Plant Manager's Journal articles from October 2005

Plant Manager's Journal archives from October 2005

Getting serious about theft.
October 1, 2005... The Construction Industry Theft Scheme (CITS) forum (see page 23), has finally answered one of the industry's big questions: What is the real cost of plant theft? Not the cost to industry but to the individual plant hirer or contractor--and if...

Makers call for HAUC to change roller focus.(Highways Authority and Utilities Committee)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Manufacturers have called on the Highways Authority and Utilities Committee (HAUC) to cancel any re-examination of whether single-drum rollers meet reinstatement specification and concentrate on sub-base compaction instead. This follows HAUC's...

Turnover up at Brandon.(RESULTS)(Brandon Hire PLC)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Brandon Hire has reported an 18% increase in turnover to [pounds sterling]26.4m (2004: [pounds sterling]22.3m) for the six months ending 30 June 2005. For the same period, operating profit declined slightly from [pounds sterling]2.5m to...

Double agency.(NEWS)
October 1, 2005... DOUBLE AGENCY: Loadmaster Engineering, the manufacturer of Loadrunner micro dumpers, has appointed Lancashire-based Sharrocks as the new regional distributor for the north-west of England, while Doyle's Importers & Distributors has been...

HSS to continue Irish push.(RENTAL)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... HSS is still looking for further Irish acquisition opportunities following the purchase of Laois Hire Services, one of the Republic of Ireland's leading tool and plant rental businesses. The three Laois Hire depots, purchased for an...

Shotfirers and drillers join CSCS cardholders.(QUALIFICATIONS)
October 1, 2005... Two new categories, shotfiring and driller operators, have been added to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Initially, individuals without an NVQ but with the necessary verifiable experience can apply directly for a gold...

London delays DPF.(FILTERS)
October 1, 2005... The Greater London Authority has delayed implementation of its requirement for plant on certain sites to be fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF) until March 2006. John Varcoe, manager--technical, safety and training with the...

Fast-track route to blue card.(QUALIFICATIONS)
October 1, 2005... Experienced operators of the five most popular plant categories can now fast track their way to a blue (competent operator) CPCS card in a matter of weeks. Initial categories included in the fast-track scheme are telehandlers, 360[degrees]...

Speedy Hire sees 9% rise in tool hire.(RESULTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Speedy Hire's turnover increased 24% in the five months to 28 August, with like-for-like tool hire up by 9%. The trading update came as Speedy launched a share placing to raise [pounds sterling]14.8m to fund its greenfield site openings and...

Hammer power.(NEWS)
October 1, 2005... HAMMER POWER: Aarsleff Piling has added the Finnish Junttan HHK-5/7A hammer to its fleet. The unit has a two-piece segmental drop weight, and can operate as a 7t or 5t hammer. Hydraulically accelerating, the ram boosts impact energy to a...

US's Carlyle negotiates first Chinese takeover.(TAKEOVER)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... China's Xugong Machinery, owner of the XCMG brand of construction equipment, is in takeover talks with US-based investment firm Carlyle. In what would be China's first takeover by a buyout firm, Carlyle is negotiating to purchase 85% of...

Coffey to use PlantEYE.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... Celtrak, a provider of telematic equipment, has announced that Coffey Construction will deploy its anti-theft tracking device PlantEYE. The item provides real time security monitoring and management for plant equipment fleets.

Aussie telehandler warning.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... The Australian authorities have issued a safety alert regarding telehandlers lifting freely suspended loads following an incident where a machine undertaking such a task turned over on a slope.

Leach Lewis expands.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... Leach Lewis Plant has had its southern England Kubota dealership territory expanded to include Kent, East and West Sussex, and East Anglia. The company has been selling Kubotas since 1987.

A-Plant to supply Katrine.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... MJ Gleeson has appointed A-Plant Acrow as its sole supplier of formwork and falsework systems for the [pounds sterling]100m Katrine Water project. The job is said to be the largest single water treatment scheme in Scotland.

Diamonds on web.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... A new website for purchasing diamond blades and cores has been opened by Premier Diamond Products. www.ukdiamondtools.co.uk offers more than 100 different types of products.

AFI moves into selling.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... Powered access rental company AFI has launched a new division, AFI Resale. The new division will sell both new and used machines and will offer aftersales options and breakdown cover.

Generator Power depot.(NEWS in brief)
October 1, 2005... Rental company Generator Power has opened a purpose-built depot in Warrington. The facility includes workshops, storage and distribution for generators.

Ashtead's downsize pays off.(Ashtead Group PLC. A-Plant)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The downsizing programme at Ashtead's A-Plant rental division has now been concluded and all the efficiencies are in place for improving returns, said the company. George Burnett, Ashtead chief executive, said A-Plant's encouraging results...

Investment capitalist buys Gamble group.(Gamble Group Uk)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The Gamble family has sold a controlling interest in the group to investment capitalists for an undisclosed sum. Peter Gamble has become chairman of the new group and the new owners have appointed Paul Stanforth as group managing director and...

Demand and restructure boost Lavendon profit.(RESULTS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Powered access specialist Lavendon said strong demand for access equipment in the UK and a restructured German operation have helped reduce debt and increase its profitability. The company has reported an operating profit of [pounds...

