Plant Manager's Journal articles from July 2006

Plant Manager's Journal archives from July 2006

Safety in the spotlight.(IN THIS MONTH'S ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Each year, between one and six people are killed in plant-related accidents and more than 200 are seriously injured. So despite millions of pounds being spent on training, something is still going wrong. For that reason, Trevor Gamble's...

Verdict reached for Go Plant worker's death.(Alan Garner )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... An inquest jury in Loughborough has returned a verdict of accidental death on a 54-year-old plant mechanic, who was killed after a frame carrying an engine crashed onto his head. Alan Garner had been wheeling an A-framed gantry carrying the...

Lavendon ties up deal for AMP Access.(Lavendon Group acquires AMP Access)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Lavendon Group, owner of Nationwide Access and one of Europe's largest hirers of powered access equipment, has announced the acquisition of AMP Access. AMP, which employs 57 people, netted a [pounds sterling]1m profit from a turnover of...

Case to appoint new dealers in South West.(KPMG L.L.P. (New York, New York), CRMS Group )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Case is in the process of appointing two new dealers in the South West, following an announcement from KPMG Restructuring that the beleaguered CRMS Group has stopped trading. A KPMG spokeswoman ruled out the possibility of CRMS being sold...

Terex dumper production up 20%.(MANUFACTURING)
July 1, 2006... Production of site dumpers at Terex's Coventry plant has increased by 20% and the company has regained second position in the UK backhoe loader market, according to Brian Heathcote, general manager of Terex Compact. He said the firm was in...

Demag appoints Certex for UK distribution.(Certex UK)(Demag Cranes and Components Corp.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Demag Cranes and Components has appointed Certex UK as its main UK distributor. Certex will offer a range of materials handling components and spares to around 300 Demag customers, although Demag will continue to supply cranes, hoists and...

Plant deaths top CPCS agenda.(Construction Plant Competence Scheme)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Trevor Gamble, the new chair of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) management committee, is to use his position to focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries involving plant. "If our workforce is trained and qualified, this can...

Wheelie good job.(Nationwide Crane Hire )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Caption: WHEELIE GOOD JOB: Appearances can be deceptive, as this picture from Nationwide Crane Hire illustrates. The company had to undertake a lift at the rear of the Grand Theatre in Leeds where the ground sloped in two directions. Far from...

Vp posts [pounds sterling]11m profit.(FINANCIAL RESULTS)
July 1, 2006... Equipment rental group Vp posted an [pounds sterling]11m pre-tax profit for 2005, with turnover passing [pounds sterling]100m for the first time. Chairman Jeremy Pilkington said: "The main challenge is to deliver the promise offered by the...

Case sets sights on the double.(MARKET SHARE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Case UK is looking to increase its number of dealer outlets and has put a new management team in place in order to meet the target set by George Russell, vice president of global operations, of doubling market share in three years. Having...

SkyKing distribution deal.(NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Skyking distribution deal SkyKing has become sole UK and Northern Ireland distributor for Belgian aerial lift manufacturer Sky-High. Sky-High supplies light weight platforms suitable for small trucks, pick-ups and 4-wheel drives.

Tower crane safety guide.(NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Tower crane safety guide The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has released a guide to tower crane stability (C654). The guide brings together practical and design issues that affect health and safety based...

Speedy turnover up 23%.(Speedy Inc.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Speedy turnover up 23% Speedy's full-year results to 31 March showed turnover up 23% to [pounds sterling]254.3m, with pre-tax profit climbing 25% to [pounds sterling]30.7m and utilisation rising from 67% to 70%. Turnover in Speedy's tool...

Biffa belts up.(NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Biffa belts up Biffa Waste Services has made wearing the belts compulsory on all its landfill, waste transfer and pre-treatment sites. To monitor compliance, Finning UK has fitted 140 electronic lap belts from Spillard Safety Systems to...

Diperk expands.(acquired John A Sparks's Perkins business)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Diperk expands Diperk has consolidated its UK business by taking full ownership of John A Sparks' Perkins business and incorporated it into the Diperk brand. Personnel and resources from John A Sparks that previously dealt with customers...

