Plant Manager's Journal articles from July 2005

Plant Manager's Journal archives from July 2005

Value your own people.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... Looking around the show at Hillhead, it would be easy to think that the quarrying industry has come through a period of consolidation and is now operating smoothly and efficiently--but appearances can be deceptive. British Aggregates...

Caterpillar invests to stay in pole position.(MANUFACTURING)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Caterpillar will counter increased competition by continual investment in its products and production plants, said group president Gerard Vittecoq. Speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the company's Gosselies plant in Belgium...

IPAF beats PAL record.(services of International Powered Access Federation)(Powered Access License)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) said it processed a record 5,170 registrations for its Powered Access License (PAL) cards in April. IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman attributed the rise in demand to the recent...

Johnston brand will stay.(Johnston Sweeper, new owner of Bucher Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Johnston Sweepers' new owner the Bucher Group has reassured the company and customers that Johnston's brand and products have a secure future. Speaking ahead of the CIWM exhibition, Johnson's new managing director Coen van Rosmalen said a dual...

Amex Lex seals MoD deal.(contracts of Amex Lex Consortium)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Ministry of Defence's [pounds sterling]600m contract for the C Vehicle PFI has been awarded to the Amex Lex Consortium. Included in the 15-year contract is the supply of construction and mechanical handling equipment, along with spare...

Ingersoll-Rand shake-up.(REORGANISATION)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Ingersoll-Rand has reorganised its utility organisation (previously known as Portable Power). John Burton, the new regional manager of Ingersoll-Rand Infrastructure for the UK and Ireland, has divided the country into northern and southern...

Path buys rival Orchard.(acquisitions of Path Recruitment)(divestments of Orchard Recruitment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Path Recruitment, which specialises in the plant and tool hire sector, has purchased its rival Orchard Recruitment. The move is said to bolster Path's position as market leader and the two former rivals will now be working together. Ian...

Ito returns to Takeuchi.(appointments)(officials of Takeuchi Mfg (UK))(managing director )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Michiro Ito has been appointed as managing director of Takeuchi Mfg (UK) for a second time. Following the departure of the previous managing director Geoff Vincent, Ito is back at the helm of the company he introduced to the UK in 1996. ...

Sherlock to lead Hewden.(Hewden PLC)(appointments)(managing director)(general manager)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The reshuffle continues at Hewden with Brian Sherlock promoted to managing director. As operations director, Sherlock oversaw the integration of the plant and the tool hire businesses, allowing customers to deal with one organisation for both...

Speedy Hire to expand network into Ireland.(EXPANSION)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Speedy Hire plans to expand its tool and equipment rental network into Ireland before the end of the year. Steve Corcoran, Speedy Hire chief executive, said the company is in talks about possible acquisitions, although it hasn't ruled out...

No action after tower crane collapse.(INVESTIGATION)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has decided there is insufficient evidence to support any action regarding the tower crane collapse at Canada Square, London, in May 2000, which resulted in the deaths of three workers. In its report,...

Man charged after dumper devastation.(DUMPERS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A man has been arrested and charged after a 40t dumper went on a rampage in East Malling, Kent, last week. The ADT was reported to have driven into a mini-digger, 12 parked cars, four garages and a telegraph pole before hitting a wall. One...

New Ingersoll distributor.(NEWS in brief)(Kellands)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Kellands of Somerset has been appointed as Ingersoll-Rand distributor for compaction equipment for the South West of England.

Growth at Manitou.(income soars)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Manitou increased consolidated net income by over 20% in 2004 to [pounds sterling]550m, while telehandler sales grew by a quarter and platforms by 13.5%. Net profit grew 23% to [pounds sterling]38.3m and Manitou expects further significant...

SGM picks up new contracts.(SGM Hire)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Specialist ground care machinery hire company SGM Hire has won contracts with six new local authorities to the value of [pounds sterling]4.5m. The company allows customers to combine paying for new equipment over its service life while...

Chippindale Catterick depot.(Chippindale Plant opens new sales and hire facility)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Chippindale Plant, Volvo's compact equipment dealer for Yorkshire, has opened a new sales and hire facility in Catterick. This latest move follows its acquisition of Huddersfield Hire Centre last year and is the sixth Chippindale depot.

Easirent offers generators.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Wigan-based Easirent has moved into the generator hire market with the delivery of its first tranche of Ingersoll-Rand sets. A new company called Power Rental will stock 20kVA to 500kVA generators.

Plant market set for 4% growth.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... CECE, the European body representing plant manufacturers, is predicting that the UK plant market will grow by 4% in 2005 from its value of [pounds sterling]1.5bn last year. Throughout Europe, sales reached 126,000 units in 2004--30% of...

