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Vinci Airports becomes majority shareholder of London Gatwick airport

Vinci Airports completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding (50.01%) in London Gatwick airport, UK’s second-largest airport serving 50 capital cities around the world. With this transaction, Vinci Airports becomes the world’s second-largest airport operator with over 240 million passengers a year including 46 million at London Gatwick. The airport division of Vinci now operates a network with 46 airports in 12 countries.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Vinci Concessions and President of Vinci Airports, said: “London Gatwick’s integration into the Vinci Airports network is an excellent outcome for both organisations. Our synergies will lead to further tangible benefits for employees, passengers and airlines. The consolidation of a world-wide, industrial leader is also a positive step for the future of air transport. As a leader, Vinci Airports will help the sector to improve through its resalent sustainable, innovative and customer-friendly airport network.”

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Kingston University in London chooses Engie for a contract worth £195m

The Kingston University in London (UK) has entrusted the French group Engie with renovations and the future energy management and monitoring across the sites with a contract worth £195 million (around € 222 million). Out of this amount, £55 million will be spent on redesign and refurbishment of 1332 university chambers, followed by a 50-year facilities management and lifecycle contract worth further £140 million. Engie will also take an equity stake in the refurbishment project, alongside infrastructure investment firm, Equitix.

The work will start in June 2019 and should be completed in August 2021.

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The world’s first Raimondi LR330 in London

The British lifting company Bennetts put into action a Raimondi LR330 heavy capacity luffing jib tower crane, the first ever manufactured worldwide. The machine has been deployed on a construction site in the Royal Borough of Kensington, London. It « will be joined later this year and in 2019 by another LR330 ant two Raimondi LRH174 », as stated the manufacturer. The machine, with 18t maximum lifting capacity, is fitted with a new jib profile, which reduces storage transport dimensions and offers a shorter out-of-service radius. At the maximum radius, it can lift 3300 kg in ultra-lift mode. Seven different jib length configurations, from 30m to 60m, satisfy all needs in terms of specific jobsite configurations. Edward Seager, Managing Director of Bennetts Cranes, said : « We believe the LR330 is going to become a very useful crane within our fleet with such a large lifting capacity ».

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43 m Palazzani spider lift at London’s most famous courthouse

For the building maintenance of the recently completed 20 Old Bailey project in London, England, one Palazzani spider lift XTJ 43, in crawler version and Bi-energy (Diesel+AC) power execution, entered in action. Thanks to the possibility to become a spider crane with 500 kg hydraulic winch, it is used in total versatility for aerial working and material lifting. With its working height of 43 meters and 8520 mm length, this machine can operate both outdoor and indoor, and enter the narrow doors and corridors of this building. 20 Old Bailey is the England and London’s most famous courthouse, which has been completely reorganised and enlarged to 235,000 sq. ft of designed office space.