LOCAL COMPANY SUPPLIES HEAVY LIFTING TRUCK TO AID OPERATIONS IN HAITI

A Warwickshire-based company, specialising in heavy lifting equipment, has responded to the Haiti Earthquake catastrophe with the supply of a Konecranes Lift truck to assist with aid operations in Port-au-Prince. When the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) made an enquiry for urgent supply of equipment, Cooper Specialised Handling made one of its new 16 tonne rental machines available for immediate supply. Sales manager at Cooper SH, Chris Barnes comments: “We don’t normally sell our new rental machines for outright purchase but the needs of the DFID over-rode internal procedures in this instance and we broke our own policy to ensure they had immediate availability.” The machine was quickly prepared, valeted and collected by the Royal Navy for onward shipping to Haiti within 48 hours of the contract award. The forklift truck was part of the DFID’s equipment provision that included shelter, 4x4 vehicles, water purification tablets and jerry cans. These all formed part of the UK’s £20 million emergency aid programme for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Chris Barnes continues: “We were extremely happy to accommodate the DFIDs’ needs and we are pleased that we could assist in making a difference.” The DFID is part of the UK government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty. With the Department led by one of the senior ministers in the government, this highlights the determination of the UK government in tackling poverty around the world. - ENDS - High res image to download for print: click here

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