Plant Manager's Journal articles from June 2005

Plant Manager's Journal archives from June 2005

Buy the kit, buy the company.(Plant Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Plant manufacturers from China and Russia were represented at SED for the first time this year. Such countries can offer machines at prices that, despite identical costs for commodities such as steel, the robotised factories of Western...

Daewoo becomes Doosan but it's business as usual.(TAKEOVER)(Doosan Infracore )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Daewoo Heavy Industries has changed its name to Doosan Infracore following a deal that sees the plant manufacturer taken over by fellow Korean conglomerate Doosan Heavy Industries. The deal was completed on 29 April and 13 directors have been...

Liebherr-GB opens new [pounds sterling]15m HQ.(NEW HQ)(Liebherr Great Britain Limited)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Liebherr-Great Britain has opened its new [pounds sterling]15m headquarters building in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The new 3.7ha site has 5,000[m.sup.2] of office space and the 90m by 66m workshops are 18m high to accommodate cranes and large...

European rules pose noise problems for employers.(EU DIRECTIVE)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Employers may be faced with using noise meters on sites if they are to fully comply with the EU Directive on occupational noise, which comes into force in February 2006. Where the weekly average noise level is more than 80dB(A), employers...

Hyundai targets UK market.(GROWTH)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Hyundai has signalled its dedication to the UK market with its first appearance at SED in five years. It is looking to recruit dealers and will offer nationwide coverage by the middle of next year, European marketing manager Michel de Weert...

Turnover up at Speedy.(RESULTS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Speedy Hire has reported a 21.3% increase in turnover and 16.9% profit increase for the year ending 31 March 2005. Turnover stood at [pounds sterling]206.5m, up from [pounds sterling]170.2m for 2004, while profit before tax, goodwill...

CPCS adds new categories.(CARD SCHEME)(Construction Plant Competence Scheme)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In response to calls from the Construction Plant-hire Association and the Construction Confederation, Appointed Person (lifting operations) and Crane Supervisor (lifting operations) categories have been added to the Construction Plant...

HAE forms partnership with CITB.(TRAINING)(Hire Alliance Europe)(Construction Industry Training Board)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The Hire Alliance Europe (HAE) has ended its long-standing opposition to the CITB levy with the announcement of a new working partnership. Much of the HAE's animosity came from its members being subject to the levy, but unable to claim any...

JCB announces sales push.(COMPACT EQUIPMENT)(J.C. Bamford Excavators Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... JCB's mainland dealers are to set up dedicated companies to sell the manufacturer's compact equipment range. Each dealer will set up at least one compact showroom, although it is currently unclear how many of the total 43 locations will...

Robbery threat to plant dealers.(PLANT THEFT)(National Plant and Equipment Register)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The National Plant & Equipment Register (TER) has warned plant equipment dealerships to be on their guard after a spate of robberies from dealer's forecourts and compounds. According to TER, highly organised criminal gangs have recently...

Hewden eyes 24hr service.(COMPANY NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Hewden is considering the development of 24hr repair centres as part of its strategy of integrating all its operations into a single entity. The idea comes from Alan Huddart, recently appointed to the newly created position as head of technical...

UK dealer for Faresin.(TELEHANDLERS)(Faresin Haulotte)(Construction Agricultural)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Telehandler manufacturer Faresin Haulotte has appointed Construction Agricultural of Cinderford in Gloucestershire as its sole UK dealer. The telehandler range consists of 10 models with lift heights from 6m to 17m and a spread of lifting...

Trackers wins Volvo deal.(NEWS ... in brief)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Trackers Plant Sales of Sevenoaks, Kent, has been chosen as dealer for Volvo's compact range of equipment for London south of the Thames, Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

Profit up at Sandvik.(NEWS ... in brief)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Mining and construction equipment manufacturer Sandvik has reported a 25% increase in profit of [pounds sterling]140m for the first quarter of 2005. Sales for the period rose by 14%; Asia and North America had the highest growth rates.

16% boost for IR.(NEWS ... in brief)(Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Global construction equipment manufacturer Ingersoll-Rand has reported a 16% increase in turnover for the first quarter of 2005.

LCH Generators certified.(NEWS ... in brief)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Glasgow based LCH Generators said it is the first generator hire firm to achieve certification to three internationally recognised standards. It has recently received OSHAS18001 occupational health and safety certification.

