The Hi Lift group of companies was preceded by The Drury Family business, established in 1958 in Chr...
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The Hi Lift group of companies was preceded by The Drury Family business, established in 1958 in Christchurch. It began as an engineering company specialising in general metalwork and structural steel fabrication.
By 1962 an Albion truck fitted with a 2 tonne capacity crane was purchased to help erect structural...
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By 1962 an Albion truck fitted with a 2 tonne capacity crane was purchased to help erect structural steel. That was crane Nō1, but it would be another 4 years before an opportunity arose to add another crane to the fleet, now known as Drury Cranes.
Over ensuing years until the late 1970’s more cranes were purchased, including the first Hydraulic T
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Over ensuing years until the late 1970’s more cranes were purchased, including the first Hydraulic Telescopic Boom crane in New Zealand, expanding the fleet to 15 cranes, the largest of which was 36 tonne capacity.
In late 1981 the company imported 3 25 tonne capacity Ruston-Bucyrus mobile cranes from England. The
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In late 1981 the company imported 3 25 tonne capacity Ruston-Bucyrus mobile cranes from England. The cranes arrived in Auckland in February 1982.
The third son of founder Lionel Robert Henry Fuller Drury, Ken and his wife joy rented a property a
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The third son of founder Lionel Robert Henry Fuller Drury, Ken and his wife joy rented a property at Sims Road, Penrose and Hi Lift Ltd was born. The name reflected the companies Christchurch roots and was a play on the words "High" & "Hire". It was truly humble beginnings.
The first paying customers in Auckland were Niederer Machinery at Hauraki Plains Quarry and Hyde Tra
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The first paying customers in Auckland were Niederer Machinery at Hauraki Plains Quarry and Hyde Transport Ltd, the principle of which remained close friends with Joy & Ken until his death.
In 1984 the current crane yard at 11 Kellow Place was purchased and a workshop built, 3 new cranes a
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In 1984 the current crane yard at 11 Kellow Place was purchased and a workshop built, 3 new cranes and 3 used cranes were purchased to grow the fleet.
In the 34 years since, Hi Lift Cranes has grown and modernized the fleet, adding support trucks,
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In the 34 years since, Hi Lift Cranes has grown and modernized the fleet, adding support trucks, specialized lifting equipment, propping (bracing) systems and a huge pool of specialized knowledge from the team, some of whom have worked with Ken and Joy for more than 25 years.
2019
Hi Lift Cranes has taken delivery of a Liebherr MK 88 Plus mobile self-erecting tower crane
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2019
Hi Lift Cranes has taken delivery of a Liebherr MK 88 Plus mobile self-erecting tower crane, the first Liebherr mobile tower crane in the country. The handover at the end of July was held at the Ellerslie Event Centre in Auckland.
We have a clear vision of how the MK can change the market. The MK crane is ideal for the many tight construction sites in central Auckland. As it requires very little space, both in terms of set up and working footprint, so that road closures can often be avoided. Two of our crane operators have already been trained and are full of enthusiasm. They are above all impressed with the one man concept as well as the lift cab, which enables the crane operator to have a clear view of the load.