Plant Manager's Journal articles from February 2006

Plant Manager's Journal archives from February 2006

Finding out the real costs.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Should you base your business plan on what items cost, on the market rate or the kit? In theory, these should be the same, but tales of plant hirers charging 'suicidal' rates are as old as the industry itself. Having looked in-depth at the cost...

Brandon open for MBO talk.(BUY-OUT)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Brandon Hire has confirmed that it has given permission for its managers to explore the possibility of a management buy-out of the company. The potential buy-out team is led by Brandon Hire chief executive Charles Skinner and finance...

HMRC seeks tax case appeal.(Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is seeking leave to appeal to the House of Lords after it lost a Court of Appeal case brought by Geoff and Diana Jones over the way it taxed the husband and wife business. The court ruled that HMRC could not tax...

Welsh contractor jailed following worker's death.(COURT CASE)
February 1, 2006... The proprietor of a Welsh contractor has been jailed for 18 months after a worker fell from height while installing a roof in 2004. Wayne Davies, of A & E Buildings, based in Knighton, Powys, was sentenced last month at Hereford Crown...

IPAF makes progress on work at height measures.( International Powered Access Federation )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) said it issued 53,646 PAL cards (Powered Access Licences) in 2005, an increase of 24.7% compared to 2004. "The Work at Height Regulations have definitely made employers more conscious of...

Red diesel concessions under threat.(RED DIESEL)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and road construction vehicles remain under greater threat of having their concession to use red diesel withdrawn. The HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) website said: "The government believes the mobile...

Good year for Brandon.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... In a trading update, Brandon Hire said it experienced stronger organic growth in the second half of 2005 and expects the full-year figures will meet predictions. The company has also opened new depots in Aintree and Edinburgh, bringing the...

Longville merges businesses.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... The Longville Group has merged its SLD Pumps division with its generator rental business Powerent to form SLD Pumps & Power. It expects to achieve operational efficiencies and offer generator and pump hire with local service through 30 depots...

Hitachi appoints Simpson.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Hitachi Capital Business Finance has appointed lain Simpson as business development manager. Simpson will be responsible for increasing Hitachi Capital's business in the construction market and developing its relationship with HM Plant.

SGB prepares Utility House.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... SGB has installed 9,800[m.sup.2] of tube and fitting scaffolding around the 73m-tall Utility House in Stoke to enable the removal of all the windows prior to demolition.

Jones 4 U Recruitment.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... 4 U Recruitment, the specialist recruitment agency for the plant hire and crane sector, has appointed Rob Jones as business manager. Jones will head the sales and marketing functions.

Komatsu safety award.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... The Health and Safety Executive has presented Marubeni-Komatsu with an award for its work in reducing quarry accidents with the introduction of walkways and hydraulic swing-down steps for its excavators.

MBE for Robinson.(NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Barry Robinson, chief examiner and past president of the Off-highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Cat aims for top spot.(BUSINESS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Caterpillar has set itself the target of being the number one producer on every continent for every product group it builds by 2020, said vice-president Michael Baunton. "We will not be happy with number two," he said. "In 2005, the...

Call for mandatory operator licences.(OPERATOR LICENCING)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Mark Kennedy, group plant manager at Enfield-based BCL Group, has called for the CPCS plant operator card to become a legal requirement and the introduction of a driving licence-style points system. He said the current system whereby major...

Michelin adds capacity.(TYRES)
February 1, 2006... Michelin is to expand its Lexington, US, plant, in which it builds its biggest earthmoving tyre ranges. A new brownfield plant will be built alongside the existing facility and will allow a 50% increase in output by early 2007. This...

First dig.(NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Volvo's new EC700B excavator will make its UK debut in the site clearance zone at SED. The 70t machine has an 8.4m digging depth, 300kN of breakout force and is powered by Volvo's 16-litre Volvo Stage IIIa engine developing 316kW.

CPCS chairman resigns.(CPCS SCHEME)
February 1, 2006... Management board chairman John Gladstone has resigned after 14 years on The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) committee. A new chair is expected to be appointed at the next management committee meeting in March. High on the...

