Blue Mail Spring 2024

HIDROMEK ticks all the right boxes

Hoddam boost efficiency with Terex Washing Systems

Humphreys double down on Develon

REDUCED PRICES across our entire Doppstadt range

We asked what you wanted, you told us and we listened. We have reduced 1000s of prices across our entire range of Doppstadt parts!

To find out about our reduced prices across the Doppstadt range, get in touch with your Blue Spares Account Manager or contact the office on: 0345 130 0669 (Warrington) 01786 237453 (Stirling)

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Reaching for new heights with Fuchs

Reckoned to be one of the top five metal recyclers in the UK, Atlas Commodities has set itself even more ambitious targets to reach going into the future, and to help it on its way the company has recently invested in another two Terex Fuchs material handlers.

The 90 tonnes plus MHL390F pylon machines, supplied by Blue Machinery (Central), are the first of their kind in the UK. We travelled to the Atlas Commodities facility at the Port of Newport in South Wales to see these two specially spec’d and impressive new machines loading thousands of tonnes of scrap metal on to a boat bound for North Africa. The machines have joined two other Terex Fuchs MHL390’s at the site as well as a Terex Fuchs MHL360.

The Port of Newport is a steel, metals, recycling, and renewable energy hub, and from there Atlas Commodities ship out around 800,000 tonnes of scrap metal to far flung destinations across the world, including India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, the USA and European countries such as Turkey.

It’s an intense operation needing the toughest of machines which can be adapted to the demanding needs of Atlas

Commodities who recently were ranked by the Sunday Times as the seventh fastest growing privately owned companies in the UK, an accolade which follows on from being named the fastest growing business in the Midlands & East of England on the 2023 Fast Growth Index.

The company initially started out less than 10 years ago selling metals into various markets around the globe, but has since become one of the country’s leading metal recyclers with scrap yards in South Wales, Liverpool and the North East of England and over the last two years has invested heavily in Terex Fuchs material handlers from Blue Machinery to support their growth ambitions and plans.

“Fuchs represents good value for money, the machines are well engineered and built robustly to handle the toughest of conditions,” says Atlas Commodities Chief Executive Officer Harry Seale.

“They’re German made and reliable when

downtime is such a critical issue for us

- Our operators love them and we now have six Terex Fuchs in our fleet across the group; we just keep coming back for more as our business expands and grows!”

The company opted for the new Terex Fuch MHL390F pylons because they have larger lifting capacities and can handle larger volumes of material in each cycle, so are more efficient and more productive. “Everyone has an eye on the environment today, and with these new machines we can accomplish much more in less time, which saves on fuel and cuts down on emissions.”

With a powerful and fuel efficient 300 kW diesel engine and a maximum 25.2 m reach, these new giant machines are certainly proving their worth. “We are loading bigger vessels these days; the one featured on the day you visited us at Newport had a capacity of only 12,000 tonnes, but increasingly we are loading

up to 38,000 tonnes of scrap metal at any one time – that’s three times the size, which is why we opted for the MHL390F handlers, plus the fact that they have a significantly raised cab, giving the operator a much better view of the ship’s hold.”

That extra elevation at some two metres is made possible by the placing of a pylon (a pole like extension) between the cab and the undercarriage. It’s a feature that is much appreciated by the operators who have a better and safer overview of the loading process.

“We are also bringing into the port cargoes of between 3,000 and 5,000 tonnes from Scotland and Ireland which are offloaded from smaller boats on to larger ships at the quayside,” adds Harry, “it’s an operation that we can also complete quickly and efficiently with the Terex Fuchs machines.”

Of the many hundreds of thousands of tonnes of scrap metal received each year by the company, 100% is processed for onward sale to be fully recycled and turned into new steel products; all the material received re-enters the circular economy to be used for a new purpose.

It comes from a variety of sources. “Scrap metal is a commodity, traded across the world, like oil, rice, or gas lead by demand and supply fundamentals.

We source our material from a number of industries, including but not limited to the demolition sector, energy sector but most of our material comes from our industrial clientele. We support the manufacturing industry and service various production

facilities across the UK such as Caterpillar’s 27 sites across the UK and Ireland, TATA Steel’s downstream mills located across the UK, Spartan UK’s plate mill, automotive manufacturers such as GTEK and many more.”