Building for the future.(NEWS ... in brief)
June 1, 2005... In the first year 12- to 16-year olds have been able to attend SED, 208 youngsters visited the show. One parent said: "We are facing a skills shortage, so it's good to expose kids to what construction's all about."

Interactive CDs released.(NEWS ... in brief)
June 1, 2005... The Construction Plant-hire Association has released two interactive CDs: General Contract Conditions (containing the Model Conditions and Hire Agreement); and Tool Hire, which also has supplementary conditions for tool hire.

GE offers incentives.(NEWS ... in brief)(GE Equipment Services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... GE Equipment Plant Hire is waiving damage charges below [pounds sterling]50, will give customers a 5% rebate on incremental spend over the coming year, and will offer a saving of up to [pounds sterling]80 when the customer collects and returns...

Access group calls for user safety guidance.(CODE OF PRACTICE)(Powered Access Interest Group)(Health and Safety Executive)
June 1, 2005... The Powered Access Interest Group (PAIG) has called for better safety awareness and guidance for users of access equipment and is in the process of producing a new code of practice. According the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), during the...

A-Plant buys Howard Plant.(BUYOUT)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... A-Plant has acquired the plant and tool hire business of Poole-based Howard Plant for [pounds sterling]436,467, subject to an inspection of the assets. Turnover of the business was approximately [pounds sterling]600,000 in the year to 31...

Customers respond to New Holland rebrand.(REBRANDING)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... New Holland's rebranding programme has been a resounding success, according to Paul Hoptroff, the company's senior business director of construction equipment for the UK and Republic of Ireland. Speaking at SFD, the company's first UK...

L & WP battles contamination.(FILTRATION SYSTEM)(Land & Water Plant installs Cardev filtration system)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Land & Water Plant has fitted a Cardev filtration system to overcome water contamination in an excavator's hydraulic system. Contamination on the Hitachi EX40 mini excavators had long been a problem, but the Environment Agency's requirement...

Terex spreads the word at SED.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Terex Compact used SED to show off its equipment's capabilities and to announce the appointment of Leach Lewis and Sandhurst Plant to cover areas in the south of England. The manufacturer entertained dealers from 20 countries at the show,...

UK plant hire share prices 2004/05.(NEWS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 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)...

Imerys orders from Finning.(ORDERS)(Imerys Minerals )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Finning has won a tender to supply Imerys Minerals with eight new machines, including a Cat 775 dump truck and a Cat 990II wheel loader to be used at its clay extraction site in St Austell, Cornwall. Finning said it reviewed the company's...

Cat turns up the power with new wheel loader.(WHEEL LOADERS)(Caterpillar Inc. introduces 904B compact wheel loader)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Caterpillar's new 904B compact, wheel loader, which replaces the Cat 902 machine, will be available in the UK from late July. According to Caterpillar, the Japanese-built machine offers the versatility of a skid steer and the power, comfort...

JCB shows new range.(RECYCLING)(J.C. Bamford Excavators Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... A number of new JCB machines designed for the waste and recycling sector made their UK debuts at JCB's Waste & Recycling event. Being shown for the first time and reaching new heights was the demolition specification JS330HRD tracked...

Joint Kirow crane deal.(RAIL CRANES)(GrantRail)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The UK's first 25t-capacity Kirow rail cranes have been ordered by First Swietelsky, a joint venture between Austrian-based First Engineering Swietelsky, and GrantPlant, a subsidiary of the GrantRail Group. The machines will work on the joint...

J & S stocks up.(J & S Plant )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... J & S Plant of Lincoln has invested nearly [pounds sterling]60,000 in new equipment for its hire fleet. The company has taken delivery of four Thwaites dumpers and a Hanix micro excavator from CG Plant Sales.

First Ranger in UK.(United Kingdom)(Italmec)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The UK's first Ranger RJ20 tracked access platform has been bought by Beaver Plant of Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire. Built in Italy by Italmec, the machine features a 20m reach with 11.5m outreach.

Delson buys from Blue.(Blue Machinery PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Delson Contracts of Forfar Angus, has taken delivery of two Powerscreen Warrior 1800 dry screeners and two OM Apollo crushing plants. Bought from dealer Blue Machinery Scotland, the units will be used throughout the region.

GAP invests in new plant.(GAP Group Ltd )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... GAP has invested [pounds sterling]11.2m in new plant and tools to support its geographical expansion. New equipment includes CompAir compressors, Kubota mini excavators, Bomag rollers and TerexBenford dumpers.

