UNIC CRANES EUROPE UNVEILS DA VINCI CHAPEL AFTER 13 YEARS
UNIC Cranes Europe, in collaboration with specialist demolition contractors, MacWilliam Demolition, earned its place in history by helping to restore the famous 560-year-old Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian. A large metal canopy had hidden most of the exterior view of the famous chapel for thirteen years.

Over the last six weeks, a UNIC Cranes URW-706 mini crane has been helping to carefully remove tens of tonnes of steel from the historic chapel made famous by the novel and blockbuster film, The Da Vinci Code.

The canopy was erected 13 years ago by the Rosslyn Chapel Trust to prevent ingress of water through the roof. The original roof has been letting rain through for hundreds of years and it had caused decay. The steel canopy has now been removed, revealing the chapel in all its glory, complete with a new roof covering.

UNIC Cranes was called upon because of the problem of restricted access in the grounds of the chapel. The grave stones and trees made it necessary to utilize the unique capabilities of the UNIC URW-706 mini crane, which was able to manoeuvre around the tight spaces of the grounds, yet had sufficient reach to clear the height of the roof.

Graeme Riley, CEO of UNIC Cranes Europe, commented: “This was an extremely delicate and painstaking job. However, even our biggest and strongest mini crane, the URW-706, proved dainty enough for the task! UNIC Cranes Europe is also extremely proud to have participated in restoring such a beautiful and historic chapel back to its former glory.”

These works are part of an ongoing £9million conservation and access project supported by Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland, numerous trusts, private donors, and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

To view the full range of UNIC Cranes Europe’s mini spider cranes for sale and hire, visit www.uniccranes.com.

UNIC Cranes Europe is part of The GGR Group, which consists of seven brands –UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Glass, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Cladding, GGR Rail and now GGR Gulf. The GGR Group is currently Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment for sale and hire, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

To view the whole GGR Group range and to speak to us about all of our services, please visit www.ggrgroup.com

END

GGR EXPANDS PRODUCT RANGE WITH OKTOPUS® AND INTRODUCES NEW CLADDING BRAND
Lifting solution specialists, The GGR Group, has extended its product range and added new brand GGR Cladding to its existing leading brands.

The GGR Group has taken over distribution of the Wirth GmbH brand, OKTOPUS®. The range consists of cladding lifters, including forklift mounted lifters and a range of suction frames.

The addition of the new products and launch of GGR Cladding will offer customers even more choice for purchase and hire and increased capability for installing large-format roofing, wall, ceiling and façade panels made of sandwich, profiled sheeting and glass. A brand new website will host the new range at www.ggrcladding.com

The OKTOPUS® cladding lifters available from GGR cladding can handle panels of up to 22 metres in length and up to 600kgs in weight. 180° movement also allows overhead cladding and a vast range of suction frames are available for various cladding construction purposes. GGR Cladding will encompass GGR’s existing cladding product, the Clad King, a dual circuit cladding lifter.

The OKTOPUS® range offers an entirely new generation of vacuum lifting equipment which can be used as a crane and forklift attachment as well as for installing vertical and horizontal wall panels thanks to its revolving suction bridge. This means that even extremely heavy sandwich panels can be easily lifted from their transport position to their installation position. The electric-hydraulic pivoting function also allows panels to be rotated 180°, offering a solution to the problem of installing alternately facing panels straight from transportation.

Within the range of glass vacuum lifters, GGR will now offer the industry’s slimmest rotatable machine. With a height of only 140mm, the OKTOPUS® machine is able to install and rotate by 360° even in an area with only 30cm wide clearance between the scaffold and the façade. The new vacuum glass lifters being added to GGR Glass’s range have capacities from 150 kg to 3000kgs and are a selection of both “in-line” and “cluster style” machines.

All of the OKTOPUS® vacuum lifters are battery powered and therefore completely self-sufficient. Bespoke designs which operate using mains or emergency power can also be developed upon request.

The OKTOPUS® equipment also includes a sophisticated safety system, which constantly monitors the condition of the vacuum circuit and batteries. Visual and audio warning signals give an early indication of deviations from normal conditions. A large reserve vacuum system maintains load bearing capacities even in the event of a loss of power, so that there is enough time to safely deposit the load once an alarm goes off.

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of GGR commented: “GGR has worked hard to achieve its position as number one in the glass lifting industry and we feel it’s a natural progression to expand into the cladding market. We already have some experience in this market, with our Clad King machine, and this is definitely something we can build on.

It was a pleasure and a surprise to be approached by Holger Schadwinkel, from Wirth as the OKTOPUS® equipment offers the versatility and meets the standards our customers have come to expect from GGR. It was a natural partnership. The launch of GGR Cladding will also see the introduction of a dedicated sales team, to focus on our new cladding projects.”

