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Newham based crane hire company are now home to 36 cranes

Wednesday 23rd November, 2022

Newham based crane hire company are now home to 36 cranes

Meet the fleet – this hard-to-miss machinery has been the mechanical muscle behind the construction of some of Cornwall’s most iconic buildings and landmarks over the past 55 years.

And Macsalvors Crane Hire in Newham - home to one of the largest collections of cranes in the South West – is still going strong.


The firm has been involved with countless major projects in Cornwall over the decades, including the Earth Satellite Station at Goonhilly, the Power Station at Indian Queens, the Eden Project and the scheme to widen the Tamar Bridge. High-profile road improvements and building projects throughout Cornwall are also on the list.

Macsalvors, established in 1967, has a built up a fleet of 36 cranes, which range in size from 2.9 tonnes to 180 tonnes. 


Director Cameron MacQuarrie, part of his family’s firm since he was a teenager, is proud to have been involved in so many key projects over the years.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been able to enjoy a varied, interesting and challenging working life,” he said. “The whole world is changing rapidly but we are going with it and there will always be a need to build,” he added. “The technology in the cranes is phenomenal now and compared to 50 years ago it’s changed beyond belief. I’ve just grown with it. I’m still very interested in it all and I think that’s the key.

Masalvors, based in Newham Road, has an extraordinary backstory. It started out as a marine salvage company when its two Scottish founders (including Cameron’s father Neil) used machinery to help re-float the Queen Elizabeth Class Warship H.M.S. Warspite when it sank off the coast of Cornwall in 1947. 

It remains the largest salvage operation ever carried out in British waters. A piece of the Warspite can be seen at Macsalvors’ Superstore at Redruth. 

The Scotsmen (both “macs” and both called Neil) incorporated their trade (Salvors) into a new venture in 1957 and created Macsalvors.

The company's early work was buying and selling Ministry of Defence surplus, dismantling and demolition. In 1962, Macsalvors launched a plant hire business, bringing a new crane hire service to the South West.  


Today, Macsalvors has a team of 65 employees across sites in Newham and Bodmin, including specialist engineers who can repair a wide range of plant machinery and heavy vehicles.  

“Nothing is off limits,” said Cameron, describing the scale of work the fleet of all terrain, spider and compact cranes can take on. The firm also has a series of low-loaders and other heavy haulage vehicles. “We work across every industry, shipyards, roads, mining, engineering and construction – you name it.” 

Their customer base is wide, including local authorities and commercial shipping lines, as well as local companies and individuals. 

In addition, the firm offers a tow bar fitting service for all makes and models of vehicle together with a fully mobile tyre fitting supply and repair service covering commercial, agricultural, construction and industrial

“Every day is busy and every day is different,” said Cameron, who is still very much hands-on. “I still really enjoy it. A lot of the customers we’ve known for many years and are good friends.” 

Do you want to work for Macsalvors? There are vacancies for Crane Operators, Supervisors, Lorry Loader Operators, Lorry Drivers and experienced tow bar fitters to join their workforce.

See www.macsalvors.co.uk


 
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