Perkins launch.(Product development of 400 series engines)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Perkins has extended its range of 400 Series engines with the launch of the 404C-15 four-cylinder, 1.5-litre unit. The 26.5kW engine is said to be suitable for a variety of agricultural, construction and industrial applications.

Greenfield buys JCB.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Noctinghamshire-based Greenfield Construction has purchased a raft of JCB equipment for its recently instigated fleet. The order consists of two JS160 and five JS130 excavators, and a 3CX backhoe loader.

Kirkham sticks with Takeuchi.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Colin Kirkham Plant Hire of Southampton has taken its second Takeuchi mini excavator in the past 12 months from CBL The model TB145 is equipped with a 36.5kN bucket dig force and is powered by a 30kW Yanmar engine.

Special delivery.(Supply of construction equipment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... SPECIAL DELIVERY: A fleet of 16 Volvo A25D articulated haulers and one EC360BLC excavator have been delivered to Chepstow Plant International for use in the South West. The 36t-capacity excavator and three of the ADTs are currently working as a...

CEA in talks after MG rover collapse.(Construction Equipment Association)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) is in contact with the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) because of the potential fallout to the construction plant industry from the demise of MG Rover. CEA chief executive Rob Oliver said...

Case adds excavator to line-up.(EXCAVATORS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Case has added a 22.4t excavator to its range in the form of the CX230, thereby filling the gap between the CX210 and the CX240. The new model shares the hydraulic system of the other CX units and Case said the machine's 136kN of digging force...

Rexqoute conversion.(RAIL CONVERSIONS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Road/rail equipment specialist Rexquote said it has converted its first Cat 963 tracked loader. Designed and built for plant hirer Gart Renewals, it weighs in at 22.4t and has dimensions of 7.4m X 2.6m. The machine is a standard...

A site for sore eyes: this year's SED saw the crowds flocking to Fen Farm, Milton Keynes yet again. Martin Cooper, Paul Howard and Colin Sowman went to see what was attracting visitors' attention in the Site Equipment Zone.(SITE EQUIPMENT ZONE)(Site Equipment Demonstration)
June 1, 2005... SED's Site Equipment Zone was once again the place to be for those interested in earthmoving and general construction plant. A number of new products made their UK debuts and the demonstration plots had enough machinery in action to keep...

High and mighty: the recently-introduced Work at Height Regulations clearly had an impact on the Cranes & Access Village at SED 2005. Many exhibitors reported a surge of interest in smaller kit that can offer an alternative to ladders. Will Mann reports.(CRANES & ACCESS)(Site Equipment Demonstration)
June 1, 2005... There can be no doubt about what was uppermost in the minds of visitors to the Cranes & Access Village this year--the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR), which became effective in April. Frank Lambert, Health & Safety Executive inspector...

Friends of the earth: an impressive array of machines, large and small, dazzled visitors at SED's Site Clearance Zone. Paul Howard reviews the highlights of this year's show.(SITE CLEARANCE ZONE)(Site Equipment Demonstration)
June 1, 2005... Demonstrating its enduring popularity, the Site Clearance Zone was one of the busiest sectors at SED this year. The noisy and sometimes dusty demonstrations of recycling kit did little to put off the visitors. In fact, it was the ability to see...

Pick of the mix: like the Eurovision Song Contest, the Pavilion boasted its own share of European visitors, glitz and glamour. Gerry Fawkes reports on how no one came away from the show with 'nul points'.(PAVILION)
June 1, 2005... The Pavilion at SED always offers a rich potpourri of products and 2005 was no exception. There were product launches, inventors, new deals signed, enforcement officers and mergers. An example of the latter was when Survey Supplies...

Keep on trucking: trucks, trailers, 4X4s and light commercials--there was plenty for prospective buyers to see at the Truck Zone at this year's SED. Geoff Ashcroft reports.(TRANSPORT)
June 1, 2005... Simple ideas are often the best, and Renault UK's Double-Deck dropside body conversion for its Trafic light commercial vehicle is one that will take some beating. The Trafic's dropside body offers all the usual storage space required by...

Reaching new heights: Facelift has been supplying the hire industry with equipment for more than 20 years, but it's still looking to the future, as Martin Cooper finds out.(HIRE VIEW)
June 1, 2005... It's been an interesting first 20 years for Facelift, the access and safety equipment hirer. From operating one Simon truck-mounted machine in 1985, the company today has one of the largest and most comprehensive access equipment rental fleets...