The service and support we get from Blue Machinery has been excellent, in an environment where time is money which is why we keep going back to them.

All of which means there will be plenty of work for the well spec’d Fuchs material handlers. The Terex Fuchs award winning cabs feature an air-cushioned comfortseat with integrated headrest, safety belt and lumbar support. Operator comfort is also well catered for with multi-purpose adjustment options for seat position, seat inclination, seat cushion placement in relation to armrests and pilot control units. Other features of the cab’s ergonomic layout include glare-free instrumentation, multi-function touch display, automatic monitoring and recording of abnormal operating conditions, including all hydraulic oil filters, hydraulic oil temperature, coolant temperature, and charge air temperature,

visual and audible warning indication with shutdown of pilot controls/ engine power reduction.

In addition, there are rear and side view cameras, sound- and heat-insulated panoramic windows for an optimum all-round view, a windshield with a pull-down sunblind, a visibility panel in the cab roof, and a sliding window in cab door, in addition to an automatic AC and air conditioned storage compartment, infinitely variable heating with 8-speed fan, 10 adjustable air nozzles, and three defroster nozzles using a hot water system.

Atlas Commodities also specified gantrys, screen guards, cameras on the boom, reversing cameras and extra lights.

“Our operators work in challenging environments and safety is paramount –We will not compromise” says Harry, who adds: “The service and support we have got from Blue Machinery over the years has been excellent, which is why we keep going back to them. If any issues arise, we just need to pick up the phone and they will be there the same day.”

As to the future for Atlas Commodities, they are looking to further expand the business. “We will be doing in excess of two million tonnes annually in coming years. We have accomplished a lot in a relatively short space of time but we want to be up there with the leading recyclers in the UK; we have a way to go, but that is our goal, which means we will shortly need to further expand our Fuchs fleet!”

Ticks All the Right Boxes

When John Doherty climbed into the cab of a new H4 Series Hidromek 230LC it didn’t take him long to realise this was an excavator that ticked all the right boxes for him and after trialling it for a week, courtesy of Blue Machinery (Southern)LTD, he was ready to put pen to paper.

John set up his company, J Doherty Plant Hire, several years ago, having spent more than 20 years working in the industry; he bought his first excavator at the age of 26, but this was his first experience of Hidromek, and it was a productive one, too.

Blue Machinery (Southern) LTD were appointed by Hidromek in October last year and are responsible for the sales, service and aftermarket care for the full range of the Turkish manufacturer’s products across their territory within the southern part of the UK.

Although Hidromek is a relative newcomer to the UK market, its machines work in more than 100 countries on six continents, with its impressive range of heavy-duty equipment being used across many sectors, including construction, demolition, quarrying, landscaping and recycling. Its cutting edge and innovative technology has already won multiple awards globally for both design and performance capabilities.

Lyndon Head is the Regional Sales Manager in the south west of England for Blue Machinery (Southern) and says adding the Hidromek brand to Blue Machinery Southern’s already comprehensive portfolio of products has generated a lot interest from across the region.

“With its competitive price, strong build quality, low centre of gravity and stability, plus its excellent operating spec and easy access to the machine’s systems, we are aiming to raise the brand’s profile and share of the market in the months ahead.”

We caught up with Lyndon at a new housing development site in a disused quarry near Weston-super-Mare in Somerset where John Doherty was putting the new machine through its paces, using a variety of attachments on a number of different tasks. “It was an exciting day for us at Blue Southern as this was the first live demonstration

of the H4 Series Hidromek 230LC,” says Lyndon, “and we were delighted it impressed John to the point of wanting to invest in the brand.”

Adds John: “When I first looked at the machine at Blue Southern’s depot in Portishead near Bristol I was told the only way I could fully appreciate it was to take it out on site, and sure enough that week-long trial convinced me of the quality of the brand.”

John was immediately impressed with the Hidromek’s strength and stability. “The build quality is outstanding as is the comfortable cab with its very easy to operate controls. The machine packs a powerful punch and its fuel economy is exceptional, plus it is competitively priced, so you get a lot for your money.”