Holger Schadwinkel, Managing Director at OKTOPUS®, also commented: “Due to GGR’s outstanding success and experience as the UK’s market leaders in vacuum lifting and specialist solutions, GGR was the obvious choice to represent OKTOPUS® in the UK. Wirth has wanted to collaborate with GGR for some time and feel that now is the right time to bring the two companies together. The OKTOPUS® range perfectly complements GGR’s range of already great products and we’re extremely pleased to combine our products with theirs.”

GGR Cladding is now the seventh brand to be added to the GGR Group - GGR Glass, UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Rail, GGR Gulf and GGR Cladding. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

www.ggrgroup.com

END


Further information on Wirth OKTOPUS®

• All Wirth OKTOPUS® installation systems comply with accident prevention regulations and the Machinery Directive and bear the CE marking.
• All of the OKTOPUS® vacuum lifters fulfill BS EN 13155 requirements. Accordingly, all of the OKTOPUS® vacuum lifting systems developed for use on construction sites have two independent vacuum circuits.

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH FOR UNIC CRANES EUROPE
Date of issue: July 2010

UNIC Cranes Europe, Europe’s leading supplier of mini spider cranes, took on a mountainous challenge in Switzerland recently. Swiss telecommunications company, Swisscom, hired a UNIC Cranes Europe URW-706, to dismantle antennae atop Mount Jungfraujoch.
The mountain, South of Interlaken, Switzerland, is 3697 metres high meaning the crane had to be dismantled, sent up the mountain by helicopter and reassembled on site. The URW-706 will remain up Mount Jungfraujoch for three to four months, after which the crane will have to be disassembled once more and taken back down the mountain by helicopter.
Graeme Riley, CEO of UNIC Cranes Europe, commented: “This is exactly the sort of job that UNIC’s mini spider cranes are perfect for. UNIC Cranes Europe has carved itself a niche operating in such near impossible circumstances. Often people don’t realise the capabilities and true flexibility of UNIC mini spider cranes. You’d be hard pushed to find a job we won’t attempt!”
To view the full range of UNIC Cranes Europe’s mini spider cranes as well as the full list of international dealers of UNIC mini cranes, visit www.uniccranes.com
UNIC Cranes Europe is part of The GGR Group, which consists of seven brands –UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Glass, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Cladding, GGR Rail and now GGR Gulf. The GGR Group is currently Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.
To view the whole GGR Group range and to speak to us about all of our services, please visit www.ggrgroup.com

GGR GROUP GOES GLOBAL WITH GGR GULF
Date of issue: July 2010

GGR Group, Europe’s leading lifting specialist has extended its reach and expanded into the Middle East with the launch of GGR Gulf.
GGR Gulf will offer customers in the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and across the Gulf region, specialist restricted access lifting equipment.
UNIC mini spider cranes and vacuum lifters will make up GGR Gulf’s innovative range of equipment. Compact enough to fit through standard doorways for internal access, yet with the reach and strength of much larger machines, GGR Gulf’s mini cranes are capable of lifting 0.995t to 6t with a reach of up to 23m. GGR Gulf’s self-contained vacuum lifters are capable of lifting glass and composite panels of up to 2000kg with ease.
GGR has a wealth of experience in a huge variety of industries including construction, aviation, offshore and railway infrastructure. The lifting specialist has previously worked on large scale projects in the UK and across Europe such Houses of Parliament, the Tate Modern, Oxford University, The Royal Opera House and Heathrow Airport, amongst others, and will be bringing this expertise to its work in the Gulf region.
Gary Jones, Project Manager of GGR Gulf, commented: “Despite the general slowdown in construction due to the financial crisis, there is still a certain confidence and ample opportunity in the Gulf region. Having worked on everything from large scale commercial buildings to aviation engineering and maintenance, GGR’s lifting equipment and industry expertise is perfect for this area. Our specialism lifting in restricted access environments – which has lead us to work down narrow man-holes, on top of skyscrapers and everything in between – means we’ve usually got the equipment and knowledge for even the most unusual jobs. We’re eager to bring our wealth of experience to the Gulf region.”
GGR Gulf was formed as a joint arrangement between GGR Group and Oriental General Trading in order to deliver cost effective lifting solutions for customers across the Gulf region.

