Innovation and investment make Hird a major force in glass lifting

Hird is becoming a major force in glass lifting in the UK thanks to significant investment in equipment over the first six months of 2014 – including the most advanced glazing robots on the market.

The mini crane, glass handling and powered access specialist has invested £1.1m on expanding its fleet of machines since January, of which a large proportion has been spent on glass handling equipment.

Most significantly, Hird is the authorised distributor in the UK and Ireland of Winlet glazing robots, which are proving hugely popular with glass installers, thanks to their industry-leading capabilities.

Hird Managing Director Phil Hird said: “We believe we now have one of the largest, most modern fleets of glass handling equipment for hire in the UK. Our growth is based firmly on customer demand, and means we can respond quickly to customer needs anywhere in the UK.

“A key element of our investment strategy is to broaden the range of glass handling equipment and accessories we stock, so we are a one-stop shop for glass lifting and installation.

“Our growth in glass handling has been driven by growth of our glass lifting services in London. But we are finding now, with the economic recovery continuing, that we are winning significant contracts across the UK.”

Hird has nearly doubled the size of its fleet of the Danish-made Winlet glazing robots, across the range, including the Winlet 350,575 and 600.

Other glass lifting equipment added to the roster includes: new UNIC URW-295 spider mini cranes; a range of additional vacuum lifters, including Hydraulica high capacity vacuum lifters (Hydraulica 1000 and Hydraulica 1200), and DSZ2 curved glass vacuum lifter.

In addition, Hird has increased the number of standard glass lifting hire products it keeps in stock.

Hird Director John Wilding, who runs the company’s Southern Operational Hub at Redhill, Surrey, said: “The Winlet glazing robot range has done exceptionally well since we introduced it to the UK.

“It is, without doubt, the biggest innovation in the glass lifting industry in the last 10 years, and that’s not coming from us, it’s a comment from one of our clients.

“A key benefit over other glazing robots is its fully automated positioning, controlled at a touch of a button. It is extremely smooth, precise and user friendly, dramatically reducing manual handling for glass installation.

“Our clients are saying it’s a revelation. Their operations have become safer, faster, and less labour-intensive, which means lower costs as well as better service to end-user customers.

“Winlet glazing robots are also highly compact and operate with very low ground pressures, so are perfect for operating in confined spaces on construction sites, whether at ground level or 50 storeys up a new tower block.”

John Wilding said clients see that Hird has the capacity and know-how to respond rapidly to their glass handling needs, whether planned or emergency.

He added: “A recent example, is one of London’s biggest shopping centres, where a 5m by 2.5m 600kg sheet of glass cracked, and we had a UNIC 295 spider crane, with a glass lifting attachment, and a fully trained operator on site to make it safe within two hours.

“Working with a glass lifting company that can provide an emergency response in those timescales, with Hird’s service quality and value, gives our clients peace of mind, plus the confidence of knowing that, whatever their glass lifting needs are, we will deliver.”

Hird’s glass lifting equipment hire service is available across the UK, via our three regional service hubs. In addition, as the authorised dealer, talk to Hird about Winlet glazing robots for sale.

Hird also offers a comprehensive range of glass lifting training and mini crane operator training, including A66 Compact Crane Training, to support your glass lifting needs. Call today for friendly expert advice:

Northern – 01482 227333

Central – 01302 341659

Southern – 0203 174 0658