Category: News

• We have purchased a lorry which will operate from the North depot
• Expect it to be on the road within next 2-weeks
• It is a 3-axle tractor unit fitted with a 71-tonne/metre crane behind the cab
• Will be available with a low-loader or sliding canopy trailer

Back in 2013 Flegg replaced a number of counterbalance forklifts with a range of new Hysters ranging from 2.5 to 7.0-ton capacity. Now 3 years on from taking delivery we spoke to Jayson Flegg (MD) about their performance to date;

“Our forklift fleet was showing its age so we decided to look at options for replacement”. “We already had a relationship with Briggs Equipment as we purchased parts from them and occasionally used them for spot-hire”. “Briggs is the UK distributor for Hyster so it made sense to talk to them about options”. “We quickly worked out that it would be much more cost effective to have new forklifts instead of patching up existing Fleet”. “We signed a long-term agreement with Briggs for four brand new counterbalance trucks, all of which had been specifically designed for our requirements (compact cab and masts)”. “The trucks have been pretty much faultless and when we have had a problem; Briggs support has been impressive”.

Since signing the original deal in 2013 we have added 2 additional Hysters to our growing fleet and are expecting two more S7’s to arrive in October. Mark Marshall (Commercial Director) added; “Signing the deal with Briggs coincided with a period of growth for the business”. “The trucks are well presented and very reliable and this gives our clients the confidence and service they expect”.

The Flegg warehouse at Aston Clinton is a particularly busy environment and we thought it would be interesting to spend a day with our warehouse supervisor and to show what an average day looks like.

Kevin Rymer is currently “celebrating” his 10th anniversary with the business. He joined the crew as a HGV class 1 driver and established himself as a key member of the staff and a competent machine mover. This was recognised when he moved onto the company’s Flagship vehicle, our 4-axle crane trailer.

An opportunity became available within the warehouse and after many years on the road Kevin applied for the warehouse supervisor’s role. We spoke to Kevin about his time in the new role and the challenges it presents.

“The main part of my job is to ensure that machines are out and ready to load when vehicles arrive back to the yard”. “This may sound simple but we are regularly moving machines in/out of the warehouse which are in excess of 15-tons and we are not always blessed with loads of aisle space so it all needs to be carefully co-ordinated and completed safely”.

As well as storage and handling, Flegg also offers clients the ability to build and test their machines.

“We have a large bed-mill in the warehouse at the moment”. As well as providing the storage space the client is using Flegg’s on site lifting resources to help assemble this machine and return it to operational condition. “We are working alongside the customer’s own engineers to carry out the assembly, on this particular machine we helped to lift the bridge section onto the legs with our hydraulic jacking system”.

“The day we lifted the bridge section was particularly busy, as well as setting up the gantry for that lift we also offloaded a printing machine from three shipping containers, a routing machine from two Italian vehicles and assisted our packing contractor with a lift on a 12-ton scanning machine”. “This was on top of the usual loading/offloading of our own fleet”.

“The nature of the business means that things can change at short notice and we need to be able to react”. “I spend a lot of time liaising with our Transport Manager to ensure that we pre-plan movements for each day and to ensure we reduce the chances of double-handling”.

Kevin also has responsibility for the monitoring of our lifting tackle and ensuring that all equipment is available and in good working order. Kevin is a key member of the Flegg team and the directors congratulate him on the success he has made of this new role.

Flegg recently added its first ever 4-axle rigid vehicle to the fleet. We took some time to speak to the driver to ask him for his perspective on the new lorry and how he has found it.

“This is the 4th new lorry I have had since joining Flegg back in 1998. Given that, all of my trucks have been bespoke built there is normally a period when you find a few issues; but this particular truck has ticked all the boxes from day 1”.

“The biggest difference is the additional axle, this means I now have the capacity to lift and carry up to 11.5-tons whereas my 3-axle only had a 6-tonne payload”.

“The truck has a number of nice features which makes my job that bit easier, for example it is fitted with load sensors on each of the axles; there is a read-out in the cab which means I can see very accurately how the load is distributed on the truck and make adjustments where necessary”.

“The head-board of the sliding-canopy body has been designed to include some additional storage space; this means I can stow and access my lifting slings better”.

“The crane is fitted with 6 extensions which means I can reach out to 14.2-metres and have capacity to lift 2400kgs”.