UNIC URW 706 LIFTS BLOOMIN’ BIG FLOWER
March 2010

UNIC Cranes Europe helped erect a 14-metre high wind-powered illuminated ‘flower’ on the banks of the River Mersey in Widnes.
The Widnes Future Flower has 120 metallic petals that will flutter in the wind and will be illuminated by 60 low-powered LEDs in various shades of red, with their intensity varying depending on the wind's strength and direction. The unique structure will be officially launched at an event on 29 March.
Although work on site was programmed to last for a total of five weeks, the art installation was erected by specialist fabricators Mike Smith Studios in only three days, with supervision from the appointed main contractor, Cheetham Hill Construction. UNIC Cranes Europe were consulted for advice on the job, for which they carried out a site survey and provided the biggest in their range of mini cranes, the URW 706 spider crane, along with a qualified CPCS crane operator.
Designed by architects Tonkin Liu through an international competition funded by the North West Development Agency, the Widnes Future Flower is part of the ongoing Widnes Waterfront Regeneration Programme. Widnes Waterfront involves the regeneration of over 200 acres of former industrial land on the banks of the River Mersey into a modern business park environment and associated leisure facilities.
Graeme Riley, chief executive officer of GGR commented: “The Widnes Future Flower was a great project for UNIC Cranes Europe to work on. It’s exactly the kind of niche application that we are proving ourselves to be experts in, time and time again. On top of that, the end product looks great – a fantastic modern work of art.”
UNIC Cranes Europe is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes, which provides lifting solutions where space and access are restricted. UNIC Cranes Europe is part of The GGR Group, consisting of six brands –UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Glass, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Cladding and GGR Rail. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

UNIC Cranes Europe has recently re-launched its website at www.uniccranes.com

GGR MD Gill Riley nominated for prestigious Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award
Date of issue: February 2010

The GGR Group’s MD, Gill Riley, has been named as one of only four nominees for Veuve Clicquot’s prestigious annual Business Woman Award.

Judges recognised Gill’s determination in driving the success of the GGR Group, a leading provider of specialist lifting equipment, with her brother, CEO Graeme Riley. Gill’s success was in spite of working in the male-dominated construction industry, where she was able to win the respect of her peers and clients through her technical knowledge and outstanding customer service.

Gill is in good company, with past winners of the award including Dame Anita Roddick DBE, founder and managing director of the Body Shop and Linda Bennett, founder and managing director of LK Bennett.

Each year tells the story of inspiring women who are high achievers in business life. Their stories are an encouragement and motivation to younger, aspiring women. It salutes the women of achievement many of whom work quietly and without acclaim in the many different businesses and industries that contribute to the economic
life of this country.

Gill commented on her nomination: “It’s an absolute honour to be one of only five nominees up for such a high profile award. It’s a privilege to be recognised for the work that I’ve done in establishing, growing and maintaining GGR, especially in such tough economic times, for our industry in particular. Most importantly I’m looking forward to attending the awards ceremony as I absolutely love Veuve Clicquot champagne!”

Gill Riley, part of the brother-sister teams that heads up the GGR Group, is no stranger to awards, having won the Natwest Everywoman and Crain’s 40 under 40 awards in previous years. The GGR Group has also been listed in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for two years running.

The GGR Group is now made up of six brands - GGR Glass, UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Rail and GGR Cladding. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

The winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2010 will be announced on 23rd March at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. The winner will then take part in the International Businesswoman forum at Veuve Clicquot in Reims,
visiting the Manoir de Verzy and our vineyards, where she will have a vine dedicated to her.

The award was created by Veuve Clicquot Champagne to commemorate Nicole Ponsardin/Cliquot: the woman who inherited the company which now bears her name. She invented a system for clarifying the wine, still used today by all
champagne producers.

The award was first presented in 1972 – it is now run in sixteen countries across the world. 2010 will be the 37th year it has been held in the UK.

UNIC CRANES EUROPE EXTENDS REACH TO AUSTRIA
Date of issue: February 2010

UNIC Cranes Europe has extended its dealer network with the addition of a dealer in Austria.

The Austrian dealer, PPK Management & Industrieservice GmbH is headed up by managing director Josef Pein and its head of sales is Heinz Froehlich.

Established in 2004, PPK has a staff of 14 and is already a distributor of aerial platforms, forklifts and electric vehicles throughout Austria. The office, located near Graz, the capital city of Styria in the South of Austria, will distribute the UNIC Cranes Europe’s range of compact mini spider cranes throughout the country.

Josef Pein, managing director at PPK commented: “The UNIC Cranes Europe range of mini spider cranes are hugely innovative and perfectly complement our current range of access equipment. We look forward to working with UNIC Cranes and furthering their excellent reputation throughout Austria.”

Graeme Riley, chief executive officer of UNIC Cranes Europe commented: “We’re continually on the look out to expand our network of international dealers and PPK is a great addition. We look forward to working in collaboration with them.”

Contact details for all of UNIC Cranes’ dealers can be found at the newly launched website at www.unic-cranes.co.uk/dealers.

UNIC Cranes Europe is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes, which provides lifting solutions where space and access are restricted. UNIC has a dealer network of over thirty dealers across Europe and South Africa.

UNIC Cranes Europe is part of The GGR Group, consisting of six brands – UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Glass, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Cladding and GGR Rail. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

UNIC CRANES EUROPE GETS REVAMPED
Date of issue: January 2010

UNIC Cranes Europe, home to the world’s most compact mini cranes, has launched a revamped website at www.uniccranes.com.

