As GGR Group marks its 30-year milestone, 2025 has been a year shaped by progress, expertise and the people who continue to drive the business forward. Throughout the year, we celebrated major milestones, welcomed new technology, supported important causes, and recognised the achievements of our colleagues. Here’s a look back at the year, month by month.

January

Gill Riley MD Honoured with CBE

The year began with exceptional news as Gill Riley, Managing Director and Co-Founder of GGR Group, was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 King’s New Year’s Honours List. This prestigious honour recognised Gill’s outstanding contribution to the lifting industry, her pioneering approach to innovative equipment, and her relentless drive to improve safety and training standards across the sector.

February

£2,500 Raised for Cuppa for Cancer Care

February showcased the generosity of the GGR Group team, as colleagues came together to raise £2,501 for Cuppa for Cancer Care. Employees brought in cakes and sweet treats to share while donating to the cause, with the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) making a generous £1,000 contribution. The fundraiser highlighted the strong sense of community that runs throughout the business.

Executive Hire Show

GGR Group also attended the Executive Hire Show, where we displayed a range of new and specialist equipment. Visitors had the opportunity to see the Tracked Steel Beam Lifter, ECO-295 Mini Spider Crane, 3.0 Tracked Carrier, GF30 Pick & Carry Crane, and more, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and specialist lifting solutions.

March

International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week, we celebrated Simone, one of our engineering apprentices. Since joining GGR Group in 2023, Simone has gained hands-on experience across multiple departments andnow specialises in maintaining our glazing robots. Alongside this, she supports PAT testing and assists with CAD design and 3D printing, making her a fantastic example of the future of engineering within the industry.

April

Bauma 2025

April also saw GGR Group attending Bauma as part of UNIC Cranes Europe, showcasing the latest developments in compact lifting technology at the world’s leading construction machinery exhibition. The event provided an opportunity to present new innovations to a global audience and connect with industry professionals from across the sector.

Among the highlights were the UNIC UM445 Lithium-Ion Pop-Up Crane, designed to deliver flexible, powerful lifting with zero emissions, and the new eight tonne UNIC URW-806-3 Mini Spider Crane, which offers heavy lifting power combined with precise handling.

FIT Show

April saw GGR Group exhibiting at the FIT Show, where we demonstrated the breadth of our lifting and glazing solutions.Equipment on display included the ECO-295 Mini Spider Crane, Oscar 350 Glazing Robot, MRT4 Glass Vacuum Lifter, Self Locking Dolly, TS250 Air Dolly, and the 1.5 FX Tracked Carrier, showing how we continue to support complex and specialist lifting requirements.

May

Introduction of the UM445 Lithium-Ion Pop-Up Crane

In May, the UNIC UM445 Lithium-Ion Pop-Up Crane officially joined the GGR Group hire fleet. Designed for compact power and zero-emission operation, the UM445 offers a 4.0-tonne lifting capacity and an impressive 17.5-metre maximum lifting height. Its lithium-ion technology allows the crane to charge while in use, combining eco-friendly performance with precision lifting in confined spaces.

June

GGR Group & Lead AP Open Day and 30-Year Celebrations

June was a major highlight of the year as we hosted the GGR Group and Lead AP Open Day, alongside celebrations for our 30th anniversary. The event featured live demonstrations of advanced lifting equipment, a remotely operated tower crane controlled from ground level, exclusive previews of upcoming machines, and hands-on access to mini spider cranes and glazing robots. Industry professionals also had the chance to network with our expert team and explore innovative lifting solutions.

Official UK Distributor of Ganterud Levelling Yokes

During June, we also announced that GGR Group had become an Official UK Distributor of Ganterud Levelling Yokes. The range offers precise lifting and levelling of heavy, uneven, and awkward loads, with capacities from 3,000kg to 20,000kg. Automatic levelling and wireless remote control make these yokes ideal for improving safety and reducing crane time on busy sites.

Introduction of the URW-806-3 Mini Spider Crane

The UNIC URW-806-3 Mini Spider Crane was introduced in June, building on the success of the URW-706-2. With eight tonnes of lifting power, a newly designed hydraulic tele-luffing jib, and a full-colour Scanreco remote, the URW-806-3 delivers enhanced flexibility, safety, and precision, even in the tightest working environments.

Two Palfinger PCC 115.002 Crawler Cranes Join the Fleet

We also expanded our fleet with the addition of two Palfinger PCC 115.002 compact crawler cranes. With 30 tonnes of lifting power, articulated boom, compact footprint, and modular design, these machines allow our customers to tackle critical lifts in locations where space is extremely limited.

July

Simone Highly Commended as Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2)

July brought further recognition for Simone Loonam, who was highly commended for Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2) at the CPA Stars of the Future Awards. Her technical skill, dedication, and proactive approach made this a proud moment for both Simone and the wider GGR Group team.

Silvertown Tunnel Project

We also shared details of our work on London’s Silvertown Tunnel project. GGR Group supplied four Tracked Leveller 6.0s to transport 20 tonnes of steel across a challenging, high-traffic site. Operating in tandem, the carriers navigated uneven terrain and confined spaces safely, supporting Riverlinx in delivering this vital new river crossing on schedule.

September

MC100RE Pick & Carry Crane Joins the Fleet

In September, the MC100RE Pick & Carry Crane was added to the hire fleet. This compact, battery-powered machine delivers ten tonnes of lifting performance with zero-emission operation, quiet indoor performance, articulated steering, and 360-degree continuous slewing.

Vertikal Days

GGR Group attended Vertikal Days with a strong presence across multiple stands. Our team welcomed visitors to explore some of our most popular products alongside the latest innovations, discussing lifting solutions designed to keep projects moving efficiently and safely.

Celebrating Recycle Week

During Recycle Week, we highlighted our continued commitment to sustainability. By powering much of our fleet with HVO fuel and expanding our electric equipment offering, we are helping customers reduce emissions while maintaining high performance on site.

October

Gill Riley Officially Receives Her CBE

Awarded for services to the lifting industry, the occasion was a fitting October marked another proud milestone as Gill Riley officially received her CBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle. recognition of Gill’s leadership and long-standing contribution to the sector.

November

Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Day, we took time to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. With over 280 years of combined military service represented within our team, GGR Group remains committed to supporting the Armed Forces community and proudly holds the Silver Defence Employer Recognition Award.

LiftEx 2025

Later in the month, we attended LiftEx 2025, showcasing a wide range of lifting solutions. From mini spider cranes to glazing robots and tracked carriers, we demonstrated how GGR Group supports everything from routine lifts to highly complex and technical projects.

December

30 Years of GGR Group Video

As the year drew to a close, we released a video celebrating 30 years of GGR Group. The film looked back at the milestones that have shaped our journey, from early innovation in glass vacuum lifters and glazing robots to the introduction of UNIC mini spider cranes to the UK market.

Toy Donations to Home-Start HOST

December also marked our fourth consecutive year supporting Home-Start HOST. Our Oldham depot once again came together to donate toys for local families, delivering one of our largest collections to date and helping make the festive season brighter for those in need.

Christmas Jumper Day

We ended the year with Christmas Jumper Day, raising funds for Save the Children. Alongside festive fun, the day highlighted the generosity of our team and our commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond the workplace.

As we reflect on 2025, we do so with pride in what has been achieved and excitement for what lies ahead. Thank you to everyone who has supported GGR Group over the last 30 years and continues to be part of our journey.