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It’s just around the corner, but what does Brexit mean for our industry?
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Mark Kennedy from CPR explains the benefits of Contract Hire.
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Welcome to the very first edition of the Inside Construction Magazine! In this issue we give you a round up of the industry with our regular features such as Industry News, Contract News, Major Projects,
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INDUSTRY NEWS
The sky’s the limit for green construction Building a wind turbine half a mile into the sky is a tall order – but the real challenge for Skanska to rise to is achieving the highest standards of low-carbon construction.
That’s exactly what has happened on the ground-breaking Swansea Bay and Nash wind turbines built for Welsh Water in South Wales. Both projects have been awarded the highest environmental certification on the Skanska Color Palette – our strategic tool to measure and guide green activities. Ranging from Vanilla to Deep Green, it reflects the stages between mere legal compliance and futureproof projects, to measure green performance. The turbines have both met Deep Green criteria – which means they have a near-zero impact on the environment. This reflects the fact that they have not only reduced the carbon footprint from the original design base by 77% at Nash and 19% at Swansea, but are energy positive. This is because they were built to provide green energy to power Welsh Water’s wastewater treatment works at the two sites, with surplus electricity exported back to the National Grid. Green build featuresThe accreditations recognise a range of green design and construction phase measures including:
• more than 90% of recycled materials used during the builds • valued engineering resulted in a low-carbon turbine foundation, and design challenge on the crane pad foundation and access roads resulting in 78% less concrete being used • all construction waste diverted from landfill • zero hazardous materials used • significant reductions in the use of potable water, by 100% at Nash and 40% at Swansea.
our customer’s expectation. Green is high on their agenda, and when we look at Welsh Water – who keep more than three million people supplied with water – a sustainable approach for them means they can pass the benefits onto their customers, every time they turn the tap.” Ben Burggraaf, Head of Energy at Welsh Water explained: “The energy created by the turbines will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but will also benefit our customers by reducing our overall operating costs so that we can keep bills low.”
Why a green approach matters Adam Crossley, Environment Director Skanska UK, explained the wider impact of the Deep Green projects. He said: “It’s everyone’s responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, but as a construction leader, this must be at the very core of what we do to build for a better society that’s sustainable for future generations. We’re incredibly proud these projects are pushing the envelope on green construction.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
CIOB Chief Executive Announces Retirement months for a new Chief Executive. We wish Chris well in all that he chooses to do and pass on our sincere thanks for his unwavering dedication and consistently excellent leadership.” For more than 25 years Chris has been involved in vocational education and training, together with business development. Chris has been Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building since January 2000.
One of the longest-serving chief executives at a professional body has announced his retirement. For almost 20 years Chris Blythe OBE has led the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). He will retire from the CIOB in May 2019. CIOB President Chris Soffe FCIOB said of Chris Blythe’s time with the CIOB: “Leading a 184-year-old organisation, like ours, and keeping it relevant is no easy feat. Chris has transformed the CIOB into a modern international institute, able to adapt to the changing needs of its members and in an industry undergoing a digital revolution. “With his influence, he has helped establish the discipline of construction management as a Chartered profession and under his stewardship the awarding of an MCIOB can now be compared to a British bachelor honours degree. He has held the industry and government to account on politically sensitive agendas like modern slavery and corruption in construction. He has also championed the industry and the vital role it plays in social mobility, job creation and the quality of life. “His leadership has given us sure footing as we look to the future and begin our search over the coming
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In the Queen's 2017 New Year’s Honours list Chris received an OBE for services to the 'Construction Industry and Government.' In September 2018 the University of Wolverhampton awarded him an Honorary Degree in recognition of his ‘contribution to vocational training and education particularly in his role as Chief Executive of CIOB’. Speaking about his decision to retire Chris Blythe OBE said: “It has been a privilege to lead the CIOB these many years. It has given me the opportunity to work with fabulous people from across the industry and across the world. I have enormous respect for Institute members who are dedicated to making a difference to the quality of people’s lives as they strive to improve the industry. “Belonging to a Chartered Body is more than just membership and qualifications it is also about a duty to society. That is reflected in the many members I have met and worked with. I would like to thank the countless number of people from across the industry, and colleagues at the CIOB, who have been key in all that we have achieved together and the many successes yet to come. “I am looking forward to the next phase of my life with great anticipation, great memories and many great friends.”
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Mabey support specialists help preserve war memorial Leading bridge and engineering specialist Mabey are providing an innovative propping and real time monitoring solution for a war memorial in Wales. Work is taking place to replace existing sewerage along Kings Road in Llandovery. The monument, which is of a bronze soldier and has been standing tall in Llandovery town for just under 100 years, is extremely close to the excavation works, and the customer, Evan Pritchard Contractors, wants to make sure the monument is unharmed during the work. To enable this, Mabey engineers have designed, built and installed a Mass 25 propping solution to support the load of the monument. They have also provided tilt sensors to measure movement of the statue. Using Mabey’s vibration sensors the customer can monitor the monument to ensure the excavation work is not producing excessive vibration and potentially causing movement. All the movement and vibration data is recorded in real-time and presented via Mabey’s web portal LIVEsite. If at any time the trigger levels are exceeded then the customer is notified with an alert. Dave Bradshaw, Monitoring Manager for Mabey Hire, said: “Taking care of Llandovery monument is at the heart of this project. Having peace of mind gives the customer assurance that any work carried out has no effect on the monument over the four week duration of the project.”
INDUSTRY NEWS
New Children's surgery facility one step closer to completion
Young patients Ruby and Isabella joined BAM Construction to put the finishing touches to essential ground works, marking another milestone in the construction of a new cutting edge operating facility for Leeds Children’s Hospital.