Designed by award-winning Cuckoo Design, the website hosts product information, videos and application shots, information on worldwide dealers, crane hire, used cranes, crane training and all the latest news and events.
This redesign follows the launch of a brand new web portal at www.ggrgroup.com at the end of last year, which brings together all of the GGR Group’s lifting companies. Newly designed websites will be launched across all divisions over the next year.

The GGR Group is now made up of six brands - GGR Glass, GGR UNIC, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Rail and GGR Cladding. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

THE GGR GROUP ADDS TESTING CENTRE TO OLDHAM DEPOT
Date of issue: December 2009

The GGR Group has extended its training coverage by opening a CPCS (construction plant competence scheme) accredited testing centre for category A66 cranes. This is in addition to the company’s accredited RTITB testing centre for vacuum lifting at the Oldham depot.
Previously only offered at the company’s Long Crendon site, the new Oldham test centre will now carry out examinations for the static outrigger (UNIC mini crane) and the mobile industrial (Galizia pick and carry crane) endorsements A and B.
Plant operators level 2 NVQ will also be offered. The CSCS touch screen health and safety test can also be arranged locally through the Oldham centre. This range of offerings means that GGR Oldham operates as a one-stop shop for these qualifications.
GGR also boasts the largest hire fleet of mini cranes in Europe, meaning that familiarisation of the whole range can be offered once the qualification has been attained.
Graeme Riley, chief executive officer of GGR commented: “The Oldham test centre is another example of GGR’s continuing efforts to offer its customers everything they need to operate efficiently and successfully. GGR not only has the equipment but the expertise and service that customers need – we truly are a one-stop-shop.”
Once the operator has passed the A66 training course, he/she can expect to receive –
• CPCS A66 Competency ID card
• CPCS A66 Certificate
• Best Practice Guide
GGR UNIC is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes, which provides lifting solutions where space and access are restricted. GGR UNIC is part of The GGR Group, consisting of six brands – GGR UNIC, GGR Glass, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Cladding and GGR Rail. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

GGR has recently launched a brand new web portal at www.ggrgroup.co.uk
END

Contact:
Julaine Speight
GGR - Marketing Coordinator
0161 683 2580
Julaine.speight@ggrglass.co.uk

UNIC CRANES EUROPE LOOKS DOWN ON LONDON FROM THE HEAVENS AT ST BOLTOPH’S JOB
Date of issue: November 2009

UNIC Cranes Europe supplied three modified UNIC 706 mini cranes to assist CMF Ltd with the installation of stairwell towers at the St Boltoph’s office development, Aldgate High Street, central London. The project took six months to complete and ran from 6 March to 26 Aug.

The mini cranes were supplied to erect the support steel framework attached to the lift cores containing emergency stairs to the 13 floor structure. With the existing tower cranes and external lifts operating at maximum capacity, architectural structural steel contractors CMF needed independent lifting equipment to install the stair towers.

Lack of street space meant that the cranes were mounted on top of the four towers, looking down on the streets of London, carefully secured by specially designed sockets which allowed the feet of the outriggers to slot in perfectly. The cranes were then operated by remote control.

Philip Clarke, contracts manager at CMF Ltd commented: “When faced with installing the stairwell towers we were unsure what equipment would be able to complete the job. The lack of street space in central London can cause real problems for jobs like these but, after working with UNIC’s expert technical team, we were able to come up with a solution allowing UNIC’s mini spider cranes to be easily located on top of the towers and operated remotely.”

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of UNIC Cranes Europe commented: “The St Boltoph’s job has proved just how useful UNIC’s mini cranes are when working in restricted access environments. UNIC Cranes Europe truly is able to rise to any challenge, finding lifting solutions where others may be beaten by the environment or technical constraints.”

The GGR Group is currently made up of four brands - GGR Glass, UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Galizia and GGR AirLift. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

THE GGR GROUP GETS DIGITAL FACELIFT
Date of issue: November 2009

Lifting specialists GGR Group has launched a brand new group portal website at www.ggrgroup.com

Designed by award-winning Cuckoo Design, the portal brings together GGR’s list of growing brands on one site – which sees the addition of GGR Rail and GGR Cladding, two new off-shoots of the business, set to launch later in the year.

The site also formally introduces the group’s social media debut. The company’s Twitter and Facebook pages can also be found at ggrgroup.com

The portal launch will open the floodgates for company-wide website redevelopment, with brand new websites being rolled out for all brands over the coming months.

To celebrate the launch of the new GGR portal, the company is giving away a brand new iPhone to the 50th visitor who requests a site survey through the website. ggrgroup.com will also be running an ongoing competition to win an iPod shuffle for those requesting site surveys.

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of GGR commented: “GGR is constantly evolving and expanding, bringing in new brands, developing new products and growing in knowledge and expertise. Our web presence is now starting to reflect our continued status as number one in the industry. Not only is it an important means for our customers to easily access the information they need, but social media profiles such as Twitter give GGR and our industry a modern and relevant voice to directly communicate with our peers and customers.”

