Hoisting solution replaces UK roof

Niamh Marriott Deputy Editor, International Cranes and Specialized Transport

28 April 2025

UK-based Hoist and Winch supplied a roof lowering hoisting solution to a subcontractor to replace the roof of a landmark building in Nottinghamshire in the UK.

Photo: Hoist & Winch

The building is a former HMRC complex similar in design to London’s O2 Arena, and is today part of Nottingham University’s Castle Meadow Campus.

Following a number of site meetings and consultations with both designers and roof installation personnel, Hoist and Winch was able to propose a complete package of equipment and technical support.

Photo: Hoist & Winch

At the centre of the proposal were 12 Yale/CM Lodestar electric chain hoists. These 2 tonne swl (safe working load), 110V top-hook suspension hoists were coupled with correctly sized 30 metre long power feed/control cables. The idea was to operate the hoists simultaneously in sets of four while suspended from the customer’s specially designed lifting beams.

Hoist and Winch also provided three separate single free-standing control stations of bespoke design to manage hoist unit motion, either individually or in sets of four, during lowering of the original fabric roof and lifting of its replacement.

Another aspect of the project saw Hoist and Winch supply a combination of 15 tonne and 6.3 tonne swl William Hackett lever hoists to assist with de-tensioning the original fabric roof prior to lowering operations and re-tensioning the new fabric once lifted into its final position.

Photo: Hoist & Winch

“The outcome was the safe and successful removal of the original fabric roof and the installation of its replacement as part of a finely controlled, smooth process,” said Hoist and Winch director Andy Allen.

“The customer was delighted with […] the solutions we proposed. Taking projects like this from concept to fruition is where we excel, ensuring our customers meet all of their objectives in a safe, competent and timely manner.”

Photo: Hoist & Winch

Impressed by Hoist and Winch’s work, the specialist roofing subcontractor later brought the company back to adapt the lifting system and applied lessons from the Nottingham project to secure a new multi-point lifting contract in Copenhagen.