The new facility is a purpose-built cardiac hybrid theatre, for undertaking complex heart procedures on children and young people, and an intraoperative MRI facility for neurosurgery. The facility has been made possible thanks to the generous donations of patients, their families, and the public through the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund’s ‘Keeping the Beat’ campaign and Leeds Cares. The new complex is linked directly to the existing theatres in Clarendon Wing and will enable cardiac surgeons and cardiologists to work together during the same procedure which means the skills of both specialists can be employed together, reducing treatment time for patients. The intra-operative MRI scanner allows scans to be done during neurological surgical procedures. For example, surgeons will be able to see straight away how much of a brain
tumour has been removed rather than scanning at a later date to discover that additional procedures may be required. Patients need fewer general anaesthetics, MRI scans and surgical procedures. Ruby and Isabella were on hand this week to ensure that the groundworks were completed in good time and gave their thumbs up to the project. Carin van Doorn, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Congenital Cardiac Surgery said: “We are very excited to be one step closer to the completion of this build. The new facility is purpose built and designed specifically for the care of children and young people, which gives us a dedicated space to perform this very complex and specialist surgery.
and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund who have campaigned tirelessly to raise vital funds and to support us in providing the best possible care.” Daniel Marsh, Senior Site Manager at BAM Construction, said: “It’s been a complex build but all the hard work is worthwhile when we see children like Ruby and Isabella, who have personally benefitted from the facilities here at Leeds Children’s Hospital. It’s an honour to be providing a state of the art facility to help improve the lives of children from across Yorkshire and Humber.”
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CONTRACT NEWS
Bouygues Construction is chosen by Taylor Wimpey for the first phase of Postmark, a residential project in central London Bouygues UK, a British subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, has been appointed by Taylor Wimpey Central London, one of the United Kingdom’s leading property developers, to construct the first phase of Postmark, a new project located in London’s historic district of Farringdon consisting of two building complexes. The contract is worth in excess of £100 million.
Philip Jenkins, managing director of Taylor Wimpey Central London, said: “With its central, high profile location and scale, Postmark is a flagship scheme that we are immensely proud of. For the first phase, we have chosen a trusted partner with whom we have already completed a number of successful Central London projects. We look forward to working with Bouygues UK again, bringing forward the first chapter of this landmark project together.” Fabienne Viala, chair of Bouygues UK and UK country manager for Bouygues Construction, said: “We are excited about our new collaboration
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with the teams of Taylor Wimpey Central London on this residential project. In the past, Taylor Wimpey and Bouygues UK have collectively demonstrated the quality of our expertise, our partnership approach and our combined capacity for innovation on such residential schemes as North Wharf Gardens and Greenwich Millennium Village. We are looking forward to building the first phase of the Postmark project.”
ments, in a building ranging in height from six to 15 storeys. The scheme has been designed to reach a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. Residents will benefit from shared spaces including a concierge service, a rooftop terrace, a cinema and a gym. The exterior development will combine resident and public spaces, including a courtyard, a shaded terrace, as well as shops and open landscaped spaces.
West Central 1 is the first phase of a four-phase masterplan, which will ultimately deliver 681 homes. It consists of 214 homes, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apart-
Work has now commenced on site, with first completions expected in 2020 and final completion in 2021. 350 to 400 people will be working onsite at peak periods.
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CONTRACT NEWS
Fusion21 Announces £800 Million Construction Works & Improvements Framework
Procurement organisation Fusion21 has announced the launch of its national Construction Works & Improvements Framework - worth up to £800 Million, over a four year period.
Designed to deliver capital works programmes with lots specific to housing, education and healthcare and the wider public sector; the framework provides regional coverage and is set to engage with both local and national supply partners – including SMEs. Offering a range of internal and external refurbishment and improvement works – from regeneration programmes to modernisation and upgrade works – Fusion21 members can commission all types of building construction; mechanical, electrical and services works with the option to design and build residential and commercial structures. Peter Francis, Director of Operations
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at Fusion21 said: “We are expanding our procurement portfolio as a response to member and market demand, creating a capital works solution that is commercially efficient, clear; transparent and delivers value for money. “Set for launch in April 2019, the framework will offer Fusion21 members streamlined price models, social value outcomes and flexible call-off process – including the option for early supplier engagement. In addition, Fusion21 members will be able to call off separate lots broken down by value bands. “We welcome applications from interested organisations that meet the criteria set out in the tender docu-
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mentation now available on the mytenders web portal – www.mytenders.co.uk – under Notice ID DEC156021.” The submission deadline for the both frameworks is Monday 28th January 2019 at 12 noon. Fusion21 provides procurement services and OJEU compliant frameworks to the public sector, and is committed to making a difference in communities across the UK. To date the firm has saved its members more than £197 million through the procurement process, created more than 5,000 jobs and generated £76 million of social value.
CONTRACT NEWS
VolkerFitzpatrick wins £20 million contract to build new National Maritime Systems Centre in Portsmouth
VolkerFitzpatrick has been awarded a £20 million contract to construct a new National Maritime Systems Centre in Portsdown Technology Park, on behalf of leading science and engineering company QinetiQ. The works are due to begin in early 2019 and continue for 18 months, completing in summer 2020.