Hire Centers will trade as Brandon Hire.(BRANDING)
July 1, 2006... Wolseley UK has announced that its existing Hire Center branches will come under the Brandon Hire name, following its acquisition of the tool hire firm. Brandon Hire chief executive Charles Skinner will lead the combined business from its...

Demarec gets new owner.(ACQUISITION)
July 1, 2006... Hydraulic lifting device manufacturer Kinshofer Greiftechnik has bought Dutch recycling firm Demarec. Kinshofer UK, which supplies OEMs and OEDs, has increased its range to offer Kinshofer and Demarec products to its partners as a result of...

Hitachi eyes control of distributor HM Plant.(DISTRIBUTION)
July 1, 2006... Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is in talks with UK distributor HM Plant about acquiring a controlling interest in the company, according to a source in the manufacturer. The manufacturer already owns 30% of its distributor and aims to...

ERA appoints VPs from UK.(ASSOCIATIONS)
July 1, 2006... Two people from the UK plant hire industry have been appointed vice presidents to the newly-formed European Rental Association (ERA) at its inaugural meeting: Colin Wood, director of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and Kevin...

Successful year for JCB as profit rises.(RESULTS)
July 1, 2006... JCB doubled its profit in 2005 to [pounds sterling]110m during what chairman Sir Anthony Bamford has called the "most successful" year in his company's history. Turnover rose 23% to [pounds sterling]1.42bn as global production increased...

Vanson Cranes' jig gets a rejig.(CRANES)
July 1, 2006... Vanson Cranes has introduced a new 243 topless tower crane with a trapezoidal jib design. It is said to offer high rigidity while reducing wind stress and jib torsion. Wind stress is reduced by using twin tubes of a smaller diameter at...

Hinowa's new tool carrier.(Hinowa)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Hinowa unveiled its new Rhinetta series of tracked stand-on tool carriers at CIWM. The machine comes with a range of attachments including pallet forks, buckets, trenchers, grapples, breakers and augers. The machines offer three different...

Merlo's Panoramic launch at SED pays off.(TELEHANDLERS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Merlo not only launched its new low profile 6m/3.2t capacity telehandler, the Panoramic P32.6 L, at SED, but also sold the first two off the stand. Barry Murphy, sales manager at Irish dealer CMH, made the sale to an undisclosed contractor...

Modular remote control offers quick conversion.(QinetiQ Ltd. develops applique robotic kit )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Defence technology company QinetiQ has developed equipment that can convert most items of plant to remote control and allow the operator to be up to 1km away from the machine. In areas where the operator can safely use the machine in the...

Scorpion's clean power.(Scorpion Power Systems)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Scorpion Power Systems has adopted the new low-emission Perkins 1100 series of engines for its genset range. The engines fulfil the future Stage II and Tier 2 requirements (for constant speed engines) and to meet TA-Luft legislation. ...

ADP eyes excavator sector.(EXCAVATORS)
July 1, 2006... Gloucestershire-based ADP Safe Digging Solutions has started importing the Vaxcavator range in a bid to break into the fledgling vacuum excavator market. The company is offering a range of machines, manufactured by US company McLauchlin,...

Peri Up scaffolding system creates buzz at SED show.(SCAFFOLDING)
July 1, 2006... Peri's new Peri Up system scaffolding consists of just nine core components and caused such a stir at SED that its sales people are still following up all the leads. The introduction of the Work at Height Regulations, new European...

All glow for Ingersoll Rand.(SITE LIGHTING)
July 1, 2006... Ingersoll Rand has introduced a balloon light capable of illuminating an area of 1,400[m.sup.2]. The unit weighs less than 10kg and contains four 500W halogen lamps mounted inside a protective bowl to provide 300 lux of uniform...

Bobcat's safer cleaning system.(REMOTE OPERATION)
July 1, 2006... Bobcat dealer MTS Bobcat has developed a remote control system that can be fitted on to the manufacturer's standard skid steers. A remotely-controllable machine costs [pounds sterling]30,000 to [pounds sterling]35,000 (including attachments)...

