Towne Lifting & Testing, UK’s family-run lifting and overhead crane specialists with 80 years of experience, received Collaboration of the Year for its partnership with Sole Digital in bringing the Crane of the Future to the UK and Europe at the Made in Yorkshire Award.

The Crane of the Future is a smart, cost-effective technology that reduces breakdowns, ensures health and safety compliance, and minimises repair and maintenance costs for manufacturers. This innovative solution demonstrates Towne Lifting’s commitment to using technology to raise industry standards across lifting, overhead, and machinery asset management.

The product’s successful introduction to the UK market last year led to the launch of Towne Lifting’s innovation centre at its Stockton office. The centre allows local manufacturers to visit, experience the technology first hand, and understand modern best practices in lifting and overhead operations.

John Elliott, the Commercial Director said:

‘Our partnership with Sole Digital on the Crane of the Future has been a game changer for the lifting industry in the UK and Europe. It also inspired the launch of our innovation centre, which sets the gold standard for lifting operations and is available for local manufacturers to visit’

In addition, the Crane of the Future has been shortlisted for the Made in Northeast Awards in the Product Innovation Category, further highlighting the impact on the industry and recognising Towne Lifting, a Hull based engineering company, for using innovation to improve manufacturing processes across the UK.

Chris Towne, Chairman of Towne Group, UK’s leading experts in lifting and overhead crane solutions, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the LEEA 2025 Awards.

Towne’s recognition comes at a significant moment in his long-standing relationship with LEEA. Having joined the Association’s Board in 2005, he recently stepped down in November 2025 after two decades of service.

During this period, he held several key leadership positions, including Vice Chairman in 2007, Chairman in 2009, and Chairman of Learning and Development from 2020 to 2025, helping shape the direction of the organisation and the wider lifting industry.

Commenting on the award, Chris Towne said: “I am truly honoured to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from LEEA. It has been a privilege to contribute to the lifting industry over the years, and I am grateful to all colleagues and peers who have supported and worked with me during these years.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates Towne’s exceptional commitment, influence, and leadership throughout his career while leaving a lasting impact on the lifting industry across the UK and the globe.

Towne’s Lifting and Testing Crane of the Future range was also shortlisted for excellence in Product Innovation Award Category recognising the innovative and smart technology for overhead crane and machinery management that reduces breakdown, guarantees health and safety compliance, and minimises repair and maintenance costs.

As part of our ongoing commitment to engineering excellence and continuous improvement, we recently launched a purpose-built innovation centre at its Stockton office on 25^th September, marking a major step to support the lifting and engineering industry across UK and Europe.

The innovation centre was financially supported by the local council, reflecting the local council’s commitment to driving economic growth and innovation in the region.

The launch event was attended by the Mayor of Stockton on Tees, Councillor Stephen Richardson, along with other guests across different industries who gathered to see practical demonstrations of innovative products in lifting, overhead crane and machinery management.

With increasing pressure for the Engineering and Lifting industry to deliver higher standards of compliance, safety, and equipment performance, Towne’s innovation centre is ready to offer so much.

The Innovation Centre is set to serve as a hub to help businesses across UK and Europe to raise their standards in lifting, overhead crane and machinery management.

The new facility invites businesses for facility tours as it brings together onsite training for company’s staff, live demonstration of standard lifting operations, practical testing and trial of modern lifting and overhead crane products including the Crane of the Future which was earlier launched into the UK this year by Towne Lifting.

John Elliott, the Commercial Director of Towne Lifting said: ‘Our industry is under increasing pressure to deliver higher standards of compliance, safety, and equipment performance. Our Innovation Centre in Stockton is our response to that challenge – a live, working example of what best practice should look like. It’s not about innovation for its own sake; it’s about making lifting operations safer, more reliable, and built to last. We want to show clients and industry partners what’s possible when technology, experience, and standards come together’

Towne Lifting also confirmed that the launch of innovation centre supports the company’s objective of leading innovation and long-term expansion plans, including the creation of new skilled roles within the region, helping businesses reduce downtime, and onsite staff training for lifting processes.

Thomas Towne, the Managing Director of Towne Group said: ‘We have been part of the Lifting industry for decades particularly in the Northeast and Hull and East Yorkshire regions. This is our way of giving back by setting the standard in lifting and helping businesses here stay compliant and improving their production efficiency.’

The innovation centre is now open to businesses, industry professionals across the region, UK  and Europe for site tours, onsite training and consultations.

Towne Lifting & Testing, a trusted family-run specialist in lifting equipment and overhead cranes launches overhead crane technology to UK. Towne Lifting is delighted to bring the revolutionary Crane of the Future (COTF) range to the UK market. As the company approaches its 80th anniversary, it proudly takes the lead in innovation, reinforcing its commitment to safety, efficiency, and industry advancement.

The Crane of the Future combines advanced overhead crane technology with practical functionality unlike anything else in the industry. These products are cost effective and designed to enhance safety, reduce breakdowns caused by misuse and extend the life cycle of the overhead cranes, reducing costs and driving sustainable practices.

The Crane of the Future products can be integrated with any crane, regardless of the manufacturer. Each product is designed to increase user and crane equipment performance, reduce breakdown, and enhance safety across industries. The range of is designed to prevent common issues such as overloading, unauthorised access or sideloading while offering full visibility of operations through an easy to use portal.

The system drives performance improvement by supporting users during lifting operations and driving cultural change in usage through the visibility given to the management team on how cranes are being used.  This range ensures all lifting operations are carried out safely, removing breakdowns caused by misuse.

