10.11.2017
Malcolm Lawton 1935-2017
We have received the sad news that crane and access veteran Malcolm Lawton of Greenham, Scott Greenham and PTP passed away on Saturday. He was 82.
Lawton spent most of his working life in the cranes and access rental industry, having joined Greenham Plant Hire after a short football career as a left back with Leeds United and Bradford Park Avenue. He made 113 appearances with the club, but suffered a complicated ankle injury during a match with Crystal Palace in March 1963 that put paid to his footballing prospects.
He then joined Greenham Plant Hire, which became Scott Greenham, following its acquisition by the Scott brothers, who appointed him as sales director. He later became sales director of PTP Aerial Platforms after it was acquired by BET around the same time as it acquired Scott Greenham. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Doreen.
Please register to see all images
Malcolm Lawton
His funeral will be held at Lawnswood Crematorium, Leeds on Tuesday 14th November at 12:20.
Ex colleague Ray Ledger said: “Malcolm worked with me for many years and was the most genuine person you could meet. He was a brilliant sales director in cranes and access and was loved and respected by so many customers. He adored his family and football second. We spent many happy hours together at Leeds United matches. I send my deepest sympathy to Doreen and his family.”
Malcolm was a proper man`s man, how bosses should be.
My first introduction to him was at PTP, "Who`s this southern softie" he said.
His favourite catchphrase, " Am I right or am I right" finished every good and bad discussion, with the odd mention of Leeds ......
A top man who definitely had an influence on the person I am within the hire industry.
My sympathy to his family.
Darren Kesterton
June 1st 1989, my first day in powered access as the new rep at PTP Manchester the boss said to me 'listen son, you'll never get a rollicking for putting a machine out on hire'and promptly gave me an A4 spec book thicker than the bible followed by 'away you go son'i guess that was training over with so off i went strutting across the yard like Cantona jumped in my C reg Orion and with my new 6k salary i'd made it! My first hire was a Pegasus dumper mount at Strangeways prison i hired it out too cheap and yes got a right rollicking!! i'll never forget that day and the many many customer outings that followed with the boss. He was my second dad, my mentor and leader and despite the endless football stories and many a row over the Leeds & Man United rivalry as i progressed through the ranks the boss never wavered in his support he was genuinely proud of my continued career achievements and his part in it.
RIP boss thanks for everything and my loving thoughts go to his beloved Doreen, family and the grand kids he absolutely adored.
david simmonite
Very sad to hear this, Malcolm was a good guy - old school and knew his industry, I'll always remember at PTP when he used to come out with us you had to be on top form otherwise it was a chat after!!
Only spent a few years at PTP with him but learnt a lot and then he helped us out at UK Platforms in the early days.
Fond memories of him loved the catchphrase on a decent hire rate was "good wages them son".
Never backed down to a customer if they were wrong.....