Vp buys Sokkia and sees profit rise 7%.(Sokkia Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Vp's Groundforce subsidiary has added the business and assets of surveying instruments supplier Sokkia to its portfolio. Groundforce already owns Survey Technology, which specialises in the rental market for survey instruments and its new...

Terex boosts profit by 78%.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Terex Corporation has reported a 39% increase in sales and a 78% hike in profit to [pounds sterling]16.5m for the first quarter of 2005. The Group's construction division posted a first quarter sales increase of [pounds sterling]43.3m to...

Long-reach booms save track closures.(using excavators )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... North West Structures Alliance (the Network Rail/Edmund Nuttall partnership) has used long-reach excavators to prevent the need for line closures during maintenance work on railway embankments at Preston Brook, near Runcorn. Working from...

UK plant hire share prices 2004/05.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... UK PLANT HIRE SHARE PRICES 2004/05 PMJ gives the lowdown on share prices for 7 of the industry's leading quoted companies Price Price Price (p) in (p) in Price (p) (p)...

Manufacturers prepare for emissions regs.(ENGINES)(Tier IIIA/Stage 3 )(engines to adhere to emission standards )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... With the rollout of Tier IIIA/Stage 3 starting in January, engine manufacturers are unveiling their strategies to meet the new emission standards. Iveco said it will use in-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation so its units, which were...

Loxam takes eight SkyKing platforms.(Loxam Access)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Access equipment hirer Loxam Access has increased its fleet size with the latest delivery of eight SkyKing 125RA platforms mounted on Iveco 50C13 vans. The order means Loxam has invested more than [pounds sterling]800,000 in SkyKing units...

Vision offers theft prevention systems.(Vision Techniques)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Vision Techniques is marketing two systems that can be used to increase the safety and security of plant in the form of a number plate recognition system and radio frequency identification. Number plate recognition can help increase depot...

Nationwide fleet flows on biodegradable oil.(Nationwide Plant Hire )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Nationwide Plant Hire has switched its entire fleet of excavators, backhoe loaders and dumpers to running on biodegradable hydraulic oils. Within the company's 90-strong excavator fleet are 10 long-reach units--7t to 30t--that undertake...

Cat 950 and 980G options.(Smart Access Quarry Package )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Caterpillar has introduced a Smart Access Quarry Package for its 950 and 980G series II wheel loaders to-help quarry managers meet any future health and safety legislation. Included in the package is a front access platform with additional...

Continental toughens up.(TYRES)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Tyre manufacturer Continental has added the HSC+ and HDC+ on/off road construction tyres to its range. These tyres are said to use a new, long-chain polymer rubber compound, which makes the tyres tougher and longer lasting. According to...

Ingersoll to restart milling production.(ROAD MAINTENANGE)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Ingersoll Rand will launch a range of milling machines later this year. The company produced milling units until 10 years ago and said the decision to restart manufacturing was to bolster its market share and offer a full line of road...

Yarwood Esco SV2 keeps its tooth pins in place.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A new design of mining tooth attachment, the Esco SV2, was demonstrated at the Hillhead exhibition by Yarwood. The attachment system uses a locking wedge with a rubber insert 'spring', but unlike some other systems the pin is retained by a...

Light footed.(Norfolk wildlife Trust)(Cautrac dealer Tobin Plant)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... LIGHT FOOTED: The Norfolk wildlife Trust has taken delivery of a Morooka MST800VD tracked carrier to undertake a variety of work while causing minimum ground damage. Supplied by Cautrac dealer Tobin Plant, the unit is fitted with a...

Cela extends jib reach.(Ploughcroft Building Services acquires a Cela TJ170 access platform)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Yorkshire-based Ploughcroft Building Services has taken delivery of the UK's first Cela TJ170 access platform. The Nissan Cabstar-mounted telescopic boom lift is fitted with an articulated jib and has a 17m maximum height and 8m of outreach...

Broadwood takes on Tucel.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Sweeper attachment specialist Broadwood is to distribute Tucel rotary sweepers. The German-built unit uses Danfoss hydraulic motors and comes in widths between 1.2m to 3.5m and with three brush options.

Uplift expands.(Uplift Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Access rental company Uplift has invested [pounds sterling]2.5m in doubling the size of the company with a second depot in Haydock. Within 18 months the company plans a fleet of 150 machines and to offer IPAF and PASMA training.

Stihl offers auger.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Stihl has launched a one-man auger said to offer high power and comfortable operation. The Stihl BT 121 is powered by a petrol engine and is suitable for holes of up to 200mm in diameter.

HE turns to MCS.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... HE Services has replaced its existing UNIX based hire application with MCS Windows software solution. The MCS module can mix operated and non-operated machinery and attachments on one rental agreement.

RMD launches Ultraguard.(RMD Kwikform)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... RMD Kwikform has launched a lightweight galvanised steel temporary edge protection system known as Ultraguard. The Z-profiled interlocking barrier complies with European Union and British Standards guidelines.