John Elliott, Commercial Director of Towne Lifting & Testing, commented: “We’re delighted to bring the COTF range to the UK market. It’s great that as we approach our 80th anniversary, we’re able to take the lead on innovation within our industry. What sets COTF apart from existing products is the blend of prevention of misuse through technology and culture change through full visibility of operations. Despite being advanced technology, the products are extremely cost-effective, meaning we’re able to offer businesses the chance to drastically improve operations, without breaking the bank.”

He added, “By combining Sole Digital’s technical innovation with Towne Lifting’s extensive expertise in lifting equipment and overhead cranes, we are set to deliver exceptional value to industries across the UK.”

Manufactured by Sole Digital, a leading Australian innovator in crane technology, the Crane of the Future will be exclusively available in the UK through Towne Lifting & Testing, which holds sole licensing rights for sales and distribution.

We are excited to report that 2024 has been a milestone year, recording our highest turnover figures in the company’s history. This achievement highlights the growing trust placed in our industry-leading services by our esteemed customers and the dedication of our exceptional staff.

Key Achievements in 2024:

      We successfully served 4,295 orders, meeting the needs of 547 customers across 16 countries.

      Inspected and certified 116,000 items for safe use, reflecting our commitment to safety and excellence.

      Our team has grown to 37 skilled team members, each contributing to our continued success.

    We have expanded our global reach and reinforced our position as a leading specialist in lifting equipment and overhead crane solutions.

The Director, Thomas Towne expressed this is a result of client loyalty and improved service delivery, “We extend our gratitude to our customers and suppliers worldwide for their support. This record-breaking year also shows the commitment, hard work and professionalism of the Towne staff members.”.

Continuing, he stated this year’s great achievement is the foundation of many successes in the future. ” We look forward to continuing our growth and delivering exceptional value in 2025 and beyond.”

With a strong foundation of innovation, reliability, and service excellence, TOWNE Lifting and Testing remains dedicated to setting new industry standards. The successes of 2024 mark a new chapter in our journey towards being the leading specialist in lifting equipment and overhead cranes.

TOWNE Lifting and Testing is a specialist in providing overhead crane solutions, lifting and testing services, recognized for our expertise, quality, and dedication to safety. We deliver customised solutions tailored to the diverse needs of our clients, ensuring excellence in every engagement.

Strengthening Safety and Efficiency: Towne Lifting and Testing’s Collaborative Partnership with Baker Hughes at the Wallsend Site

At Towne Lifting and Testing, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Baker Hughes at the Wallsend site, further solidifying our successful 30-year working relationship. This partnership represents a significant milestone, as we provide on-site lifting expertise to enhance safety measures and reduce waste, all while promoting operational efficiency. With a keen focus on meticulous planning, rigorous risk assessment, and seamless execution, our experienced team will work closely with Baker Hughes to optimize lifting operations, mitigating potential hazards and fostering a safer working environment. Leveraging our extensive experience in the industry, we will identify areas for process improvement, implementing measures to streamline operations, boost productivity, and minimize waste generation at the site. The trust placed in us by Baker Hughes is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional service and our ability to adapt to our clients’ evolving needs. As we move forward, we eagerly anticipate the continued growth of our collaboration, solidifying safety and efficiency as key priorities. For those seeking comprehensive lifting and testing solutions, we encourage you to reach out to Towne Lifting and Testing, where we offer tailored services designed to meet your specific needs. Together, we can achieve safer and more efficient operations in the industry.

Towne Timber, the timber division of Towne Lifting and Testing, is proud to announce a significant reduction in carbon emissions as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Under the leadership of Steve Brent, Sawmill Manager, our team has successfully reduced fuel usage by an impressive 3,000 liters per month over the past year. This achievement translates into an annual carbon offset equivalent to a hundred tonnes, marking a substantial milestone in our journey toward mitigating climate change. By implementing strategic planning, optimizing operations, and embracing energy-efficient practices, Towne Timber not only demonstrates its dedication to environmental stewardship but also sets a new standard for sustainable forestry practices. We remain committed to pursuing even greater carbon reduction milestones, investing in research, innovation, and collaboration to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Join us at Towne Timber as we pave the way for a sustainable forestry industry that prioritizes environmental responsibility and embraces a greener approach to timber production.

Towne Lifting and Testing: Successfully Removing Cranes from NOV’s Washington Factory and Assisting in Transition to State-of-the-Art Facility in Kintore

Towne Lifting and Testing recently partnered with NOV (National Oilwell Varco) in a remarkable project that involved the seamless removal of cranes from their Washington factory and their efficient transition to a state-of-the-art facility in Kintore. Through meticulous planning and coordination, our expert team worked closely with NOV’s engineers and project managers to develop a comprehensive strategy. With a strong focus on safety and efficiency, the cranes were carefully dismantled and transported to the new facility, showcasing our expertise in advanced lifting equipment and techniques. This successful project not only highlights the outstanding capabilities of Towne Lifting and Testing but also emphasizes the strong partnership between our company and NOV. We are proud to have played a pivotal role in this endeavor, and we look forward to future collaborations that demonstrate our commitment to delivering exceptional lifting and testing solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.

Towne Timber, the timber division of Towne Lifting and Testing, is proud to announce a significant reduction in carbon emissions as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Under the leadership of Steve Brent, Sawmill Manager, our team has successfully reduced fuel usage by an impressive 3,000 liters per month over the past year. This achievement translates into an annual carbon offset equivalent to a hundred tonnes, marking a substantial milestone in our journey toward mitigating climate change. By implementing strategic planning, optimizing operations, and embracing energy-efficient practices, Towne Timber not only demonstrates its dedication to environmental stewardship but also sets a new standard for sustainable forestry practices. We remain committed to pursuing even greater carbon reduction milestones, investing in research, innovation, and collaboration to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Join us at Towne Timber as we pave the way for a sustainable forestry industry that prioritizes environmental responsibility and embraces a greener approach to timber production.