A COLNE lift manufacturer proved it will go the extra mile for its customers after travelling more than 8,000 miles to carry out maintenance on a lift they installed in the Falkland Islands back in the 1980s.

Foulds Lifts sent a team of expert engineers to the remote archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean to oversee vital repairs on the lift at the King Edward V11 Memorial Hospital (KEMH) in the capital, Stanley.

Bernard Bergin, repairs manager for Foulds Lifts, said: “Day-to-day maintenance of the lift is carried out by on-site engineers but, when major repairs are required, Foulds Lifts is tasked with doing the work.

“An order was placed for new ram seals and valve block seals and included an LG10 test to the lift.

"We sought volunteers from our engineers and two engineers, Jonathan Moore and Jack Davies, duly put themselves forward.

”With much anticipation and excitement they flew from RAF Brize Norton with an 18-hour direct flight ahead of them.”

On arrival, the duo set to work. They were also asked to service the lift at a nearby school.

Engineer Jonathan Moore said: “It was certainly different to our usual day-to day-work.

"It was a great experience and we met some wonderful people.

"The RAF was particularly helpful in facilitating the travel arrangements.”

Ron Rothwell, KEMH hospital estates manager, said: “The KEMH, although on a small scale, is a very busy hospital providing a wide range of health and social services functions and would be considered as an acute hospital in the UK.

“The Hospital engineering maintenance department covers a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines via a small dedicated team and at times due to our remote location we have difficulties in obtaining both engineering parts and specialised engineering services.

"I was therefore delighted when Foulds lifts did not hesitate in providing the urgently required technical support.

"Both Jonathan Moore and Jack Davies hit the ground running and completed the works with time to spare.

"The lads did an excellent job and are a credit to the company.”

Mr Bergin said: “The engineers demonstrated commitment and dedication and received accolades from the client, something Foulds Lifts prides itself on.

“We look forward to carrying out further work in the Falkland Islands in the next few years.”