UK plant hire share prices 2006.(NEWS)
February 1, 2006... UK PLANT HIRE SHARE PRICES 2006 PMJ gives the lowdown on share prices for 7 of the industry's leading quoted companies Price (p) in Price (p) in Price (p) Price (p) in Company Feb 2006 Jan 2006 ...

Certex crane block system is a quick fix.(CRANES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Lifting gear distributor Certex is marketing a replacement crane block system--the McKissick Quic-Kit. Designed to provide a customised replacement block within minutes, it can be used on overhead cranes using rope diameters ranging from...

Doosan launches UK's first straight-boomer.(EXCAVATORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The UK's first straight-boom Doosan Daewoo excavator has been delivered to JCH Demolition Equipment Hire for a long-term contract with Burnfield Demolition. The Solar 340LC-V model includes a modified 8.6m boom--improving reach for high...

A-Plant ties up deal with Morrison.(SUPPLIER CONTRACT)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... A-Plant has won a 17-month preferred supplier contract with Morrison to supply a full range of non-operated plant on a national basis. Gary Thompson, A-Plant's UK sales director, said the deal will help reduce costs and ultimately add...

Readypower set for the high life.(ROAD-RAIL ACCESS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Readypower Engineering of Wokingham has ordered the first five road-rail access machines to be manufactured by Rexquote. The Accessrailer 17 access platform offers a 17m working height and 9m of outreach. It is designed to provide access to...

Rental boost for Selwood.(FLEET EXPANSION)
February 1, 2006... Southampton-based plant hirer Selwood has made a multi-million pound investment in new kit for its rental fleet. Consisting of more than 400 items of equipment, the machines are currently being delivered to the company's branches throughout...

High flier.(KIT)
February 1, 2006... JLG has launched two new European specification telescopic handlers to complement its existing 11-model range. The 266 and 307 models have maximum lifting heights of 5.8m and 6.9m, and lifting capacities of 2.6t and 3t respectively. Both new...

Arcomet ready to cash in on self-erector boom.(CRANES)
February 1, 2006... Arcomet, the recently appointed UK distributor for Potain tower cranes, has put itself in pole position for a predicted rise in the use of self-erecting cranes. In order to satisfy an anticipated upsurge in demand, the company has set up...

Rattigan's 'Rocket' steps up the pace.(BACKHOE)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... London-based plant hirer JA Rattigan & Sons is so impressed with the road speed of its six new JCB 3CXs with torque convert, lock-up that owner John Rattigan has nicknamed them 'The Rockets'. The company undertakes operated hire jobs across...

Nationwide makes [pounds sterling]14m investment.(ACCESS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Nationwide Access is to invest more than [pounds sterling]14m in new equipment and support systems during the first half of 2006. The company has placed [pounds sterling]7m-worth of orders for 174 new access platforms, [pounds sterling]4.2m...

HE buys 50 Bomag rollers.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... HE Services has purchased 50 Bomag 2.6t BW120AD-4 tandem vibratory rollers from Leach Lewis. The machines will be on hire from all of the company's 12 regional locations.

HW Martin's excavator No 3.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... The waste management division of Derbyshire based HW Martin Group has bought its third Doosan Daewoo Solar 160WV wheeled excavator. The latest unit is equipped with a raised cab and a fixed grab.

Deutz engine trademark.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Deutz has produced its 900,000th 1011/2011 series engine, which pioneered the use of lubricating oil as a cooling medium. The engines are undergoing development to meet Stage IIIa legislation.

Gap signs excavator deal.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... The Gap Group has signed a further four-year deal with Kubota as its sole supplier of mini excavators. The agreement will see the hirer buy at least 2,000 excavators over the next four years.

Jakto gets Volvo ATDs.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Jakto Excavations of Barnsley has taken delivery of three Volvo A25D ATDs. Jakto director Neil Hellewell described the machines as 'the best value for money on the market'.

