Managing Director Andy Bow explains why Grab O Matic forklift truck attachments have a strong grip on the drum handling market

St Clare Engineering invented and patented their best-selling Grab-O-Matic rim gripping fork attachment drum handler in 1959. Over sixty years later, it remains a best-seller and the company has built a reputation for robust, practical solutions for handling drums.

Designed and built for drum handling efficiency

From the outset, St Clare Engineering has focussed on good design and ease of use. The original rim gripping forklift truck attachment was designed to speed up drum handling and be suitable for use in all conditions and temperatures. The unique drum rim gripper can be attached mechanically to a forklift truck without electric or hydraulic connections, so it is quick and easy to use and is very low maintenance.

Grab-O-Matic (grab automatically) quickly became a familiar name in the drum handling business, and St Clare Engineering’s product line soon extended to all aspects of forklift truck attachments, handling both drums and other materials.

A British family business

The company has remained close to its roots near Southampton, where current Managing Director Andy Bow joined his father, Michael, in 1998. Since 2005 Andy has been at the helm leading his experienced team with the same core principles of excellent quality, service and reliability. Design and manufacture of Grab-O-Matic equipment is all carried out on site using the best materials and with close attention to detail.

Engineering expertise

Andy describes himself as a ‘time-served engineer’, having wide experience in fabrication, welding and fitting techniques learned in the shipbuilding, coachbuilding and aerospace industries. He has achieved qualifications in business management and design that bring a superior understanding of how to deliver the best drum handling equipment for every customer. His small team are hand-picked for their experience and know their business, says Andy:

“Drum handling is our expertise, so we focus on what we are good at – the manufacture of top-quality drum handling fork truck attachments.”

Continued Customer Support

Grab-O-Matic drum handling equipment is so well-made that customers can keep their equipment working reliably for many years.

“We see customers still using St Clare grab heads that are 25-30 years old,” says Andy proudly.

The company provides a comprehensive service and repair & spares facility so that end users can send their Grab-O-Matic products back for inspection, service and testing. This ensures that the equipment complies with current LOLER Regulations, and helps the company and its customers be more sustainable by extending the life of high quality drum handling equipment.

An essential, world-wide business

Many different types of product are transported in drums, from food ingredients to oil and chemicals. Throughout the pandemic, St Clare Engineering continued to support and service their equipment for customers, most of whom work in key industries.

Grab-O-Matic drum handling products are exported across the world including the Middle East, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Australia, Europe, South America, Africa. Brexit has presented its own challenge but exports to the EU still account for more than 20% of company sales, thanks to the high international regard for St Clare’s high-quality products.

A successful future for St Clare Engineering

Despite current global problems, Andy remains confident that his business will continue to thrive. With an expanding customer base and growing aftersales and service, Grab-O-Matic forklift truck drum handling attachments are proving to be reliable and effective, and look set to be best-sellers for many years to come.

To find out more about our Grab-O-Matic forklift truck drum handling attachments, or to make use of our after sales service and repair facilities, please contact us using the details below:

Andy Bow – St Clare Engineering Ltd
Tel: 02380 643402
Fax: 02380 642189
Email: sales@stclare-engineering.co.uk
Web: www.stclare-engineering.co.uk