Hird selected as finalist in Construction News Specialists Awards 2016

Hird has been named as a finalist in the Construction News Specialists Awards 2016.

The company has been selected in the Equipment Supplier of the Year category of the prestigious business awards, based on a submission about the development of its glass lifting service over the last 12 months.

Hird has introduced a number of innovative glass lifter products in 2015 in response to the rapidly-changing needs of its glass installation customers.

Hird Director John Wilding said: “Being selected as a finalist in the Construction News Specialists Awards 2016 is exciting for everyone in the Hird team.

“The success of our glass lifting service over the last 12 months, and our ability in invest in new equipment and staff, has been made possible by the hard work of everyone in the company across the UK.

“Reaching the finals of these awards, which are among the highest accolades in the construction industry, indicates that we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s also fair recognition for the glass installation industry which is doing so much to transform the skyline of Britain’s cities.

“Our equipment is playing a part in creating buildings that are pushing back the boundaries of what is possible in architecture and engineering, something we’ve very proud of.”

In its submission, Hird explained key developments in its glass lifting service that have made 2015 a very important year for the business.

The company has introduced 10 new glass lifting products, seven of them UK firsts. It has collaborated with four manufacturers on developing five new glass lifting machines. It has also created six new jobs at its London depot alone, as the glass lifting service has expanded rapidly.

Hird glass lifting equipment has been used on many high profile construction projects, including Bloomberg London, One Tower Bridge, the Olympic Stadium, and Kings Cross. New glass vacuum lifters launched in the last 12 months have included:

• Fin lifter – a vacuum lifter co-designed by Hird, made by Kappel, that lifts elongated structural glass up to 1,800kg in weight.
• Brutus (Hydraulica 3500) – the UK’s first ‘super heavy’ vacuum lifter, capable of lifting 3.5 tonnes, equivalent to two Audi Quattro 5s.
• Winlet telehandler – a glazing robot attached to a telehandler to increase height and reach