Plant Manager's Journal articles from September 2004

Plant Manager's Journal archives from September 2004

Training for a better future.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
September 1, 2004... Sitting in the audience at the National Construction College awards, the correlation between the big names in the plant hire and construction industries, and the winners and shortlisted apprentices was striking. But training doesn't stop once...

Plant operators face new qualification nightmare.(Certification)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... CITB-ConstructionSkills chairman Sir Michael Latham has warned the industry of impending problems because so few holders of red Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards are working towards their NVQ Level 2. Red (trained operator)...

Worker opt-out clause may stay.(REGULATIONS)(Construction Plant-hire Association)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Working Time Directive's opt-out clause, which allows most UK workers to waive their right to an average 48-hour week over a 17-week qualifying period, may be retained when the European Commission (EC) makes its final decision next year....

Pastures new.(NEWS)(Finning UK)(HC Wilson)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... This six-year-old Cat 992G was recently seen travelling to Southampton Docks, en route to new quarry duties in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 650kW, 94t ex-Foster Yeoman machine, refurbished and sold by Finning UK, was without cab and...

UK tool hire market goes from strength to strength.(REPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The UK tool hire market has experienced a steady 4% year-on-year growth rate since 2000, with the trend expected to continue over the next four years, according to the latest report by AMA Research. The total market in 2003 was estimated to...

Jobs to go as Molson stops refurb work.(DEALERS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Kobelco and Fiat Kobelco dealer Molson Holdings is closing its Purfleet depot and ceasing second-hand refurbishment activities at Avonmouth. In all, 27 employees will be made redundant. According to company director Robin Powell, Molson's...

Moxy looks to overseas sales.(ADTs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ADT manufacturer Moxy has decided to restrict its sales efforts in the UK because it is able to achieve better margins with the sale of its products in other countries. Although it has sold trucks in the UK this year, the company said...

Plant hire on the road to recovery.(SURVEY)(Plant hire industry )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The plant hire industry is showing signs of recovery, with more firms increasing sales and profitability, according to the latest industry analysis by Plimsoll Publishing. Examining the UK's top 2,000 plant hire firms, the report said 181...

UK warned over excavator influx.(GREY IMPORTS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Europe may face an influx of thousands of second-hand excavators as the Chinese government has imposed new regulations and restricted funding to cool its overheating economy. According to the Committee for European Construction Equipment...

OPERC's crane and oil guides.(GUIDES)(Off Highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Off Highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre (OPERC) has introduced two new publications: A Guide to Understanding Oil Analysis and a Voluntary Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Cranes in and Around Airports. The guide focuses...

Bell rings GCE's export desire.(EMISSIONS)(GCE Hire Fleet )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... GCE Hire Fleet has purchased its first Bell machines, in the shape of six B30D articulated dump trucks. One of the main reasons for purchase was that the Mercedes engine in the B30Ds are not only certificated to European emissions...

Volvo, Cat and Manitowoc see profit from UK boom.(RESULTS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Volvo, Caterpillar and Manitowoc have all posted encouraging financial results, with improved profits all round and indications that the UK has played its part in the boom. Volvo Construction Equipment's (VCE) quarterly sales figure was...

Laing top of plant league.(REPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Laing O'Rourke's plant fleet was the top performer in the latest Plant Hire Investment Report from Catherine Stratton. The company's gross book value jumped 76% to [pounds sterling]92.7m. The report contains statistics for 2003/04 on the...

UK is worst for plant theft.(PLANT THEFT)
September 1, 2004... The UK has the worst record in Europe when it comes to stolen plant. This was the stark message delivered by Surrey Police detective inspector Stuart Sang to the TER Plant and Equipment Theft Conference. Currently there are 56,000 records...

Ashtead reins back losses.(COMPANY RESULTS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Ashtead Group's results for the year ending April 2004 saw it make a return to profit, before exceptionals and tax, at [pounds sterling]7.6m, compared to a [pounds sterling]1.8m loss in 2003. After exceptional items and goodwill were taken into...

