03.08.2006

Ainscough over 30

In June 2006 Ainscough Crane Hire Ltd celebrated its 30th birthday. The Wigan based company, which is still very much a “family firm” was established in 1976 with seven cranes, today it is the UK’s largest by far with 480 cranes, 25 depots and 1000 employees.
Please register to see all images

The Ainscough HQ team celebrate 30 years of crane hire

Martin Ainscough, managing director said, “In 1976 our father Gerald started the crane hire business after he had taken over the crane side of Wm. Ainscough & Son Ltd, a scrap metal business he shared with his brother. The whole family had a part to play in getting the business off the ground with my dad, some of us in the office and some driving the cranes.
Please register to see all images

One of the company's early cranes

In 1984 our father sadly passed away and since then the business has been run by myself, James and Brendan with our brothers, sisters and children playing a large part. It is difficult to realise where the time has gone, the company has expanded beyond expectation over the last thirty years with thirteen acquisitions, especially since 2000 when we took over Initial-GWS almost doubling the business in size overnight. In 2002 we acquired Baldwin Industrial Services, further enhancing our expansion plans and geographic coverage.
Please register to see all images

A more recent model

It hasn’t always been plain sailing, trying to keep a ship like this together but I think I can honestly say on behalf of myself, James & Brendan that it has been an enjoyable experience. We have had the pleasure of working and dealing with some of the best people in the industry from customers to suppliers, but most of all, our dedicated and loyal workforce whom we have to thank for our success to date.”

To mark this momentous occasion the company held a champagne reception at Head Office in Wigan for all the Head office staff and each employee throughout the company
received a commemorative photo album.

Growth by Acquisition,

YEAR COMPANY
2005 VANGUARD INDUSTRIAL LTD
2002 BALDWINS INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
2000 INITIAL GWS CRANE HIRE
1999 CARDON CRANE HIRE
1999 R.C.P.S CRANE HIRE
1997 KENT CRANES
1996 BOWKE INTERNATIONAL
1995 DIAMOND CRANE HIRE
1995 COVENTRY CRANE HIRE
1995 GORDON SPARROW CRANE HIRE
1993 J&W WOLFENDEN
1992 NEWCASTLE CRANE HIRE
1988 W GLOVER CRANE HIRE
1976 WM AINSCOUGH & SONS LTD