Street Crane opens £3 million hoist factory

The Derbyshire crane company expands its site as order book at 'all time high'

Street Crane Company has opened a £3 million hoist factory at its site in High Peak, Derbyshire in a move to modernise its manufacturing procedures and meet increasing demand from its global customers.

Founded in 1946, Street Crane is now one of the UK's largest crane and hoist manufacturers, with around 70% of its £35 million turnover derived from the sale of hoists and crane kits to overseas manufacturers. Managing director Andrew Pimblett said the company currently has “the strongest order book in our history” and the factory was part of its commitment to continued investment in the business and exports.

The 20,00 sq ft hoist factory will give the company capacity to increase wire rope hoist production from a current level of 2,500 hoists to 3,200 hoists per year. The company anticipates that, based on current growth, a second shift will be needed by 2016 to double production, bringing further jobs.

To streamline production and increase efficiency the hoist factory floor has been designed following a lean manufacturing philosophy. Production manager Tony McClure said consultations with its shop floor staff were also key to the lean design, “from creating a more efficient layout even down to choosing a smoother floor surface”.

McClure said that the company was also committed to replicating elements of lean manufacturing in its existing factory.

Street Crane employs 200 people and has an international network of nearly 90 overseas distributors in 48 countries, with its largest export market currently in the US.