John Sutch Cranes Newsletter - August 2024 Edition

Elevate and Celebrate

Elevate and Celebrate with John Sutch Cranes — your partner in reaching new heights. Precision, safety, and excellence set the stage for our soaring success.

Welcome to the ninth edition of Elevate & Celebrate, John Sutch Crane's newsletter. We're thrilled to share exciting updates, industry insights, and a glimpse into #ourcraneworld.

Our local MPs Bill Esterson and Peter Dowd

As we wrap up a bustling summer at John Sutch Cranes, I want to take a moment to reflect on the strides we've made. This season has been marked by outstanding collaborations with both new and long-standing clients, as well as the privilege of welcoming MPs Bill Esterson (Sefton) and Peter Dowd (Bootle) to our facilities, offering them an inside look at our operations.

We’re also excited to announce the newest addition to our fleet: the Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2, our 36th crane. This marks the latest—and likely final—fleet expansion for 2024, following a year of significant investment in our capabilities.

To our dedicated customers, I extend my sincere thanks for your continued support throughout the summer. While we have an exceptional internal team here at John Sutch Cranes, we recognise that our success is built on the strong partnerships we’ve formed with you. Your support is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our work together.

Thank you to our customers and to the entire John Sutch Cranes team for making this summer a success.

John Sutch

Managing Director

Bill Esterson MP gets behind the wheel of our stationary Grove GMK6300L-1

Peter Dowd MP, Bill Esterson MP, heard from our Designate MD, Hayley Sutch and Sales Director Paul Parry.

We welcomed local MPs to catch an insight into our business . . .

We were honoured to welcome local MPs Bill Esterson (Sefton) and Peter Dowd (Bootle) to our business for an in-depth discussion on crane operations and an insider’s look at what makes John Sutch Cranes tick.

During their visit, we delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining our operations and some of the challenges facing the industry, followed by a guided tour of our facilities.

It was a valuable opportunity to showcase our commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry, and we appreciated the chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with our local representatives.

During their visit, MPs Bill Esterson and Peter Dowd took the opportunity to get hands-on experience with our equipment, stepping inside the cab of one of our cranes. This gave them a firsthand understanding of what it’s like to operate and maneuver such a powerful piece of machinery. Their time in the cab provided valuable insight into the precision and skill required in our day-to-day operations.

We were proud to demonstrate the expertise and safety protocols that are central to our work, and we believe this experience deepened their appreciation for the complexity and importance of crane operations within the construction and infrastructure sectors at a time when the new Labour Government have promised more housing and high ticket infrastructure projects. The visit not only highlighted our commitment to excellence but also reinforced the strong ties between our business and the local community.

New Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2 joins the fleet

We're thrilled to introduce our latest addition to the fleet: the Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2! This powerhouse has already hit the ground running, making its mark in Manchester.

With its cutting-edge technology and impressive lifting capacity, it’s no surprise that it's already getting booked for upcoming projects.

At John Sutch Cranes Ltd, we’re committed to providing top-tier lifting solutions, and the LTM 1110-5.2 is just another example of our dedication to excellence. If you have a project that needs precision and power, this crane is ready to deliver.

📞 Get in touch to book your lift: 0151 236 8880 or 0161 877 8004

John Sutch, John Sutch Cranes business owner and Managing Director, said: “We're thrilled to announce our latest addition to the fleet, the Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2.

“This investment underlines our commitment to delivering efficiency and precision to our clients.

“Everyone at John Sutch Cranes is excited to see this cutting-edge equipment on our projects, ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed our client's expectations.”

Proudly Powering Manchester’s Skyline

Our new Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2 has been busy ever since we purchased it from the manufacturers. Operating out of of Dukinfield, Manchester depot, it’s fast becoming a popular addition with customers.

At John Sutch Cranes Ltd, we take pride in providing exceptional lifting solutions for our clients.

Recently, our Liebherr Group LTM 1110-5.2 crane was hard at work for a top-tier contractor in Manchester, helping to shape the city's skyline.

Whether it's lifting heavy loads or navigating tight urban spaces, we ensure that every lift is performed with precision, safety, and efficiency.

This is what we do 💙💛 And our clients keep coming back to us. We pride ourselves on delivering the best possible service in the crane game and we do it each and every time.

A big thank you to our dedicated team and trusted partners for making this project a success.

New look John Sutch Cranes Website to be unveiled in September

John Sutch Cranes is excited to announce the upcoming launch of our brand-new website next month.

Our team has been diligently working behind the scenes to perfect every detail, and we can’t wait to unveil the site in all its glory. Stay tuned for a fresh, dynamic experience that showcases the full scope of our services and expertise.

Employee Spotlight . . .

Jason Sutch and Ian Gardner say times have changed in the 30 years they’ve been in the industry . . .

Jason Sutch and Ian Gardner - stalwarts of the industry

For Ian Gardner and Jason Sutch, their careers at John Sutch Cranes began almost fortuitously. 

Both men started working for the company 30 years ago, in the same week. Ian, who had previously worked as a caterer and chef, saw an opportunity for better pay and a new challenge. "I learned the ropes from my Dad, Wally and other seasoned crane drivers," Ian recalls. "Learning from the old hands was invaluable."

Jason’s introduction to the crane industry was less conventional. "I was at a family wedding when John approached me and asked if I fancied working for him," Jason says with a smile. "At the time, I knew nothing about cranes. John simply said, 'Come on your day off.' It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up."

Starting out in the industry back then was a different experience compared to today. "There wasn’t much paperwork; you just had to go out and figure things out on your own," Ian remembers. "We learned by doing, guided by the old school lads like my Dad, who I’ve mentioned, but there were others with brilliant knowledge such as Billy and Barry. They knew what a proper job looked like, and I feel fortunate to have learned from them."

Jason agrees, noting that the industry has become more structured over the years. "Nowadays, a lot of the new lads come in with previous experience from other companies. But back then, many of us were new to it. We got trained the right way by the experienced hands, and that’s something I’m grateful for."

Both Ian and Jason have witnessed significant changes in the industry. "The paperwork and protocols have definitely increased," Ian explains. "Everything is detailed now—where to put your crane, what jib to use. But back in the day, you had to rely more on your intuition and the guidance of experienced colleagues.”

"The equipment has also advanced significantly," Jason adds. "The cranes we operate now are sophisticated and expensive pieces of kit. It’s a lot to take on, but with proper training and experience, we’ve managed to adapt well."

Their careers have been marked by memorable projects. Ian recalls the pride of operating a crane inside Anfield. "We also worked on the Giants in town. Jobs like that are unique and rewarding." Jason shares a recent experience, "We completed a 48-tonne lift in Seaforth and then went to Scotland for another job, loading wagons with large tanks and mixers. Each job is different, and that’s what keeps it exciting.”

Supporting new employees is a core value at John Sutch Cranes. "We’re always there to help the new guys," Ian says. "If anyone needs assistance, we’re the first to step in. We want to make sure they don’t struggle and learn the right way, just like we did."