Speedy snaps up Multi.(NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Speedy Hire has bought the tool hire business of the Multi Group for [pounds sterling]7.15m and 23 temporary on-site tool hire facilities. All ten of the Multi Group depots have been acquired and these will be integrated into Speedy's existing...

Ingersoll's Wigan office.(NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Ingersoll-Rand Portable Power has opened a dedicated support office at its European parts distribution centre in Wigan, Lancashire. Support arrangements for Northern and Southern Ireland are unaffected.

Conquip moves home.(NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Concrete skip and crane attachment specialist Conquip is moving into new premises at Alton, Hants this month. After only 18 months in operation, the company is expanding into a new 1,160[m.sup.2] premises.

Takeuchi expands HQ.(NEWS in brief)(Takeuchi MFG UK)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Takeuchi MFG UK has more than doubled the size of its Rochdale head office and expanded its parts department. Further expansion is planned that will eventually see the building triple the size of the original.

NCC's wide angle mirrors.(NEWS in brief)(National Construction College)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The National Construction College has started installing wide angle convex mirrors from Spillard Safety Systems to its machinery fleet. Excavators and telehandlers have already been fitted and other items will follow in the coming weeks.

AFI Aerial raises [pounds sterling]1.5m.(NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Wakefield based AFI Aerial Platforms has completed a [pounds sterling]1.5m fund-raising process with Northern Venture Managers. Following the investment, AFI said it will expand its depot network and fleet.

Brandon's new acquisitions.(NEWS in brief)(U Hire)(Hire-It Northern)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Brandon has acquired the businesses of U Hire and Hire-It Northern for [pounds sterling]725,000 and [pounds sterling]200,000 respectively. U-Hire has two branches at in the Wirral, while Hire-It has a branch in Essex.

Nuttall ties up fleet for flood project.(EXCAVATOR)(Nationwide Plant Hire)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Essex-based Nationwide Plant Hire has supplied Edmund Nuttall with a fleet of equipment for its long-term Broadland flood alleviation project in Norfolk. On hire are three Daewoo excavators, including a new 23.5t. longreach machine, a JCB...

Bobcat's new drop hammer.(ATTACHMENTS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Bobcat has launched a drop hammer attachment, which it said offers efficient demolition of concrete surface layers of up to 450mm in thickness. The company claimed the unit exerts lower vibration and noise than standard hydraulic breakers,...

UpRight pulls the plug on US facility.(ACCESS)(UpRight International)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Access equipment manufacturer UpRight International has announced the closure of its production facility in Madera, US. UpRight president John Coughlan said that the company would continue to manufacture its products using its worldwide...

Fleet control.(KIT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Cheshire-based D Wardle (Plant) has expanded its ADT fleet with the purchase of four new Volvo A25Ds, bringing its total Volvo holding up to 30 machines. "Our Earthworks Contracting Division needs the higher productivity these trucks can...

Morooka carriers are just the ticket.(COMPACT CARRIERS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Four specially adapted Morooka MST300 tracked carriers are being used on the platform-remodelling contract at Birmingham's New Street Station. Restricted headroom of only 1.85m has meant the four units, on hire from MJ Wilkinson of...

Taylor rolls out new mobile lighting tower.(LIGHTING)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Following its acquisition of the Hylite range of lighting towers from Park Products, Taylor Construction Plant (TCP) has launched a new mobile, fully automatic lighting system. The bunded Hylite tower is available with either four or six...

Roberts' [pounds sterling]1.1m JCB investment.(EXCAVATORS)(DW Roberts )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Contractor DW Roberts has invested [pounds sterling]1.1m in JCB excavators, including 14 of the latest JS130s. The 14.5t JS130 was officially launched in the UK at SED in May, and the deal represents the largest order so far. The...

Far reaching.(KIT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... An excavator boasting the longest reach of any Komatsu machine working in the UK is currently helping Tarmac Western to achieve a sand and gravel yield of 150t/hr. Operating at a wet-dig pit in Herefordshire, the PC600-6, supplied by...

