Airtek hires 50th Arcomet to UK

Within a year of becoming the distributor for Arcomet, Belgium-based self-erecting tower crane manufacturer Airtek has hired its 50th unit into the UK construction industry.

Airtek has focused its efforts on the UK housebuilding sector and said its penetration "reflects the increasing acceptance within the UK of self-erecting cranes".

The radio-controlled cranes have under hook heights up to 36m (45m under the jib), are said to be more competitive than traditional tower cranes and to cost about the same as a large telehandler.

Operators take a four-day Construction Industry Training Board course (banksman, slinger and pedestrian controlled crane operator) and the cranes are fitted with interlocks to prevent weight limits being exceeded.

In June, Airtek and Arcomet formed Airtek Cranes, a 50:50 joint venture as the sole UK agent and distributor for Arcomet self-erecting cranes.