Member Article

Nicholson’s crane success is built on friendship

Lifelong friendships are helping a transport firm’s crane division to scale the heights.

Dave Nicholson, Neil Campbell and Chris Flood first met at primary school in Sedgefield more than 40 years ago.

Now the trio are working together to establish Nicholson’s Hiab as the North East’s leading mobile crane operator.

The business – which specialises in hiring lorry-mounted cranes alongside qualified operators – has experienced rapid growth in the last year particularly within the energy and utilities sector, lifting heavy equipment into gas pipelines and electrical control panels into wind farms and electricity sub stations.

Managing Director David Nicholson said the seeds of success were planted long ago.

“We all went through school together, firstly at primary school and then to Sedgefield Comprehensive and have remained friends ever since,” he said.

“Neil has been with me at Nicholson’s since we started 26 years ago, but when we heard that Chris was looking for a new challenge we knew he would give 100%. He has spent the first few months working hard to gain the relevant experience and certificates including working in the field with some of our long standing clients and passed all his exams with flying colours.

“There’s a culture of teamwork at Nicholson’s and knowing each other inside out, helps to breed trust and success.”

The Billingham-based business invested £200,000 in new Hiab machinery last year taking its fleet of lorry-mounted cranes to three. The equipment is hired by companies across Europe requiring assistance with machinery moves, remote site deliveries, contract lifts and engineering project support.

Due to the technical nature of Hiab equipment, operators require specific training and all of Nicholson’s Hiab team are ADR qualified meaning they can handle hazardous loads, including chemicals and explosive materials.

Neil, who has just returned from a contract fitting gas line equipment in Belgium, said: “The advantage of Hiab cranes is their flexibility, allowing work in small confined spaces and providing accessibility to remote sites and lifts.

“It’s a highly skilled job. 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.”

Dave Nicholson added: “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, forging successful partnerships with some very big players in the energy sector.

“We aim to significantly grow our Hiab business, to become the region’s leading operator. I’m confident we have the right team in place and the fact I have known these guys since I was four-years-old makes it all the more special.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melanie Taylor .