Finnpave delivers first UK Bitelli road planer to GWJ.(Planer)(GWJ Contractors)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Finnpave, the specialist surfacing division of Finning UK, has delivered the UK's first Bitelli SF200 LE road planer to GWJ Contractors. GWJ Contractors manager Gordon Brown said: "The Bitelli is a huge benefit to our operation as it's...

Bell targets UK for new excavator range.(EXCAVATORS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... South African ADT manufacturer Bell Equipment is to market a range of Bell-branded excavators in the UK. The Korean-built range will include nine crawler excavators from 14t to 45t, and three wheeled units from 13t to 20t. The excavators,...

Ihimer dumper upgraded with extra features.(DUMPERS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Ihimer 103E Carry stand-on tracked dumper, imported by Imer Direct, is now supplied with extending tracks and an auxiliary hydraulic circuit, capable of powering breakers and other equipment requiring up to 14-litres/min. When the...

Kubota excavator for Yorshire drainage job.(LONG-REACH MINI)(Venco Plant Services)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Hull-based dealer Venco Plant Services has delivered a specially adapted Kubota mini-excavator to the Environment Agency (EA) for a land drainage scheme in east Yorkshire. Equipped with a modified boom, dipper and rake attachment, the...

Komatsu models hit market with a Dash.(EXCAVATORS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The final machines in Komatsu's Dash 7 range of excavators have been launched: the PC130-7 and the PW160-7. The 13t operating weight PC130-7 is specifically designed for the UK market and has a 66kW engine and a 0.8[m.sup.3] capacity...

Wacker debuts latest road build products at HAUC show.(VIBRATORY PLATES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Wacker launched a number of new road construction products at the sixth annual West Midlands Highways Authorities & Utilities Committee (HAUC) roadshow, held at the Staffordshire Showground last month. Debuting was a range of reversible...

Tinnelly adds Liebherr's long-reach excavator.(DEMO EXCAVATORS)(Tinnelly & Sons)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Newry-based demolition contractor Tinnelly & Sons has taken delivery of its first Liebherr long-reach specialist excavator. The company says the R954BV Litronic is of the highest specification and is equipped with an 8.5m demolition boom,...

Hek's new transport platform.(ACCESS)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Access specialist Hek has introduced a new transport platform, the Hek GTP Dual T1500. The unit derives from the GTP Dual 1500, but the new version of the platform is turned through 90[degrees] to allow easier loading and unloading of pallets...

Banner claims battery 'first'.(BATTERIES)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Austrian battery manufacturer Banner is marketing the Running Bull battery as the first gel-filled starter battery offered to the after-market. According to Banner, the design is suitable for earthmoving equipment and off-road vehicles...

Nixon spends [pounds sterling]1.8m on kit.(ROLLERS)(Nixon Hire)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Nixon Hire of Newcastle said it has strengthened its position as the leading hirer in northern England with a [pounds sterling]1.8m investment in new kit. The company has recently taken delivery of nine Bomag rollers, four Ammann micro...

Two Liebherrs for Cobra.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Cobra Middlesbrough has taken two Liebherr articulated wheeled loaders on a three-year supply and maintenance contract from Alfred McAlpine Business Services. The L564 and L554 are being utilised at Cobra's rock salt facility.

Glo trades in Uxbridge.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Glo Hire and Sales)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Glo Hire and Sales has opened a new depot and showroom in Uxbridge, Middlesex. Products from manufacturers such as Genie, Yanmar Amman, Makita and Dewalt are available.

Gap and Hewlett pair up.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Hewlett Civil Engineering)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Gap Group has renewed its partnered alliance charter with Hewlett Civil Engineering. This is the fourth year of the alliance and Gap has supplied Hewlett with equipment ranging from drills to dumpers.

Rise celebrates 101.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Rise Hire)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Rise Hire, the dedicated Versalift platform hirer, has purchased its 101st machine. The ET36NF unit on a long wheel base Ford Transit 350 is being used by McDonald Street Lighting of Rochford, Essex.

