Aerial lift manufacturer comes to the UK

Aerial lift manufacturer UpRight Powered Access is transferring production to the UK, creating 400 jobs.

Aerial lift manufacturer UpRight Powered Access is transferring production to the UK, creating 400 jobs.

Product engineering company The Tanfield Group formally took control of UpRight Powered Access on Monday 12th June, after agreeing a deal with UpRight International.

Tanfield has signed a lease for vigo250, a 23,000m2 flagship assembly facility near Newcastle on Tyne.

It plans to move production of UpRight machines from Ireland to the new plant later this year.

Darren Kell, Business Development Director for The Tanfield Group, said: "Our vision has always been to build a global manufacturing business with the North-East as its heartland".

"We are living proof that manufacturing in this region is not dead and buried".

"Companies can still be profitable and competitive, provided they continue to add value".

"This move will not only result in 400 jobs being created over the next three years, but will also see the flagship vigo250 facility, one of the largest manufacturing sites in the region, brought back into use".

"We have the opportunity to construct a global brand, with its roots planted firmly in this region".

vigo250 was formerly occupied by LG Electronics, which moved out of the building several years ago when it transferred production to Eastern Europe.

The acquisition of UpRight Powered Access will see Tanfield gain sales and spare parts distribution centres in the UK, the USAs, China and Japan, along with an extensive independent global dealership and distribution network for UpRight products.

Tanfield moved into the powered access market in 2004, with the acquisition of British manufacturer Aerial Access.

It has since invested in new products and significantly improved sales of Aerial's trailer booms, truck mounted platforms and aerial lifts.

The acquisition of UpRight Powered Access, will complement this range with scissor lifts and self-propelled booms.

Powered access platforms, commonly known as cherry pickers, are used for safe working above ground level, in applications such as construction, building maintenance and estates or facilities management.

They are also used in movie and television production.

UpRight was the world's third largest manufacturer of access equipment in 2000 with a turnover of $200 million.

Although it has been through a difficult few years, which led to factory closures and job cuts, The Tanfield Group is confident it can bring back success.

Kell said: "UpRight is an extremely well known brand all over the world, with a very strong product portfolio.

"We are confident that we can significantly grow this business".

Tanfield also believes the acquisition of the overseas facilities - particularly in the USA - will provide it with the perfect platform to market its other leading products, zero emission commercial electric vehicles.

Assembly of these battery powered vehicles will also move to vigo250.

Ian Williams, Head of Business Products at One NorthEast, said: "The Tanfield Group is one of the leading employers in the North-East, and over the last couple of years has really made an impact on the national stage".

"With the acquisition of UpRight, which I'm delighted to say One NorthEast has been able to support with a GBP 1.95 million SFI grant, the company can really make a name for itself internationally".

"At a time when job losses have dominated the news, it's good to hear of a home-grown company actually expanding and creating jobs".

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