A crane hire and contractor business based in South Wales has purchased a new mobile crane in a move to expand its capacity to take on more projects within the energy sector.
With the number of renewable energy projects being delivered on the rise in the UK – a result of the acceleration towards net zero – Bridgend-based R.W. Christopher has invested in a brand new 250 tonne crane to capitalise on more green energy generation contracts coming to the market as it enters a new phase of growth.
In addition to its new crane, the business has also purchased a three acre plot of land and has plans in place to develop a new headquarters. R.W. Christopher’s new site will feature three cutting edge workshops, which will allow the business’ mechanics to carry out speedy repairs for its 12-strong fleet of cranes.
The new headquarters will also allow the business to manage and retain the value of its cranes more efficiently. Along with its latest crane, this investment in the business is set to help it increase its turnover this year by 10% to £3.5M.
R.W. Christopher’s rapid growth, which was supported by a £1.7M funding package from Lloyds Bank, is on track to boost its headcount over the next five years with this including dedicated roles for apprentices in crane driving.
The family-owned business was founded in 1986 and since then, R.W. Christopher has built a reputation for itself as one of the go-to firms for crane and plant machinery hire across both Wales and England. The business has worked on some of the largest infrastructure and energy projects across the UK including HS2 and nuclear power station, Hickley Point C.
Sam Christopher, manager at R.W. Christopher, said: “Over the past few years the UK has been ramping up development activity for renewable energy projects to springboard us forward to net zero. These schemes are huge and lengthy undertakings, which is why contractors like us need to be armed with the latest technology and a well-trained workforce to be able to capitalise on opportunities.
“Investing in the future of our cranes will allow us to be at the forefront of problem-solving for developers while continuing to grow our footprint across both Wales and England. The support provided by Lloyds Bank has allowed us to lay down foundations that will fuel the business’ trajectory for the next five to ten years.”
Adam Russell, Associate Director at Lloyds Bank, said: “R.W. Christopher is the perfect example of a business continuing to add value to its services, but also showcasing how contractors can take advantage of the rapidly evolving infrastructure landscape. Investing in both its plant machinery and a new headquarters site will pave the way for a future of sustainable growth and further resilience to economic shocks.
“We will continue to stay by the side of firms like R.W. Christopher to help them take advantage of emerging trends and opportunities across the region.”