AFI improves safety.(SAFETY HARNESS)(AFI Aerial Platforms Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... AFI Aerial Platforms is making a new safety device available to its customers that reduces the trauma and risk of injuries to individuals unfortunate enough to find themselves suspended by their safety harnesses. If somebody is left...

UK plant hire share prices 2004/05.(NEWS)
October 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 (p) in Price (p) in Price (p) Price (p) in Company Oct 2005 Sep 2005...

Barford takes on two new dealers.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Dumper manufacturer Barford has expanded its UK distribution network by completing an agreement with two JCB dealers to cover Wales and southern England. The deal with Holt JCB based in Cheltenham and Greenshields JCB of Farnham has...

Ranger to sell Teupen platforms.(Ranger Equipment of Chesterfield )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Ranger Equipment of Chesterfield has been appointed exclusive UK dealer for the Teupen range of tracked access platforms. Based in Germany, Teupen is said to be the pioneer of platforms mounted on undercarriages and produces a range with...

A-Plant spends [pounds sterling]20m on hire equipment.(INVESTMENT)
October 1, 2005... A-Plant has made one of its largest ever single investments in new equipment with the completion of a multi-supplier deal worth in excess of [pounds sterling]20m. Part of its planned [pounds sterling]45m annual expenditure, the deal...

Favourite supplier.(Marubeni-Komatsu)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... FAVOURITE SUPPLIER: Aggregate Industries UK has awarded preferred supplier status to Marubeni-Komatsu in a deal that it said could see more than 40 machines supplied by the end of 2005. A range of units will be delivered to Aggregate...

JCB wins GE's biggest ever order.(FLEET RENEWAL)
October 1, 2005... GE Equipment Services Plant Hire has placed its largest ever single order with JCB for more than 500 items of machinery. Worth in excess of [pounds sterling]18m, the deal consists of backhoe loaders, telehandlers, mini excavators, rough...

Skid steer to tracked loader.(Customer relationship management)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... CRMS is marketing a Loegering system that converts a normal skid steer to a tracked loader. Unlike the track-over-the-tyres system the Loegering offered by CRMS bolts directly to the hubs. The rubber tracks are about 450mm wide, reducing...

Schmidlin uses masts to access T5 facades.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Specialist contractor Schmidlin has used an unusual combination of machinery to allow it to install glazing panels and a brise soleil on the inclined facades of Heathrow airport's fifth terminal. The east and west walls of the building are...

Bucket expansion.(KIT)
October 1, 2005... BUCKET EXPANSION: Terex's new SKL160 and SKL260 articulated wheel loaders have bucket capacities of 1.6[m.sup.3] and 2.6[m.sup.3] respectively and fill the gap between its compact range and the recently-acquired ex-Kaelble built wheel loaders....

GAP signs Watson & Cox.(SUPPLIER)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Plant and tool hirer GAP has signed a preferred supplier deal with Wellingborough-based Watson & Cox Construction. The company will supply equipment to a number of projects, including a new [pounds sterling]700,000 community centre in...

TER helps recover excavator.(STOLEN KIT)
October 1, 2005... Richard Long Transport of Lincolnshire has got one of its stolen excavators back after The National Plant and Equipment Register (TER) helped police recover the [pounds sterling]77,000 machine at Heysham Dock, Lancashire. Ports Police were...

Big boom from Grove.(in brief)
October 1, 2005... The first Grove GMK5220 five-axle 220t capacity mobile crane is scheduled to roll off the production line by the end of the year. This latest addition to Grove's all-terrain line-up features a 68m seven-section boom.

Exac-One swings out.(in brief)
October 1, 2005... Excavator attachment manufacturer Exac-One has launched a powertilt bucket swing unit for machines in the It to 35t range. The unit is said to be suitable for use with buckets, grapples and breakers.

Sandhurst buys JL.(in brief)
October 1, 2005... Sandhurst Equipment Rental has acquired the business of JL Plant Services of Fife. The company, which owns the largest hammer rental fleet in Scotland, will act as Sandhurst's Scottish depot.

Daewoos for DRS.(in brief)
October 1, 2005... DRS Demolition of St Austell has taken delivery of six Daewoo demolition spec excavators and a wheel loader from Kellands Plant Sales. This is the first major delivery of Daewoo machines since the company was acquired by Doosan.

GAP digs Kubotas.(in brief)
October 1, 2005... The GAP Group has ordered 430 Kubota mini excavators worth in excess of [pounds sterling]7m. The order comprises machines across Kubota's range and has been placed with Stirlingshire-based dealer Young Plant & Equipment.

JCB drives into utility market.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... JCB Groundcare has entered the utility vehicle market with the launch of its Groundhog machine. Shown for the first time at the Saltex exhibition at Windsor Racecourse, the 6X4 configuration with permanent 4WD Groundhog is powered by a...

Rexquote digs in with Gigarailer.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Rail conversion specialist Rexquote has introduced the Gigarailer, its biggest road-rail excavator conversion to date. With an operating weight of 28t, the Gigarailer is said to have unrivalled stability, is capable of lifting up to 15t and...

