Durham Lifting is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of growth into one of the UK’s leading providers of lifting equipment, proof load testing and engineered solutions.
During that time, the company has helped customers overcome complex engineering challenges across offshore wind, oil and gas, marine, defence and infrastructure.
Founded in 1996 by Amanda Gardiner and her father, Frank Pickersgill, Durham Lifting began in Shildon, County Durham, with a vision to build a specialist lifting business.
“Lifting was becoming an increasingly specialised and technical discipline, and we saw an opportunity to build a dedicated lifting business from the ground up,” said Amanda.
As demand grew, Durham Lifting acquired the historic Britannia Test House in Middlesbrough.
The move transformed the company’s capabilities, enabling it to expand into proof load testing, manufacturing and specialist engineering services while establishing the headquarters from which it continues to operate today.
Investment has increased testing capacity from 1,200 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes, making Britannia Test House one of the UK’s largest proof load testing facilities.
“Britannia Test House has played a huge part in our journey,” Amanda said.
“It’s a building with a rich engineering history, and we’ve continued to invest in it to ensure it can support the industries of tomorrow as well as those that built it.”
Growing alongside offshore wind
As offshore wind began to transform the energy sector, Durham Lifting supported some of the earliest installation vessels before progressing to increasingly complex lifting solutions for major offshore developments in the UK and overseas.
“The scale of change has been incredible,” Amanda said.
“Twenty-five years ago, we would have been working on cranes capable of lifting around 400 tonnes. Today, we’re supporting projects involving 3,000 and 4,000-tonne cranes aboard some of the largest installation vessels.”
Durham Lifting has contributed to developments and projects including Dogger Bank, Sofia, London Array, Blyth and Inch Cape.
Its work has included designing bespoke lifting solutions for monopiles, turbine blades, nacelles and cable load-out operations.
One project of particular significance was the design, manufacture and proof load testing of a 125-tonne self-balancing C-hook for SeAH Wind’s monopile manufacturing facility on Teesside.
Developed specifically for handling monopiles within the facility, it is believed to be the largest lifting accessory of its kind in the world.
“This project is an example of the exceptional engineering work we have undertaken and successfully delivered,” Amanda said.
“It took the project from concept through to completion and allowed us to bring together every division of the business to achieve a first-class result.”
Engineering at the core
For director Paul Gardiner, the company’s continued success is rooted in its engineering capabilities and the people behind them.
“I believe our engineering ability is what sets us apart,” Paul said.
“We have a highly experienced team of mechanical design engineers, with expertise ranging from proof load testing to developing new products that solve complex lifting challenges.
“We do things right and we don’t cut corners,” he added.
“Everything we do is centred on ensuring that people go home safely at the end of the day. That has been a core value of the business throughout the past 30 years.
“We have recently made significant investments in our testing facilities, which now provide capabilities ranging from one tonne to 3,000 tonnes.
“We are extremely proud of our history and of the business our team has built.”
Supporting customers beyond the lift
Alongside its engineering and testing capabilities, Durham Lifting has continued to invest in its growing service division, helping customers manage lifting equipment and crane systems throughout their operational lifecycle.
From inspections and certification to preventative maintenance, repairs and asset management, the team helps customers maintain compliance and keep critical equipment operating safely.
One of the division’s most significant developments is a digital asset management platform that provides instant access to inspection records, certification and maintenance histories.
QR codes are assigned to overhead cranes, forklifts, spreader beams and other lifting assets, so relevant information can be accessed quickly on site, while customers have a central system for managing compliance information.
“The platform is just one part of what we offer,” said service manager Samuel Gardiner.
“Our goal is to make life easier for our customers by giving them complete confidence that their equipment is compliant, properly maintained and ready when they need it.”
Building for the future
Durham Lifting expanded its engineering capabilities further with the launch of Multisec®, its own range of engineered lifting systems.
Now with DNV approval and supplied to customers in more than 11 countries, the range includes modular spreader beams, multi-point lifting beams, modular lifting frames and other solutions for complex lifting operations.
The next generation is also playing an important role in the business, with Olivia Gardiner, sales and operations manager, helping to support the company’s continued growth.
“We’ve built a knowledgeable and experienced team that customers know they can rely on,” said Olivia.
“The technology supports their work, but it’s the people behind the business who make the real difference.”
For more information, call 01642 240672 or visit durhamlifting.co.uk
