![Nuclear Retrieval Equipment[1]](/media/muwdw5kd/nuclear-retrieval-equipment-1.jpg?width=3200&height=500&format=webp&quality=70&v=1dc442d33160350)
Penny Nuclear + Crane Care Ltd Deliver Specialist Gantry Cranes for NRS
Meeting the Unique Demands of Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS)
When Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) required a complete, end-to-end material handling solution, Penny Engineering was appointed. The project required the design and installation of two bespoke gantry cranes for a new facility – each built to meet the safety and space constraints of a complex nuclear environment.
To meet these demands, Penny Nuclear partnered with Crane Care Ltd, a trusted installation specialist with over 40 years of industry experience. Together, they delivered a tailored lifting solution that met strict safety, space, and scheduling requirements of a UK nuclear decommissioning organisation.
Delivering Specialist Handling Equipment for the Nuclear Sector
The nuclear sector operates in one of the most demanding environments in the world, where precision, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable. Whether in power generation, research, or decommissioning, every operation must meet exacting regulatory standards, and operations are carefully controlled to meet strict safety and regulatory requirements.
Handling and moving heavy equipment within these facilities presents a particular challenge. Each lift must be carried out with accuracy, care, and complete control, often within confined spaces or under radiological restrictions. Cost-effectiveness also matters, meaning that solutions must be both robust and efficient without compromising safety.
Recognising the need for engineering expertise in this highly regulated field, Penny Engineering established Penny Nuclear – a specialist division focused on lifting, handling, and storage systems tailored for nuclear applications. Our work spans the entire nuclear lifecycle, delivering solutions built to perform under the sector’s most stringent standards.
Penny Nuclear: Partnering with Crane Care Ltd
Penny Nuclear has long delivered high-quality engineered equipment for the nuclear sector. However, many sites restrict installation work to contractors with specialist insurance and security clearance. This limited our ability to offer the end-to-end service that our customers expect.
To close that gap, Penny Nuclear partnered with Crane Care Ltd, a highly experienced overhead gantry crane supplier with 40+ years in the industry. Crane Care’s workforce is also qualified to install and maintain equipment across varying levels of radiological control, giving our partnership full capability on nuclear sites.
Together, Penny Nuclear and Crane Care provide a complete service, from design and manufacture through to installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. The partnership is underpinned by shared values – both being family-run companies with a practical, hands-on approach and a commitment to putting safety and quality first.
The Challenge for Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS)
Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) plays a key role in the UK’s nuclear decommissioning programme, responsible for safely dismantling the country’s first-generation nuclear power stations and research facilities. Each project is unique, often requiring bespoke engineering solutions to handle legacy equipment, evolving site conditions, and modern safety standards.
For this project, NRS needed to equip a new facility with two bespoke gantry cranes to replace older units left at a previous facility. The cranes had to replicate the functionality of the originals, integrate within a constrained workspace, and be delivered on a short lead time.
With complex specifications, limited space, and the need for assured nuclear competence, NRS required a supplier capable of meeting these technical and regulatory requirements.
Penny Nuclear and Crane Care Ltd were selected to deliver the project.
The Solution from Penny Nuclear + Crane Care Ltd
Working closely from the start, Penny Nuclear and Crane Care Ltd organised and carried out a detailed site survey to confirm all critical dimensions, lifting requirements, and power arrangements. The team checked hook heights, measured clearances, and reviewed base plate layouts to ensure a perfect fit.
The Penny Nuclear team then got to work designing and manufacturing two 2-tonne gantry cranes, each optimised for its specific role. One gantry crane was designated for importing and exporting materials, and the other for transporting materials within the facility itself.
Crane Care subsequently completed the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), on-site installation and commissioning – a process carried out to nuclear site standards, ensuring full compliance and minimal disruption. Clear communication and shared decision-making allowed both teams to deliver safely and efficiently, even with tight deadlines.
The Impact: A Growing Relationship with NRS
This recent project follows previous work undertaken by Penny Nuclear for NRS. Over the years, Penny Nuclear has worked with NRS on multiple lifting and mechanical handling projects, each completed with strong feedback on quality and service.
It was also the first project delivered entirely through the new partnership with Crane Care Ltd, marking a milestone for both businesses. The cranes are now fully operational and are meeting project requirements.
Nuclear sites require more than just engineering – they demand careful planning, rigorous compliance, and precise execution. This project showed how collaboration allows us to meet these challenges efficiently and safely.
Simon Pykett, General Manager. Penny Nuclear
A Trusted Provider for the Nuclear Sector
Through our partnership with Crane Care Ltd, Penny Nuclear now delivers a fully integrated, end-to-end service, covering design, manufacture, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of gantry cranes purpose-built for the nuclear industry.
With more than 15 years of experience supporting Nuclear Restoration Services and other nuclear clients, we understand the strict quality assurance, traceability, and documentation standards the nuclear sector demands.
Every system we produce is engineered and verified to nuclear-grade requirements, undergoing multiple rounds of inspection and testing before and after installation (well beyond what’s typical for conventional lifting systems).
Our in-house inspection capability provides further assurance and efficiency, allowing us to complete critical quality checks without relying on third parties. This approach speeds up project delivery while maintaining complete control over compliance and safety.
Combined with some of the fastest lead times in the UK for both bespoke and standard lifting equipment, Penny Nuclear and Crane Care deliver the precision, reliability, and responsiveness that nuclear operators depend on.
Talk to Us About Your Project
If you’re looking for a trusted engineering partner for nuclear design, manufacturing, or decommissioning projects, get in touch with the Penny Nuclear team today.
Gantry Crane FAQs
A gantry crane is a type of overhead lifting system that moves heavy loads using a hoist fitted to a beam or bridge. Unlike fixed cranes, it runs on legs or rails, allowing it to travel across a workspace and handle large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped components safely and efficiently.
Gantry cranes are used in industries that handle heavy or bulky materials, such as manufacturing, construction, and nuclear engineering. In the nuclear sector, they’re essential for moving large components, waste containers, and maintenance equipment in tightly controlled environments.
In nuclear settings, precision and safety are paramount. Gantry cranes are designed to handle loads with exact control, minimising the risk of accidents or contamination. They also support decommissioning work by enabling the safe removal or relocation of heavy plant items during dismantling and site restoration.