Movers and shakers: now in its 23rd year, the biennial Hillhead exhibition takes place at Tarmac Central's Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton, Derbyshire, from 21 to 23 June. Martin Cooper reports on what's new.(SHOW PREVIEW)
June 1, 2005... As usual, all sectors of the extractive and civil engineering industries will be covered at Hillhead, including quarrying, recycling, concrete, asphalt, road surfacing, demolition, landfill, mining and materials handling. All of which should...

A risky business: for plant hirers, insurance is needed to cover a multitude of risks, but are you sure your business is adequately covered? Colin Sowman looks at the small print.(INSURANCE)
June 1, 2005... There has been much said and written in recent times about increases in insurance premiums as plant theft hits new heights--but plant theft is not the only area of concern for hire companies. Plant hire companies are exposed to a number of...

Back to Europe: in a move to shorten delivery times to European customers, Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced a new excavator production line in Germany. Martin Cooper reports.(VOLVO LAUNCH)(Crawler Excavator)
June 1, 2005... Volvo Construction Equipment has expanded its mid-sized crawler excavator capacity and is again manufacturing them in Europe, with the inauguration of a new production line at its Konz facility in western Germany. Not since the company's...

Steering sales: skid steer sales in the UK have been static for a while, so manufacturers are trying to steer potential customers to their other uses. Martin Cooper explains.(PLANT FOCUS)
June 1, 2005... If there's one certainty about skid steers, it's that North America can't get enough of them. Around 60,000 of these manoeuvrable compact machines are sold in the United States every year, which just proves that the country that invented the...

Collecting categories: this month we look at how you can add additional categories to your CPCS card.(TRAINING)(Construction Plant Competence Scheme Card)
June 1, 2005... Life, as John Lennon observed, is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. This is how it works with operating plant: you have gained a CPCS card for 360 excavators, site dumpers, telehandlers and ADTs, and then the boss wins a...

Garic takes the money and runs.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... SED was the venue for PMJ to hand over two [pounds sterling]500 cheques to Garic Plant. The cheques made out to Children with Leukaemia, and Cancer Research, resulted from our sponsorship of Garic managing director Lorne Entwistle's New York...

Cranked up really high.(CHECKOUT)(Chessington World of Adventures theme park)(Rental Contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Surrey has a hired a new JLG 800AJ articulating boom lift from A-Plant Powered Access for routine maintenance work on high level rides, including its most famous attraction the Dragon's Fury. ...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.(CHECKOUT)(SCB Groundworks)
June 1, 2005... Last month's competition was obviously too easy for all you crane spotters out there. The PMJ editorial office was overflowing with correct answers and the lucky winner was Graham Green of SCB Groundworks, who correctly identified the boom of...

JCB on the silver screen.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... JCB lent a helping hand to the production of the intergalactic blockbuster The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams' sci-fi classic has received the Disney treatment and been turned into a feature film starring a whole host of...

Events diary.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... 2005 JUNE 14 CPCS Industry Meeting Leeds Tel: 0870 417 7274 www.citb-construction skills.co.uk/cpcs JUNE 14-17 Chartered Inst. of Wastes Management conference Paignton, Torbay www.ciwm.co.uk...

Engine air systems.(Toolbox Tips)
June 1, 2005... About 300,000 litres of air, the equivalent of seven articulated petrol tankers, will pass through a typical diesel engine every hour. The only thing preventing abrasive airborne dust particles entering the engine and causing untold damage is...

Ben Burgess.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NORWICH +44 1603 628251 AYLSHAM +44 1263 734311 BEESTON + 44 1328 701347 NEWMARKET +44 1638 577877 www.benburgess.co.uk John Deere 6210 [pounds sterling] 16000 ([euro] 23433) ID: AB9E7F53 John Deere 6820 ...

R Tincknell & Son Ltd: agricultural engineers.(Brief Article)(Directory)
June 1, 2005... Head Office Glastonbury Road Wells Somerset BA5 ITQ United Kingdom www.tincknellag.com Contact Jon Brain Email sales@tincknellag.com Telephone +44 (0)1749 683150 Mobile +44 (0)7747 625579 John...