The online revamp reflects the company’s continued expansion, with the addition of new products and brands, a new depot opening in Scotland this year and inclusion in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for two years running.

The GGR Group is now made up of six brands - GGR Glass, UNIC Cranes Europe, GGR Galizia, GGR AirLift, GGR Rail and GGR Cladding. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

GGR’s brands offer customers a huge range of products and services. The GGR Glass product range brings together a diverse range of vacuum lifters, cups, glazing robots and accessories. UNIC Cranes Europe is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes for lifting operations where space and access are restricted.

GGR AirLift offers a range of the world’s first zone 1, air powered mini cranes. Based upon Europe’s most widely used spider crane, the GGR AirLift has been specifically adapted for use in hazardous offshore and petrochemical environments as well as underground controlled sectors.

GGR Galizia was also launched in the last year, offering a range of pick and carry cranes. With a choice of diesel engines or battery powered motors and no outrigger requirement, pick and carry cranes can move quickly around site in: workshops, factories, aircraft hangers, or in outdoor environments such as marinas and docks.

Further news on the launches of GGR Cladding and GGR Rail will be announced in due course.

www.ggrgroup.com

END

Contact:
Julaine Speight
GGR - Marketing Coordinator
0161 683 2580
Julaine.speight@ggrglass.co.uk

UNIC CRANES EUROPE ON THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Date of issue: November 2009

Mini crane supplier, UNIC Cranes Europe, took on an unusual job recently at the Jewelry Quarter cemetery in Birmingham. UNIC supplied Yardley Memorials with one of its mini crawler cranes to pick up and reset fallen grave stones.

This was a job previously difficult to execute given the confined space and the sheer weight of the Victorian stones. GGR UNIC’s mini cranes are extremely compact meaning they can easily fit between the grave stones, allowing their strength to do the work with ease, in a controlled and safe manner.

Peter McMahon proprietor of Yardley Memorials commented: “What started out as a mammoth task was actually made very easy when we discovered GGR’s mini cranes. They were ideal for picking up and resetting the stones in what is quite a confined space. We’ll definitely be calling on GGR when we start the next phase of stone resetting.”

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of GGR also commented: “Working in a cemetery is certainly a first for GGR! We have never supplied machinery for anything like this before but I’m confident that we’ll provide many more as this has proved to be yet another niche perfect for GGR’s versatile equipment.”

UNIC Cranes Europe is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes, which provide lifting solutions where space and access are restricted.

UNIC Cranes Europe is part of The GGR Group, consisting of four brands. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

GGR has recently opened a depot in Scotland, reflecting the business’s continued growth which has seen it included in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for two years running.

The GGR Glass product range brings together a diverse range of vacuum lifters, cups, glazing robots and accessories, from hardhats to hoists. GGR Galizia and GGR AirLift were launched during the last year, offering pioneering and unique lifting solutions. GGR offers pick and carry cranes and the AirLift series is a series of the world’s first zone 1 air powered mini cranes, which was launched at this year’s Offshore Exhibition in Aberdeen.


www.ggrgroup.co.uk
END

Contact:
Julaine Speight
GGR - Marketing Coordinator
0161 683 2580
Julaine.speight@ggrglass.co.uk

GGR DIVES IN AT THE DEEP END IN MALTBY
Date of issue: November 2009

The GGR Group was given a challenge of Olympic proportions recently when the company was asked to construct a 4 metre diving pool with prefabricated concrete blocks in Maltby. The URW 506 mini crane built the steel diving platforms and positioned the 1.5t concrete blocks with the URW 706 mini crane finishing the job.

The Galizia G150 pick and carry crane, with a lifting capacity of 1.5t, was used to lower both mini cranes into the pool and lifted them out once the job was completed. The G150 was also used to move a 3t scissor lift into a narrow opening, with the hydraulic fly jib lowering it into position. The builders had previously been struggling to complete this job with a forklift with no success.

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of GGR commented: “This is yet another example of the versatility and potential of The GGR Group’s lifting solutions, from pick and carry to mini cranes. GGR is capable of constant adaptation for each particular job, as shown on the Maltby pool project. We’re obviously not afraid of a challenge!”

The GGR Group is currently made up of four brands - GGR Glass, GGR UNIC, GGR Galizia and GGR AirLift. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

GGR has been shouting about a number of new developments recently, from its extension into Scotland to its inclusion in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for two years running.

GGR’s four brands offer customers a huge range of products and services. The GGR Glass product range brings together a diverse range of vacuum lifters, cups, glazing robots and accessories. GGR UNIC is home to the world’s most compact mini cranes for lifting operations where space and access are restricted. GGR Galizia and GGR AirLift were launched during the last year, offering pioneering and unique lifting solutions.

