Plant Manager's Journal articles from January 2006

Plant Manager's Journal archives from January 2006

The future is green.(IN THIS MONTH'S ...)
January 1, 2006... I hope everybody is suitably refreshed after the Christmas break and ready to take on the trials and tribulations that 2006 will inevitably bring. One of the biggest--if not the biggest--challenge will be emissions and the environment. ...

Wernick buys Selwood arm in [pounds sterling]1m deal.(ACQUISITION)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Wernick Hire has acquired the portable accommodation and event hire business of Selwood for [pounds sterling]1m. The deal allows the business to continue operating from Selwood's depot at Chandler's Ford, Hampshire. All of the current...

Plant-specific insurance deals.(INSURANCE)(FML Insurance Services introduces insurance policies)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... FML Insurance Services has introduced two bespoke insurance policies for the plant and tool hire sectors, which are said to offer lower premiums and improved cover. Premiums are largely related to the plant company's claims record and the steps...

GLA wants DPF rules set in place by April.(EMISSIONS)(Greater London Authority )(diesel particulate filters )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Greater London Authority (GLA) is to put its proposals requiring plant on certain sites to fit diesel particulate filters (DPFs) out to consultation early in the new year. However, it is determined to press ahead with the rules and...

High and mighty.
January 1, 2006... Caption: HIGH AND MIGHTY: Following extensive trials, Bardon Aggregates has selected a Liebherr R 974B-HD Litronic face shovel for primary production at its Venn quarry in Devon. The 80t class machine has its cab raised by 800mm for improved...

Brandon Hire expands EAnglian operation.(EXPANSION)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Brandon Hire has expanded its East Anglian network with the opening of a new depot in Cambridge, bringing its national total to 146. The company has invested [pounds sterling]350,000 in the new branch. Branch manager Diane Overton said...

HSE's guide to vibration in the workplace.(VIBRATION)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published Whole Body Vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The guide costs [pounds sterling]10.95 and gives employers advice about what can be done to reduce and control the...

JCB's Indian expansion.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... JCB has announced plans to construct a new [pounds sterling]30m manufacturing plant at Pune, India. The new facility will build excavators for the Indian market with production due to start next year.

Balfour's [pounds sterling]66m rail deal.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Balfour Beatty has secured a two-year/[pounds sterling]66m contract from Network Rail for tamping and ballast regulating services in the South East and East Midlands areas. The work commences immediately and there is potential for a three-year...

Close Asset web launch.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... In a move to bring it closer to customers and strengthen its brand, close Asset Finance has launched a new website www.closeasset.co.uk.

Arcomet nets crane deal.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Arcomet has signed an agreement with the Manitowoc Crane Group to become the UK's distributor for Potain tower cranes. Arcomet will sell and rent the full range of Potain cranes from three UK locations.

O'Neill expands operation.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... O'Neill Tool & Plant Hire has opened a second branch in Hanwell, west London. The company has also extended its offering to include small plant up to 1.5t.

Speedy turnover hike.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Speedy Hire has declared a 21.3% rise in turnover to [pounds sterling]120m for the six months to the end of September. Pretax profit climbed 16% to [pounds sterling]13m and it announced its first Irish branches will be in Belfast and Dublin.

OPERC's new vibration guide.(VIBRATION)(An Introduction to Whole-Body Vibration)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Off-highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre (OPERC) has published An Introduction to Whole-Body Vibration, a 16-minute DVD produced in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive. The DVD is a learning aid for all those...

New addition.
January 1, 2006... Caption: NEW ADDITION: Patersons of Greenoakhill has taken one of Scotland's first Komatsu D375 dozers. The 67t machine is fitted with an interchangeable 475 rippershank and traction control and will be used in Paterson's silica sand quarry.

Vp posts 4% turnover hike.(RESULTS)
January 1, 2006... Equipment rental specialist Vp has reported a 4% increase in turnover to [pounds sterling]47.4m ([pounds sterling]45.6m) for the six month period to 30 September 2005, while pre-tax profit rose 19% to [pounds sterling]5.9m. UK Forks, the...