Gibbings & Sons.
June 1, 2005... Worldwide Exporters of used agricultural & construction equipment Back Lane Chulmleigh North Devon RX18 7DQ United Kingdom Contact Alex Gibbings E Mail: alex@gibbingsandsons.com Telephone: +44 (0)...

CMS.
June 1, 2005... Champion Machinery Sales Ltd CHESTER UK TELESCOPIC HANDLERS--ROUGH TERRAIN FORK LIFT TRUCKS TEL: +44(0) 1244880082 * FAX: +44(0) 1244881943 * MOBILE: +44(0) 7811200752 E.MAIL: cmsalesltd@aol.com JCB 530-70 1999, 6850...

Collings Brothers of Abbotsley Ltd.
June 1, 2005... Potton Road, Abbotsley, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. PE19 6TZ Tel: +44 (0) 1767 677316 Fax: +44 (0) 1767 677451 www.collingsbrothers.co.uk Contact: Tony Fincham Email: tony@collingsbrothers.co.uk Mobile: +44 (0) 7770...

SPK.
June 1, 2005... SPK Equipment Sales Ltd Steve Powlesland The Yard, Myrtle Lodge, Liverton, Newton Abbot, Devon, United Kingdom. TQ12 6JD sales@spk-equip.com Tel: +44 (0)1626 821444 Fax: +44 (0)1626 821445 Mobile: +44 (0)7900 823600...

Volvo.
June 1, 2005... Construction Equipment Volvo Construction Equipment Ltd Duxford, Cambridge CB2 4QX Contacts Sharon Livermore +44 (0) 1223 251724 sharon.livermore@volvo.com Freda Mullenger +44 (0) 1223 251714 ...

Cautrac.
June 1, 2005... New + Used Construction Machinery Tel: +44 (0) 1206 273111 Fax: +44 (0) 1206 273120 E-mail: sales@cautrac.com www.cautrac.com The Causeway Great Horkesley Colchester Essex. C06 4EJ United Kingdom ...

Cautrac.(Directory)
June 1, 2005... New + Used Construction Machinery Tel: +44 (0) 1206 273111 Fax: +44 (0) 1206 273120 E-mail: sales@cautrac.com www.cautrac.com The Causeway Great Horkesley Colchester Essex. C06 4EJ United Kingdom ...

David Hopkinson Ltd.
June 1, 2005... COMMON FARM, THORPE AUDLIN, Nr PONTEFRACT, WEST YORKSHIRE WF8 3HE Email: dh@hopplant.demon.co.uk www.hopkinson-plant.com Tel +44 (0) 1977 621383 Fax +44 (0) 1977 620869 Only 15 mins from Euro Auction site Kato NK200E...

Seddon.
June 1, 2005... SEDDONS (PLANT & ENGINEERS) LTD New & Used Plant Equipment Sales SALES ENQUIRIES 01782 329744 mobile 07860 450771 Pel-Job ED750 1999, 1420 h [pounds sterling] 3900 ([euro] 5712) ID: A9273299 Volvo EC55 ...

Whelan Plant.
June 1, 2005... 190 Speedwell Road, Haymills, Birmingham UK Email: whelanplant@btconnect.com Tel: +44(0) 121 7732928 Fax: +44(0) 121 7723228 Mob: 0777 333 2213 / 07813 011 257 Volvo EC140BLC 2002, 5400 h [pounds sterling] 29500...

Emtrade international.
June 1, 2005... Emtrade International Ltd 20 The Balk, Staincross, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 6JJ United Kingdom Tel: 0044 (0) 1226 380 641 Fax: 0044 (0) 1226 390 381 elizabeth@emtrade.co.uk Salespersonnel Michael Taylor ...

Hydrex.
June 1, 2005... Hydrex Equipment (UK) Ltd Harbour Road, Portishead, Bristol BS20 7BL Tel: +44 (0) 1275 399510 Fax: +44 (0) 1275 847944 Website: www.hydrex.co.uk E Mail: sales@hydrex.co.uk Direct Sales Lines Chris Gee +44...

CPS.
June 1, 2005... Construction Plant Services (SW) Ltd TEL: 029 2048 2002 WWW.CPSLTD.CO.UK INFO@CPSLTD.CO.UK JCB 3CX SMT 2000, 4000 h [pounds sterling] 20500 ([euro] 30023) ID: E0FB55E7 JCB 3CXSMT Plus 1997, 7000 h...