Lancashire-based
Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers, which has specialised in supporting the UK rail and construction sectors for 42 years, is expanding its headquarters to meet increased demand for its services. Managing director Paul Hargreaves has recently completed a deal to purchase more land at the company’s base on the Red Marsh Industrial Estate in Thornton-Cleveleys (near Blackpool).
The extra 900m
2 of land and warehouses, will mean the company can expand its logistics department, freeing-up space for production and make the site more efficient. Paul, who joined the company 14 years ago, is the second generation to run the company, which was set up by his parents Ros and Allan Hargreaves, headed up a management buy-out 18 months ago. A great believer in continuous learning, Paul is set to soon complete his Masters degree in ‘Through-Life Engineering’ at
Cranfield University.
Hargreaves supports rail and civil contactors around the UK, engineering solutions for major infrastructure challenges and employs a team of 80. The business designs and manufacturers new machinery, with all design, assembly, and testing taking place at its Thornton-Cleveleys headquarters.
Innovative design solutionsPaul said: “We solve customers’ technical problems by making or adapting plant equipment to meet their needs. We also provide a fast diagnosis, repair and support service across the UK.
“Through innovative design solutions and skilled engineers, we design, manufacture and install bespoke solutions for the rail and construction industry. We also specialise in rail adaptations. There are not really any OEMs that make rail machines like we do. For example, we adapt earth-moving machines for rail lines to service the industry.”
The company adapts equipment to carry out a range of tasks including lifting heavier loads and adapting long arms to reach further distances. It also develops safety systems which control machinery. As well as designing and manufacturing, Hargreaves also employs a team of mobile service engineers who work all over the UK.
Paul continued: “Our fully equipped mobile field service team carry out a wide range of diagnostic and repair work for both the rail and construction industries — customer service is paramount. We have the ethos of a family business and our commitment to our customers generates a trusting relationship.
“We are passionate about providing opportunities for the next generation — we take on apprentices every year and have our own internal full-time trainer. It all adds up to an extremely stable business, which is achieving consistent growth while having family values at its heart.”