It has been an absolute pleasure to support Cris Services Group, on their remarkable journey from operating a single truck mixer, to now running a fleet of more than 50 vehicles.
This is the story of Cristian Calina, founder and owner of the business, and it is both humbling and inspiring. Arriving in the UK from Romania in 2000, Cristian began working as a concrete mixer driver for a small independent operator in the UK. Just two years later, he started his own Sole Trader company, contracting himself out as a driver, and then in 2007 he acquired 5 Mixer Trucks from an operator, and began renting these out. His determination, hard work, and entrepreneurial drive have fuelled the company’s rapid growth ever since.
Today, the fleet boasts over 40 Schwing Stetter concrete truck mixers, with a range of models tailored to meet diverse operational demands. An example of where they have made changes is moving from 8 x 4 models to Tridems, which has provided greater manoeuvrability, particularly for London, whilst also providing some fuel savings.
“I like the Schwing Mixer Trucks because of their reliability and toughness. They last longer and help us be more productive. In addition, the excellent service and strong relationship I have with the Schwing Stetter team, make every investment decision an easy one.” It is this attention to strong relationships and building of trust whether you are a driver, customer or supplier, that has brought success for Cristian. Even in a challenging market, he remains optimistic about the future, and he has recently placed an order for 12 additional Schwing Stetter mixers. This comprises five DAFs, five Mercedes, and two Renault chassis, for delivery in early 2026. This will make Cris Services Group our largest independent truck mixer customer, a milestone we can both be proud of.
Our partnership with Cris Services Group extends beyond supply of the Truck Mixers. In 2018, Schwing Stetter appointed them as an Authorised Service Agent, recognising their exceptional in-house maintenance standards and technical expertise. They now hold stock of commonly used parts, carry out warranty repairs, and provide trusted support to Schwing Stetter customers. Cris Services Group also serves as a franchise haulier for Heidelberg Materials and Brett Concrete, two of the UK’s most prominent building materials suppliers.
As the business has grown, so too has its footprint. The company recently moved into new premises in Grays, Essex, from where they continue to serve customers across London, Kent, Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Berkshire. Their Euro 6 hire fleet is fully DVS and ULEZ compliant, operated by skilled, professional drivers, and backed by FORS Gold accreditation, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to excellence, safety, and sustainability.
“It hasn’t just been luck,” says Steve Drew, Sales Manager at Schwing Stetter UK. “Cris has worked tirelessly to build a high-quality, reliable service for his customers, and we’re proud to have supported him on this journey.”