As Manchester's Parklife Festival approaches, the pressure is on for construction teams working against tight deadlines to ensure everything is ready for the weekend's anticipated crowds and it's no different for John Sutch Cranes.
At Heaton Park, John Sutch Cranes supervisor Tony Smith is overseeing the assembly of an intricate stage structure using the company's Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1, a 60-tonne crane known for its versatility in complex lifting operations.
And what a job the team delivered.
Smith, who has been with the Manchester-based company for nine years, represents the kind of experienced operator that festival organisers rely on when precision and timing are critical.
"Festival work requires absolute precision," Smith explained during a brief pause in operations as colleagues from Trust Events prepared for the next rig to be checked," he said.
"Every component must be positioned exactly right for both safety and acoustic requirements. The technical demands are high, but it's rewarding work knowing that thousands of people will enjoy the performances made possible by getting these structures right."
The Liebherr LTM 1050-3.1 with its 48-metre reach capacity, has proven well-suited to the complex requirements of festival stage construction.
The crane's versatility allows operators to manage the varied angles and reaches required for intricate stage assemblies, where each lift presents unique positioning challenges.
"The adaptability of this particular crane is crucial for festival applications," Smith said.
"Stage construction involves multiple components with different weight distributions and positioning requirements. Having equipment that can handle that variety efficiently makes a significant difference to project timelines."
Smith's career with John Sutch Cranes reflects the company's focus on retaining experienced personnel in a competitive market. It's handy to that he lives close by in Oldham, but he's moved up the ranks from a slinger to now calling the shots on site.
"The team dynamic here is excellent," Smith said.
"Having reliable colleagues and strong support from the Manchester office creates the kind of working environment where you can focus on delivering quality results, particularly on high-pressure projects like festival preparation."
Chris Fisher, Manchester Depot Manager, highlighted the importance of experienced supervisors like Smith for complex operations.
"Tony represents the calibre of operator essential for high-profile projects," Fisher said.
"His technical competence combined with nine years of experience across diverse applications makes him invaluable for challenging assignments. When clients need confidence in project delivery, supervisors with Tony's track record provide that assurance."
Fisher emphasised the broader significance of such expertise within the company's operations.
"Experienced operators like Tony are fundamental to our service delivery," he added.
"His reliability and technical knowledge, developed over nearly a decade with us, exemplify the professional standards we maintain across all our operations. That consistency is what clients depend on for critical project timelines."
The Parklife Festival stage construction represents one element of John Sutch Cranes' diverse portfolio, which spans construction, industrial, and entertainment sector applications. The company's ability to deploy appropriate equipment and experienced operators for such varied requirements demonstrates the breadth of expertise required in modern crane operations.