Dean and Dyball digs deep.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Dean and Dyball Construction has taken delivery of three Hitachi Zaxis excavators from HM Plant. The ZX80, ZX180 and ZX210 machines are currently working on a stadium project in Exeter.

A-Plant accommodation units.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... A-Plant has delivered more than [pounds sterling]400,000-worth of anti-vandal accommodation units to form a temporary 'Contractors Village' for the Manchester Joint Hospitals Project. The units are said to offer an economical alternative to...

Atlas Copco's light relief.(KIT NEWS in brief)
February 1, 2006... Atlas Copco has introduced a new angle grinder, the LSV 48. The unit is said to be 30% lighter and more powerful than conventional vertical grinders.

Ford, Daf and Land Rover top sales leagues.(SALES)
February 1, 2006... Ford, Daf and Land Rover dominated the 2005 sales leagues for light, heavy commercial vehicles and 4x4s respectively. All supplied more than one in four of the vehicles in their categories. Ford registered 87,000 commercial vehicles of 3.5t...

Transit revamp sees front-end redesign.(VANS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Ford is redesigning its best-selling Transit range of vans with a restyled front end, improved interior and a choice of seven Euro 4 engines. The restyled front end has a distinctive three-bar grille, extra vertical headlights and the...

Heavy load.(TRANSPORT)
February 1, 2006... Midlands-based haulage company TDR Transport Services has purchased four new tri-axle heavy-duty GTS44/3 stepframe trailers from King Trailers. One unit was specifically acquired to service a recently-awarded contract with Hydrex Equipment to...

Truck owners warned as Euro 4 price hikes loom.(EMISSIONS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Truck owners must act soon if they want new trucks delivered before the 1 October deadline for mandatory fitment of Euro 4 engines. This is the message coming from major truck manufacturers, as they say there is a limit to how long they can...

Grab Hire grabs DA Withers.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... Six-figure funding from the Bank of Scotland has allowed specialist truck grab rental company United Grab Hire to acquire DA Withers, a business that treats topsoil. United has four 32t trucks with drivers and DA Withers has seven vehicles and...

Nooteboom/Kennis deal.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... Dutch trailer manufacturer Nooteboom has taken over Kennis Trailers, which specialises in building brick-trailers. Kennis' semi-trailers are marketed in the UK and Nooteboom plans considerable growth for its new subsidiary.

LDV refinancing deal.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... Birmingham-based van manufacturer LDV has announced a refinancing deal that sees Sun European Partners take a majority shareholding and European Acquisition Capital taking a smaller shareholding.

AT Counsell adds a Seddon.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... Newport-based AT Counsell Haulage has added a new Seddon Atkinson RS Strato to its fleet of 12 commercial vehicles.

G & AM Lawson adds to fleet.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... Plant hirer G & AM Lawson has upgraded its fleet with the delivery of two GTS6D/3 heavy duty trailers from King Trailers. The order also included a GTL70 fully power-steered Hydroneck low loader.

Digital move.(in brief)
February 1, 2006... EU vice-president Jacques Barrot has written to member states' transport ministers to insist digital tachographs are introduced by May at the latest. The SMMT said vehicles with analogue tachographs cannot be registered after the deadline.

Shoring up the market: hirers of trenching equipment report a very active market with no sign of any let-up in the near future. Martin Cooper reports.(TRENCH SUPPORT)
February 1, 2006... It's a good time to be a hirer of trench support (shoring) equipment. As well as an on-going raft of water utilities projects, the civil engineering and general construction industries have been very buoyant. As many jobs in these sectors rely...

On track for success: the Ardmore Group is bucking the trend for contractors to disband their plant fleets by expanding its plant hire offering. Paul Howard finds out why.(HIRE VIEW)
February 1, 2006... At a time when the majority of contractors are continuing to rid themselves of their remaining plant fleets, the Ardmore Group of companies is an obvious exception. In fact, far from trying to emulate its peers in focusing exclusively on a...

