Having already invested in a new £380k on a new Nooteboom trailer and Versa-Lift 40/60 forklift, heavy machinery moving specialists Joseph Merritt Group PLC, of Kirkby, has taken delivery of a new fully-electric cabin cruiser crane.

The JMG MC 580 crane cost £400,000 and has been imported from the Italian manufacturer as part of a continuous programme of investment to ensure Merritts has a modern fleet of vehicles and equipment to safely carry out heavy machinery transportation, movement and installation projects.

Director, Richard Merritt said: “Over recent months, we have experienced a significant increase in demand for heavy machinery moving services from ‘clean’ industries such as food and pharmaceutical manufacturing where hygiene and cleanliness are of paramount importance. We also expect demand to be high for long term hire in key sectors such as aerospace, defence, machine tools and nuclear.

 “JMG electric pick and carry cranes are state of the art. The crane’s unique componentry enables it to perform tasks which would otherwise require larger and more expensive lifting equipment, and its compact dimensions allow access to congested factory sites with ease.”

The crane will be available for long or short term hire throughout the UK and will be accompanied by a fully-trained operator. As well as helping to expand their service offering, Merritts will also be better equipped to meet the unique demands of machinery manufacturers, agents, distributors, and manufacturing companies operating in other industries such as automotive, furnaces and ovens, and plastics and rubber.

Joseph Merritt Group PLC is a 99-year-old family owned business, which employs a team of 45 personnel who work from a fully-equipped storage and bonded warehousing facility based in Kirkby.