BOOST FOR ISLANDS FROM NEW CRANES

The provision of heavy lifting cranes on the Western Isles is getting a major boost with the assistance of Western Isles Enterprise.
 
WIE is backing Stornoway-based John Maciver & Sons in a scheme to buy in two cranes with a far greater reach and power than the specialist firm's existing equipment.

This £200,000 project will give local firms hoping to win construction and maintenance contracts the chance to use cranes at a lower cost than if they had to be shipped over from the mainland. There are no other Island firms with cranes this size.

It will also open up the opportunity to use cranes on local schemes which would have been unviable before - for instance, moving large, heavy items into the backgardens of houses which don't have street access.

Marine-based industries will also benefit - at present vessels from the fishing and fishfarming industries may have to be sent to the mainland for work that requires them to be lifted out of the water. Once both the new cranes are available, it will be possible to undertake work with benefits to the local economy and a saving in time for the boatowners involved.

WIE is backing John Maciver and Sons with a £60,000 grant while the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust is offering a £25,000 loan; the local business loan scheme run by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, WIE and the Royal Bank of Scotland is putting in £30,000; and CnES is offering a KickStart loan of £10,000.

John Maciver & Sons is run by Iain Maciver who took it over from his father and two uncles in 2000 and has been developing the business since. The firm, which employs the equivalent of seven people, also covers two other areas of work apart from crane hire - digger and lorry hire; and road gritting.

Among the projects covered in the last two years have been work with the Stolt Sea Farm plant in Scalpay; ferry maintenance for Caledonian MacBrayne; pier repairs in Stornoway Harbour; fishing vessel recovery at Breasclete; and attending a crashed aircraft at Stornoway airport.

But a range of jobs could not be undertaken because heavier equipment was needed and the need for heavy lifting equipment had also been identified for the imminent work to refurbish Arnish Yard.

Mr Maciver said the two cranes would be able to lift 50 and 35 tonnes, replacing ones able to lift 15 and 25 tonnes. While the crane vehicles would be only slightly longer, because of the size of Island roads, their reach and lifting ability would be far greater. Boats up to three times the present maximum weight would be lifted out of the water, while the reach would be extended from 24 to 40 metres.

The two cranes have already been booked out for work, including contracts relating to the refurbishment of the giant shed at Arnish.

John Maciver & Sons is one of Stornoway's oldest surviving firms. It was started by Mr Iain Maciver's grandfather more than 70 years ago and has been involved in a range of work, starting off with fishing boats and later buses and tractors. Iain has won recognition as a successful young businessman in several local and regional award schemes in recent years.

WIE chief executive Mr Donnie Macaulay said this was a major development for the Islands which would provide a much-needed local resource realising one of WIE's aims of reducing dependence on the mainland and increasing local business activity and opportunities.

"It is hoped that this new service will be of assistance to a wide variety of construction and development schemes which are being considered for the Islands at present," Mr Macaulay said.