The design and build project will see VolkerFitzpatrick demolish an existing structure before constructing a part two-storey, part four-storey building in its place. The new facility will feature office space, laboratories and ancillary accommodation. The team will also construct a feature atrium, with a double height reception area and a 100-seat lecture auditorium. The building will have approximately 6,320m2 of office space and consist of a concrete frame, with curtain walling and a rainscreen façade. The team will also install photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to supplement the building services demand and reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint. The facility has been designed to meet the BREEAM ‘Excel-
lent’ standard. Once completed, the National Maritime Systems Centre will increase the capacity of Portsdown Technology Park, transforming it into a UK Centre of Excellence for Maritime Mission Systems. The facility will also create up to 100 jobs locally and, through working with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, will offer small and mediumsized enterprises further opportunities through the fully integrated Innovation and Collaboration Hub. Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building division, said: “We are very pleased to have been chosen by QinetiQ to be their
construction partner for this exciting multi-use specialist facility. This recent appointment demonstrates VolkerFitzpatrick’s continued commitment to the UK defence sector.” Steve Fitz-Gerald, managing director for Maritime, Land and Weapons at QinetiQ, said: “We are passionate about delivering world-class systems for the UK front line. Providing our science, technology and engineering teams with state of the art facilities enhances our ability to support the Royal Navy for decades to come. It is also an important step in retaining and attracting the best talent in the Solent region and, through innovation and collaboration, contributing to the wider UK prosperity agenda.”
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MAJOR PROJECTS
Two years after contracts were signed, Hinkley Point C continues to power ahead More than 3,200 people are now at work building the new nuclear power station in Somerset. The project is on track for its next major milestone in 2019 – the completion of the 4,500 tonne concrete platform on which the reactor buildings sit. This significant moment for the project is known as “J-0” and has been underpinned by the successful completion of the final design for the work. The project is also setting its sights further ahead with preparation for the MEH phase (Mechanical, Electrical and HVAC - heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Today (Thursday) four major UK contractors signed the “MEH Alliance” to work together on the complex installation of cabling and pipework in the power station’s 2,500 rooms. The innovative approach means that Altrad, Balfour Beatty Bailey, Cavendish Nuclear and Doosan Babcock will pool their expertise to work as a single entity. The alliance aims to create new industrial capacity and jobs by manufacturing specialist pipework in Britain.
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Full construction at Hinkley Point C got underway after EDF, its Chinese partner, CGN, and the UK Government, signed final contracts in September 2016. The power station will supply the UK with reliable low carbon electricity to meet 7% of the country’s needs. The project is mobilised for an objective of initial delivery for unit 1 at the end of 2025. Hinkley Point C update Work is advancing on reactor one with completion of its pre-stressing gallery: this structure sits below the reactor unit and will help to strengthen the main reactor building. Work on reactor two has also begun
construction Concrete production has already topped 200,000 cubic metres and. 5.3 million cubic metres of earth have been moved Work will be completed this year on the 760m sea wall. At 13.5m tall, it has been designed to cope with rising sea levels for the plant’s lifetime The first accommodation campus opened on schedule with 510 beds, a restaurant and gym. Using innovative pre-fabrication techniques, it was installed in just 8 months. £10.6bn of contracts have been awarded with £1.3bn in the SouthWest and 64% of the project value is being built with UK firms
‘Deep dig’ is complete for Unit 1: this vast excavation is 21m below sea level and will contain the 54m tall water pumping station
250 of 1,000 apprentices have been hired and 400 schools have taken part in STEM education events
750 metres of underground concrete galleries are ready: these are the channels to house cables and pipes A 500m Jetty has been built to import aggregates by sea, minimising the environmental impact of
Hinkley Point C Managing Director, Stuart Crooks said: “Everyone working on the project should be proud of what they have achieved so far. Unions, contractors and suppliers are successfully working together
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MAJOR PROJECTS
with a complete focus on quality and safety. Innovation and experience from other projects is helping us boost productivity and get ready for the next stages. I am also proud of the positive impact that Hinkley Point C is having on the South-West. We are determined to create a positive legacy here for people, communities, jobs and skills.” Nuclear Energy Minister Richard Harrington said: “Hinkley Point C marks a significant step forward in our transition to a clean, low-carbon energy system, powering nearly six million homes for around 60 years while helping us meet our climate change commitments.” “The project is making good progress and is on track to meet its next major milestone, creating more than 25,000 job opportunities. Nuclear has an important role to play in the UK’s energy future. The Government demonstrated its commitment to new nuclear through the Industrial Strategy Nuclear Sector Deal and commissioning Hinkley Point C – the first new nuclear power station in a generation.” EDF Energy CEO Simone Rossi said: “Hinkley Point C is making good progress and we are determined to honour the trust put in us to build it. Now the nuclear industry has been restarted, there is a unique opportunity to reduce costs for a follow-on project at Sizewell C.” CGN UK CEO Zheng Dongshan said: “We are delighted to make our contribution in the form of the expertise we have developed from the successful delivery of the EPR technology at Taishan. The long term industrial partnerships forged at Hinkley Point C will provide the foundations on which the UK’s future nuclear power stations are built.”
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PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Ardent invest in Komatsu machines to grow their excavator fleet.
Ardent Hire Solutions, has placed a £9m order with Marubeni-Komatsu to supply PC138US (13T), PC210LC (21T) and PC360LC (36T) machines to further grow its large excavator fleet.
Ardent’s machine fleet holding currently stands at an impressive 5200 assets. The Ardent value proposition of helping customers reduce risk, improve productivity and reduce the overall cost of operating means that the business continually invests in new machines to maintain a young average age profile and to take advantage of the latest technological advancements. This investment strategy along with a big upturn in demand means that Ardent will grow their excavator fleet by a massive 800 units this year. That excavator fleet extends right up to 36T machines. Ardent’s excavator customer base is spread across Civil Engineering, Utilities and Groundworkers, with many of those customers involved in major infrastructure and energy projects nationally. For some time now, there have been a number of Ardent excavators working on iconic sites across the UK, and with HS2 just around corner, demand is expected to continue to rise further still. To cope with that sector growth, Ardent put out to tender for various sizes and quantities of excavator, with Marubeni-Komatsu winning an initial deal worth around £9m to sup-
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ply a number of PC138US, PC210LC and PC360LC excavators. The main contributing factors to that winning bid being great availability of machines renowned for their reliability, a high level of standard spec as required by Ardent’s Top Tier customers, on time delivery and competitive pricing. The inclusion of Komatsu Care which covers the first 3 years / 2000 hours of servicing was also seen as a massive plus point, as this frees-up Ardent’s own fitters for other work. Plus – and this shouldn’t be underestimated – the operators absolutely love them! The spec across all three models include coupler buckets, boxing rings and a range of advanced safety features, as well Komatsu’s all-round vision camera system, Komvision, which all comes as standard on all excavators 13T and above. Many of the 13T machines have also been fitted with Prolec height and slew restrictors, to enable them to work on rail and highway projects. All the machines that have been delivered so far have gone straight to customer sites and the feedback via social media has been fantastic. The last of the units are scheduled for delivery by the end of this month.
