Our History

A second contract customer arrived in the form of The East Anglian Cement Company (later became Rugby Cement). The relationship would last for over 60 years until the plant closed in 2004. In 1936 the Group obtained its ‘A’ Licence and within five years had acquired all three local hauliers that originally opposed the licence application.

With 1952 came the start of Welch’s Crane Hire. Offering contract, urban and boat lifts from our depot in Stapleford, Cambs.

1972 saw the lift of a German Junkter Fuselage into the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for restoration. Our team saw the lift through the entire process and we continue to work with the Imperial War Museum today.

Welch’s Crane Hire came together with our Specialist Movements division at the St Ives depot. This relocation allowed our team to utilise our capabilities and offer a wider range of lifting and moving opportunities across the UK.

41 years later, once again we were asked to lift the same, German Junkter Fuselage at the Imperial War Museum.

Martin Burgess took on the Appointed Person’s course through Leibherr, Biggleswade.

Stapleford depot closes after 75 years of faithful service and moves 5 miles down the road to Welch’s brand new, multi-million pound, custom-built transport and commercial Duxford site. A great facility designed to see the group through the next 75 years!

Our Operations Supervisor, Julie Payne, gains her Slinger Signaller qualification to improve the customer experience.

Delivery of new 20t City mobile crane 

2019 saw the 85th birthday of the family run business