New Deutz engine meets Stage IIIa reg.(EMISSIONS)
July 1, 2006... Engine manufacturer Deutz has developed a version of its four-cylinder 2013 engine producing up to 104kW that can meet Stage IIIa emission regulations without using electronics. The company has developed a mechanical version of its common...

Rock scene.
July 1, 2006... Caption: ROCK SCENE: John Wainwright & Co puts its new 50t Liebherr R 954B-HDS Litronic backhoe through its paces at Moons Hill Quarry. The company required a hard-dig machine to quarry and process the local basalt.

Hewden has big orders for oil spill kits.(OIL SPILLS)
July 1, 2006... Hewden believes it is the first equipment rental provider in the UK to deploy oil spillage kits for its equipment on construction sites. The kits, which are designed to mop up and contain any oil spills from the machines, typically contain...

Tana's launches Shark shredder.(SHREDDER)
July 1, 2006... Tana has launched its new Shark 5430 low-speed, single-rotor shredder, which is capable of handling wood, tyres, green waste and plastic at a rate of up to 45t/hr. The 21.5t machine is fitted with an overband magnet to remove metals and...

Gen Quip rolls out SP600 unit.(GenQuip)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Gen Quip has introduced a new 6m, 12-man SP600 welfare unit. It is fitted with all the usual kitchen equipment, including drying area and toilet, but also includes a 10kVA generator, which gives the flexibility to supply power to more than one...

Kemppi's flexible welder.(WELDER)
July 1, 2006... Bedford-based Kemppi UK has launched the MiniarcTig single-phase welding machine. The 230V unit is designed for TIG and MMA welding of mild steel and stainless steel and will run off either a mains supply or a generator. The machine is...

Balfour takes 16 Kubotas.(KIT NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Balfour takes 16 Kubotas Balfour Beatty has taken delivery of 16 more Kubota mini excavators, bringing the construction firm's total of Kubota machines to over 100. The order comprised 10 1.5t KW36-3 canopy models and six 2.5t KX61-3 cab...

Genie lands record order.(contracts with The Platform Co.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Genie lands record order Genie has landed its largest-ever single order as part of a deal that sees The Platform Company buying [pounds sterling]30m-worth of aerial work platforms over the next two years. The order covers scissor lifts,...

Prudden's Volvo trio.(KIT NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Prudden's Volvo trio Prudden Group has bought three new Volvo compact excavators as the road surfacing firm invests [pounds sterling]250,000 in a bid to establish a new hire division. The order comprises two EC15BXRs (1.5t) and an ECR28...

Meade's Irish first.(KIT NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Meade's Irish first Meade Crane Service has purchased the Republic of Ireland's first Grove GMK5130-1 (130t) all-terrain mobile crane. The firm bought the machine as a mid-range solution that would still be small enough to work in cities.

Robinson's makes the cut.(KIT NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Robinson's makes the cut Robinson's Trees has bought the UK's first Bobcat FC175 heavy-duty flail cutter. The firm will use the attachment, which is mounted on a Bobcat T200HF compact tracked loader, for site and scrub clearance work.

Speedy LCH in demand.(KIT NEWS ... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Speedy LCH in demand Although Speedy LCH has already provided seven generator sets, an automatic mains failure panel, a transformer and a fuel tank to businesses around the damaged Buncefield terminals site, the generator specialist...

Godwin adds pumps and expands factory by 25%.(PUMPS)
July 1, 2006... Pump manufacturer Godwin Pumps has added two new models to its HL range of extra-high head Dri-Prime pumps. The HL130M and HL160M models are close-coupled, single stage, automatic self-priming pumps capable of solids handling and heads up...

Six of the best.
July 1, 2006... Caption: SIX OF THE BEST: Volvo has delivered six Volvo ECI5BXR compact excavators to Wrekin Construction for its utility division. All the machines have been supplied as canopy versions with a full set of buckets and their own plant trailer...