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A further area where Marubeni-Komatsu has been able to support Ardent is via machine telematics. All the Komatsu machines include Komtrax as standard, allowing information about each machine to be sent to Ardent every two hours. These alerts can be used to improve site behaviours and therefore on-site safety and employee welfare. Anuj Patel, Head of Marketing at Ardent commented, ‘Ardent recognise that their customers want to hire reliable, compliant machines, because that gives their customer one less thing to worry about. Hirers want to feel reassured that their machinery supplier can meet – if not exceed – all their health & safety standards and will not break down. That’s why we only work with premium manufacturers such as Komatsu – for peace of mind that the equipment is safe and compliant, but also that it’s reliable. ’ Because of this, Ardent’s excavator uptime for 2017 was recorded at 99.6%. In support of this MarubeniKomatsu were able to use Komtrax to demonstrate that in the first twelve months their PC138US on average records an uptime of 99.98%.
PC55MR-5 MINI-EXCAVATOR ENGINE POWER 29,5 kW / 39,6 HP OPERATING WEIGHT 5.280 kg BUCKET CAPACITY max. 0,18 m³ Powerful, great in tight spaces and easy to maintain This new generation harnesses Komatsu’s unrivalled technological knowhow and worldwide resources to bring industry leading customer values to the mini excavator sector. The MR-5 range boasts many industry firsts and is packed with outstanding new and improved features: low fuel consumption, operator comfort, safety initiatives, ergonomic design, advances in controllability and the highest levels of standard specifications ever seen in the industry.
Marubeni-Komatsu Ltd, Padgets Lane, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RT Tel: 01527 512512 · info@mkl.co.uk · www.marubeni-komatsu.co.uk
PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Mather+Stuart announce multi-million pound Volt Safe investment
Mather+Stuart Power Solutions, the temporary power equipment division of A-Plant, has announced that it will be investing almost £3m in new Volt Safe equipment.
The company’s spending spree forms part of a wider strategic investment programme and follows a £6m order of Harrington and JCB Generators last autumn. All of the new equipment features the latest telemetry and the first £1.3m order, comprising 56 units, has already arrived into the fleet. An additional 60 units will be delivered in the coming months, providing a further £1.4m investment. Gary Orton, Director of Mather+Stuart, said the investment reaffirms the company’s commitment to offering customers the very best equipment available in the industry.
He said: “To support our expansion plans, keep up with customer demand and ensure we remain one of the UK’s market leaders it is vital that we continually update our fleet. “Volt Safe systems are unique to the industry and we are thrilled to be able to continue offering our customers the most innovative, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly equipment available.” Volt Safe is a super-silenced generator, electrical distribution board, and a high capacity, triple-bunded fuel tank.
noise sensitive sites. As the equipment is housed within an anti-vandal steel container the system also helps to battle the incidents of theft and vandalism on site, as well as protecting the system against spillages of engine oil, anti-freeze and diesel.
Fairfax Hit Magic 1000
Yorkshire based Plant Hire firm Fairfax Plant Hire have reached another major milestone in their development with the announcement of machine number 1000 in their growing hire fleet. The company which is now one of the largest employers in the Selby area was started over thirty years ago by MD Ken Love. Ken and Finance Director Carolyn Love have seen the small acorn of a single dumper and excavator grow under the guidance of sons Matthew and Mark into one of the largest supplier of plant into the construction, industrial and civil engi-
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Reducing noise to as low as 58dpa at one metre, the system is amongst one of the quietest machines across Europe, making it ideal for use on
neering sectors in the North of England and East Midlands.
Hitachi, Volvo, Komatsu, Bomag, Thwaites and JCB”.
Over the past two years Fairfax have moved their main depot to a fantastic four acre site in Selby and opened a very successful new depot into the very competitive hire market in Leeds. Director Mark Love said “We are delighted to achieve another step in our goal to become the biggest and best plant hire company in the North and Midlands”. “One of our great strengths is the quality of our plant and our relationship with major plant suppliers such as Case, CAT, Kubota,
Fellow Director Matthew Love added “One of the main benefits of hiring from a family business is the dedication of our loyal workforce including some with over 25 years of service”. “Our customers put a lot of trust in Fairfax which has been earned by our hard work and excellent service”. With turnover expected to increase by around 20% this year and plans for further depot openings in 2019 everything is looking very positive for the future of FPH Fairfax and their motto of “as seen everywhere”.