Ovenden snaps up Volvos.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Ovenden Earthmoving )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Canterbury based Ovenden Earthmoving has expanded its fleet with the purchase of three Volvo A25D ADTs and a 36t Volvo EC360BLC excavator. The company's civil engineering division has also purchased a 14t EW140B wheeled excavator.

Cheltenham gets Totectors.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Totectors safety footwear is now available from Severnside Safety Supplies of Cheltenham. The initial range of 22 styles, including six for women, will be increased later this year.

A-Plant wins Pulse deal.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... A-Plant Powered Access has won a national contract for the supply of powered access equipment to Pulse Services of Wells. Pulse has maintenance, and heating and ventilation installation contracts with Homebase, Dixons and Argos.

Harrington's gen-sets.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Harrington Generators has launched two new portable gen-sets, the NCD580 and the NCD600. Both compact diesel models offer 5.75kVA and 5.9kVA of power respectively and feature long-run fuel tanks.

Accidents: building bridge strike awareness.(TRANSPORT)(Construction Plant-hire Association)(Freight Transport Association )
September 1, 2004... Construction plant transport and road freight account for 88% of the 2,000 bridge strikes each year. To raise awareness of the risk and consequences of bridge strikes, two guides have been published by a cross-industry partnership, including...

Pick-up: Mazda discounts B-Series pick-ups.(TRANSPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Mazda is offering discounts ranging from 2.3% to 13.8% on revised B-Series pick-ups registered before 30 September. The new models will be launched in the UK early this month and the revisions are largely cosmetic: three new colours (black,...

2WD van: Citroen trials 2WD Berlingo van.(TRANSPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Citroen is undertaking trials of a Berlingo van with enhanced 2WD capability. It is aimed at operators in construction, public utilities, agriculture and forestry industries, who require some off-road capability. The 2WD system has a...

Right-hand drive: Daf takes delivery of new 8X2.(TRANSPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The first right hand drive Daf FAX 85.430 8X2 has arrived at the firm's Thame headquarters, prior to heading off to the bodybuilder. In place of the second driven axle there is an air-suspended lifting and steering axle that saves around 700kg...

Fuel costs: Greenpower conversion tests show 22% fuel cost saving.(TRANSPORT)(Greenpower Technologies)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Trials on Greenpower Technologies' new gas conversion for diesel engines are said to be showing a 22% fuel cost saving. The operator involved is expecting the payback period to be less than nine months. Greenpower said its system uses...

Vans: Vauxhall rolls out Combo engines range.(TRANSPORT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Vauxhall has announced three new engines for the Combo van, and a Combo Maxx with additional features. There are two new turbo diesels, 52kW/1.3 litre and 75kW/1.7 litre, and a 67kW/1.4 litre Twinport petrol unit. All are four cylinder...

Sprinter and Vito racking.(in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Sprinter and Vito vans can now be ordered from Mercedes-Benz's dealers complete with Sortimo racking. The van manufacturer has published a brochure detailing the racking options available.

Two cranes from Hiab.(in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Hiab has launched two new truck-mounted loader cranes, the 25t lift capacity XS 288 and the 30t lift capacity XS 422. The cranes have pre-tensioned booms, which allow them to be manoeuvred horizontally up to 21m from the truck.

Three trailers for Tripod.(in brief)(Tripod Crest)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Road planing contractor Tripod Crest has taken delivery of three more tri-axle centre balance drawbar trailers from Andover Trailers. The trailers are 7.4m-long bespoke-built units, specifically designed to transport 16t Wirtgen planers...

Payne's replacement panels.(in brief)(JC Payne)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... JC Payne is offering 3.5t to 7.5t tipper bodies with quickly replaceable side panels. The company said the replacement panels cost less than refurbishing the existing ones and both enhance the vehicle's resale value and satisfy truck...

Fox adopts tractor unit.(in brief)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Fox Group is using a 120t 6X4 DAF tractor unit for moving heavy plant and using its PM 26 tonne/metre crane to help carry out repairs on site.