Pay-as-you-go tracking from ATA.(ATA Security Solutions )(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... ATA Security Solutions has launched its Sim Vehicle Tracker unit, which works on a "pay as you track" basis. The unit, which has a margin of error ranging from 150m to up to 2km in rural areas, avoids monthly subscription charges by using a...

Hard case.(Automobiles Citroen S.A. introduced Berlingo XTR+)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Caption: HARD CASE: Citroen has launches an enhanced traction version of its Berlingo 600 van, aimed at utilities, forestry and agricultural users. The Berlingo XTR+ has a limited slip differential, larger (15in) diameter wheels fitted with mud...

Volvo offers light options.(TRUCKS)
July 1, 2006... Volvo Trucks has introduced a new FE range of lightweight vehicles in the 18t to 26t range, between the FL in the 12t to 18t sector and the FM in the heavy-duty market. The new FE will be available as a 4X2, 6X2 or 6X4, with three cab...

Nissan LCV division back on road to recovery, says chief.(SALES)
July 1, 2006... Nissan global head of LCV Andy Palmer has indicated that his division has turned a corner since the low-point it reached around four years ago. He detailed an aggressive growth strategy will see the company attempt to double its 2004...

Fleet managers must have 'seamless' driving records.(Freight Transport Association (United Kingdom))(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned fleet managers that they need seamless drivers' records regardless of whether their trucks are fitted with analogue or digital tachographs. But it also indicated that not all tachograph...

Battle lines.
July 1, 2006... Caption: BATTLE LINES: JCB has unveiled two high-speed military trucks as it branches out beyond its traditional construction equipment market. The High Mobility Variable Reach Truck and High Mobility Utility Vehicle (pictured) appeared at the...

Digitachs hit truck sales.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Digitachs hit truck sales Following the introduction of digital tachographs on I May, truck registrations fell by more than a third to 3,340 in the month. However, sales in the year to date are still running 17% ahead, while the rolling...

Volkswagen names its price.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Volkswagen names its price Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced the prices for its new Crafter van, which was unveiled at the CV show in March. Prices start at [pounds sterling]15,300 for the CR30 short wheelbase panel van.

Dragon's [pounds sterling]6m deal.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Dragon's [pounds sterling]6m deal Iveco distributor Dragon Truck and Van has won the largest Welsh local authority contract for the past three years, worth [pounds sterling]6m. The deal will see the distributor supplying a 250-strong...

Volvo cleans up.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Volvo cleans up Volvo has supplied Shropshire-based SP Holding Services with a new Volvo FM9-340 6X4 rigid, equipped with a Eurovac 1200 high-pressure jetting and suction system. The machine will be used for a rapid response sewer clean-up...

Hewlett expands fleet.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Hewlett expands fleet Hewlett has pumped more than [pounds sterling]500,000 in new plant and machinery and commercial vehicles as part of its continuing geographical expansion. The firm's most recent order saw it buying 15 Caddy Vans from...

Iveco tips the balance.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... Iveco tips the balance Iveco has sold two 8X4 Trakker AD340T38Ks to Northampton-based Deejak Builders. Both machines, which produce 280kW from a Cursor 12.91 engine, are fitted with Thompson Loadmaster steel tipper bodies.

AdBlue goes large.(... in brief)
July 1, 2006... AdBlue goes large Greenchem AdBlue Solutions has announced that it will offer larger pack sizes of AdBlue, including 1,0001 IBCs, as part of an extended deal with Daf Trucks. All Daf trucks with Euro 4 and Euro 5 SCR engine technology are...

Opportunity knocks: how can your company get a slice of all the available business from the multitude of UK local authorities? Colin Sowman reports.(MUNICIPAL)
July 1, 2006... There are more than 350 different local authorities in the UK and all have responsibilities that involve using plant and vehicles: road maintenance, refuse collection and waste transfer, street lighting, keeping parks and playing fields, street...