GGR launched a range of the world’s first zone 1, air powered mini crane, The AirLift. The new air powered series is a technological breakthrough. Based upon Europe’s most widely used spider crane, the GGR AirLift has been specifically adapted for use in hazardous offshore and petrochemical environments as well as underground controlled sectors. The AirLift series was officially launched at the Offshore Europe Exhibition in Aberdeen this September.

GGR Galizia was also launched in the last year, offering a range of pick and carry cranes. With a choice of diesel engines or battery powered motors and no outrigger requirement, pick and carry cranes can move quickly around site in: workshops, factories, aircraft hangers, or in outdoor environments such as marinas and docks.

www.ggrgroup.co.uk

END

Contact:
Julaine Speight
GGR - Marketing Coordinator
0161 683 2580
Julaine.speight@ggrglass.co.uk

GGR opens new Scotland depot
Unit 11
3rd Road
Blantyre Industrial Estate
Glasgow
G72 0UP

Lifting solution specialists, The GGR Group, has opened a depot in Scotland to add its bases already in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire and Oldham, Manchester.

The 6,000 square foot premises are located in Blantyre, Glasgow, just two miles off the M74, making it ideally placed to access central Scotland. The industrial unit not only houses offices, storage and a workshop, but state-of-the-art training facilities as well. It is the only facility in Scotland offering the complete range of lifting solutions for anyone requiring this kind of equipment, from Glaziers to those working offshore.

The Scottish depot will be home to all four of the brands which make up The GGR Group - GGR Glass, GGR UNIC, GGR Galizia and GGR AirLift. The GGR Group is Europe’s leading supplier of vacuum handling equipment, restricted access lifting machinery and mini cranes, along with a variety of complementary products and services.

Thomas Rae, regional manager of the Scottish branch, commented: “I’m looking forward to pushing the GGR Group further north and extending our client base. It’s an area ripe with potential for GGR’s huge array of services.”

Graeme Riley, Chief Executive Officer of GGR also commented: “The success of our Oldham and Long Crendon offices meant that moving into Scotland was inevitable. Scotland is an important marketplace for GGR and we’re excited to see just what we can achieve through this new depot.”

This extension into Scotland reflects the business’s continued growth which has seen it included in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for two years running.

GGR-UNIC one of Britain’s Top 100 fastest growing companies for second year
7 December, 2008 - GGR-UNIC has made it into the Sunday Times league table of Britain’s Top 100 fastest growing private companies for the second consecutive year.

GGR MD wins Everywoman female entrepreneur of the year award
3 December, 2008 - GGR-UNIC managing director, Gill Riley, has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading female enterpreneurs at the NatWest Everywoman awards.

GGR-UNIC opens first CPCS-accredited mini crane operator testing centre
6 November, 2008 - GGR-UNIC has opened the first CPCS-accredited testing centre for the new A66 operator training category for compact cranes under 10t.

Strictly designed and built to comply with the new guidelines, the GGR testing centre provides state of the art facilities for theory and practical assessment of operators under the CPCS compact cranes category.

Mini crane flown in to expand off-shore platform
2 November, 2008 - A Unic 706 mini crawler crane has been transported by helicopter to Qatar to work on the Pearl 2 gas platform 40 miles offshore in the region’s massive gas field.

Hydraulica 1200 is tops for glass roof panels
18 October, 2008 - Huge sliding glass roof panels are fitted using the new heavyweight Hydraulica 1200 dual circuit lifter.

First job for Galizia G35
21 July, 2008 - The first job for the new Galizia G35 was at Newhall High School in Wythenshawe, Manchester.

The job involved installing two steel beams each weighting 1.2t. This was a particularly tricky job on account of the limited access into the building. The G35 was the only solution, as once the beams had been threaded through the acro supports there was only 300mm spare between the top of the beam and the roof.

SED preview
10 April, 2008 - At SED 2008 we will be showcasing new equipment across all our product ranges.

We have added a range of compact cranes which provide pick and carry capabilities where space and access are restricted.

In addition we’ve developed a range of industry approved cladding lifters and hugely expanded our selection of stone lifters to reflect the increasing use of these materials.

GGR-UNIC picks and carries off Galizia Cranes
21 January, 2008 - GGR-UNIC has expanded its product range by being appointed exclusive UK distributor for Italian compact crane manufacturer Galizia.

The range of wheeled pick and carry cranes will complement GGR’s highly successful Unic mini cranes. There are seven Galizia models with capacities from 2.5 – 25t and a maximum working height of 15m.

Galizia mini cranes are available for sale or hire through GGR with diesel or battery powered engines, full winch system and optional fly jib.

Unic at the height of fashion
13 September, 2007 - A Unic crane was used to install glass units at the new Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter.

The £225m scheme represents the single largest investment in the history of the city, creating more than 1,500 new jobs. Princesshay has over 60 shops, cafes and restaurants.

