High as a crane

GGR’s Unic mini crane and specialist operators will be working from the rooftop of the Shard for the next few months, lifting glass panels from a storage unit on the 62^nd floor being used to clad the top of the UK’s tallest building.

Resting 283m above the ground the GGR’s mini-crane becomes the highest used compact crane in Britain. The 6 tonne capacity Unic URW-706 mini spider crane was dismantled into two and lifted by a tower crane onto the 87^th floor of the building which is due to be completed later this year. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and being developed by Sellar Property Group, the Shard will reach a staggering 310 metres in height and accommodate a hotel, offices, apartments, restaurants and a viewing gallery. A total of 11,000 angled glass panels will eventually cover The Shard’s façade which has been specially designed to reflect the London skyline.

The GGR team who managed the lift were treated to an amazing bird’s eye view of the capital and were elated to witness the start of what will be a record breaking job for them.

GGR Group’s Managing Director, Gill Riley, comments, “This iconic landmark is going to make a big impact across the London skyline and we are thrilled our cranes have been a part of this exciting project. It’s definitely the highest point we’ve ever taken one of our Unic cranes to, luckily our operators that are working on site have a good head for heights!”