Category: Latest News
Join us on Stand MP15 | 9th & 10th September 2026
The countdown is officially on! Cherry Picker Pete is delighted to be exhibiting at Vertikal Days 2026, the UK’s leading event for the lifting, access and crane industry. Taking place on 9th and 10th September, it’s an event we look forward to every year, and we can’t wait to meet everyone at Stand MP15.
Whether you’re an industry professional, educator, parent or simply passionate about inspiring the next generation, we’d love to welcome you to our stand.
Bringing the Next Generation into the Industry
At Cherry Picker Pete, we’re on a mission to introduce children to the world of lifting equipment, engineering and construction in a way that’s exciting, educational and, above all, safe.
Through our growing collection of storybooks, educational resources, characters and activities, we’re helping children aged 4–9 discover the incredible machines that shape our world while teaching important values such as:
- Safety first
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Respect for machinery
- Confidence in learning
Our goal is simple: inspire young minds today and help build the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
What You Can Expect at Our Stand
Visitors to Stand MP15 will have the opportunity to:
- Meet the Cherry Picker Pete team.
- Discover our latest children’s books and educational resources.
- Explore our expanding range of Cherry Picker Pete merchandise.
- Learn more about how we’re supporting schools, families and the lifting industry.
- Chat with us about partnerships, events and future opportunities.
- Find out what’s coming next for Cherry Picker Pete.
Whether you’ve followed us from the beginning or are discovering us for the first time, we’d love to show you everything we’ve been working on.
New Merchandise Available
Vertikal Days will also be a fantastic opportunity to see some of our newest Cherry Picker Pete merchandise, including exciting products that have recently launched and a preview of what’s still to come.
From clothing and accessories to educational resources, we’re continuing to grow our range so families and industry supporters can take a little piece of Cherry Picker Pete home with them.
Why Vertikal Days Matters
Vertikal Days brings together thousands of professionals from across the lifting, crane and powered access sectors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate innovation, share knowledge and strengthen relationships across the industry.
For Cherry Picker Pete, it’s also an opportunity to highlight something just as important—the future generation.
By introducing children to the industry through engaging stories and positive role models, we’re helping to spark curiosity about engineering, construction and safe working practices from an early age.
We’d Love to Meet You
If you’re attending Vertikal Days this September, please make sure you stop by Stand MP15 to say hello.
Whether you’d like to browse our products, discuss collaboration opportunities, learn more about our educational mission or simply meet the team behind Cherry Picker Pete, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our journey. Every conversation, partnership and shared story helps us inspire more children to learn about lifting safely and discover the amazing world of cranes and access equipment.
We’ll see you at Vertikal Days 2026!
📍 Stand MP15
📅 9th & 10th September 2026
A new children’s animation brand, Cherry Picker Pete®, is set to lift young imaginations across the UK and beyond. Founded by a family team with deep roots in the lifting and access industry, the series brings cranes, cherry pickers, and lifting equipment to life, combining fun storytelling with lessons in safety, teamwork, and engineering.
The creative venture follows decades of innovation in the powered access, lifting, and safety technology sectors. Building on the Hird family’s legacy in the crane and rental industries – including pioneering developments in battery performance and safety, as well as contributions to the global pick & carry crane market – Cherry Picker Pete® channels that technical expertise into a family-focused educational platform.
Head of Creation, Lydia Hird, will be responsible for ensuring vibrant storytelling that connects with children while subtly building awareness of safety procedures and engineering principles. Alex Burden oversees finance, brand partnerships, and funding, helping position Cherry Picker Pete® for growth across digital platforms and global markets.
“At its heart, Cherry Picker Pete® is about planting the seeds of safety early,” said founder Peter Hird. “If we don’t plant the seeds of safety, we harvest the consequences. Our goal is to inspire the next generation to think about engineering, teamwork, and innovation in a fun, creative way.”
The Cherry Picker Pete® universe will feature a wide range of lifting and access equipment, from tower cranes and scissor lifts to pick & carry cranes and operator training centres. Each story aims to highlight positive industry values and spark children’s curiosity about how things work.
Two special books are set to premiere in Q4 2025, with development into an animated series in 2026 and beyond. The project will expand into toys, school visits, and online platforms, with official brand partners to be announced in the coming months.
To learn more and follow updates, visit cherrypickerpete.co.uk or follow the socials.
Media Enquiries:
Lydia Hird
[email protected]