The Frank Barnes Group

Business Details

Trusted Scrap Metal Merchants and Crane Hire Services in Darwen

The Frank Barnes Group has been a trusted name in industrial services for over 65 years, delivering comprehensive solutions across the UK. Our expertise spans crane hire, skip hire, scrap metal recycling, heavy haulage, and machinery removal, supported by a modern fleet and 80+ skilled professionals. Operating from three Lancashire sites, we serve major PLCs, blue-chip industries, local authorities, and private clients with a commitment to safety, quality, and reliability. Our ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications underscore our dedication to operational excellence and environmental responsibility. We provide tailored services including risk assessments, method statements, and nationwide logistics, ensuring efficient project execution.

With a focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, we combine decades of experience with cutting-edge equipment to meet diverse industrial needs. Our team prioritises transparency, offering competitive pricing and prompt payments for scrap materials. From site surveys to complex machinery installations, we deliver end-to-end support with precision and professionalism. This legacy of trust and adaptability positions us as a leader in the North West's industrial sector.

Services

Crane Hire Hiab Hire Skip Hire Forklift Truck Hire Scrap Metal Merchants Recycling Aggregates Heavy Haulage Machine Removal Versa-Lift Hire Waste Disposal

Highlights and features

We have over 65 years of experience in industrial services
Our company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified
We offer a one-stop solution for all your industrial needs
We operate a modern fleet of equipment
We provide full Risk Assessment and Method Statements

Associations and certifications

ISO 9001:2023
ISO 14001:2023
BMRA Membership
Alcumus Safe Contractor

Website

Update Listing

Services

Crane Hire

Frank Barnes offers crane hire services across the UK with a fleet of mobile cranes, including low-access iron fairies. All equipment comes with accredited operators, and teams of slingers, riggers, and banksmen are available. We provide risk assessments, method statements, and contract lift services, ensuring compliance with LOLER and PUWER 1998 regulations. Our modern fleet guarantees efficient lifting solutions for industrial and construction projects.

Scrap Metal Merchants

As North West's leading scrap metal merchants, we collect and process ferrous and non-ferrous metals using a modern fleet of radio-controlled vehicles. Services include on-site testing for instant material analysis, prompt payments, and licensed waste handling. Our facilities handle copper, brass, aluminium, stainless steel, and exotic metals, supported by a public weighbridge for accurate verification. We serve Blackburn, Manchester, and surrounding regions with tailored collection solutions.

Skip Hire

We provide skip hire services across Blackburn, Darwen, and Manchester, offering 852 cubic yard containers for domestic and industrial waste. Our team assists with positioning skips on public highways (with permits) and advises on load restrictions for soil or hardcore. Commercial clients benefit from same-day delivery options and 400+ skips in our fleet. We ensure compliance with waste legislation, excluding hazardous materials like asbestos without prior notice.

Heavy Haulage

Our heavy haulage division transports plant and equipment nationwide using hiabs up to 44T, low loaders, and abnormal load vehicles. We coordinate with police, bridge masters, and highways agencies for route planning and compliance. Services include machinery removal, installation, and dismantling, supported by skilled riggers and a 45-tonne LPG TriLifter for precision handling in confined spaces.

Forklift Truck Hire

We offer forklift truck hire ranging from 1 to 14-tonne machines, including gas, diesel, electric, and 45-tonne mobile boom variants. Our fleet includes compact space-saving models and a newly acquired Versa-Lift 60/80 for versatile lifting tasks. Operators are fully trained, and services include risk assessments, method statements, and nationwide delivery, ensuring efficient material handling for construction and industrial projects.

Questions

What services does Frank Barnes Group offer?

We provide crane hire, skip hire, scrap metal recycling, heavy haulage, forklift truck hire, and machinery removal services across the UK.

Do you operate nationwide?

Yes, we offer services throughout the UK, with primary operations in the North West region.

What accreditations do you hold?

We are ISO 9001:2023 and ISO 14001:2023 certified, with BMRA membership and Alcumus Safe Contractor approval.

What areas do you serve?

We serve Blackburn, Darwen, Bolton, Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, Stockport, and surrounding regions.

Are your services available 24/7?

Our standard operating hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, with no 24/7 services.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Lou R.

Aug 28, 2021 Report

I'm sure this companies services are excellent but I have never used them. However, to be harassed and abused by a driver whilst driving with daughter in the car was the vilest thing a grown man could do to woman in this day in age. He was bouncing the cab of his skip truck up the back of my car, and screaming obscenities at me it was disgusting. This was totally unprofessional behaviour and scared us both.

David Coulson

Aug 04, 2021 Report

Superb service. Very helpful and friendly lady answered my call and explained the various sizes and prices extremely clearly. I had a skip delivered within 2 hours. I rang the next day for it to be picked back up and was picked up within hours. Drivers were very friendly, polite and helpful and placed the skip exactly on the drive where I wanted it. The first time I've ever had to order a skip and I thoroughly recommend them.

Charlotte O'Sullivan

Jan 30, 2021 Report

I have just rang for a Skip to be delivered to my address with a BB3 postcode and was quoted 190+VAT. I then gave my address and he said that it was classed as a certain area and would be more money. I asked where the boundary stopped and he told me a certain street. If you look at google maps my house is before the street you said which I have highlighted so how can you say I am classed as Blackburn. I have ordered elsewhere!

Jack Durrant

Aug 28, 2020 Report

The team at Frank Barnes in Darwen are fantastic, I have been using them for years and couldn't recommend them more. Always helpful and give great advice, drivers are always very friendly and take their time to ensure you are taken care of. 10/10 well done Frank Barnes Darwen.

Tony Hough

Jun 28, 2020 Report

Called them 14/7/20 for an 8 metre skip. Quoted 230 including VAT. Called 15/7 to book and was told 230 plus VAT making it 290, I questioned this and was told 270.
Told him Bolton were quoting 225 and was sarcastically told Better go to Bolton then
I did and was dealt with professionally. Wouldnt touch this outfit with a barge pole.

Cathy Worthington

Jun 14, 2020 Report

Excellent service managed to get the skip on our drive saving us money on the street license. They also picked the skip up quicker than they should as we had a funeral leaving from our home. Thankyou for that ,would definitely highly recommend