Sheffield-based handling equipment manufacturer Mechan has signed exclusive deals with four European companies in a bid to expand its product portfolio.

Mechan looked to the Continent to find manufacturers of products that would enhance the rail depot lifting equipment and extensive range of cranes it produces in-house.

The manufacturer now has exclusive rights to sell a variety of European products to the UK and Irish markets. They include access platforms and sandbox filling equipment from Italian company Bertolotti, from whom Mechan has already received its first order, a sandbox filling system at the new Edgehill depot in Liverpool that will house Virgin’s west coast Pendalino trains.

Mechan is now the approved UK and Ireland supplier of train-washing equipment and controlled-emission toilet systems from Aquafrisch in Spain, the Calipri wheelset measurement device from NextSense in Austria and mobile cranes and access equipment from Italy’s Gruniverpal Tranchero.

Mechan managing director Richard Carr said: “Mechan already has a global reputation for quality, safety and reliability and we felt it was time to expand our offering with the addition of peripherals that will help our clients maximise the productivity of their depot and workshop equipment.

“We are very pleased to be representing our European partners in the UK and Ireland and we are confident their products will significantly enhance our industry presence.”