Press releases | 17/07/2014

Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd Celebrates 25 Years

Crane manufacturer Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd celebrates a milestone anniversary, with a special event to mark 25 years in the city
More than 2,000 offshore and ship cranes have been built since 1989
The Liebherr Group is keeping Sunderland’s maritime tradition alive

Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd, which started production in 1989, is a manufacturing plant for maritime cranes and cargo handling equipment including ship and port cranes, offshore cranes and mobile harbour cranes. On Friday [July, 11], the equipment manufacturer played host to staff, stakeholders and members of the family that own Liebherr, with a day of tours of its Ayres Quay base, before an evening of celebration at the city’s Stadium of Light.

The company, which is based in the Deptford area of Sunderland, employs 186 people, many of whom are longstanding employees. Ten of the 18 original members of staff, who joined the firm when it opened, are still working for Liebherr. The Swissheadquartered company currently counts 29 apprentices among its workforce, supporting skilled training and education in the region.

Ralph Sälzer, managing director of Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating this milestone occasion.

“Our move into Sunderland was a real vote of confidence in the area, and the success we have seen since, is testament to the skilled workforce we have here, and the support we have had from Sunderland City Council and other local stakeholders. The celebrations are a way of saying thank you to our staff and all those involved in making our facility such a success story for the city.”

Strong industrial and maritime heritage

Representatives from Sunderland City Council also attended, including deputy leader Councillor Harry Trueman and the recently appointed mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Stuart Porthouse, as well as local MP, Julie Elliott.

Cllr Harry Trueman said: “Sunderland has such a strong industrial and maritime heritage. Manufacturing is running through its veins, and it’s great to see businesses like Liebherr continuing to flourish here.

“Liebherr Sunderland Works has done so much for the city, taking on apprentices and contributing to the local economy. We are proud they call Sunderland their home and myself and council colleagues were delighted to join them for their celebrations.”

The Liebherr Group is a family-run business that employs more than 39,000 staff in more than 130 companies with an €8.96 billion turnover.

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Contacts

Kristian Küppers

Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH Memminger Straße 120 88400 Biberach an der Riß Germany

+49 7351 4127-08

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