Mainland orders Volvo.(Mainland Plant Hire, Volvo Construction Equipment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Mainland Plant Hire has placed an order worth in excess of [pounds sterling]2.7m with Volvo Construction Equipment. A total of 33 machines have been purchased--12 ADTs, 15 excavators, four mini excavators and two backhoes.

Kramers join CBL fleet.(NK Lifton Inc. supplies Kramer 380 compact wheel loaders)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... CBL has expanded its hire fleet with the delivery of two Kramer 380 compact wheel loaders. Supplied by NK Lifton, the units feature 4WD and four-wheel steering, and are 1,700mm wide.

Dean and Dyball buys crane.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Contractor Dean and Dyball has purchased a 70t capacity SCX700 Hitachi crawler crane. The machine will be used for heavy-duty piling applications and has been fitted with a high-tech security system.

Bridgestone launches new rigid dumper tyre.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has introduced a new tyre for rigid dump trucks and published a 10-point guide to help companies deal with the global tyre shortage. Called VRQP, the new tyre is designed for 40t and 65t rigid trucks operating...

CIWM.(KIT)
July 1, 2005... German manufacturer Liebherr showcased three materials handling machines at CIWM in Torbay, along with an A316 Litronic unit featuring a hydraulically elevating cab. An L554 2plus2 wheel loading shovel was also on display along with an LR632B...

JCB wastes no time with fleet introduction.(JCB Excavators Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... JCB used the recent CIWM conference to launch its new Wastemaster fleet, which it said is to be targeted at those working in the waste management industry. "Each machine now has a standard Wastemaster specification that incorporates all the...

Atlas rolls out single-drum units in UK.(Atlas Wheeled Loaders )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Atlas Wheeled Loaders (AWL) has launched a new range of single-drum compaction rollers with operating weights ranging from 7.5t to 19.5t. Initially previewed in the UK at the recent SED exhibition, the company announced at Hillhead that the...

Pioneer pumps it up with a JCB 444T.(product introduction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Pioneer pumps is boasting the first third-party use of JCB's 444T engine with the launch of its latest 6" and 8" vacuum-assisted units, which are said to reduce pumping costs by up to 35%. The larger of the skid-mounted pumps is able to...

Ford reduces Ranger prices.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Ford has dropped the price of its Ranger 4X4, with some models also getting additional equipment. [pounds sterling]1,300 is knocked off the price of a Ranger Double Cab, which now starts at [pounds sterling]14,050 (air-con models start...

Nissan's new Navara ready to hit the road.(Nissan Motor Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Nissan's latest Navara pick-up--a new 130kW common rail diesel--will go on sale in the autumn. Available in selectable four-wheel drive only, the Spanish-built Navara is based on the Pathfinder SUV. Options include the King and Double cab, as...

CV registrations top 30,000 in May boom.(commercial vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Registrations of commercial vehicles have continued to boom despite the slow-down in the economy. More than 30,800 CVs were registered in May--a 1.2% increase on last year's figure. Almost 164,000 CVs have been registered in the year to...

Police to get tough on motorist activities.(ENFORCEMENT)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Police forces in the UK are to take a tougher line with motorists who eat, drink or read maps while driving. This is the conclusion of research by the insurance specialists A & A Group, which acts as a non-standard intermediary. ...

Paccar set to retire Foden.(MANUFACTURING)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... US-based truck builder Paccar has announced what is almost certainly the end of the line for Foden trucks. In a statement, it said it is "evaluating the option to retire the manufacture of the Foden Alpha range from August 2006". If...

Palfinger's tail lift move.(in brief)(Ratcliff Tail Lifts Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Lorry-mounted crane and access specialist Palfinger has purchased Ratcliff's tail lift business. Ratcliff takes about a third of the UK tail lift market (Europe's largest), employs 200 people and last year had a turnover of around [pounds...

Orford buys 90 Peugeots.(in brief)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Orford Plant Hire has taken delivery of 90 Peugeot 206 HDi vans for use by its operators when travelling to and from site. The vans have 1.4-litre turbo diesel engines and 20,000-mile/two-year service intervals.

E & D ups vehicle spec.(E and D Boiler Maintenance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... E & D Boiler Maintenance has specified Tracker's Reporter vehicle asset management system on its seven-strong van fleet to improve productivity. In addition to route planning, the system logs the engineer's arrival and departure times to ensure...

Caddys for Glasgow.(in brief)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Glasgow City Council has ordered more than 200 VW Caddy vans for use by its staff in services such as road maintenance, building maintenance, parks, environmental protection. Dealer Verve Volkswagen Van Centre will deliver the vehicles...

EA takes King/Volvo combo.(in brief)(Environment Agency )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Environment Agency has taken delivery of a new high spec King plant body mounted on a Volvo FM12 8X2 chassis. The body has a beavertail with low ground clearance and a remote-controlled 4.5t capacity electric winch.

