The new arrangement between Arcomet, a tower crane rental company, and Potain, a tower crane manufacturer, represents the first time the two companies have joined forces for a distribution agreement.

Frans Vanwinkel, vice president sales and marketing for Manitowoc in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region, said the new deal would bring mutual benefits to both companies.

“We’re delighted,” he said, “to have a company with the knowledge, experience and reputation of Arcomet representing us in the important British market.”

He adds: “The relationship between the two companies stretches back some time but has intensified over the past two years with Arcomet adding over 50 Potain cranes to its fleet in the past 12 months.”

Vanwinkel said that by joining forces in Britain the companies would be able to offer a level of service not previously seen in the region.

Potain has already established itself in Britain through its range of self-erectors.

Dirk Theyskens and Frans Wouters, managing directors of the Arcomet Group, believe the new arrangement will offer their company great opportunities.

Arcomet said: “With the upcoming Olympic Games in 2012 and a number of other major projects in the pipeline, the British market is one of the busiest in Europe.”

It added: “We are certain that our industry expertise and reputation combined with the quality of the Potain product will prove a winner with British contractors.”

Arcomet will manage the Potain fleet from three locations.

Sales and rentals for the Igo and GTMR ranges of self-erecting cranes will be handled by the newly incorporated Midland Cranes, under the charge of Jerry Welford, managing director.

Midland Cranes will establish a nationwide network of regional offices to utilise its large fleet of stock cranes and to ensure a local service to local job sites.

Sales and rentals for the top-slewing tower crane range will be handled by the newly incorporated Arcomet Tower Cranes under Graham Baukham, managing director.

Further market support will continue from the Manitowoc Crane Group (UK) operation in Uxbridge, Middlesex under managing director sales and operations Steve Barnett.