By: Kelly Holdaway On: December 09, 2015 In: Blog Comments: 0

UNIC Spider Crane URW-706 LiverpoolA GGR UNIC spider crane has been used to assemble the UK’s largest Christmas tree at the Liverpool ONE shopping complex in the North West. The impressive tree, constructed from steel, was assembled by a team of GGR lifting experts using a URW-706  UNIC spider crane.

It’s all about the design

The tree, which stands 30 metres tall and is the tallest in the UK, took two weeks to assemble. The 23 tonne structure includes a 12-sided steel cone, 280 heart-shaped lights, 314 light rods and more than 2,000 metres of cabling to supply the power to illuminate the giant structure.  The tree was designed by specialist design company, Trapeze Creative. Simon Dews, Managing Director of Trapeze Creative said of the project, ‘This is definitely our most ambitious project to date. It is a massive challenge, a very exciting challenge and we are really looking forward to seeing the finished tree.  It will certainly have the wow factor!’

Mighty Mini Crane

The URW-706 UNIC spider crane is one of the biggest mini cranes on the market; this ‘maxi’ mini crane is capable of handling loads of 6 tonnes to a radius of 3 metres and a height of 7.2 metres. These impressive lifting credentials allowed the crane to lift the various steel sections of the tree into place with ease. The tree was constructed in two halves before being lifted into position by the spider crane. The steel sections, weighing up to 450kg each were lifted to a maximum height of 12 metres. With any structure of this nature, extra care needs to be taken during assembly; the mini yet mighty URW-706 can be controlled from the operators driving seat or with a fully function radio remote control for precise placement of loads.

UNIC Spider Crane URW-706 Liverpool ONEThe tree was unveiled as part of Liverpool One’s Christmas launch on Friday 13thNovember. Thousands of visitors from across the North West gathered to see the UK’s largest Christmas tree illuminated. Guests were treated to a ten minute light show while white snow confetti gave the impression of a white Christmas – albeit a little early.

GGR Group’s CEO, Graeme Riley said, ‘It is always fun to be involved with Christmas decoration projects and it is something we do a lot of every year. There is extra excitement when we get involved with a job like this though; the UK’s biggest Christmas tree is a bit special. The finished tree looks great and the work that has gone in to design and build it is truly impressive’.

Christmas Jobs

GGR are often called upon to be Santa’s little helpers, take a look at our Christmas work in Berlin, on the Southbank and Afghanistan.

Take a look at this brilliant timelapse video of the tree being built and brought to life!

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