The cab comes with a heated, air suspended seat that has a 35 degrees adjustable backrest angle which enables the operator to work comfortably and without getting tired over long working hours. Other features include proportional control pedals and joysticks, throttle control dial, interior light, cup holder and heatingcooling box.

An 8-inch touch control panel is positioned ergonomically at a point that the operator can easily reach it to gain access to all of the machine’s information, such as fuel consumption, turbo boost and hydraulic pump pressure. The control panel also allows the operator to adjust the flow required for any attachments without leaving the cab.

As part of the H4 Series, the excavator has clearly been designed with operator safety in mind, with excellent visibility from the cab thanks to side and rear

cameras to minimise any potential blind spot, while the two-piece windshield wiper system provides a wide angle view. An automatic starting horn, swing warning system and travel warning system also contribute to safety, while night vision is significantly improved, with an increase in the number of LED headlights, and there are also red handles and warning labels that further enhance safety for the operator.

Fast access to hydraulic and engine equipment provides easy maintenance and service. Most of the maintenance can be easily carried out without getting on the machine, which shortens the service time and increases uptime. Automatic greasing system ensures that all parts of the machine can be lubricated from one single centre.

John, who has built up a thriving business over the last couple of years, has been using a number of attachments on the Hidromek, including different buckets for digging out trenches and loading up dump trucks. Out on hire from Blue Machinery Southern was a Rammer breaker which, he says, was well matched to the Hidromek. It made short work of smashing out some seriously hard rock for a deep pipe trench. “I’ll probably invest in the Rammer, too,” he adds.

One of the main reasons John likes dealing with the team at Blue Machinery Southern is the high level of service and support they provide. “I’m proud to say I work closely with the dealership on all our projects, as they provide me with market leading brands and equipment, coupled with outstanding service and back up,” he says. “They deal promptly with any queries I have and my working relationship with Lyndon Head is exceptional; he has helped me greatly in developing and growing my business.”

Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity with Terex Washing Systems at Hoddam Quarry

Hoddam Contracting Co. LTD, a long-standing family-run business headquartered in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, has been a key player in the building materials and concrete supply industry since its inception in 1958.

Formerly known as Hoddam Quarry & Concrete Products, the company boasts a diverse portfolio of quarry materials and quality-assured readymixed concrete.

With a commitment to serving a wide range of clients, from large construction firms to individual homeowners, Hoddam Contracting operates two sand and gravel quarries at Kilblane and Broom, along with a recently inaugurated hard rock quarry at Hazelbank, St. Ann’s.

Hoddam Contracting faced the challenge of upgrading their existing wash plant at the Hoddam site. The goal was to enhance efficiency, increase product variety, and streamline operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality in their offerings.

The previous wash plant was becoming outdated, leading to inefficiencies in production and limited product options. Blue Machinery (Scotland) supplied Hoddam Contracting with a brand new set-up consisting of a M2100 and FM 120BW from Terex Washing System. This new installation revolutionized their washing processes, enabling the production of five distinct products: 2mm sand, 4mm sand, 4-10mm aggregate, 10-20mm aggregate, and 30-40mm aggregate, including a specialized type 1 product.

The Terex M2100 is a high-capacity mobile washing unit that offers exceptional flexibility and efficiency. It is designed to work independently or as part of an entire wash plant system. With its robust construction

and easy setup, the M2100 allows for quick deployment and relocation as needed, making it ideal for Hoddam Contracting's dynamic operations. The machine features a triple deck screenbox with a choice of modular top and middle decks, allowing for the production of various products simultaneously.

Terex Washing Systems FM 120 Bucket Wheel is a compact and versatile bucket wheel system designed for efficient material classification and washing. Operating as a single or twin sand plant, the FM 120BW effectively removes silts, slimes, and clays from the final product, ensuring superior quality. Its modular design and adjustable weirs provide Hoddam Contracting with the flexibility to adjust product specifications easily.

Partnering with Blue Scotland brought numerous advantages to the project. Being local meant that Blue Scotland could provide swift assistance, whether for routine maintenance or unforeseen technical issues.

The team understood the unique requirements of Hoddam Contracting's operations, offering tailored solutions and expert advice. Direct communication channels facilitated quick responses to queries and ensured minimal downtime for the wash plant.

