes up one third of our fleet. All of the fleet is new with no crane being more than 6 years old.

Supporting the Serpentine Gallery – July 2007

01/09/2007

Ladybird worked with Bovis Lend Lease to build the 2007 Serpentine Gallery Pavillion. This is an event to support new architects and we were delighted to be involved in this unique project. A self-erecting crane was requested by the German builders to assemble the complex steel structure and panelling. In line with all the contractors on site our services were freely given and we look forward to helping again next year.

Lighthouse Club

01/09/2007

Ladybird Crane Hire has made a commitment to be a corporate sponsor to the Lighthouse Club. The Lighthouse Club Benevolent Fund is the construction industry charity supporting supporting those whose lives are affected by accidents at work. We are proud to be a part of this worthwhile cause and look forward to continuing our support in the future.

The Lighthouse Club Logo

Ladybird reaches Scotland

01/07/2007

Ladybird Crane Hire has erected its first cranes in Scotland over the summer. The first crane was used to assist in demolition work at the Usher Theatre in central Edinburgh and the second crane is being used for a new build in Aberdeen.

First CTT51 in hire fleet

01/04/2007

After continued growth in the demand for top slewing, radio remote control, cranes we have purchased and erected our first Terex-Comedil CTT51. The crane is erected on a Willmott Dixon site in Swindon where it is working on the refurbishment of the town library.

The CTT51 will lift 1,000kgs at 40m and stands on 1.0m mast; this makes it ideal for standing inside lift shafts.

More Photos

Terex-Comedil enters hire fleet - February 2007

01/03/2007

In order to grow the hire fleet efficiently Ladybird Crane Hire has moved to a mixed fleet of Potain and Terex-Comedil products. The first Terex-Comedil self-erecting crane was delivered directly to site in Wimbledon. The crane is CBR24 Plus which has a 24m reach jib and a choice of single or three phase power. The crane is being used to construct a new private house and is being folded down each day to avoid over-sailing restrictions.

First on-site CPCS Training Course - January 2007

01/02/2007

As leaders in the field of pedestrian operated crane hire, Ladybird has been at the forefront of setting the standards for training in the industry. Our trainers are amongst only a few that are CPCS qulaified in the UK and in January delivered the first on-site CPCS 'Pedestrian Operated Tower Crane Driver' course to Laing O'Rourke at their site in Swansea. The course covers five days and can take up to three operators. Since then, further courses have been run for Willmott Dixon, Interserve and Galliford Try.

Dartmouth - Floating Crane

10/01/2007

As a specialist in self-erecting cranes, Ladybird Crane Hire has always been able to achieve the seemingly impossible. This is exemplified by a project in Dartmouth for Midas Homes. The challenge was to build a new home by the river with access only from the river. The solution was to site an IGO21, 26m reach self-erecting crane, on a raft jacked up on the bed of the river. The logistics of achieving this involved a number of mobile crane lifts, barges and tugs however the installation went smoothly and the crane was operational at the beginning of December 2006. The job is set to run for 18 months. More Photos

Ladybird Crane Hire - Website Relaunch

15/03/2006

Ladybird Crane Hire relaunch their website, reflecting the continued success of the company.

Self Erecting Crane - In Use At Houses Of Parliament

01/01/2006

A Ladybird Self Erecting Crane is used at the Palace of Westminster (UK Parliament) to help carry out improvement to the surrounding grounds. One of the reasons for choosing a Ladybird Self Erecting Crane is that it will not damage the ground of this "World Heritage Site".

How The Enterprise Was Created

01/01/2004

Ladybird Crane Hire was founded in 2004.

Self erecting cranes have been in use on the continent for many years but were a technology unknown in the UK.

Self erecting cranes make it possible to use a crane on smaller builds compared to conventional cranes. This is possible because of the comparitively lower transportation, installation and operational costs as well as the small on site footprint.

Check here for Ladybird Crane Hire company news, self erecting crane news, jib crane news, tower crane news, lifting equipment news.

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