Sheffield-based Mechan (www.mechan.co.uk) — a specialist in the design and manufacture of handling equipment for rail depots and workshops — has been awarded a five-year maintenance contract by Hitachi Rail.

This covers regular maintenance visits and 24hr breakdown assistance at the recently completed facility at Doncaster, plus facilities in West London and Stoke Gifford (near Bristol).

Mechan will take care of the bespoke equipment supplied to these three locations, which includes 80 lifting jacks and two bogie turntables.

Lindsey Mills, Mechan’s sales manager, said: “Hitachi Rail’s commitment to this contract is a real step forward, demonstrating a desire to centralise work with suppliers and promote consistency between manufacture and maintenance, rather than leaving each depot to its own devices.

"From our perspective, it allows us to structure our service team to meet demand and ensure that our equipment is operating efficiently at all times.”

Mechan will also be responsible for servicing the fume extraction systems at the three facilities.