15.06.2009

Londonderry wins United Utilities contract

Specialist equipment supplier, Londonderry Garage – based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire - has won a contract to supply United Utilities specially adapted Mercedes Benz Unimogs and Axors for the construction and maintenance of overhead power lines.

Two Unimog U5000Ls with Hiab loader cranes, are already in service with a third currently being built. Two Axors also fitted with Hiabs, joined the fleet in April. The vehicles will be working in an area from the Midlands to the Scottish borders.
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A Unimog U5000Ls with Hiab XS144-4 Hi-Pro

When fitted with the Hiab XS144-4 Hi-Pro the Unimog is capable of carrying up to 13 metre long poles each weighing up to 750kg, as well as specialist tooling.

United Utilities transport manager Graham Davies said: “The Unimogs and Axors are ideal as they can carry all the tools we need to complete a job. This is vital in our work as if we need to interrupt a high voltage network the cost to us is £200 per minute, so we obviously need to be as quick as possible.”

Charles Pugh, Londonderry Garage’s product sales manager for Hiab, said: “These are completely bespoke vehicles and fitting in all the equipment certainly posed us a challenge but I am delighted with the results. Looking ahead, we are discussing with United Utilities fitting a basket to the Hiab to add even more operational flexibility.”