Potain cranes work on Wimbledon tennis roof

UK construction and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine has acquired four new Potain MR 608 cranes to install a retractable roof for No 1 Court at prestigious tennis tournament site, Wimbledon, in south weest london.

Steve Barnett, Manitowoc commercial director for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, managed the contract. He said, “Sir Robert McAlpine is one of the most distinguished and experienced companies in the industry and we are excited to work in collaboration with them on this high-profile project.

“Working at the iconic tennis grounds is a huge honour for us, and we are confident that the MR 608 has the right mix of features and capabilities to handle this project to the highest working standards.”

Capacity is 32 tonnes and the maximum jib length is 60 metres. The MR 608 delivers its best performance when fitted with the optional 150 LVF 80 hoist, the manufacturer said.

Commenting on his choice, Steve Wright, Sir Robert McAlpine commercial plant manager, said, “We chose the Potain MR 608s for their strong capacity and long reach, and to allow for more flexibility on the court during the construction process.”

Construction work on No 1 Court started at the end of August with the removal of the existing fixed roof. The work is due to be finished by 2017. The development includes a new retractable roof, an additional 900 seats, a new public plaza to replace Court 19 and new hospitality facilities. The entire development is scheduled for completion by 2019.