Ashtead denies move to sell off UK division.(COMPANY NEWS)
January 1, 2006... Ashtead has denied that it made secretive moves to find a replacement for chief executive George Burnett because he opposed the group chairman Cob Stenham's desire to sell its UK plant hire division and concentrate on the US market. The...

TER urges machine checks.(THEFT PREVENTION)(National Plant and Equipment Register)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The National Plant & Equipment Register (TER) has urged all UK auction houses dealing in construction plant to check all machines identities thoroughly to stop stolen equipment being sold. TER manager Tim Purbrick said, with so much stolen...

EU launches training initiative.(TRAINING)(European Union )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The European Union (EU) is spending [pounds sterling]820,000 on a research project to develop a simulator to train construction workers to use heavy plant. Researchers from Spain, Germany, France, Slovakia, Poland, Portugal and Italy are...

Mastenbroek's trencher uses unique action.(TRENCHER)
January 1, 2006... Mastenbroek has introduced the HRT range of hard rock trenchers that feature a new cutting method said to increase productivity and lower cost. The HRT design has a reciprocating boom with a reverse cutting chain that is pushed into the...

Atlas Copco E-series boomer set to break drill speed record.(TUNNELLING)
January 1, 2006... Atlas Copco will launch 'the world's fastest tunnelling drill rig' at next year's Intermat exhibition in Paris. According to the company, the new E-series rocket boomer has been developed to speed up the drilling cycle while minimising both...

JCB rolls out full range of compaction units.(COMPACTION)
January 1, 2006... JCB has taken the wraps off its new range of German-built compaction machines. Badged as JCB Vibromax and consisting of more than 60 soil and asphalt rollers, JCB said its UK and Ireland dealer network began selling the units from 1 January...

Cutting edge.
January 1, 2006... Caption: CUTTING EDGE: Hull-based Venco Plant Services has purchased a new TE80 Mini-Mower from Exac-One to service a contract with a local authority. The mower is capable of cutting material up to 40mm diameter and is fitted to one of Venco's...

WRG makes compact purchase.(COMPACTORS)
January 1, 2006... The Waste Recycling Group (WRG) has purchased two G520 waste compactors from Finnish manufacturer Tana. The new 50t machines purchased from Tana UK, part of Saville Tractors, are powered by Caterpillar engines and replace two smaller Tana...

Peter Bennie buys first Powerscreen Horizon.(SCREENING)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Northampton-based quarrying contractor Peter Bennie has taken delivery of the UK's first Powerscreen Horizon 6203 mobile screening plant. The unit has been delivered to Peter Bennie's ironstone extraction site near Banbury, Oxfordshire,...

Gulliver's moves into access.(ACCESS)
January 1, 2006... Bristol-based vehicle rental company Gulliver's Truck Hire has moved into the access equipment market with the purchase of 15 Skyking units. The company's new access division's first machines are compact Skyking 125RA platforms fitted to...

Volvo makes the grade.(GRADERS)
January 1, 2006... Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced a seven-model range of motor graders in Europe. The G900 series of graders ranges in size from the G930 15,554kg operating weight unit up to the 20,993kg G990 unit. The smallest four models...

Kobelco expansion.(CRANES)(launches upgraded crawler crane)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Kobelco Cranes has launched an upgraded version of its 250t capacity crawler crane. Known as the CKE2500-2, the machine will be available in the UK from early this year and will be the largest model in Kobelco's CKE crawler range. The...

Hire Station buys JCBs.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Nottingham-based Hire Station has purchased 76 JCB mini excavators and four micro excavators for its hire fleet. The majority of the order consists of 1.5t 8014 excavators.

A-Plant gets green light.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... A-Plant has won a [pounds sterling]400,000 contract to supply traffic management products and services to Mowlem for the A206 Thames Road improvement in Bexleyheath, Kent.

Notcutts adds LoadRunners.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Notcutts' landscaping division has bought seven LoadRunner micro dumpers from Loadmaster Engineering. The 350kg payload machines are 715mm wide and feature a select drive mechanism allowing two- or four-wheel drive options.

