Hi-Force has announced that it has taken over all the manufacturing rights, to produce a wide range of lightweight aluminium jacks, previously manufactured and sold under the Astro brand.
The deal, concluded in August 2015 was announced by Hi-Force Group Managing Director, Kevin Brown who said: “For many years Hi-Force has been marketing our own range of JAH Series lightweight aluminium jacks, under an own brand agreement with Astro.
“However following the retirement of the owner of Astro, Hi-Force decided to start negotiations, to purchase the manufacturing rights to this longstanding and well established range of products.”
Following negotiations between Hi-Force and Astro it was agreed that Astro would sell off the assets, of the jack manufacturing part of their business, to Hi-Force and this was completed in early August 2015.
As part of the deal four HAAS CNC Machines and associated tooling were transferred from Astro facilities, in Birmingham, to the Hi-Force manufacturing plant in Daventry, Northants, where they are now producing component parts, under the strict quality control of Hi-Force.
The Hi-Force range of JAH Series lightweight aluminium jacks currently comprise of eighteen models, available in 20, 30 and 60 tonnes lifting capacities, with a choice of 152mm or 305mm lifting heights and options like claw attachments for “toe lifting” and mechanical lock rings, for sustained load holding.
Predominantly made of lightweight aluminium, the design of these jacks makes them useful in a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas, aerospace, defence and heavy industries. Railways, Defence, Steel & Aluminium Plants and Heavy Industries worldwide.
Brown added: “Once we get production into full swing by mid-September 2015 and we are able to offer our global customer base, product from stock, I am confident that our sales, of this highly popular range of products, will continue to grow at a healthy rate.
“Secondly, we are well advanced in the planning and design of additional models, to add to the range, particularly focussed towards the aerospace industry, where we see tremendous potential.”
