Collett & Sons has successfully deployed its newly acquired 350-tonne capacity Greiner modular side girder bridge system (SGB) on a long-term transport contract with GE, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued investment in advanced heavy transport technology.
The contract with GE, first mobilised in June 2025, involves the transportation of large power transformers from GE’s Stafford facility to Ellesmere Port. To meet the project’s growing demands, Collett invested in the new 30-axle Greiner girder bridge, which was first put into operation in September 2025. Over the course of the contract, 35 girder frame loads will be delivered.
Manufactured by Greiner Heavy Engineering, the bridge features a fully modular design with interchangeable beams supporting 2×8 to 2×18 axle configurations. Its adjustable side decks and adaptable loading methods ensure flexibility across various manufacturers, enhancing efficiency and load optimisation. The system allows for reduced axle loading and improved ground pressure distribution—critical for heavy transformer moves.
Complementing the bridge are Goldhofer THP/SL-L modular axles, recently added to the Collett fleet. These axles offer a 26.1-tonne load capacity per line with a low deadweight of just 2.77 tonnes, ensuring greater flexibility and stability.
David Collett, Managing Director at Collett & Sons, commented: “This investment completes the jigsaw in terms of our fleet capacity. It was introduced to satisfy specific client needs and to strengthen our engineered heavy transport capabilities. Seeing the system perform exactly as intended on its first deployment is extremely rewarding.”