Graeme Farish, Quarry Manager at Hoddam Contracting comments "Terex Washing Systems and Blue Scotland have truly exceeded our expectations with the installation of the M2100 and FM 120BW wash plant. The plant's ability to produce five distinct products has been a game-changer for our operations. We are particularly impressed with the simplicity of the setup and the plant's reliability.

The Terex M2100 and FM 120BW work seamlessly together, providing us with the versatility to meet the demands of our diverse clientele. Having the local support of Blue Scotland gives us peace of mind, although we haven't needed it yet, thanks to the plant's robust performance. We are so satisfied with the results that we are installing another FM 120BW at one of our other sites.

Hoddam Contracting looks forward to a continued partnership with Terex and Blue Scotland as we focus on delivering topquality products to our diverse clientele."

The collaboration between Hoddam Contracting Co. LTD, Terex Washing Systems, and Blue Scotland stands as a testament to the success achieved through innovative solutions and local support. The installation of the M2100 and FM 120BW wash plant not only met but exceeded the customer's expectations, enabling increased product variety, streamlined operations, and enhanced efficiency.

As Hoddam Contracting continues its commitment to quality and sustainability, they can rely on the expertise of Terex Washing Systems and the dedicated support of Blue Scotland to drive their success into the future.

Benefits of the combined Set-Up

Product Versatility: The M2100, in conjunction with the FM 120BW bucket wheel, provides Hoddam Contracting with the capability to produce a diverse range of products. The M2100's triple deck screenbox and modular design, combined with the FM 120BW's efficient material washing, allow for the simultaneous production of multiple products.

Efficiency and Simplicity: The M2100's easy setup and operation, paired with the FM 120BW's automated processes, streamline Hoddam Contracting's washing operations. This simplicity of operation reduces training time for operators and minimizes downtime.

Reliability and Performance: Both the M2100 and FM 120BW are known for their robust construction and reliable performance. Hoddam Contracting can depend on these machines to deliver consistent results, ensuring customer satisfaction with the quality of their products.

Humphreys double down on Develon

Back in 2002 Kevin Humphreys worked for a local authority waste department and had sight of the amount of waste being generated on the island of Anglesey, which was becoming a popular tourist destination. Starting out with just a transit van hook lift, Humphreys Waste Recycling was Anglesey’s first waste recycling service.

Now with over 20 years’ experience and sustained growth, the company continues to lead the way for recycling services on the island. With a background in trade waste and recycling, Humphreys have now expanded their offering to include total waste management contracts. To cater for the increased demand, a new building is currently under construction and will used for the tipping, bulking and storage of mixed construction materials.

The development of their business operations has meant that the company has continued to invest in new equipment. This includes the recent purchase of a Develon DL80-7 compact wheel loader and Develon DX57W wheeled excavator, both supplied by Blue Machinery (Central).

The DL80-7 is part of Develon’s recently launched compact wheel loader range. Compact, versatile and powerful, the DL80-7 offers the comfort and stability of Develon’s heavier wheel loaders with the flexibility to be fitted with forks to also carry out the duties of a telehandler.

Humphreys brought in the compact wheel loader to replace their old telehandler which has helped the company to improve efficiency. Cai Humphreys, Operations Manager explains “our new DL80 offers us improved visibility as the operator is higher up in the cab, this makes it much easier to carry out tasks around the yard whilst also increasing safety. This machine is much more durable and has a stronger drive train which means we can lift more. The cab on the DL80 is a great place for the operators to work and is worlds apart from the one on our previous machine”.

The DX57W is the latest edition to the Humphreys fleet and is helping the company to keep on top of the growing volume of material. With an operating weight of 5.8 tons, the DX57W is the only wheeled machine that sits within the Develon mini excavator range.

"We are very happy with the level of service we get from Blue Machinery. It makes our life a lot easier that we can source all our plant machinery from a single supplier, who also happen to have an excellent aftermarket and spare parts service."

– Cai Humphreys, Operations Manager at Humphreys

A Blue Central supplied Fuchs MHL 310F is used to load wagons and feed the picking station, but before the waste goes into the static plant the rubber duck is being used to pre-sort materials. Fitted with a selector grab, the DX57W segregates the material into separate piles and removes any oversize material.

