14.04.2022

Anthony David Steel 1938-2022

We have received the sad news that David Steel, former managing director of UK based crane manufacturer Coles Cranes and later a senior executive for Grove-Coles has died. He passed away in hospital on Friday 8th April at the age of 83 - just three weeks short of his 84th birthday.
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David Steel in the early 80s

David Steel was the son of Sir James Steel of Steel & Co and nephew of Eric Steel, the two brothers who developed Steels Engineering Products, which had acquired Coles cranes in January 1939.
After joining the company he became marketing director for Coles Cranes and deputy managing director and was appointed as managing director in 1976. In 1985 Coles was acquired by Grove Manufacturing and David Steel became a senior executive with responsibility for sales and marketing, the company was rebranded as Grove Coles and then Grove Europe. He left the business in the 1990s.
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David Steel hands over a 45 tonne Coles truck crane to Alf Sparrow of Sparrows Cranes in late 1977

He leaves behind his wife Jane, daughter Harriet, son Robin and four grandchildren. A private family funeral is being held, with a service of celebration to be arranged at a later date.

We plan to update this item with a full tribute on his career in the next week or so.