Hunt in [pounds sterling]1m Genpac deal.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... John F Hunt Power Services has taken delivery of 150 Sandhurst Genpacs in a deal worth more than [pounds sterling]1m. The order forms part of a [pounds sterling]2m investment in the company's new Oldbury, West Midlands, depot.

Cadman takes Terex ADTs.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Essex-based Cadman Contracts has taken delivery of six ADTs from Terex. The order comprises three TA25s and three TA27 models, and brings the company's ADT fleet to more than 70 machines.

More Bobcats for MTS.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... MTS has added another 30 Bobcat machines to its fleet in a [pounds sterling]1m deal. Included are a number of Bobcat 323,325 and 337 excavators, along with S130 S160 and 220 skid steers.

SMMT updates towing booklet.(PUBLICATIONS)(The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published a new edition of Towing and the Law, which explains the increasingly complex legislation and highlights safe practice The 40-page booklet summarises legislation covering...

Labour floats emissions tax breaks.(TAX BREAKS)
January 1, 2006... In the pre-budget statement, the government indicated it is considering tax breaks for companies specifying engines meeting the cleaner Euro-5 emission standards ahead of the official implementation date in 2008. However, it is currently...

FTA boss urges firms to vote for Option 2.(LICENSING)
January 1, 2006... The Driving Standards Agency is consulting on new regulations that require drivers wanting an HGV licence to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Under a less onerous option--known as Option 2--from 2009, drivers of...

JBT Waste opts for Volvo FM12s.(TRUCKS)
January 1, 2006... The availability of I-Shift automated transmissions convinced JBT Waste Services to buy a pair of Volvo FM12 8x4 tippers and order a further two. All the 32t machines have 313kW engines and sleeper cabs. Three are fitted with Thompson...

Under-inflation causes 6% of M-way deaths.(TYRES)(Royal Automobile Club (UK))(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Under-inflated tyres are the cause of 6% of deaths on UK motorways, according to the RAC, and tyre manufacturers say 75% of blowouts are caused by incorrect inflation. However, a study by the RAC revealed that more than two million drivers...

Spadeoak uses Andovers.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Road-laying specialist Spadeoak Construction has taken delivery of two semi sloping tri-axle trailers from Andover Trailers. The SFSL 40 units will be used in conjunction with the company's Volvo FH12 6x2 tractor units.

Second title for Iveco Daily.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Iveco's Daily van was voted Van of the Year 2005 by What Van? The title follows the accolade of Fleet Van of the Year 2005 awarded by PMJ's sister magazine Motor Transport.

Partners from [pounds sterling]123/month.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Peugeot Contract Hire is offering Partner vans from just over [pounds sterling]123 per month, Experts from [pounds sterling]147 and Boxers from [pounds sterling]184. The contracts last three years and cover 12,000 miles per year.

Learn to beat tiredness.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... A report for Parliament looking at the effect of long working hours and driver tiredness concludes that people need continuous education combined with technology rather than a one-off training session.

Hippowash website.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Wheel-washing equipment specialist Hippowash has launched a new website--www.hippowash.com. The site contains details of its wheel-washing and water-recycling (Siltbuster) equipment.

Primastar mini-bus.(NEWS ... in brief)
January 1, 2006... Nissan has unveiled a new mini-bus conversion to its longer wheelbase Primastar van that can seat nine people. It comes with three-point seatbelts, abs and a 75kW/1.9-litre diesel engine.

Diesel developments: Colin Sowman tries to clear the air by explaining the latest round of emissions legislation and its impact on the UK construction sector.(EMISSIONS)
January 1, 2006... Legislation is undoubtedly the single biggest factor driving the development of plant, encompassing visibility, vibration, noise and perhaps the biggest area of all, diesel engine emissions. This month sees the start of a third round of...

The simple life: Plant Hire 4u has only been in operation for five months, but already it has made a name for itself in Yorkshire. Martin Cooper went to find out more.(HIRE VIEW)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2006... Dave Baker, managing director of Plant Hire 4u, has a simple business philosophy, be consistent and stick to what you know. However simplistic this plan may seem, it has undoubtedly worked a treat for him. The company, based in...

