22.11.2021
Keith Smith 1947-2021
We have received the sad news that UK based crane and access veteran Keith Smith has died. He passed away on Sunday 7th November after a long battle with cancer, he was 74.
After starting off in the crane industry at Scott Greenham, Smith spent the last 30 years of his career in the access rental industry as technical director with PTP, and then Loxam Access UK as it became known, following its acquisition by Loxam. He was also an active member of the IPAF Council for many years, and the very first recipient of the IPAF President’s Award which was presented to him by outgoing president Steve Shaughnessy in 2001 for his long standing years of service to the IPAF Council and his work in the truck-mounted sector.
Keith Smith was a true gentleman, always calm, professional, consistent and always helpful. He always found time for you and was ready to encourage others. He would listen and only speak up at meetings when he had something different to contribute or to say something that needed saying.
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Keith Smith
In the words of some of those who worked with him over the years:
“One of the most genuine people I ever worked with.”
“A true gent and good council when things got tough. A real professional who really understood the industry and also understood people.”
“A great source of knowledge. A pleasure to have known and worked with Keith.”
“Working close to Keith has been a pleasure, he was a great professional and a good man.”
“Such a lovely, happy and helpful person.”
“A very knowledgeable man on both cranes and access and always had time for a chat, even with machine issues he was never one to raise his voice just wanted to help get to a solution. Keith will be sadly missed.”
“Keith was a gentleman. Fair, honest, kind and fun. Keith was a skilled professional who knew his industry inside out.”
“Keith was one of the most genuinely nice people I've met over my time in the industry. Always made time to talk and offer advice, will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”
“Keith was one of the most genuine and giving people I have had the pleasure to work for, a true gentlemen who cares for all his colleagues, and one that I have the utmost respect for a true individual that will be missed throughout the crane and access industry.”
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Shortly before he died, he asked that the following statement be posted:
“Hi All,
I wish to say “Bye” to all the male and female colleagues that I have met and worked with during my many years in the mobile crane and access industries. You are all very genuine and caring for the whole industry. I hope you all and the companies you work for do well and go from strength to strength, it has been a pleasure.
All the best, Keith (KS)”
His funeral will be held at Bramcote Crematorium, Coventry Lane, Bramcote NG9 3GJ, on 1st December at 10am and afterwards at the Sportsman Derby Road, Long Eaton. All friends and ex-colleagues are welcome to attend.
We hope to be able to add a little more detail to this tribute to one of the industry’s most genuine and caring individuals in the week ahead.
Martin Bull
I'm late to add this - but I was very sad to hear of Keith Smith's passing. I feel privileged to have worked with him at LOXAM for several years - a true Gentleman and admirable colleague. Whenever i needed real support, Keith was at my side ; he never 'passed the buck'. if only ther were more like 'KS'.
R.I.P.
Tony Mort
Very Sad News indeed. He was always helpful in any way he could be. A Real Gentleman. A great loss. Many Condolences to his family. He was a very popular and well respected man.
RIP
Tony Mort
paul-richards43
Sad news - fond memories over many years. RIP Keith
Kenneth Goundrey
One of the best RIP not many of us lot left now
Andy Burt
Brilliant mentor, true gentleman, great laugh,
RIP Smithy
Darren Kesterton
RIP Mr Nottingham Forest, so sad to here the news, a true gent in every sense always happy to assist me and mentor me both on and it as to be said off the pitch at times over the many years i had the pleasure to work with this true industry legend. Sincere condolences to all Keith's immediate family and relations. Great man.
Ian James
I would echo the observations in the notice and the comments already posted.
RIP Keith Smith.
A Gent and one of the most genuine individuals in the industry. We've lost another good guy.
Ray Ledger
I can only repeat what has already been written. Keith worked with me at Scott Greenham in the 80’s and at PTP where I had the pleasure of promoting Keith to the board. Two weeks before he died I was most sincere when I told him that he was one of the most capable and loyal people that I had ever worked with and both he and his family should be very proud. It is yet another example of the world losing one of the best.
RIP ‘old lad’ and sincere condolences to Eileen and family.
John Mather
A very sad announcement for someone who was a good friend and also a wonderful ally at times when the proverbial hit the fan and machines were required yesterday.
Never let me down and always good for a laugh.
RIP
Mr Cherrypicker
Very sad to hear of Keith’s passing
The notice sums up Keith perfectly
So knowledgeable, so helpful , a true gent and a very good friend
RIP
Mike Evans
jim-longstaff
RIP Keith Smith an Icon for our industry.