We have received the sad news that UK crane industry veteran, sales manager and company director Andrew Plant has died. He passed away at a hospital in the Philippines on Saturday, having suffered an aneurism and cardiac arrest while being treated for food poisoning. He was 56 and would have been 57 in November. We understand that he was planning to return to the UK to take up a new role in the crane industry and was looking to tie things up at Vertikal Days. But circumstances changed all that.
Andrew Plant in 2014
He leaves behind three daughters, two brothers and a sister.
Andrew Plant was born in Doncaster, England and began his career as a sales rep for Tara Crane Hire, having gained a good deal of experience, he moved to Emsley Crane Hire to run its hire desk. His crane sales career began with Tadano crane dealer Marubeni-Komatsu, where he worked for Alan Dennison. He then moved to PPM UK to work with Alan Charlesworth before joining Demag in 1995 where he worked with Barry Barnes, leaving in 2002 to become UK sales manager for Gottwald harbour cranes.
In 2008 he moved into wind turbine installation business with McNally/Windhoist which sent him to work in Australia. We understand that he set up his own venture in the wind powered business, which he ran for a short while, before returning to the crane industry with Tadano distributor Cranes UK in 2012 when he was appointed UK sales manager.
In 2014 he became the first general manager and a director of Tadano UK after the manufacturer acquired its dealer Cranes UK. In 2016 he was seriously ill and nearly lost his life to sepsis, leading to a period off work. He returned to his post in 2017, leaving the company in 2020 after Tadano acquired Demag. Having considered all his options, Plant moved to the Philippines where he has been living since then.
During his time with Tadano, he did an enormous amount for charity and, in particular, Barnsley hospice. One example of his chartable work was organising a sponsored hike up Ben Nevis to raise funds for cancer research in memory of Tadano colleague Colin Burnett.
on Ben Nevis in 2014 (L-R) Paul Brown, Andrew Plant, David Green, Joe Cunningham, David Grayson, Jim Leishman, Richie Tannock and Paul Goodall
We will update this item if and when we learn more.
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Paul Brown
I first met the then Andy Bridon at MKL when they were Tadano Faun distributors for the UK and since then we have always managed somehow to keep in touch. The last occasions were just before and then just after his move to the Philippines. At MKL our first trip was to Aberdeen to try to sell Tadano to the then well known, and liked customer. The next time we met in Aberdeen, I was still trying to sell Tadano Faun but Andy was then selling Demag. Andy, god bless his soul, never really stopped moving. We crossed paths again when he joined Cranes Uk working for Joe Lyon.
Andy rest in peace and thanks for all the times we spent together. My best wishes and sincere condolences to your family.
Paul Brown
Tadano Faun (ret)
b
Wow that was really unexpected. I always enjoyed working and travelling with Andy and was waiting to see where he was going to be next in UK. Generally we lost touch until very recently but isn't that just the way we go through life. He was too young to go. My condolences to his family, Barry Barnes
Paul Brown
I first met the then Andy Bridon at MKL when they were Tadano Faun distributors for the UK and since then we have always managed somehow to keep in touch. The last occasions were just before and then just after his move to the Philippines. At MKL our first trip was to Aberdeen to try to sell Tadano to the then well known, and liked customer. The next time we met in Aberdeen, I was still trying to sell Tadano Faun but Andy was then selling Demag. Andy, god bless his soul, never really stopped moving. We crossed paths again when he joined Cranes Uk working for Joe Lyon.
Andy rest in peace and thanks for all the times we spent together. My best wishes and sincere condolences to your family.
Paul Brown
Tadano Faun (ret)
b
Wow that was really unexpected. I always enjoyed working and travelling with Andy and was waiting to see where he was going to be next in UK. Generally we lost touch until very recently but isn't that just the way we go through life. He was too young to go. My condolences to his family, Barry Barnes