Prater, the UK’s leading complete building envelope specialist, has purchased a Magni 6.30 SH to assist with the operational delivery of its extensive scope of works at Manchester Airport. Prater was appointed by main contractor Laing O’Rourke to design and install the complete envelope package for the new Pier One, Link Bridge, and Terminal 2 as part of the airport’s £1bn transformation.
The Magni 6.30 SH was purchased by Prater to assist with the ongoing work at Manchester Airport and to then aid future projects. Chosen for its easy-to-operate design, durability and long reach, the Magni 6.30 SH enables the onsite team at Manchester to overcome the complexities of the high-profile project.
The premium rotohandler has a 30m maximum lift height and includes the use of an additional 2.5m fly jib winch and 800kg man basket attachment, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The rotohandler is also capable of handling a capacity of six tonnes, which ensures that heavy materials can be easily transported around the site. Due to its smaller size, in comparison to a crane, the Magni 6.30 SH enables the team at Manchester Airport to mitigate crane attendances, a benefit that will assist with future Prater projects going forward.
The rotohandler also utilises advanced technology, including live load charts with auto recognition. Access to this live data ensures that operators are better informed and can gain instant output from the rotohandler. As this reduces the chance for human error, site safety can be better ensured, and the faster return of information can improve build times.
The Magni 6.30 SH rotohandler was delivered to Manchester Airport last month, following an investigation into the benefits of purchasing the machine. Working closely with GT Lifting, a key supply chain partner of Prater, the project team undertook a study of the annual hire expenditure across the portfolio of Prater projects over the last five years to understand the commercial, operational and business benefits of the potential purchase. The Board of Directors recognised the advantages to both the project and the business as a whole thereafter.
“As a company, we pride ourselves on the strength of our supply chain partnerships and the introduction of the Magni 6.30 SH to the Manchester Airport project is proof of this,” explained James Finlason, Senior Project Manager at Prater. “Manchester Airport has been a challenging, but rewarding project for Prater, and working with GT Lifting has allowed us to utilise the Magni 6.30 SH on site to overcome the many project constraints.
“The Magni 6.30 SH can also be adapted using a variety of attachments, which we hope will serve Prater’s wider business requirements once the Manchester Airport project has been completed. This will enable Prater to continue to lead the market and provide solutions to some of the most complex façade packages across the UK.”