Fuel for thought: PMJ takes a look at how fuel bowser manufacturers have coped since the implementation of fuel transportation legislation.(FUEL TRANSPORT)
January 1, 2006... Manufacturing fuel bowsers was once a straight forward operation. You'd source the materials, assemble the product and hopefully sell the unit. But recent legislation, namely the classification of diesel as dangerous goods, as well as soaring...

Sales pitch: if you know your way around the rules and regulations, it is possible to sell your business without making the taxman rich in the process. Andrew Shilling reports.(BUSINESS)
January 1, 2006... It is many business owners' wish to retire and pass on their business to their children. However, in some cases, there are no reliable or willing heirs so the business owner will usually sell up to a third party. However, unless the sale is...

A balancing act: average sales per employee is one way of telling whether or not a company is overstaffed. Colin Sowman crunches the numbers to find our top 25 plant hirers.(TOP 25)
January 1, 2006... People are a company's biggest asset--but they are also one of its biggest costs. Getting the right balance between the number of staff and the available work is pivotal to the success of any company. Too many staff and overheads shoot through...

Middle ground: it has been five years in the making, but Terex has finally taken the wraps off the first models in an all-new range of tracked excavators that when complete, will span 20t to 65t. Geoff Ashcroft reports.(TEREX)
January 1, 2006... To give its customers a mainstream excavator range that could finally compete on price, performance and comfort, construction equipment giant Terex returned to the drawing board. With the new TC (Terex Crawler) range, the firm has moved...

Reach for the sky: as usual, the Cranes and Access Village is expected to be one of the highlights of SED.(SED 2006)
January 1, 2006... The sky's the limit at the all-new Cranes and Access Village at SED's new home at Rockingham Performance Park in Corby, Northamptonshire. Here's taster of what cranes and access equipment visitors can see at the 40th National Event for...

Haulotte rallies round for Prieto.(CHECKOUT)
January 1, 2006... Haulotte has increased its involvement with rally raider Miguel Prieto and arguably the world's toughest motorsport event, the Dakar Rally. Haulotte is sponsoring Prieto in his buggy, plus the Mercedes-Benz T4 and T5 support vehicles, in...

Ainscough's crane lifts charity appeal.(CHECKOUT)
January 1, 2006... For the past few years Ainscough has supported the Ladies Driving Challenge in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The event gives women the opportunity to drive various machines and trucks, including a mobile crane provided by Ainscough. ...

A monumental case.(CHECKOUT)
January 1, 2006... When Channel 4's Time Team decided to recreate a timber circle for a documentary it needed a variety of equipment to help with the handling and placing of more than 160 15m long poles. Case construction equipment dealer CRMS came to the aid...

Win [pounds sterling]50 in the picture.(CHECKOUT)
January 1, 2006... Well, the first competition of 2006 was reasonably difficult and only a handful of correct entries arrived at PMJ headquarters. The lucky winner drawn from the PMJ hard hat was Ian Pierce of AH Plant Hire of Wrexham. If you'd like the...

Access hirer pulls the udder one.(CHECKOUT)
January 1, 2006... Access equipment hirer Facelift recently completed one of its most unusual jobs to date. Working in conjunction with south-east-based Cow Parade, Facelift has been helping to lift giant cows for charity. The cows, which weigh in at...

Events diary.(CHECKOUT)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... 2006 JANUARY 15-17 Totally Tools 2006 Earls Court London Tel: 020 8462 0721 www.totallytools.co.uk JANUARY 25-26 Hire Show Excel Centre, London Tel: 020 8387 1244 APRIL 7-8 Scotplant ...

Onwards and out of reach: for telescopic booms, the sky is the limit as manufacturers aim to push lifts to ever-greater heights. Martin Cooper reports.(PLANT FOCUS)
January 1, 2006... If there's one equipment sector continually striving quite literally to reach new heights it is the access machinery industry. The recent implementation of legislation and more high-rise construction and maintenance work have created a market...