Recycling uncertainty: recent legislation has drastically cut the number of landfill sites registered to accept hazardous waste. As an industry always at the forefront of the recycling sector, Martin Cooper finds out how demoliton companies are facing this new challenge.(DEMOLITION)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... The demolition industry has been at the forefront of the recycling sector for many years. Materials such as concrete and brick are routinely recycled onsite, while steel is usually sent offsite for reprocessing. However, asbestos and...

Code to success: rail plant specialist AP Webb has found that organisation is key to its success. And that includes having all its equipment barcoded.(HIRE VIEW)
September 1, 2004... You'd be hard pushed to walk into a plant hire depot and see all the equipment barcoded--but that is what you will find in the yard of AP Webb. This is the latest move in the history of the company started 33 years ago by Andy Webb as an...

Lighting the way: sales of lighting towers in the UK tend to be fairly static unless an exciting new product arrives on the market. Martin Cooper reports.(LIGHTING TOWERS)
September 1, 2004... The lighting tower market is one of the most stable sectors of the plant equipment industry. Innovations and new products are not exactly bursting on to the scene, although there is a steady market and enough new products to keep the sector...

Looking behind the levy: training, the CITB levy, CPCS and CSCS. If any of those make your blood boil, then judging by the comments and phone calls we receive, you are not alone, says Colin Sowman.(BUSINESS)(Construction Industry Training Board)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)
September 1, 2004... Many in the industry see the CITB levy as a tax on the industry akin to corporation tax--something they are forced to pay, but from which they derive no benefit. However, for every [pounds sterling]1 the CITB collects in levies, it pays out...

Carriage care: Marcus Pitt, undercarriage specialist at Finning (UK), offers some advice on undercarriage management.(TRACKS)
September 1, 2004... In highly aggressive or abrasive underfoot conditions, an undercarriage can contribute up to 50% of a machine's owning and operating costs. While it is not always possible to control the working environment, there are steps you can take to...

Ready for scrutiny: in his third article, James Stirling of Livingstone Guarantee looks at grooming a business for sale and then marketing it.(SELLING A BUSINESS)
September 1, 2004... Grooming a business for sale is essential. It must be approached in a considered and clearly structured manner, based on a detailed understanding of the business and a dispassionate assessment of its strengths, weaknesses and future potential....

Getting a grip: when it comes to choosing tyres for your plant, is it best to invest or should you just take the cheapest option. Colin Sowman weighs up the options.(TYRES)
September 1, 2004... No matter which way you look at it, tyres are a black hole down which you pour money. They are essential, but they puncture, get damaged and wear out too often. While the whole plant industry would agree on this, that's where the consensus...

Everyone's a winner.(CHECKOUT)(Armac DEL )(achievements and awards)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The annual training awards ceremony was held recently at the National Construction College with a raft of entrants. We've listed the plant-related categories below. In the plant operator category, Andrew Arkell of Armac DEL was the...

Star turn pilots cranes.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Ainscough Crane Hire has a new operator--Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf fame. The actor recently completed his training at the company's National Training Centre in Leyland, as part of a television programme for the Discovery Channel. He became...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.(CHECKOUT)
September 1, 2004... It's been a couple of months since the last competition, but the winner drawn from the hard hat for July is Willie Aitkenhead of WMA Plant in Port Glasgow. He correctly identified the Selwood bore hole pump. If you can identify the above item...

Vintage tractor raises 10K.(CHECKOUT)(Michael Clancy Contractors)(Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation)(National Association of Children's Hospices )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Michael Clancy of Michael Clancy Contractors raised more than [pounds sterling]10,000 for the National Association of Children's Hospices and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation by driving his 1947 David Brown tractor from Birmingham to the...

Events diary.(Calendar)
September 1, 2004... 2004 SEPTEMBER 14-16 The Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK www.rwmexhibition.com SEPTEMBER 28-30 No-Dig 2004 Stoneleigh Park, Coventry Tel: 01923 778311 ...