Homer to the rescue at the new Liverpool arena
12 September, 2007 - Homer has been used to install all the glass in the new Liverpool Arena. The new development is due to open in 2008 and offers a main auditorium with capacity for 1,350 which can divide into three separate auditoria. A divisible multi purpose hall of 3,600 square metres, links directly to the arena core to provide a total of 7,000 square metres of exhibition space.

To carryout this extensive task Homer was modified to lift cladding panels that are 15m long and weighing 300kg.

Unic crane used to create a bit of history at Great Tangley Manor
23 July, 2007 - A Unic crane was used to build a glass extension on the grade 2 listed building in Surrey.

Libro 500 used to install glass units at the new John Lewis store in Cambridge
16 July, 2007 - GGR's Libro 500 was used to fit the final glass units in the new John Lewis store in cambridge.

The new state of the art store is due to open in November 2007.

First Geko with new dual vacuum frame system goes into operation
9 July, 2007 - Steve Moore leads the Darnbridge fixing team on the first installation of Idealcombi window systems using the GGR Geko, a window installation robota. The work was carried out at the Berkeley Homes site in Basingstoke.

Unic move the 'horse of luck' statue in Turku
4 May, 2007 - A Unic crane was recently used to move the 'horse of luck' statue in the city of Turku during which a large crowd of spectators gathered to watch.

GGR moving to bigger premises at the end of March
13 March 2007 - On account of the rapid and sustained growth of the company, GGR will be moving to a larger building located on the Broadway Business Park in Oldham, just off the M60.

The new venue will provide more storage to house our expanding hire fleet, a larger workshop, modern training facilities and a dedicated demonstration area.

Unic first to score at the new Wembley Stadium
6 February, 2007 - A Unic 295 was used to replace the glass units on a lift shaft at the new Wembley Stadium.

Halifax Building Society decide 'out with the old and in with the new'
18 January, 2007 - Halifax Building Society recently removed the 20 year old toughened glass from the roof of their headquarters, and replaced it with double glazed planar units using the skyworker crane.

Speedy Lifting and GGR-UNIC announce strategic alliance
8 January, 2007 - Speedy Lifting, the lifting and materials handling division of Speedy Hire, has formed a strategic alliance with GGR-UNIC for the supply of mini cranes and vacuum glass lifting equipment to its customers across the UK.

GGR-UNIC Bond themed Christmas party
12 December, 2006 - All dealers and their partners were invited to the GGR-UNIC 007-06 Christmas Party to help celebrate 10 years of business.

The James Bond themed party took place at the Weston Manor Hotel near Oxford on 8 December.

Unic 295s are used to raise the floor of a swimming pool
7 December, 2006 - Two Unic 295s were used to raise the floor of a swimming pool in Ireland, without draining the water. The swimming pool had been designed with a hydraulic system to allow the depth of the pool to be altered as required.

A Unic 376 remodels shop front at Chanel in Knightsbridge
1 December, 2006 A Unic 376 fitted new glass panels at the Chanel store in Knightsbridge, London.

New floor constructed at Carlow Street in London
27 November, 2006 - Three cranes were used to lift some prototype flooring, 3 metres high and weighing 3000kgs. Unic worked in partnership with Arup and Hanson on a site in Carlow Street, London.

GGR-UNIC exhibit at the SAIE in Italy
30 October, 2006 - GGR-UNIC exhibit at the SAIE exhibition in Italy. SAIE 2006 was the 42nd International Building Exhibition held in Bologna, with an attendance figure of more than 176,000 professional visitors.

New Next unit in Reykjavik shopping centre
17 October, 2006 - Unic Icelandic Distributor assisted in the construction of the new Next unit in a Reykjavik shopping centre. The mini crane was used to install the glass front which was completed in just two evenings.

Soda and Beer Manufacturer works with Unic Icelandic Distributor
15 September, 2006 - Unic Icelandic Distributor works with soda and beer manufacturer to remove and install elements of a machine, whilst continuing production.

Construction of the International Airport in Keflavik with a little help from the 295
15 September, 2006 - Unic Icelandic Distributor joined forces to assist with the massive construction project being carried out on the International Airport in Keflavik. The 295 was hoisted by a 200t Demag upon the plate where it's being used in installing some elements of the steel structure.

£1m exhibit slides in at the Serpentine
6 June, 2006 - A GGR Hydraulica vacuum lifter and A295CR mini crane are used in tandom to carefully position a glass exhibit valued at more than £1 million at the Serpentine Gallery in London.

GGR-UNIC award winners at Interbuild 2006
23 April, 2006 - GGR and UNIC staff strike a pose on their striking stand at Interbuild. The UNIC A094CR mini crane picked up Best New Product award at the Birmingham show attended by more than 40,000 visitors.

Telelifter towers in South Kilburn
21, February 2006 - A Telelifter and MRTA6 solve a restricted access problem at work on the new lift at the refurbished adult education centre in South Kilburn.