Powerscreen equipment.(RECYCLING)
October 1, 2005... Terex subsidiary Powerscreen has introduced the Powershredder 2400 and the Galaxy 933 trommel. The track-mounted and remotely-controlled Powershredder 2400 is the biggest in the range and depending on the material can process between...

Holding its ground: the backhoe seems to have found a steady level of sales after years of losing share to telehandlers and mini excavators. However, it's still a favourite on building sites, reports Martin Cooper.(BACKHOES)
October 1, 2005... The backhoe loader has always held a special place in the hearts and minds of UK construction workers. It is a venerable piece of equipment that seems to have been around for as long as anyone cares to remember. However, the UK market in...

New cranes on the block: Ladybird Crane Hire hopes to change the landscape of British building sites with its 75-strong Potain range of self-erecting tower cranes. Martin Cooper reports.
October 1, 2005... Rental firms may be thick on the ground in some parts of the country, but one way in which a company can differentiate itself from the opposition is to find a niche equipment market and exploit it. This may be easier said than done, but...

Protecting plant: the second Construction Industry Theft Scheme forum addressed some important questions about plant theft. Colin Sowman was there to hear the answers.
October 1, 2005... The big questions about plant theft: What can I do about theft? Why aren't the police interested? and What are the uninsurable costs? were all addressed at the second Construction Industry Theft Scheme (CITS) forum. Around 170 people attended...

Heavy movers: moving big plant around the country requires big trucks and trailers, but combining this with good utilisation is not easy, as Colin Sowman discovers.(PLANT TRANSPORT)
October 1, 2005... Plant haulage is one of those subjects that divide the industry: some hirers outsource machine movements; others prefer to keep the work in-house. Those who outsource believe transport is not a core activity, whereas the in-house camp says...

Loada considerations: picking a loader can be heavy work. Colin Sowman lightens the load by looking at the decisions you need to make when choosing one.
October 1, 2005... Regardless of the tractive pulling it, the trailer is the heart of carrying a load. The first decision is whether to go for a low loader or limit your ambitions with a step frame. The step frame is generally limited in carrying capacity to...

Credit where credit's due: credit checks are imperative before taking on new customers, writes Martin Cooper, to safeguard your company from coming off worse.(BUSINESS)
October 1, 2005... In an ideal world all customers would pay promptly when they receive goods or services. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and the plant industry is sometimes prone to late payment and theft. However, there are steps a hirer and...

Current trends: portable power generation is big business for hirers, with few sites around the UK able to operate without a serious source of electricity be it for tools, equipment or portable buildings. PMJ takes a look at some of the latest developments in the 90kVA to 120kVA sector.(PLANT FOCUS)
October 1, 2005... Few market sectors can be as customer-led as the power generation sector, with low noise, fuel autonomy--either onboard or with easy connection to an external supply--and modular versatility with sockets and hard wire facilities being available...

Nippy mover: from the outside, Citroen's C2 Enterprise van doesn't look that different to the car. Colin Sowman took it for a spin.(VAN TEST)
October 1, 2005... Describing Citroen's diminutive C2 Enterprise as a van is quite difficult. A better description is a car with no rear seats, a mesh bulkhead and blacked-out side windows. Its 256kg payload is not much bigger than a couple of burly passengers...

Living history.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... A 108-year-old steam-driven, horizontal winding engine, the only surviving one in Cornwall, has been relocated from New Dolcoath Mine near Camborne to a new home at Robinson's Shaft in Pool. The lift and relocation of the winding gear was...

The great escape.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... As part of the 60th VJ Day celebrations, Hewden hoisted a 4.5t rock into place at the Eden Camp museum in Malton, North Yorkshire. The company used a Terex Demag AC 35L mobile crane for the lift. The unit was supplied free of charge to the...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... We guess many readers are still on their summer holidays or last month's competition was just too hard, but only four correct answers found their way to the PMJ office. The winner drawn from the hard hat was Penny Vickers of A-Plant in...

Open all hours.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... OPEN ALL HOURS: Sandhurst celebrated being appointed the new Terex Compact dealer for Kent, Sussex and parts of Surrey with an open day at its Rochester headquarters. As well as a full range of Terex compact equipment, Terex brought along its...

A long-haul pedal.(CHECKOUT)
October 1, 2005... Peugeot provided support vehicles for the annual Royal British Legion Pedal to Paris charity bike ride. The company's Warwick Wright Chiswick dealership supplied the event with three 807s and two Boxer vans. Two hundred and seventy...

Events diary.(calendar)(Calendar)
October 1, 2005... 2005 OCTOBER 4 H & S Roadshow Hadleigh (near lpswich) Tel: 0845 345 0055 OCTOBER 5 H & S Roadshow Belfast Tel: 0845 345 0055 OCTOBER 7 H & S Roadshow Washington (near Newcastle-upon-Tyne) ...

Drivetrains.(Toolbox Tips)
October 1, 2005... Plant drivetrains have to withstand extremely high loadings. Machines such as wheel loaders and dump trucks can regularly encounter steep terrains. The machine will repeatedly pull at full torque up the climbs and use the transmission and...