The Duke of Kent test drives a crane on Sunderland Liebherr visit
His Royal Highness was greeted by the Ralph Saelzer, the Managing Director of Liebherr Sunderland before meeting Sunderland MP Julie Elliot, the Mayor and Mayorness along with Councillors David and Dianne Snowdon.
The visit was a part of The Duke’s two day tour of the North East – with the Sunderland factory being selected due to it’s continued investment in the city and it’s award-winning apprenticeship programme.
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Hide AdRalph Saelzer said: “It was a real pleasure and honour to welcome The Duke of Kent to our facility and give him an in-depth tour of our factory. Over the past thirty years, Leibherr Sunderland has produced and exported thousands of cranes to all corners of the globe. We have also trained hundreds of apprentices in this time, many of which are still with us today.”
Of the 190 staff that Leibherr employs, 23 of them are currently apprentices. His Royal Highness took the time to speak to some during his visit. Ellie Wilson, an apprentice quality engineer said: “It has been amazing meeting The Duke of Kent, there’s been a real buzz around the place and everyone has really enjoyed it.”
The Duke’s visit comes months after it was announced that Liebherr had received the lease to the former Alex Smiles waste site in order to further develop its business.