The purchase of a Liebherr LG 1750 by AIS Wind Energy puts the Ainscough family back into heavy cranes.
AIS Wind Energy is a subsidiary of Ainscough Industrial Services, owned by Matt Ainscough, who used to work for his family crane hire firm in Lancashire until his father and uncles – Martin, Brendan and James – sold up in 2007.
The new Liebherr LG 1750 is not AIS Wind Energy’s first crane – it already has a 60-tonner and a 100-tonner – but it is its first new mobile heavy crane purchase.
The seven-figure investment supports AIS Wind Energy’s vision to provide a turnkey approach to managing the construction of onshore wind turbine installation and carrying out decommissioning, service and repair works.
The LG1750 is available with a selection of boom configurations, including the SX boom system for lifting wind turbine components. It has capacity to lift 400 tonnes at 20-metre radius and up to 105 tonnes at a 165-metre hook height and 34-metre radius on SX configuration.
AIS Wind Energy managing director Andrew McGlade said: “As the green energy sector continues to grow, wind turbine OEMs are installing ever heavier and higher turbines. The LG1750’s height and radius capabilities provide the capacity we need to meet market requirements as they evolve and to mobilise and demobilise turbines efficiently. It will also help us reduce transportation costs compared with current crawler crane demobilisation expenditure and operate within tight restrictive sites, all while offering strength and capacity on a mobile chassis.
“Adding this crane to our specialist fleet will give clients valuable flexibility, as well as cost savings and increased control over project timescales.”
AIS Wind Energy’s LG 1750 has been initially sited at the Sandy Knowe wind farm in Dumfries, where it is completing a 15-turbine expansion. The crane is already fully booked for projects in 2024 across the UK.
Ainscough Industrial Services chief executive Matthew Ainscough said: “This purchase demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in the best equipment and people as we continue to grow – cementing our position as a wind energy installation expert throughout the UK and Europe. Our business is built on a track record of complex, technical and heavy lifting expertise in hazardous environments and this new addition will help to future-proof our operations for years to come.”
The crane purchase was facilitated by funding support from HSBC.
In the year to 31st May 2021 Ainscough Industrial Services turned over £27m and made a profit of £2.2m before tax.
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