Plenty of sleepers on Network Rail job
9 November, 2005 - Network Rail postion a 295 mini crane above the tracks near Lord's cricket ground in London. The crane is being used to replace sleepers.

Red hot Homer makes a splash
1 November, 2005 - A new-build HOMER (High Operation Mounted EMU Robota) joins GGR's hire fleet and is thrown in at the deep end, helping to install large glass units for a swimming pool in a private London house.

Eden Project takes a crane to crack a nut
2 September, 2005 - A Unic A295CR erects an art installation in the new Education Centre at the Eden Project. Despite its 5m height, the mechanised exhibit's only function is to crack a nut.

Hot demand for Homer
16 July, 2005 - GGR's HOMER (High Operation Mounted EMU Robota) hire machine is in high demand from fitters. Designed to offer the glass handling ability of an EMU, but at the end of a telelifter, HOMER has hardly been off-hire since it left the factory.

GGR-UNIC celebrate mini crane success at SED 2005
25 May, 2005 - GGR-UNIC mark the end of UNIC Cranes Europe's first year in business with the UK launch of the A094CR. The company has sold over 120 cranes and established a network of 18 distributors across Europe and South Africa.

McAlpines fly Emu into Manchester
4 April, 2005 - Sir Robert McAlpine uses the 'inside-out' glazing ability of the EMU glazing robota at the RBS building in Manchester.

Mini crane lights up Las Vegas
17 March, 2005 - GGR shared Rayco Wylie's stand at ConExpo and exhibited the Unic A295CR to some of the show's record 124,300 visitors.

Ingenious overhang solution for SN Murdoch
2 February, 2005 - SN Murdoch tries out a modified Libro overhang beam, specifically adapted for the restrictive fitting environment.

Ralf gives Eagle a helping hand
15 December, 2004 - RALF (Robotic Articulated Lifting Frame), GGR's largest glazing robota with a capacity of 620kg, at work on hire to Eagle Contracts in London.

Cleo stars in Germany
21 November, 2004 - CLEO (Collapsible Lift Entry Operation) on show at Glasstec 2004 in Dusseldorf, Germany, on the Pannkoke stand.

Cleo makes debut
20 November, 2004 - CLEO (Collapsible Lift Entry Operation), a collapsible mini glazing robota on site in Manchester on its first job.

Bigman and UNIC at SAIE
14 October, 2004 - UNIC's Italian dealer, Bigman GmbH launches the UNIC range of mini cranes and GGR glass lifters at SAIE, Italy's biggest construction exhibition in Bologna.

SN Murdoch with the KS Telelifter
7 October, 2004 - SN Murdoch works with the KS Telelifter on a narrow quayside.

GGR-UNIC and Ferrybridge at Buildex, Dublin
21 September, 2004 - GGR-UNIC and Republic of Ireland dealer, Ferrybrdge, at the Building Exhibition in Dublin. County Wexford-based Ferrybridge exhibited on at outdoor stand while GGR-UNIC was situated in the main hall.

A Somod on site with the 295 in Denmark
1 September, 2004 - Danish hire company A Somod works with the UNIC 295CR to move electrical plant at an outdoor location in Denmark.

Hreinsun fits giant plasma screen in Iceland
15 August, 2004 - Hreinsun og radgjof ehf, UNIC's dealer for Iceland, uses the LPG-powered indoor working capability of the UNIC 295CR to fit a giant plasma screen.

AWP at Rembrandt Square, Amsterdam
22 July, 2004 - Netherlands dealer, Aerial Work Platforms, works on a restoration project in a 17th century cellar in Rembrandt Square, Amsterdam.

Mini EMU in production
12 August, 2004 - CLEO (Collapsible Lift Entry Operation), a compact, folding, glazing robot designed to fit inside a lift, is under construction. Completion expected in October.

UNIC, CCK and K Schulten launch tri-fuel mini crane at Platformers' Days 2004
7 August, 2004 - UNIC, newly-appointed German main dealer, CCK-Crane Cooperation Kruse, and glass handling partner, K. Schulten, showcase the first tri-fuel mini crane at Platformers' Days 2004 in Hohenrode, Germany. The UNIC A295CRE allows operators to switch between petrol, LPG and mains electric power at the flick of a switch to suit the site environment.

Portal Plus revamps Louis Vuitton in Knightbridge
1 June, 2004 - Portal Plus refurbishes the landmark Louis Vuitton store in Knighstbridge London, using a mini crane and MR1611 vacuum lifter. Image courtesy of Merv Ellis.

GGR launches forklift-mountable glazing robot at SED
17 May, 2004 - GGR shows HOMER (High Operation Mounted EMU Robota) at SED 2004 in Milton Keynes. Designed to piggyback on the forks of a telehandler, HOMER features full remote control to allow precise positioning of sheet materials below overhangs.