Commenting on the Develon DX57W, Cai explains “we love the compactness of the machine, its great for working within some of the tighter areas of our waste shed. The reason we went for the wheeled machine is so that we can quickly move around the shed and yard, working from skip to skip and job to job. The machine is also very easy to transport which allows us to take it with us on site clearance jobs.”

Blue Machinery started working with Humphreys Waste Recycling in 2015 and have remained close partners ever since. Back in 2018 Humphreys achieved zero waste to landfill when Blue Central installed a picking station plant and Fuchs MHL 310 material handler. With the recent editions of the two new Develon machines Blue and Humphreys continue to strengthen their business relationship. Cai comments “when purchasing the new machines, we did look at a number of different suppliers but ultimately, we are very happy with the level of service we get from Blue Machinery. It makes our life a lot easier that we can source all our plant machinery from a single supplier, who also happen to have an excellent aftermarket and spare parts service”.

Crushing our carbon footprint

At Blue Machinery we try to do our bit for the environment at every possible opportunity and the most obvious example of this is by providing our customers with energy efficient machinery solutions to aid in the reduction of their carbon footprint. However, with many locations across the UK and Ireland we are doing everything possible to reduce our own carbon footprint.

At the end of 2023 Blue Machinery (Southern) LTD installed 233 solar panels at their depot in Portishead and added two fully electric service vans into their fleet.

The 233 solar panels can produce up to 100kW of energy per day which means between the months of April and September the facility is completely off the grid and throughout the rest of the year around a third of their energy comes from the solar panels.

Although a significant initial investment was required, the panels should last for at least 25 years and will have a relatively quick return on investment.

On the back of the panels being installed Blue Southern have managed to reduce their yearly electric consumption by 70%.

The addition of two new Mercedes-Benz eVito vans are the first fully electric service vans within the entire group.

The new vans are being used by engineers based local to the Portishead depot and can get 164 miles from a full charge.

A number of employees run electric/hybrid vehicles who also benefit from the two newly installed fast charging points on site.

These are just two recent examples of how we are seeking to do our bit for the environment across the group and will continue to strive towards reducing our carbon emissions as we move into the future.

Dann Environmental Services boost their productivity with Powerscreen

With over 40 years’ experience in crushing and screening, Dann Environmental Services (D.E.S) have a growing fleet of machines and operators to cater to all aspects of the quarrying and waste management sectors. Their services include contract crushing and screening, machine hire, 360 hire/driver and loading shovel hire/driver.

Ben Dann with his new Powerscreen Warrior 2100

Having been long time advocates of Powerscreen, D.E.S run a number of crushers and screeners from the world’s leading brand, including a Warrior 1400X, Warrior 1800, 2 x PT400s and have now recently invested in a brand-new Warrior 2100 triple shaft. With the purchase of the new scalping screener the company will now see an even higher production rate. Ben Dann, Contracts Manager at D.E.S comments “our Warrior 1400X is an excellent machine and will remain important to our fleet, however this new Warrior 2100 means we can further increase our productivity and the increased aggression of the triple shaft screen box allows us to produce a super clean product”.

Weighing in at just under 38 tons and boasting a 16’ x 5’ 1” screen box, the Warrior 2100 triple shaft can produce a throughput of up to 700 tph. When we visited D.E.S the Warrior 2100 was processing granite and had no problem keeping up with the extremely hungry Premiertrak 600 that the company had on demonstration.

Powerscreen’s unique triple shaft technology ensures that the screen box is highly efficient whilst maintaining exceptional throughput. The extreme screening acceleration offers the Warrior 2100 improved capabilities over its class rivals, especially in sticky scalping applications.

" Our working relationship with Blue Machinery is exactly what we look for in a partner. The team at Blue understand exactly what we require and can advise us on what the best solution will be for our business"

– Ben Dann, Contracts Manager at D.E.S

The 2100 takes no time to set up and can typically be done in under 10 minutes. The jack up screen box facility offers excellent access to the screen media and collection conveyor, this allows the user to quickly change between screens for maintenance work or to change the media for different applications. Ben comments “I have always appreciated how easy the Powerscreen machines are to work on, and the Warrior 2100 is no different. Accessibility is excellent all over the machine so whether I am carrying out maintenance work on the screen mesh and skirting or carrying out any servicing work such as changing filters, the Powerscreen machines are a dream to work on when compared to some of other manufacturers”.