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PLANT & EQUIPMENT
JCB secures multi million pound Travis Perkins order
One of the UK’s largest builder’s merchants has invested in 500 new JCB machines worth more than £7 million for its Tool Hire division. Travis Perkins has bought a fleet of JCB mini excavators and One Tonne High Tip site dumpers to further strengthen its UK-wide tool hire business. This brings the company’s investment to more than 2,700 JCB machines in the past decade. Supplied by JCB dealer Watling JCB, the new machines have been delivered to Travis Perkins’ vast network of 660 branches ready for use on construction and development sites across the country. Watling JCB Managing Director Richard Telfer said: “This significant investment in JCB equipment contin-
ues a long-standing relationship with Travis Perkins. Over recent years we have continued to strengthen our aftermarket business to ensure we provide a market-leading service for Travis Perkins. This order supports our continued investment in enhancing the customer experience when dealing with Watling JCB.” Travis Perkins Tool Hire Managing Director Catherine Gibson said: “As we continue to invest in our Tool Hire business it is important we work with suppliers who offer value for money and market-leading innovation for our customers. JCB clearly demonstrates its ongoing commitment to us and to our customers by delivering on both counts.”
Tallentire, and Tool Hire Managing Director, Catherine Gibson, visited JCB World Headquarters to see their new fleet of Excavators and Dumpers. The one tonne High Tip dumpers are part of a full line up of JCB site dumpers manufactured at JCB World Headquarters, Rocester, while the mini excavators are produced at JCB Compact Products, Cheadle, Staffordshire. Northampton-based Travis Perkins is one of the largest suppliers to the UK’s construction industry, supplying the building trade for more than 200 years. It offers plant and equipment hire through all of its 660 branches, and stocks more than 100,000 product lines for trade professionals and self-builders.
Travis Perkins Chief Executive Officer of General Merchanting Division, Paul issue 01
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PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Nixon Hire take the first Volvo EC18E’s to arrive in Great Britain Tyneside based Nixon Hire has taken delivery of the very first E-series variant of the highly popular Volvo 1.8 tonne compact excavator with an initial batch of sixteen units.
The new E-Series Volvo compact excavators offer significant improvements over the ever popular D Series models in terms of stability, lifting capacity, a simplified operator interface, an improved ease of serviceability to the main components and improved styling thanks to a new three-piece cast iron counterweight and pressed steel side panels. The E-Series models have a common platform which is built with durability in mind. All round steel panels are safely recessed 10mm behind the Volvo exclusive high-profile cast iron counterweight which ably provides protection and digging stability. With a machine height of a little over 2m and a variable undercarriage that can shrink to less than 1m – these new models can gain access to even the most confined of work areas. Once in position, the undercarriage can expand up to 1.35m for additional stability. The design ensures that the right frame corner, swing post and cylinder all stay within the tracks, resulting in maximum visibility and a reduced risk of machine damage when working alongside obstacles. The EC18E takes performance to a new level, with a 13 percent increase in tractive force along with 2,130kg of combined digging forces. Its lifting
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capacity has increased by an average of 22 percent at the front compared with the D-Series model it replaces. The machine’s undercarriage has been elongated to provide even better all-round lifting capacity and stability, compared to the previous generation, together with a 140mm increase in digging depth. For further flexibility, the auxiliary hydraulic flows can be independently adjusted in each direction, ensuring optimal speed and control, and a second auxiliary line or X3 service is also available as an option. The E-series affords an improved ease of maintenance and access to the main serviceable components, thanks to a hinged fuel tank which is unique to Volvo. A fifty-hour greasing interval further contributes towards the best-in-class serviceability on the EC18E. The engine can also be fitted with auto-idle and automatic engine shutdown features, which help reduce noise disturbance, service costs and fuel consumption. From its historical roots based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Nixon Hire has expanded significantly, opening progressively more facilities across England and Scotland. In total, there are fourteen Nixon Hire facilities strategically placed to serve the local
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hire markets employing over 460 personnel. Nixon Hire was awarded ‘Company of the Year’ in 2014, recognising the collective hard work and dedication of Nixon’s workforce and their positive impact on the hire industry as a whole. Volvo utility equipment, and more latterly, Volvo GPE machines have been a long standing element to Nixon Hire’s equipment portfolio. The company is one the oldest Pel-Job and Volvo utility dealers in the country, having taken on the franchise back in 1988. Since 1999, Nixon Hire has purchased over 1,300 Volvo compact and general purpose excavators accounting for £32.5m out of a total investment in plant and equipment of some £180m. The current fleet of Volvo machines totals 690 which is regularly being increased and/or older machines replaced each year. For example, 140 compact excavators and 8 GPE excavators were purchased in 2018 and Nixon Hire is ready to place similar quantities for Volvo branded products for 2019. The company runs a mix of EC15s, EC18Es, ECR25s, EC27s, EC55s, ECR58Ds, EC140s and EC220s which are distributed around Nixon Hire’s fourteen depots in England and Scotland.
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TECH & INNOVATION
New CAT® app delivers simplified, streamlined equipment data to mobile devices
Caterpillar launches the industry’s first mobile app designed to allow customers who spend their time in a truck, at the job site and on-the-go to take advantage of equipment telematics data. The new Cat® App delivers simplified, streamlined data directly to mobile devices, helping customers monitor machine location and health, react faster to fault codes and maximize uptime. The culmination of a targeted voiceof-customer program, the new Cat App is optimized for contractors who need to track critical machine operating data from the field. “App development included 150 customers and dealers from around the world to learn what they considered most important from their telematics data,” says Fred Rio, director of digital and technology for Caterpillar Construction Industries. “The vast majority of the feedback, regardless of brand fell into three customer challenges: tracking machine hours and location, receiving equipment fault codes, and managing maintenance without being tied to the computer back at
the office.” This new mobile equipment management tool gives customers an easy way to monitor their entire fleet, request parts and service, and connect with their Cat dealer from the work site. The exact location of all equipment tracked by the app is displayed on the mobile device, along with the machine’s operating hours, health and utilization data. It enables operations to get the most from their equipment by moving an under-utilized asset to precisely where it is needed most. Customizable push notifications alert Cat App users of machine operating condition, even if they don’t check into the app every day. Upcoming planned service indicators, based on machine operating hours, are sent to the user, so service can be scheduled for when it doesn’t impact production. Fault codes, such as engine alerts, provide warnings of critical service issues that need to be addressed before a downtime event occurs. The flexible app allows users to establish different thresholds for
when an event notification is sent. Designed for machine owners worldwide, Cat App users can choose from 35 different languages. It is available on both iOS and Android operating systems and can be downloaded from Apple iTunes or Google Play store. Once downloaded, the user can log in by using existing credentials to load previously stored Cat machine data. New users can sign up and enter equipment data into the app by clicking “Get Started.” Data can also be viewed and uploaded easily on the companion site, https://my.cat.com, by logging in and supplying asset information. Providing a fully integrated and streamlined user experience, fleet information can be accessed or updated on the Caterpillar website or from the mobile platform. Users can quickly self-install Cat PL-542 product link devices to connect equipment without telematics reporting systems to the Cat App.
