AN INTERNATIONAL truck-mounted crane company which has its UK and Ireland headquarters in Ellesmere, is celebrating after a record growth in business during the first part of the year.

Hiab, the on-road load handling equipment specialists based in the Cargotec Industrial Park, reports a record growth for the first half of 2019, with equipment sales in the UK and Ireland up by almost 50 per cent.

Managing director Ian Mitchell is delighted with the results and claims that despite Brexit being on the horizon, its market has remained strong in the company’s core sectors – construction and waste.

“These sectors have held up well, and there are new sectors of the market that we are expanding into. We still have opportunities to grow vertically, as well as regionally,” Ian said.

“Equipment sales have grown by 47 per cent, and our service revenues have increased by 22 per cent for the first six months.

“This record six months is testament to the phenomenal performance we’ve delivered over the last two years at Hiab UK, which has seen the business grow by 20 per cent per annum .

“We are continuing to reap the rewards of that continual growth.”

Ian also thanked everybody involved in every aspect of the business – from sales to operations – for their involvement in achieving such great results and business growth.

This follows on from the company’s new average for sales of Hiab Cranes hitting between 140 and 150 units a month – which is significantly up from last year’s average of 110 units per month.

“Ultimately, the productivity and efforts of everybody concerned – whether their role is in sales, operations, or service – has culminated in us achieving a record half year result,” he added.

“The second half of the year is already looking strong, with a forward order book of over 900 units.

“We have set ourselves challenging targets and challenging budgets this year, but we shouldn’t be scared by this, because we have already proven that we can deliver.”