By ALAN CALVERT, Industrial Editor ONE of Bolton's best-known companies celebrated an 80th anniversary with a successful appearance at an important exhibition.

Edbro has been at the forefront of tipper technology since 1916 when Maurice Edwards developed the world's first powered hydraulic tipping ram.

The Edbro of today - originally formed from the merger of Bromilow and Edwards (Maurice's original partnership) with Edwards Brothers - is now preparing itself for the next century.

A £3 million programme of investment in the latest manufacturing technology is due to be completed at the Nelson Street factory over the next 18 months and the company logo has been re-designed in "bright and energetic" red, white and blue.

New products - the key to a successful future - were unveiled on the Edbro stand at the recent TIPCON '96 exhibition in Harrogate. These include the new CS range of laser-welded telescopic hoists which are being introduced after many years in development and rigorous worldwide tests over more than seven years. Managing Director John Griffiths said: "It was the best show we have had for many years. We were very encouraged by it."

Mr Griffiths, who took over in 1992, is looking to the future with a little more optimism now after problems over the last few years which have included a major industrial dispute, redundancies, lay-offs and a hand-to-mouth existence caused by a shortage of orders heightened by the cyclical nature of the construction industry.

But the situation has eased slightly since Easter and Edbro, with the main body of the plant now back on full-time working, has a "reasonable" order book until Bolton Holidays.

"We now hope that the small improvement is sustained," Mr Griffiths said. He said the flexibility and skill of the Bolton workforce was a key asset for the future as the company looked to seize opportunities wherever they were in the world - Edbro exports 50 per cent of its output.

The company also used Tipcon '96 to preview the introduction of the Edbro Loadmanager - a customised, integrated weighing system with a cab display which keeps truck drivers up to date with their loads.

It was developed in response to the need for equipment which meets the demands of the latest legislation covering correct payloads and vehicle safety. There was also an introduction at the Harrogate exhibition of Rolatarp, a system which fits in conjunction with hooklift equipment.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.