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ISSUE FOCUS
Brexit: What does it mean for our industry? It’s almost all we have been hearing about since 51.9% of the UK population voted to leave the European Union on the 23rd June 2016 and a study has found the word "Brexit" is uttered 507 million times over 92 million conversations on the topic in the UK each day. Let’s face it, we’ve all had enough, but what does it actually mean for the UK Construction Industry? Since Brexit was announced the Construction Industry has displayed varied opinions on the prospect of the UK leaving the EU, from how it might affect the skills shortage, the import and export of materials, and regulations and standards. According to a survey undertaken by Smith and Williamson prior to the referendum, only 15% of construction executives favoured a UK exit from the EU. However, Lord Bamford, the chairman of JCB, was fully in favour of the Leave campaign, and voiced that Brexit would reduce the costs of bureaucracy to the degree that any additional cost implications from leaving the EU would be easily covered. Unless the government somehow manages to do a massive U-Turn in the coming weeks (unlikely, but still possible), the construction industry must come to terms with the reality of the UK's departure from the EU. But what are the possible implications? With not long left on the calendar to the official leave date (29th March 2019), the implications of Brexit still remain unclear. It will most certainly affect the construction sector, as the industry relies greatly upon market confidence and certainty. We take a look at the potential impact to the UK construction industry as the sector
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prepares to enter relative unknown on what could potentially be the most affected areas. Workforce One of the largest concerns Brexit has raised for the UK construction industry is the availability of workforce and labour. The sector heavily relies on EU migrant workers in both skilled and non-skilled roles, without free movement the skills shortage could exacerbate. If access to immigration for skilled workers is permitted but still limited, project costs in the UK could rise if skilled workers insist on higher wages when the demand for these workers outstrips supply. This could also have a negative impact on the capability of housebuilders achieving the governments target of 1 million new homes by 2020, a figure the UK is already behind on despite currently still being in the EU. On the flip side of this the UK currently has over 216,000 homes currently sat empty, many of which are owned by global investors who may decide to remove themselves and their funds from the UK property market, potentially freeing up some of these much needed properties. Also, the replacement schemes that might be put in place by the government are not very promising. A new visa system could seriously deter EU
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workers from working in the UK. Currently, no "Tier 3" - low-skilled labour - visas are being given out. The UK defines low skilled roles as ones which do not require post-16 education or more than a short period of on-the-job training. Such a scheme would not only take time and involve complex procedures but also be unattractive in comparison to other visa-free European countries. In turn, construction companies will face lengthy and costly procedures when employing foreign nationals. Back in October 2018, chief executive of Mace, Mark Reynolds, criticised Prime Minister Theresa May over the government's plans to focus post-Brexit immigration on highskilled workers with no priority for those in the EU. May said that the free movement of workers between the UK and EU would end "once and for all". Mark Reynolds accused the government of completely ignoring industry worries over access to 'un-skilled' labour after March 2019. Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures show that one-third of workers on construction sites in London were from overseas, with 28% coming from the EU. Later on Radio 5 live Mark Reynolds said the firm was working with its employees to ensure they had settled status after the UK leaves the EU and that half of Mace’s employees were foreign nationals, with 40 per cent hailing from the EU. According to Reynolds; “The future
ISSUE FOCUS
of the UK’s construction and engineering sectors relies on the availability of both highly skilled specialists and so-called ‘low skilled’ labour. I believe that the policy should be urgently reviewed and business consulted once again; as without access to the right mix of skills we will be unable to deliver sustainable construction growth after Brexit.” 'Avoid materials blockages at ports' Mace chief executive Mark Reynolds has urged the government to keep goods flowing into the UK unhindered, or risk work stalling on construction sites. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake
Up to Money, Mr Reynolds said that the biggest risk facing the sector was not knowing what would happen after 29 March, the planned date for Brexit. Asked how general conversations about future projects had changed since before the referendum, Mr Reynolds said: “The biggest risk is uncertainty [such as] when the ports get snarled up because materials aren’t flowing through the ports, we will find materials won’t get delivered to site. “That is the biggest risk we will face after 29 March. “If you work on lead times for materials, you may say that bricks take from 6 to 26 weeks; certain cladding issue 01
materials take 30 weeks; so we have to extend those lead times. “Developers have to take longer to plan for their projects, so they have to stretch their finance out longer; construction contracts could take longer, therefore adding cost. “One of the three largest imported materials into the UK is timber and 92 per cent of the timber imported is from the EU. So the walls, the floors [of construction projects] are made of timber, roofs on traditional homes are made from timber, and without those you can’t do any work.” The obvious advantages of remaining was the free movement of people and free movement of goods within the EU, eliminating duties and other Continued...
