Mechan given safety accolade by Siemens Mobility

Sheffield-based Mechan has received recognition from one of the world’s largest rail industry companies for its positive impact on the safety of depot workers.

The heavy lifting and handling specialist won the Contribution to Safety and Quality (Supplier) award at Siemens Mobility’s recent UK Supplier Conference.

Mechan was presented with the award by Siemens Mobility’s UK head of category management, Martin McGough, during an online ceremony, for a joint project undertaken at the Lincoln overhaul facility. Working together, the two firms designed a set of 22 bespoke bogie lifters to replace a system that had reached the end of its useful life.

Bogie lifters were not part of Mechan’s standard product portfolio, but thanks to its longstanding relationship with Siemens Mobility, it was asked to tender for the project. It is the first time the firm has supplied the Lincoln facility, although its equipment is in use at eight of the client’s other UK rail depots.

Lindsey Mills, Mechan’s sales manager, said: “It is a pleasure to know the quality and safety of our equipment is appreciated by Siemens Mobility, having worked together for many years and we are delighted to win this award against tough competition. We were asked to design the bogie lifters because the firm knows we possess the inhouse skills to deliver exactly to its specification. Thanks to this project, we have now added them to our standard product range, making them available to the industry at large.”

Bogie lifters work in synchronised pairs to raise a bogie frame to a comfortable working height for maintenance and repairs to take place underneath. They are designed to allow maximum clearance around the frame, giving operators safe access to all areas when dismantling and reassembling a bogie. For more information about Mechan’s recent award win or its bogie lifters, telephone (0114) 257 0563, visit www.mechan.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter, @mechanuk.