Clean sweep: waste management specialists gathered in Paignton last week for the annual CIWM conference and exhibition. PMJ went along to see what was on display.(CIWM)(Bri-Stor unveils Easi-Load 2)(AB Volvo enhances its vehicle)(Johnston Sweepers launched 7.5t CX400 and JBVT800)
July 1, 2005... STEELED FOR ACTION: Bri-Stor used the show to unveil its new Euro-Stor racking and storage range and its Easi-Load 2, an updated version of its ground-loading roof rack system. The Easi-Load 2 weighs up to 15% less than its predecessor and is...

Safety shake-up: under new regulations, employers must review their staff's exposure to vibration and carry out a risk assessment on them. Colin Sowman reports.(whole body vibration)(hand-arm vibration )
July 1, 2005... This month sees the introduction of new regulations on whole body vibration (WBV) and hand-arm vibration (HAV). These impose on employers the responsibility to review their employees' exposure to vibration and carry out a risk assessment on...

Hillhead hits: Colin Sowman and Martin Cooper report on the impressive selection of machinery found at this year's show.(SHOW REVIEW)
July 1, 2005... COMPACT MILLING: Wirtgen's new W35 DC compact cold milling machine made its UK debut at Hillhead. The unit is used to mill small areas around ironwork, a process currently done manually. CZECH MADE: The first Czech Republic manufactured...

Fast-moving fleet: if there's one thing you can't call Ipswich-based Fork Rent, it's conventional. Dan Gilkes talks to company's joint managing director Guy Nicholls.(management of Fork Rent)
July 1, 2005... Profit and loss forecasts, growth potential, return on capital investment, diagrams and reports... some companies seem to thrive on them. And certainly there is no harm in knowing how your money is working for you, or being able to improve...

Crushing made easy: mini excavators and tracked dumpers are not the only items of compact plant that continue to grow in popularity--compact crushing equipment is on a roll too. PMJ looks at some of the latest developments in this niche sector.(PLANT FOCUS)
July 1, 2005... When more traditional crushing equipment is simply too big or too expensive for the task, it's time to consider compact crushing equipment. Like many items of compact operated plant, the mini crusher scene is enjoying considerable...

Playing it safe: although some machines are remarkably easy to operate, none are risk-free, and operators must be made aware of the potential dangers and put through the relevant training before they use such equipment.(WORK AT HEIGHT)
July 1, 2005... Ergonomic work by manufacturers and improvements in hydraulic control can fool some into thinking they can operate forklift trucks, telescopic handlers, tower cranes and the like. However, it is this misconception that can present a serious...

Taken identity: UK businesses' credit lines are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters. Martin Cooper finds out what steps you can take to protect your business.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... Watching television lately, you can't have failed to notice the spate of advertisements warning of the dangers of personal identity theft. According to these commercials, discarded bank or credit card details can easily be taken from...

Practical alternative: those training for red and blue CPCS cards may find it more convenient to use on-site testing rather than the logbook.(TRAINING)
July 1, 2005... Throughout this series, we have tended to concentrate on the logbook system of recording hours and demonstrating competence--but there is another way. Those finding the logbook system difficult to operate,--because of the time required for...

No more headlines for Foden.(Paccar may retire manufacture of Foden trucks)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... When it comes to doublespeak, US-based Paccar--owner of truck builders Daf, Foden, Kenworth and Peterbilt--takes some beating. Buried half way down a recent press release is the statement: "Paccar is evaluating the option to retire the...

Jim's no basket case.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Jim Morris from the Walsall Housing Group raised [pounds sterling]1,600 for charity by spending three days in the basket of an articulated platform. Morris spent his three days 20m above the Poachers Pocket pub in Walsall Wood. ...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.
July 1, 2005... There was no shortage of readers identifying the wheel carried by the Manitou telehandler. However, there can only be one lucky winner of our [pounds sterling]50 cheque and that is: Penny Vickers from A-Plant in Stoke on Trent. To stand a...

Volvo digs dressing up.(excavators)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... When is a JCB excavator not a JCB excavator? Answer: when it's a Volvo excavator. This strange conundrum came to light recently when the National Plant and Equipment Register (TER) recovered a Volvo machine for Chubb Insurance that the...

Diary dates for roadshows.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Health and Safety Executive is running a number of noise and vibration roadshows to inform employers about the changes taking place. These are aimed at managing directors, production managers, health and safety advisors and safety...

Events diary.(Calendar)
July 1, 2005... 2005 SEPTEMBER 6-8 IOG Saltex Windsor Racecourse Windsor, Berks Tel: 020 8232 1600 www.iogsaltex.co.uk SEPTEMBER 15 Construction Industry Theft Scheme (Forum) JCB HQ Rocester, Staffs ...