D.E.S purchased their first Powerscreen machine from Blue Machinery around 5 years ago and haven’t looked back since. Ben explains “our working relationship with Blue Machinery is exactly what we look for in a partner. The team at Blue understand exactly what we require and can advise us on what the best solution will be for our business based on what it is that we are trying to achieve.

Blue understand how vitally important uptime is within the industry, when our machines aren’t working we aren’t earning. Blue Spares offer fantastic availability and can have parts with us either the same day or on next day delivery, and the knowledge from the engineers at Blue is fantastic.”

Ben ends by saying “nothing compares when it comes to crushing and screening, the Powerscreen machines are the best on the market. When you pair this with the industry leading service provided by Blue Machinery, why would we go anywhere else?”

Celebrating success at Blue Spares

Back in January Blue Spares hosted their annual business review and 2023 Colleague of the Year awards at The Park Royal Hotel in Stretton. This included a performance review for 2023 and a discussion on targets for 2024. Thanks to the hard work and dedication from the team, they managed to grow the business again in what was another great year for the company.

Ex SAS commander Colin Maclachlan rounded off the night with a compelling talk on his experiences and life lessons from 25 years in the armed services. Colin captured the entire room with some amazing stories involving several high-profile SAS missions. A big thanks for joining us on the night!

The winners of the Colleague of the Year awards were:

Sales Colleague of the Year – Dean Barlow

Finance Colleague of the Year – Maria Stones

Procurement Colleague of the Year – Nick Lowe

Warehouse Colleague of the Year – Lee Holman

Support Function

Colleague of the Year – Hannah France

The Ray Thomas Colleague of the Year – Johnathan Dennan

Blue Central supports Oldham RLFC

Blue Central are delighted to be sponsoring Oldham RLFC for the 2024 season. A founding member of the Rugby League and four-time winners of the Rugby League Championship, the ‘Roughyeds’ are one

of the traditional giants of the game.

Having played their rugby outside of the top division for several decades, the club now has an ambitious new board in place and are rebuilding towards an exciting future with

their sights firmly set on getting back into the Super League.

With the Blue logo printed onto the player’s backsides, we are looking forward to getting right behind the team this season!

New Starters

Central

Cory Illidge Apprentice Engineer

Emily Fray

Preventative Maintenance Controller

Southern

Dan Turberfield-Cross Regional Sales Manager

Scotland

Owen Gourlay Technical Sales Manager

Sam James celebrates 10 years with Blue

Congratulations to Sam James (sam-gineer) who recently celebrated his 10th year with Blue! Having worked on a vast range of machines over the last decade, Sam is now Blue Central's Doppstadt expert. A big thanks for your service over the last 10 years!

Sam has also recently started to document his day-to-day life as a Field Service Engineer on TikTok. Click here and give him a follow.

A new role for Paul Holder

After 11 years on the tools as a Field Service Engineer, Paul Holder has made the move over to join the hire team at Blue Southern as a Hire Controller & Technical Support Manager. Paul will be liaising with existing customers and growing the business with new hire opportunities.

Based in Blue Southern’s area? Get in touch with Paul and arrange your hire today on 07977 938612 or Paul.holder@bluegroup.co.uk

Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!

Blue Central enjoyed the craic this St. Patrick’s Day as they supported the parade in Manchester. Staff and families turned out to support the float which showcased the Develon excavators and a number of our world leading attachment brands. The equipment was fitted with Irish livery to celebrate the occasion.

A big thanks to every who joined us at what was a fantastic event!

Tying the knot!

Congratulations to both Ian Webber (Managing Director, Blue Spares) and Jacob Thrasher (Group Marketing Manager) who both recently got married.

Ian and his wife Dionne got married at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool on 17th February 2024.

Jacob and his wife Hope celebrated a New Year’s Eve wedding on 31st December 2023 at Hornington Manor in Yorkshire.

