KONECRANES CENTRALISES SERVICE PROVISION IN SOUTH WEST

As part of its ongoing drive to increase the efficiency of its industry-leading and nationwide service operation, Konecranes – one of the world’s foremost lifting equipment manufacturers – has consolidated its service provision within south Wales and the south west, having opened a new centralised facility in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. Strategically located close to the all-important M4 and M5 corridors, the new Service District sees Konecranes bring together both human and capital equipment resources from its former service branches in Bristol and Cwmbran. The operation will continue to service an established and expanding customer base across South Wales and the south west of England. Commenting on this latest development, Konecranes' Director of Market Area – Europe West, Pat Campbell, said: “Our overriding aim is to create a number of strategically located Service Districts as apposed to Service Branches, and this centres on improving the quality of what is a progressive and enhanced Konecranes' service offering. It is an expansionary move and not one of closure or downsizing. Indeed within each district we will be appointing a number of clearly identifiable experts covering a number of key operational areas and this has already happened at the South West district facility.” Looking to endorse such key messages is District Manager, Mark Goringe, who added: “Not only has our new location in Thornbury given us 50% more physical space, workshop facilities in south Wales have been retained as part of the centralisation process. We have also already increased our head count having recruited in the field of service planning, health & safety and contract administration. This will undoubtedly help us to deliver elevated service levels across our existing customer base, whilst also helping us to attract new contracts in the process, so progression is very much the order of the day.” Occupying a 3200 sq ft location at Ashville Park on Thornbury Industrial Estate, the Service District facility takes in a high bay workshop with overhead crane and associated equipment and machinery, spare parts store, office accommodation and training room. Managed by an onsite team of eight, the district operation is additionally supported by some 30 in-the-field service technicians, all of whom have fully-equipped mobile workshops, enabling them to service, inspect, maintain and undertake certain routine repairs on any make of crane or hoist. Renowned for its service provision within such key and established South West industry sectors as steel, ports and aerospace, Konecranes is also seeking to increase its presence in developing areas, in particular waste to energy and intermodal freight. As a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, Konecranes is committed to providing cross industry sector customers with equipment and services that strengthen the value and effectiveness of their business. Backed by a global resource, Konecranes combines its experience and knowledge with local know-how to empower lifting solutions and increase productivity in the process. With its head office in Castle Donington and operating a crane manufacturing factory in East Kilbride, Scotland, Konecranes currently employs over 240 fully trained service technicians nationwide.