News Release

5 July 2006

Bob Francis Crane Hire takes UK firsts for MCG

Left to right are: Karl Kirkpatrick, CraneCREDIT/BOS; Mark Francis, Luke Francis, Bob Francis, BFCH; Nicolas Game, Western Asset Finance Group; Ross Wilson, MCG.

High Resolution Photograph (177K)

UK rental firm, Bob Francis Crane Hire, has taken delivery of a variety of new cranes from Manitowoc Crane Group, including Europe’s first Manitowoc Model 8500E crawler crane and the UK’s first GMK4080-1 all-terrain crane. (known in the US as the GMK4100B). The company also bought two new GMK2035 units as part of its major order, much of which was funded through MCG CraneCREDIT.

Although better known for its mobile crane operations, resurgent demand in the UK crawler market was the driving force behind the Model 8500E’s purchase as company director, Bob Francis explains.

“Customers want modern reliable equipment. We have had a long association with Grove and know Manitowoc Crane CARE offers an excellent localized support network,” he said.“So we had no doubts about buying the Model 8500E.”

The company has a five-year contract with a large contractors’ joint venture in northwest England, where the Model 8500E has already been put to work.

“With so much new building, refurbishment, and piling work on this single project, we needed a strong crane, able to handle a variety of duties,” said Bob Francis. “We knew we needed to make some sound investments in top quality lifting equipment, which is what the Model 8500E represents.”

Bob Francis Crane Hire is also part of the UK’s National Crane Group – an organization made up of seven crane hire companies across the UK, which pool resources and share lifting contracts to offer their customers a bigger and better service – so the 80 t (100 USt) four-axle GMK4080-1, as well as the two-axle 35 t (35 USt) GMK2035 models, will be kept busy.

MCG also provided finance for both GMK2035s and the Model 8500E through CraneCREDIT, run in partnership with Bank of Scotland in the UK.

Mark Francis, the company’s operations director, is a strong supporter of CraneCREDIT.

“In terms of financing, banks don’t really understand the needs of the crane business. But CraneCREDIT does,” he said. “Both companies understand the importance of the practical value of cranes as well as their residual worth.”

The new cranes will be operate from two of the company’s offices – its headquarters in Rhuddlan, north Wales, and in Deeside just across the border in England.

About The Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry.

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