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COVER STORY
restrictions. A 2010 study by the Department for Business Skills and Innovation estimated that 64% of building materials were imported from the EU. The same report estimated that 63% of building materials were exported to the EU. After Brexit, importers and exporters may face duties or limits on quantities, which could potentially lead to a shortage of construction materials or an increase in costs. However Brexit may not be the end of the world as it will mean UK Public procurement would stipulate the use of 'UK firms and materials only', supporting UK-based businesses and of course, the UK may be able to negotiate and develop its own trade agreements with the EU and other large importing companies, such as China and the USA. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol urged the government to keep goods flowing into the UK without hurdles, or risk construction sites across the country stalling. Ms Nichol said: “We import about 25 per cent of our materials [in construction] and 15 per cent of those come from the EU. So it’s important going forward that materials can continue to come in and flow through the ports onto our projects. “Construction sites operate on a justin-time delivery [model] and we are
on city centre sites without much storage space. If something is delayed, it affects the follow-on trades so a whole project comes to a halt sometimes. “It adds cost and time to the programme, none of which is good for construction.” The Construction Products Association statistics show output in construction in 2019 is set to grow by 0.3 per cent, down from the 0.6 per cent figure forecast in its autumn report in October. Forecast growth in 2020 has also been cut from 1.9 per cent to 1.6 per cent. The autumn forecast, however, was based on a withdrawal agreement from the EU being passed by parliament. ‘Red tape’ It is important to state that Brexit will not mark the end of any trade relationship between the UK and the EU, and in fact it is possible that that extensive red tape and complex procurement regulations will disappear when the UK departs from the EU. The government’s white paper (The Great Repeal Bill), which seems to seek to convert directly applicable EU law into UK law means it is highly likely that new trade agreements would follow existing trading standards.
Share your thoughts & comments about Brexit with us at: www.insideconstruction.co.uk
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The biggest worry for many is the EU funding, it is communally believed it is a one-way street and the UK just pump money in without getting anything out, in fact the UK has been one of the biggest net beneficiaries of EU funding. The potential loss of such funding could be a major factor for future construction projects, such as High Speed 2 (HS2) and similar future extensions or similar projects. However this doesn’t mean the funding doors are shut as other global ones may open, the biggest challenge for the industry will be to present itself as an attractive investment choice regardless of the political uncertainties that have dogged Brexit so far. As a member of the EU, the UK has access to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). Together these institutions invested €7.8 billion in major infrastructure projects, and lent €665.8 million to SMEs in 2015. Losing both these revenue streams could have a significant impact on the delivery of big infrastructure projects such as High-Speed 2 (HS2) as well as start-ups across the UK. Whist this may be replaced by some of the money saved from EU membership, it seems unlikely in the face of ongoing cuts to government spending that this would be invested in infrastructure.
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The Benefits of Contract Hire COVER STORY
Contract Plant Rental is part of the biggest contract hire group in the UK and Ireland it has a specific focus on the demanding quarrying and recycling sectors. “We are part of the Ballyvesey Holdings group which supplies vehicles, plant and equipment for many of the major companies in the UK,” explains the company’s MD Mark Kennedy. The company is centrally-based in Wellingborough with locations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North East, North West, South East and the South West, in fact covering the whole of the UK.
CONTRACT HIRE Mark explains the beauty of contract hire: “Equipment Contract Hire allows you all the benefits of having new equipment over an agreed period of time without the unpredictable costs of ownership,” he says. “You also have peace of mind that service maintenance, warranty issues and repairs are part of the hire cost.” “The main sectors we supply but are not limited to are waste, quarries, ports, rail and large civils contracts,” adds Mark. “We supply specialist waste equipment, re-handlers, load-
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ing shovels, waste spec forklifts and dumptrucks along with standard core construction equipment like dozers, excavators and crushers and screeners. With Montracon as part of the Ballyvesey family we can also offer a range of plant trailers on a contract hire basis with all the maintenance, service and warranty backup you get with the plant and equipment.” One huge benefit of this approach is that there are no upfront deposits and full VAT payments to find, with the obvious advantage of the equipment being off balance sheet without any of the usual concerns about
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selling the equipment on and the risks with global valuations meaning you could be looking at losses. “You can budget effectively for all your equipment costs which are fixed for the length of the contract with no service or maintenance costs you didn’t budget for,” says Mark. “the added value is our expertise in helping you find the equipment solutions that is right for you with the manufacturer of your choice. We offer a partnership with the customer, working hand in hand with you throughout the duration of the contract with innovation training
COVER STORY
and support, not just a transactional service at the beginning and at the end of the hire.” PARTNERSHIP “We pride ourselves on being partners for our customers not just suppliers,” says Mark. “We welcome an open book policy on all charges and a lean procurement partnership which lets some customers take advantage of some of the deals our group can achieve.” The industry is full of companies who can provide a new machine with the client’s specification, but Mark Kennedy says that is only 20% of the job. “At Contract Plant Rental we don’t just want to be a transactional business where we only engage with our clients at the beginning and at the end of the hire. We want to go on the journey with them understanding the changes which happen not just on site but within their business which may affect how and what types of equipment they will need in the future. “We understand that the majority of machine breakdowns and issues with equipment come from the operators, something we have worked on and continue to do so with our clients,” adds Mark. “We offer familiarisation and retraining, especially on new models, with the added value of NFC and RFID on the equipment allowing the operator to scan and download videos and product information to keep them upskilled on the latest technology. We also
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work with our clients using telematics to plot real-time vehicle utilization giving us a better understanding of whether, for example, a site has changed to a point that different equipment might be required. “We work with our partners for the safety and health of their workforce offering plant/ people interface training, product familiarisation, inductions and various environmental and safety courses to keep your staff fully compliant and alert to compliance issues.” THE FUTURE FOR PLANT RENTAL With a strong presence in specialist markets, the future looks bright for Contract Plant Rental. “The future for Contract Plant Rental is obviously sustained growth but with a focus on future-proofing the business with technology,” says Mark. “We will also be keeping the emphasis on continually upskilling our staff and clients and hopefully making a pathway for the next generation to enter the sector as apprentice operators, engineers and hire staff.” Keeping the customer informed about the latest technological developments is also crucial. “Making sure that our clients are aware of the latest innovations within the industry and are able to access them is highly important,” confirms Mark. “With our partnership they can be assured that not only are they up to date with the latest innovations but they are not paying too heavily for them.”