Blue Baby

Zak Astley and his partner Megan recently welcomed baby Bella Marie Astley into the world. Bella was born on Tuesday 26th March 2024 at 7:42am, weighing 7lb 3oz. Congratulations from everyone at Blue!

"We have been very happy with the performance of our new Fuchs material handler, it’s a very powerful machine."

– Jake Riddle, Director of A. Riddle Waste Management

Copes unleash another beast

A. Riddle Waste Management are a family run business who specialise in waste management, skip hire and scrap metal.

Having been well established in Lincolnshire for more than 50 years, the company recently expanded with the acquisition of Grimsby based H. Cope & Sons.

H. Cope & Sons specialise in a range of services which includes demolition, plant hire, skip hire, recycled aggregates, and waste management. Fresh off the back of the acquisition the company purchased a brand-new Terex Fuchs MHL 320F material handler.

The material handler was brought in to help sort and process the waste, predominantly used to feed their static recycling plant. Fitted with a universal stick, the machine has a maximum reach of 8.2m. With the new MHL320 Modular+ model customers have the choice between diesel, electric or fully battery powered. The specifically designed modular drive concept allows the integration of different drive systems into the upper carriage on a modular basis, without the need for further modifications.

The company also own Wolds Wildlife Park in Horncastle so they certainly know an animal when they see one! Director, Jake Riddle comments “we’ve bought many an animal in the past, but this one is a beast of a machine! When we acquired the H. Copes business, we soon realised that the existing material handler they had on site had not been well spec’d and we could boost our efficiency with a machine that is better suited to the job. We have been very happy with the performance of our new Fuchs material handler, it’s a very powerful machine”.

Blue Group at a glance

MAIN CUSTOMER SEGMENTS

6%

Demolition

We help to serve many customers operating within the demolition sector across the UK & Ireland. We supply a vast range of equipment including Develon excavators in the North West and North Wales, and Hidromek excavators in the South. Along with Fortress shears, Rammer breakers, VTN grabs and demolition tools, Powerscreen crushers and Xcentric crushing buckets.

Quarrying

We supply world leading crushing, screening and washing equipment through brands such as Powerscreen, MDS, Terex Washing Systems. Blue Machinery (Central) also supply the full range of Develon machines, whilst Blue Machinery (Southern) also supply the range of Hidromek equipment.

Scrap

Our Fuchs material handlers are very popular within scrap applications and we can supply a number of models to suit the customers’ requirements. Alongside our Fuchs handlers, Develon and Hidromek excavators, we offer a range of scrap attachments including shears, five tine grabs, magnets, vehicle dismantlers and more.

Blue Machinery Group is a specialist provider of market leading materials processing and handling equipment across a number of industries within the UK & Ireland. We offer total solutions, from single equipment specification and supply, to bespoke design and installation of complete integrated processing systems.

BLUE REGIONS

Blue Group is comprised of six strategically placed locations situated throughout the UK & Ireland.

34%

Ports

Fuchs have six models in their port handling line up. These handlers are highly flexible and customisable to ensure you have the right machine for the job. As well as our Fuchs material handlers we also supply a range of conveyors and attachments that can be used to boost productivity within port applications.

Recycling

Our customers can benefit from a number of mobile recycling equipment solutions which include our Doppstadt shredders and trommels, Fuchs Material Handlers and Powerscreen screeners, which are suitable within a number of recycling applications. We can also supply fully integrated waste recycling facilities and materials processing systems.

Construction

Blue Machinery (Central) are the Develon dealer for the North West and North Wales, supplying the full range of mini excavators, wheeled excavators, crawler excavators, articulated dump trucks and wheel loaders. Blue Machinery (Southern) are Hidromek dealer in the South and offer the full line-up of excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and motor graders.

MORE THAN JUST MACHINERY

• Network of field service engineers covering the UK & Ireland

• On-going support throughout a machines lifetime

• 1,649 customers served in 2023

• 9,876 service jobs carried out in 2023 across the UK & Ireland

• 19,977 spare parts orders delivered in 2023

• 9,197 line items stocked at Blue Spares

Murray Plant Stirling

Blue Scotland Stirling

Blue Spares Stirling

Spares Warrington

Blue Southern Portishead