Clean sweep: the pick of the equipment used by the municipal authorities was on show at the Chartered Institute of Waste Management's annual conference and exhibition in Paignton. Colin Sowman was there.(CIWM)
July 1, 2006... CHIP AND GO: GreenMech exhibited a version of its chipper/shredder mounted on a 3.5t chassis. The unit is designed to meet Worcester and Redditch Council's requirement for kerbside shredding of garden waste without the need to tow a machine...

Breaking the mould: system formwork has displaced wooden shuttering and with the 2012 Olympics fast approaching prospects look good. Neil Gerrard reports.(FORMWORK)
July 1, 2006... The fortunes of the formwork and falsework business are linked to the concrete industry, and that's been rather buoyant of late. And what with the Olympics approaching, the good times are likely to continue rolling for a little while to come....

Client focus at JC Balls: with three generations of the family involved in the business, plant hirer JC Balls has made its reputation on its top notch customer service. Neil Gerrard reports.(HIRE VIEW)
July 1, 2006... It's obvious as soon as you visit JC Balls' Ambergate depot, near Derby, that it is run by people who live and breathe plant. Walk into the office and you'll see a startling array of JCB replicas lining the walls--every model that's ever been...

Smash and grab: looking for some serious jaw crushing, pulverising power from your demolition attachments? Then there's plenty of choice among units with a 2.5t to 3.5t operating weight. PMJ reviews the latest ranges.(EQUIPMENT FOCUS)
July 1, 2006... The drive for greater efficiency and productivity among demolition contractors has led to a gradual shift away from combination jaw processors, which are capable of both crushing concrete and shearing the exposed steel. Instead, many...

The taxman cometh: with changes to the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) taking effect next April, the Construction Confederation is advising firms to start preparing now.(CIS)
July 1, 2006... While the implementation of the new CIS has been delayed by a year, much of the industry is no better prepared for the changes than it was 12 months ago. And unless you start getting your house in order now, HM Revenue & Custom's (HMRC) could...

Big break: to launch its assault on the demolition market, JCB recently held its first Demolition Day at its Rocester HQ. PMJ was there.(DEMOLITION)
July 1, 2006... The demolition market is the latest target in JCB's never-ending quest to increase sales. Not only has demolition increased in sophistication over the last few years, but JCB has also increased the range of machinery it offers that market. It...

Net gains for plant sales: an innovative new website means it's now possible to locate all the construction plant and products you need without leaving the office.(INTERNET SALES)
July 1, 2006... The advent of the internet has opened up all kinds of possibilities when it comes to buying and selling goods. From online auctions such as eBay and buying books, CDs and DVDs from the likes of Amazon, to reverse auctions for bidding on tenders...

Concrete record breaker.(CHECKOUT)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Generally, concrete breakers and champagne don't mix--you might spill the bubbly, not to mention the fact that you'd shake it up more than an excited Formula 1 race driver. Fortunately, the street on which these staff from Oswald Record and...

In safe hands?(Speedy LCH Generators)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The PMJ hard hat did a massive double-take as it passed Speedy LCH Generators' stand at SED. For a moment it thought it saw David Seaman, ready to pounce, in an inflatable goal powered by a Speedy LCH generator. It quickly turned out that...

2006.
July 1, 2006... JULY 5-6 ADA Drainage Demo Ashford, Kent. www.adademo2006.co.uk SEPTEMBER 5-7 IOG Saltex Windsor Racecourse, Berks Tel: 020 8232 1600 www.iogsaltex.co.uk SEPTEMBER 14 Construction Industry Theft...

In the picture win [pounds sterling]50.(CHECKOUT)
July 1, 2006... RG Davis of the CTA Centre has won [pounds sterling]50 for correctly identifying last month's machine as the Cat 432E backhoe loader. The winning entry was picked from a cardboard box this month--the PMJ hard hat is taking a short summer hiatus...

Comma dishes the dirt.(CHECKOUT)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Car care firm Comma claims that with the hosepipe ban in several areas of the UK, 'white van man' is quickly turning into 'grey van man'. And that means more "witty" messages being scrawled onto the back door. Here's a (repeatable) list of the...