Amanda Gardiner:
34 Years in the Lifting Industry.

Amanda’s father operated an engineering and fabrication business in Teesside, supplying customers within the oil and gas sector. That environment introduced her to industrial engineering and created an early interest in lifting equipment.

Durham Lifting was established in County Durham to provide local companies with lifting equipment, technical knowledge and dependable support.

In the company’s early years, business was strongly relationship driven. Loyal customers relied on the expertise, qualifications and advice provided by established suppliers.

Those relationships remain important, but customers have become increasingly focused on pricing, efficiency and measurable cost savings.

The move into the digital era also transformed the market. Mobile communications, websites, online purchasing and faster international logistics opened opportunities that would have been difficult to imagine when Durham Lifting began.

Durham Lifting had already spent many years manufacturing lifting beams and crane systems, so the transition into offshore wind was a natural development.

Customers were requesting equipment based on familiar engineering principles, but the size, capacity and technical scope of the projects increased significantly.

The team welcomed the challenge, developing its product knowledge and learning how existing lifting expertise could be applied to a rapidly growing energy sector.

Financing projects of that scale represented a new chapter for the business. Large contracts require considerable investment in materials, labour and equipment before the completed work reaches the customer.

Amanda recalls the advice passed down by her father: “Cash is king.” Careful financial control and project management became increasingly important as Durham Lifting moved into larger and more technically demanding contracts.

Durham Lifting follows the principle “We do it right.” Employees are trained to assess difficult situations, make responsible decisions and place safety ahead of commercial pressure.

The company built its reputation through quality workmanship and the ability to complete difficult lifting tasks safely.

That approach is particularly important in offshore and marine environments, where weather, access restrictions and operational conditions can change quickly.

Short delivery times are common within offshore and industrial lifting. Years of experience mean Amanda and the wider team are accustomed to responding quickly without compromising technical standards.

Complex arrangements can often be engineered within hours, with equipment prepared and dispatched to meet demanding project schedules.

Maintaining extensive stock on site also helps Durham Lifting respond when customers need urgent rigging equipment or replacement components.

Durham Lifting employs qualified engineers with experience in rigging design and complex lifting arrangements.

Many requirements must be completed quickly, so engineers assess the available equipment and create a calculated rigging plan that meets the customer’s operational needs.

Suitable components are carefully selected, including wide-body shackles where required to protect slings and other equipment from damage. Relevant load factors, standards and operating conditions are then assessed to promote a safe lifting environment.

The wider team’s product knowledge is equally important, helping customers identify practical solutions for difficult or unusual rigging configurations.

Modular spreader beams provide a versatile and cost-effective solution for a wide range of lifting operations.

Their modular construction allows systems to be configured for different lifting spans and capacities. Spreading the load can also reduce the weight and complexity of the upper rigging, an important consideration when working with offshore or deck cranes.

Durham Lifting first became involved in modular spreader beam manufacture during the 1980s and continued developing the concept into the Multisec range of engineered lifting systems.

The historic test bed was built in 1926 by Dorman Long, the Teesside engineering company associated with major bridge construction projects around the world.

Steelwork connected with the Sydney Harbour Bridge was produced and tested in Teesside during this period.

The original test equipment was steam driven before being converted to hydraulic operation around the 1950s. Durham Lifting remains proud to maintain the site and keep an important part of Teesside’s industrial heritage in active use.

Testing offshore and industrial lifting equipment is at the heart of Durham Lifting’s operations.

Equipment manufactured by the company is tested and certified in line with the relevant standards. The facilities are also used to inspect and test customer-owned equipment before it returns to service.

This work helps customers demonstrate that safety-critical equipment is suitable for use while preserving the practical purpose of the historic test facility.

Durham Lifting developed a proven track record supporting major UK wind farms over more than 15 years.

The Rampion offshore wind project was a particular highlight for Amanda. It involved the use of Dyneema synthetic slings and the sourcing of lifting equipment with capacities well above 1,000 tonnes.

Seeing Durham Lifting and its suppliers adopt new technologies and work with loads on a scale not previously encountered was both challenging and exciting.

Green energy remains a significant driver for UK industry. Offshore wind will continue to develop, while wave and other emerging technologies may create new engineering and lifting requirements.

Government investment and increasing pressure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels should encourage continued development across the UK energy supply chain.

These projects will require larger equipment, new materials and more sophisticated lifting arrangements as technology develops.

Durham Lifting will continue developing the Multisec product range and expanding international access to its engineered lifting systems.

At the time of the interview, the company was also developing new products for offshore and subsea applications, with the aim of supporting increasingly complex projects.

International supply, engineered equipment and renewable energy remain important areas for the long-term growth of the business.

Amanda believes offshore wind is firmly established as a long-term part of the energy industry.

The North East of England is expected to remain an important global centre for manufacturing, engineering and offshore energy support.

Older infrastructure will need to be decommissioned while new, more efficient wind farms are installed. Climate pressures will continue increasing demand for sustainable energy and the lifting expertise needed to build and maintain it.