Bespoke tongs and grabs
Custom jaw, clamp or fork geometries for non-standard loads — glass, carbon-fibre modules, offshore pile heads, precast segments.
Engineered to your application
Bespoke lifting equipment, engineered to your application.
Purpose-designed lifting equipment for non-standard loads, difficult environments, demanding duty cycles or unusual geometric constraints. Full UK engineering, from concept to commissioned.
Most of what gets specified as “bespoke” is driven by one of three things: the load is unusual, the environment is hostile, or the duty is unforgiving. Sometimes all three. Somers Handling’s bespoke lifting equipment work covers the full span — from a one-off 200 kg tong for an aerospace tooling cell through to a 400 t multi-point H-frame for a power-station transformer — across nuclear, offshore, steel, rail, aerospace and power-generation customers.
How we run a bespoke project
Every bespoke project starts the same way: a short scoping call or site visit, a written concept, and a fixed-price quotation for the detail design. From there the work moves through CAD modelling, FEA where required, client-approved drawings, manufacture in our UK works, and full proof-load testing before shipment. Commissioning on site is standard for complex or safety-critical installations.
All units are supplied with the full engineering documentation set — drawings, calculations, material certificates, weld records, NDT reports, and the LOLER-ready test certificate.
Types and configurations
Bespoke lifting equipment are supplied in the following common configurations. Bespoke variants are engineered to order.
Bespoke lifting beams and frames
Multi-point lifters for asymmetric loads, combined spreader-and-frame assemblies, and lifters with integrated load-monitoring electronics.
Handling lines and integrated systems
Complete handling lines combining cranes, monorails, lifters and control schemes — designed and commissioned as a matched system.
Specialist environments
Nuclear, clean-room, hot-metal, food-grade, subsea — lifters engineered for environments where standard catalogue equipment won't survive.
Technical capabilities
Standard capabilities below — higher capacities, longer spans and non-standard finishes available on request.
Standards
- BS EN 13155
- LOLER 1998
- NORSOK
- DNV
- CE / UKCA
| Safe working load range | 100 kg – 500+ t |
|---|---|
| Design approach | CAD + FEA + prototype as required |
| Typical design lead time | 2 – 8 weeks Depending on complexity. |
| Typical manufacture lead time | 8 – 26 weeks |
| Standards | BS EN 13155, LOLER, NORSOK, DNV, sector-specific standards CE / UKCA marked. |
Industries
Where bespoke lifting equipment are specified.
- SectorNuclear
- SectorOffshore / marine
- SectorAerospace
- SectorPower generation
- SectorSteel
- SectorRail
Bespoke lifting equipment — frequently asked questions
When does a bespoke lifter make more sense than a modified-standard one?
When the load, environment or duty cycle pushes outside what a catalogue product can safely handle. Offset centres of gravity, high-temperature contact, clean-room particulate requirements, multi-point loads with tight tolerances — any of these typically push you into bespoke territory. We'll tell you honestly when a modified-standard lifter is the better commercial choice.
What does a bespoke lifting project actually involve?
A short scoping conversation or site visit to understand the load, environment and constraints. Then concept design and quotation — typically a week or two. On award, detail design including FEA where required, approval cycles with your engineering team, fabrication, proof-load testing and delivery. We can commission on-site where appropriate.
Do bespoke lifters come with full LOLER documentation?
Yes — every bespoke unit is proof-load tested at 125% of SWL, supplied with a declaration of conformity, test certificate, operating and maintenance documentation, and the design calculations. Ongoing thorough examination is available as a service.
Can you work to a client's existing engineering standards?
Regularly. Many primary-steel, nuclear and offshore customers have internal engineering standards that go beyond BS EN 13155 — we work to those where required, supply the documentation package in the client's format, and attend design-review gates.
Need bespoke lifting equipment engineered to your application?
Send a short description of your load, environment and duty — a Somers engineer will respond within one working day.