“I have been averaging 11MPG, even with the additional weight this compares favourably to my previous lorries”.

Dave is one of our longest serving members of staff. We have taken the time to listen to his feed-back and his invaluable experience. He has been directly involved in the selection and design of the entire vehicle.

Jayson Flegg (MD) commented; “I am delighted that we have managed to get this truck right from the start, mistakes can be very costly so it is important that we listen to the guys when we select a new vehicle”. “We are currently in discussions with a trailer manufacturer who are designing a draw-bar trailer to go behind this truck which will take the vehicle’s pay-load up to 25,000kgs”.

Our Northern depot is now going from strength to strength.

The team have been extremely busy since opening earlier this year and one of their key projects involved mechanically dismantling a number of large machines, loading them onto transport, offloading and re-assembly in a new factory.

Since this job commenced in April we have moved around 900 tonnes of plant and machinery. Flegg Projects scope of works included the provision of transport between the sites and ensuring a smooth transition for our client. We are extremely proud of the way this has been handled and congratulate the team on such a smooth job.

We decided to ask Michael Alvey the Manager of our Northern Depot a number of questions. Thank you Michael for your honest answers.

How many years’ experience (jointly) does the crew have?

“A total of 58 years combined. John has the most experience with 23 years. Honest he is a spring chicken”.

Why did the team decide to move to Flegg?

“The lads moved due to the instability at current employer and were looking for a stable and secure future”.

What do they like about their job?

“The lads love having the equipment available that just wasn’t there at our previous employer. The idea of having our own equipment (Hoists / Gantry system etc.) with the Flegg name emblazoned on it, rather than having to wait for it to be delivered by a third party and our own FLTs that start when you turn the key is a bonus. They like the idea that Management are willing to work with the lads. There isn’t a ‘them and us’ attitude”.

Have they enjoyed their time with Flegg?

“Yes, it’s a far more relaxed atmosphere, but still with a professional approach. They enjoy the interaction with customers on site and feel they’re appreciated for the work they do”.

Would they recommend working for Flegg?

“Yes, everyone is approachable and the support from management appeals to them”.

We certainly look forward to building a larger team in the North East. If you would like to join our growing team, please do email us on recruitment@fleggprojects.co.uk

Flegg Projects and Installation Services, one of the UK’s leading machinery installation and relocation contractors has created five new jobs at a new depot in the North East of England. The 5,500 sq.ft unit in Washington (Tyne and Wear) opened in April 2016.

Buckinghamshire based Flegg Projects is setting up the new facility in response to demand for its services across the UK, particularly in the new machinery installation and mechanical engineering support sectors.

Managing Director Jayson Flegg said “The new depot gives us the opportunity to provide a more competitive offering to clients based in the North, as well as transport-orientated jobs going to that area of the UK, this is the logical next step to support our incredibly loyal customer base”.

Commenting on the opening of the new depot, Commercial Director Mark Marshall added; “The North East has a long and established history in manufacturing and is the home for a number of leading companies, we recognise that the continued investment in the region will present the opportunity to grow our existing portfolio of clients”.

Flegg Projects pride itself on its high-level of customer services and ability to create bespoke and cost effective solutions utilising a highly experienced team of project managers, skilled engineers and operatives who are all subject to continuous industry specific training. They are supported by a comprehensive fleet of lorries, trailers, versa-lifts, forklifts, hydraulic jacking systems and general ground moving tackle to assist with a range of lifting and handling requirements.

For more information call our Aylesbury Office on 01296 630234 or our new Washington Office on 0191 260 0661.

Jayson Flegg recently heard about a local young girl who has suffered the most horrendous start in life due to epilepsy and with the permission of her family, wanted to share her story.

Sienna was born in 2006 – seemingly healthy with no issues, when suddenly at 3 months old her family noticed she was ‘jerking’ a lot and not responding to them in any way. Her health then rapidly declined. After a series of tests at Bucks Royal Free Hospital it was discovered that the jerks were actually epileptic fits and she was having over 300 fits per day. She was diagnosed with West Syndrome and referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Due to the activity on her young brain it left no time to develop, to learn, or grow, instead she regressed back to being a new born baby and became blind due to the amount of seizures.