High security: with more than [pounds sterling]1m-worth of plant equipment being stolen every week, theft prevention measures are more important than ever. Colin Sowman reports.(THEFT PREVENTION)
February 1, 2006... Plant is being stolen at the rate of more than [pounds sterling]1m per week. Why? Because the machines are expensive, there is a worldwide market for them, and they have little or no protection. An array of security devices have deterred...

Up in the dumps: PMJ number crunches the cost of running the ever-popular articulated dump truck.(BUSINESS)(Illustration)
February 1, 2006... Articulated dump trucks (ADTs) are something of a favourite in the UK, as their all-wheel drive configuration suits our tricky ground conditions and also provides a good turn of speed to deliver the payload quickly and efficiently. Add to that...

Loader potential: Martin Cooper looks at the smaller capacity skid steer market and discovers an under-utilised sector.(EQUIPMENT FOCUS)
February 1, 2006... The benefits of utilising a skid steer loader are well documented. On small confined sites these machines' manoeuvrability and adaptability comes into their own, while their many attachments make them ideal for a wealth of construction and...

Due date dilemma: attract new plant hire custom by offering good credit terms, but make sure that late payers are reined in, warns Colin Sowman.(TOP 25)
February 1, 2006... Persuading customers to pay your invoice on time is a never easy--and if there is a dispute or the customer has financial problems, you may not get paid at all. Customers readily call demanding to know when the kit they ordered will be...

Cat moves upstage: Stage IIIa engines provide the power for most of the latest additions to Cat's litter of machines, reports Colin Sowman.(CAT LAUNCH)
February 1, 2006... Caterpillar has launched more than two dozen new machines: mini and compact radius excavators; backhoe loaders; excavators; scrap handlers; and wheel loaders. Central to all the machines are new, mostly Stage IIIa, engines and upgraded...

Truck stop: once again, SED's Truck Zone is the place to be if you want to check out the best trucks, trailers and HGVs for the construction industry.(SED 2006)
February 1, 2006... In case you haven't heard already, SED has found a brand new home at Rockingham Performance Park, formerly Rockingham Speedway, in Corby Northamptonshire and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary there on 16-18 May 2006. An impressive...

Green and mean: Martin Cooper reports on Hitachi's production expansion programme and the launch of new emissions compliant excavators and wheel loaders.(HITACHI)
February 1, 2006... Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME) has taken the wraps off of the first three models of its new Zaxis-3 series of crawler excavators. Produced to fully comply with the latest European Stage III A emissions regulations, the...

HE Services' big lift.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... HE Services has taken delivery of the final batch of more than 100 Komatsu machines ordered in 2004 through UK distributor Marubeni-Komatsu. Hugh Edeleanu, founder of HE Services, is pictured holding aloft one of his recently delivered...

Iveco helps Tsunami relief work.(CHECKOUT)
February 1, 2006... Iveco has donated an on/off road Euro Trakker 6x4 to London-based transport development chugs Transaid, as part of its [pounds sterling]535,000 donation of vehicles, parts and power generators to the post-Tsunami relief effort. The Euro...

Picking up steam.(CHECKOUT)
February 1, 2006... Cautrac of Colchester has supplied a second-hand JCB Contractor to the Colne Valley Railway Preservation Society, for loading coal into the tenders of its steam locomotives. Based near Castle Hedingham, the Society owns and operates a mile...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.(CHECKOUT)
February 1, 2006... Was it a crane? Many of you thought it was. Or was it an access boom? Well, the answer to January's competition was the latter, in the form of a Ruthmann access unit. The first correct answer out of the PMJ hard hat was from Amy Jackson of Hire...

Prawn sandwiches a thing of the past.(CHECKOUT)
February 1, 2006... LCH Generators is providing the power for three catering outlets at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. The three fast-food centres, selling fish and chips, burgers and fried chicken (without a prawn sandwich in sight), are all owned...

Events diary.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... 2006 MARCH 21 OPERC annual conference HSE, Rose Court, London www.operc.com APRIL 7-8 Scotplant Ingliston, Edinburgh Tel: 0141 567 6000 APRIL 24-29 Intermat 2006 Paris, France ...