Crown service engineers fight through snow

Scotland's harsh winter did not stop two intrepid service engineers

Treacherous weather in the run-up to Christmas saw large parts of the UK grind to a halt.With temperatures dropping below minus 25°C - on par with a typical cold store application - the snow began to fall, cutting many businesses off.

But it appears that heavy snowfall and freezing conditions are no match for two Crown engineers operating in Scotland - the worst affected area.

Gerry Gregory (pictured), Crown Lift Trucks service engineer, was snowed-in during the last few weeks in December.When local cash and carry business, United Wholesale Grocers called Gerry with news that its only counterbalance forklift was cutting out, Gerry diagnosed the problem over the phone, packed the required tools and parts in a backpack and set off on foot.

Similarly, John Cullen, Crown Lift Trucks service engineer, was asked to tend to an oil leak on a lift truck at newspaper publishers, Herald & Times Group.With his service van snowedin, John walked there instead. After finding a burst hose, John then walked to a local supplier on a nearby industrial estate for replacement parts before repairing the truck and walking home.

Nabeel Ramzan, md of United Wholesale Grocers, says: "We are extremely grateful for the work carried out by Crown over a very difficult period weather-wise.Without the dedicated support of our service engineer it would have been difficult for us to look after our customers.While this was an extreme solution in exceptional conditions, it is a great example of the truly high service provided by the Crown team as a whole."