Shropshire-based hydraulic crane maker confirms job losses

A Shropshire-based hydraulic crane company has confirmed it is making a number of workers redundant.

Hiab, based at the Cargotec Industrial Park in Ellesmere, said that a total of 17 roles are affected.

In a statement, Jason Stokes, vice president, accessories, Installations, and circular business, said the move had come after the company’s decision to close the ‘installation operations’ at the Shropshire site.

He added that the Ellesmere base would remain the firm’s UK headquarters.

Hiab is a manufacturer of on-road load handling equipment.

Mr Stokes said: “To better focus our efforts, improve our time to delivery, and re-invest in service across the country, we have taken the decision to close the installation operations at our Ellesmere facility.

“As a result, 17 roles will unfortunately be made redundant.”

The VP stressed that the decision would not impact the Ellesmere site’s status as the business’s UK headquarters.

He said: “The Ellesmere location remains our UK headquarters, hosting our service planning, technical support, logistics, sales administration, engineering, marketing, and administrative functions, and will continue to perform that function in the future.

“Hiab is investing in a new facility for service in Leeming Bar, investing in the Hiab Scotland facility, and continuing our history of service delivery in Dudley, while continuing to partner with 18 authorised service centres across the country.”

He added: “Our dedication to providing premium load-handling solutions, expert sales engineering, and dependable field support remains unchanged. Moving forward, all installations will be performed by our trusted partner network under the oversight of Hiab UK’s engineering team, ensuring full adherence to our rigorous quality and safety standards.

“The closure of the installation operations will take effect from Monday, November 2, 2026, with Friday, October 30, being the final day of installation operations at the Ellesmere facility.”