Sienna was prescribed many drugs and the family researched alternative remedies for her seizures such as a diet called Ketogenic diet, a very strict diet cutting out all carbohydrates. At this time Sienna was fed via a tube directly into her stomach and after 9 months her seizures were reduced from 300 per day to 3 per week. Her family were delighted and Sienna started to develop to a point where her medication was reduced and they had their baby back!

Today, Sienna’s condition is manageable with the help of some medication and supportive devices, although she cannot speak, walk or do any of the usual things most 8 year old’s can do. Despite all this, she is a very brave and happy young girl.

She enjoys swimming and music but most of all loves being out and about! Her current NHS wheelchair restricts her from going out to woodlands or beaches and she has never been out in the snow. Her family have found a specialist chair with a padded system which will enable her to go anywhere, be more comfortable and support her spine. Unfortunately, these chairs costs £6,300 and aren’t available on the NHS.

After learning about this tragic story, Jayson offered to provide £1,500 towards the cost of the chair for Sienna. Supporting epilepsy charitable causes is very close to his heart due to the sudden and tragic loss of his brother, Ben, due to the condition.

Her mum was extremely grateful for our support, “The general public have been overwhelmingly generous! And I have been brought to tears on a number of occasions! Your donation will help us buy her new chair! Sienna will most likely always have seizures, may never walk but she will always know how amazing humans really can be! Epilepsy is not known well by most and takes so many different forms and levels. We will always fight for a cure, and will be doing lots of charity events to help in the future. Thank you.”

In addition to our donation, Jayson and the team at Flegg’s will be taking part in charity runs and activities, such as tough mudder, specifically to raise more for Sienna and her family.

Please share this story with people you know and encourage others to support the Epilepsy Society in any way possible. If you would like to hear more about Sienna’s fundraising campaign, please contact us on 01296 630234.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new 25/35 Electric Versalift.

This counterbalance forklift features a hydraulic extendable frame to allow access into hard to reach areas. The truck is fitted with long forks as a standard and is also available with a hydraulic boom that can lift loads at a 7-metre radius. The truck can be fully operated by a wireless remote control; increasing the visibility of the lifting and moving of machinery by our operators.

“We are very aware that some factories prefer electric powered forklifts, which steered our decision to invest in an electric powered Versalift”, comments Mark Marshall, Commercial Director.
The truck is one of the first electric powered models to arrive in the UK and is a welcome addition to the Flegg fleet of industrial heavy forklift trucks.

“We already have years of experience in operating our Palfinger Crayler forklifts via remote control, so I’m really looking forward to seeing our new Versalift in action. I’m proud that we are able to offer our customers with a greener and alternative method for handling their machine moves and factory installations – especially those with a restricted access”, says Jayson Flegg, Managing Director.

This investment is just one part of an extensive fleet expansion programme throughout 2014 and 2015.

For more information on our fleet or if you need a quote for your machinery relocation or factory installation – call Mark now on 01296 630234.

We are pleased to show off our brand new Hoist 40/60 – the first in the UK. The concept is exactly the same as the widely known Versalift.

The truck features a counterbalance which can be extended via a hydraulic ram. With the counterbalance retracted the truck has a lift capacity of 18 tonnes and can lift 27 tonnes when extended fully. The truck can be supplied with forks or and extending jib. It’s good for the environment too as it’s powered by an LPG engine.

This is a sizeable investment for Fleggs and a valuable addition to our range of cranes, lift trucks and machinery moving and lifting fleet of vehicles. At Fleggs, we are committed to providing solutions to our customers need with the best equipment for the job in hand; be it for single machine lift and installation to an entire factory relocation.

To find out more about our new hoist and it’s capabilities, contact Mark Marshall on 01296 630234.

At Flegg, we understand the value of formal training to develop the skills and capabilities of all our operators.

Over the past 3 months, our team of forklift drivers, transportation crew and machinery installation engineers have completed the following programme of training courses.

• Asbestos Awareness
• Operation and used of compact crane
• Lifting tackle inspectors thorough examination
• NPORS Appointed person Lifting Operations (BS7121)
• NPORS Industrial counterbalance forklift truck
• NPORS Lorry Loader (vehicle mounted crane)

This investment in our people means we can continue to expand and develop the range of project management, lifting and specialist machine installations for our customers. For more information on our skills and capabilities, call Mark Marshall on 01296 630234.