Hoist & Winch Elevates Standards in Complex Roof Lift Project
ECONOMY & POLICY

Hoist & Winch Elevates Standards in Complex Roof Lift Project

When a prominent Nottingham landmark—once a HMRC building and now part of the University of Nottingham’s Castle Meadow Campus—required replacement of its distinctive tensile fabric roof, the specialist subcontractor turned to Hoist & Winch Ltd for a technically sound lifting and lowering solution. Resembling the iconic O2 Arena in London, the building’s original roof had reached the end of its 30-year lifespan and was in urgent need of replacement.

Tasked with safely and evenly lowering the ageing roof to ground level and raising the new covering to its final position, the roofing subcontractor enlisted Hoist & Winch to provide a complete hoisting solution. Following a series of on-site meetings and technical consultations with project designers and roof installation teams, Hoist & Winch devised a fully integrated package of lifting equipment and expert support.

At the heart of the solution were 12 Yale/CM Lodestar electric chain hoists, each with a 2-tonne safe working load (SWL). These 110V top-hook suspension hoists were paired with 30-metre power feed and control cables. The hoists were operated simultaneously in groups of four, suspended from specially engineered lifting beams. To ensure precise operation, Hoist & Winch designed and supplied three bespoke, free-standing control stations capable of managing the hoists either individually or in synchronised groups.

Supporting the main lifting operation, Hoist & Winch also delivered a mix of 15-tonne and 6.3-tonne SWL William Hackett lever hoists. These were critical for de-tensioning the old fabric prior to removal and re-tensioning the new membrane during installation.

Crucial to the project’s success was the in-depth technical consultancy provided by Hoist & Winch. Their team offered comprehensive guidance on key factors including lifting legislation compliance, lift planning and management, transformer design and sizing, load cell selection, and the specification of appropriate lifting tackle. They also ensured all lifting systems underwent thorough site testing and examination before operations began.

“The outcome was the safe and successful removal of the original fabric roof and the installation of its replacement as part of a finely controlled, smooth process,” commented Andy Allen, Director at Hoist & Winch. “The client appreciated the professionalism and technical clarity we brought to the table. It’s in projects like these—complex and critical—that our team truly shines.”

The success of the Nottingham project left a lasting impression. The specialist roofing subcontractor subsequently re-engaged Hoist & Winch to adapt the lifting system for a new project and leveraged insights from the Nottingham job to win a multi-point lifting contract in Copenhagen.

When a prominent Nottingham landmark—once a HMRC building and now part of the University of Nottingham’s Castle Meadow Campus—required replacement of its distinctive tensile fabric roof, the specialist subcontractor turned to Hoist & Winch Ltd for a technically sound lifting and lowering solution. Resembling the iconic O2 Arena in London, the building’s original roof had reached the end of its 30-year lifespan and was in urgent need of replacement. Tasked with safely and evenly lowering the ageing roof to ground level and raising the new covering to its final position, the roofing subcontractor enlisted Hoist & Winch to provide a complete hoisting solution. Following a series of on-site meetings and technical consultations with project designers and roof installation teams, Hoist & Winch devised a fully integrated package of lifting equipment and expert support. At the heart of the solution were 12 Yale/CM Lodestar electric chain hoists, each with a 2-tonne safe working load (SWL). These 110V top-hook suspension hoists were paired with 30-metre power feed and control cables. The hoists were operated simultaneously in groups of four, suspended from specially engineered lifting beams. To ensure precise operation, Hoist & Winch designed and supplied three bespoke, free-standing control stations capable of managing the hoists either individually or in synchronised groups. Supporting the main lifting operation, Hoist & Winch also delivered a mix of 15-tonne and 6.3-tonne SWL William Hackett lever hoists. These were critical for de-tensioning the old fabric prior to removal and re-tensioning the new membrane during installation. Crucial to the project’s success was the in-depth technical consultancy provided by Hoist & Winch. Their team offered comprehensive guidance on key factors including lifting legislation compliance, lift planning and management, transformer design and sizing, load cell selection, and the specification of appropriate lifting tackle. They also ensured all lifting systems underwent thorough site testing and examination before operations began. “The outcome was the safe and successful removal of the original fabric roof and the installation of its replacement as part of a finely controlled, smooth process,” commented Andy Allen, Director at Hoist & Winch. “The client appreciated the professionalism and technical clarity we brought to the table. It’s in projects like these—complex and critical—that our team truly shines.” The success of the Nottingham project left a lasting impression. The specialist roofing subcontractor subsequently re-engaged Hoist & Winch to adapt the lifting system for a new project and leveraged insights from the Nottingham job to win a multi-point lifting contract in Copenhagen.

Next Story
Technology

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

Next Story
Real Estate

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?