Tutt Bryant & Fagioli form JV to create one big lifting company

Sydney, 17 February, 2010 Tutt Bryant Group Limited (ASX :TBG)  has joined forces with Fagioli SpA,  one of Europe’s largest heavy lifting specialists, to form  TBF Oceania Pty Ltd (Tutt Bryant Fagioli) an incorporated 50:50 joint venture (JV) company. 

Fagioli www.fagioli.com is a privately owned company headquartered in the Reggio Emilia region of northern Italy and has more than 50 years of expertise in the heavy lift and transport sector.

The business cultures of TBG and Fagioli are ideally matched and the Companies’ combined resources and experience have created a joint venture that is able to provide a new level of lift and shift capability in the Australian market. 

TBF will operate at the very top of the industry.  Its engineering and technical resources will enable it to tender for and undertake any project requiring the movement and lifting of components of up to 32,000 tonnes.

Resources projects like Gorgon LNG, Gladstone LNG, Wheatstone, Impex and others are being applied for, either to pre-qualify or as a full tender. TBF has the necessary resources to satisfy not only the technical scope of works of all these projects but can deliver a comprehensive crane and heavy haulage package that  meets appropriate Occupational Health Safety & Environmental standards as well as required human resources  conditions.

Mr David Haynes, Managing Director of TBG, said that he is excited by the potential of the JV.

“TBF will provide cranage from 20 tonne to 1,350 tonnes and platform trailers in excess of 1,650 axles (being a combination of modular and self propelled units),” he said. “Gantry systems from 450 to 1,400 tonnes, strand jacks up to 750 tonnes individual capacity and unlimited combined capacity will deliver real completive advantage as we tender for large resources projects, “ he said.

“Fagioli recently achieved a world record lift of 32,000 tonnes using strand jacks.

 “In addition, the JV will be able to offer 3,000 tonne capacity tower lift systems plus 7,200 tonne capacity jacking and skidding systems. The heavy haulage division will have over 30 prime movers and a fleet of various trailers ranging from flatbeds, low loaders and platforms,” Mr Haynes said.

The partnership has a formidable lifting, jacking, skating and heavy haulage capability.  It also has engineering resources to design and apply economical and safe lifting and moving solutions including a project logistics division dedicated to freight forwarding activities and operating on a world- wide basis for major projects in Australia and the surrounding region.

Fagioli Group was incorporated in 1955 and now has 21 international offices.  The business turns over EUR 250m p.a. and employs over 700 staff. Fagioli also has a maritime division comprising barges and shipping.

The Group has global experience in the oil and gas industry and has provided the heavy lift component for many oil and gas processing plants, power station installations and major heavy lifts in Europe, Middle East, Far East and the Americas.

Mr Fabio Belli, CEO of the Fagioli Group, said he was looking forward to the opportunities presented by the formation of the JV to expand the Group’s presence in the Australian marketplace.

“Being able to tender for big projects by combining Fagioli’s global resources with TBG’s proven track record in crane hire will enhance our prospects of success in relation to a number of important resources contracts. Furthermore the natural synergy and similar culture of both partners provides for an easy fit for the JV,” Mr Belli said.   

The Registered Office of TBF will be located with Tutt Bryant in Sydney while, operational activities will be based in Perth. 

TBF Board  Directors are David Haynes, Chairman and Joint Managing Director; Fabio Belli, Joint Managing Director; Robert West, Director; Riccardo Tippmann, Director and Stephen Fisher as Company Secretary.