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HEALTH & SAFETY
New App launched to support Construction Worker’s Mental Health 12:19
Vodafone
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CONSTRUCTION
Vodafone INDUSTRY HELPLINE12:19
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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HELPLINE
What worries you?
What worries you?
STRESS
STRESS
DEPRESSION DEPRESSION
SLEEP
SLEEP
ANXIETY
ANXIETY
ANGERANGER
WEIGHT
WEIGHT
The lighthouse Construction Industry Charity launched a new Construction Industry Helpline App on 7th December in a bid to offer even more support to address mental health and wellbeing issues within our industry.
The statistics are grim, two construction workers take their own life every single working day and stress, anxiety and depression currently accounts for a fifth of all work-related illness. But, a collaboration between the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, construction software firm ‘COINS’ and ‘Building Mental Health’, addresses this sensitive subject. Bill Hill, Charity CEO said, “We recognise that not everyone feels comfortable talking about their feelings or personal situation, so this free app is aimed at people who would like to find out more information about how they can help themselves or take the next step in seeking professional help. It is a preventative tool and provides support at the early stages of a situation so that the problem does not reach a life critical stage.” The app will provide vital information, advice and guidance on many wellbe-
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ing topics including stress, anxiety, depression, anger and suicidal thoughts. It will also provide access to support in other areas such as drug and alcohol dependency, debt management, legal advice, and emergency financial aid. What does the Construction Industry Helpline app offer me? It will guide you through a series of questions to help gain a basic understanding of what the problem is. Offer learning and detailed expert information about various wellbeing conditions Help you to understand what is normal and what isn’t for each condition Offer self help tools and easy to use coping strategies to relieve the signs and symptoms of your conditions
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Give you the confidence to talk about your condition Provide clarity in a complex environment and allow you to access ongoing support. With support from our industry experts we have also developed an online portal of information about mental health, www.buildingmentalhealth.net to help companies start and develop the process of building a positive mental health culture in their organisation. The contributors are a group of volunteers who have shared their industry expertise, latest thinking and best practice. From downloadable tool box talks, through to advice on how to access mental health training, all the information is free of charge, copyright free and can be tailored to individual needs.
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Sandvik releases non-cabin Ranger™ DXR series surface drill rigs: unbeatable productivity in difficult ground conditions
In response to customer requests, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is expanding its Ranger™ DX series of surface top hammer drill rigs with two non-cabin Ranger™ DXR versions for improved safety in the toughest quarry and construction applications. Ranger DX series of surface top hammer drill rigs, suited for construction applications, quarries and open pit mines is now expanded with two new non-cabin drill rigs based on the Ranger DX600 and DX800 models, named Ranger DX600R and DX800R respectively. New Ranger DXR drill rigs can reach places that are off-limits to operators and where other drills fail to operate. They essentially offer the characteristic of conventional Ranger DX series drill rigs, reliability and large drilling coverage area from the standard 17.6m2 (189ft2) to an optional 26.4m2 (248ft2), in a lighter and more mobile package – a superior solution for hazardous conditions where safe and productive drilling requires ad-
vanced radio remote control capabilities. The non-cabin Ranger DXR drill rigs flourish on unstable benches and deep cuts typical to applications such as road and railroad construction, foundation drilling, trenching and pipeline contracts. The most hazardous of these extremely demanding jobs can be downright impossible without efficient remote radio control, which allows the operator to always choose the best position in terms of safety and visibility. The remote control panel also includes tramming control functionalities for fast hole-to-hole movements and precise hole spotting. The revolving superstructure offers unbeatable drilling coverage and superior stability, thanks to the innovative counterweight solution, and provides a solid foundation for drilling even on extreme terrain. In terms of productivity, the revolving superstructure turns Ranger DXR truly to a powerhouse enabling up to 60% issue 01
more holes to be drilled per set-up compared to conventional top hammer drill rigs. Together with powerful rock drills and Rock Pilot+ drilling control system the Ranger DXR series represent the highest productivity in non-cabin drill rigs. Ranger DXR series drill rigs are designed for 64 to 127mm (2½ʺ–5ʺ) hole size range, with drill rod sizes between 38mm and 51mm (1½ʺ–2ʺ). The standard configuration of the machine can be further boosted with more than 30 useful options, such as extended superstructure turning radius, advanced measurement systems and upgraded dust control. Contractors active in urban areas are likely to find a particularly attractive option in Noise Guard, a simple and rugged cover structure offering a total noise reduction of more than 10dB. It could be a decisive advantage when competing for contracts with strict noise limits.
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JOIN TODAY AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON INDUSTRY TOPICS
The NFPEO has great experience in the rail & Construction industries, so we can see first-hand the growing gap in the market for skilled plant operators. We also understand how operators are struggling to gain experience on projects. As “The Voice of the Operator� the NFPEO is looking to bring about fundamental changes in the operators working conditionsespecially in regards to training and continual personal development. This is to ensure good operators remain in the industry and that new operators can be attracted to fill the current shortage.
Find out more at: http://nfpeo.com
PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Hitachi’s first ICT Hydraulic Excavator is revealed
Hitachi Construction Machinery have introduced their brand new ICT hydraulic excavator with machine control in Europe, which has been designed to offer increased efficiency, enhanced safety and userfriendly operation. The ZX210X-6 will enable projects to be completed nearly 50% faster than with a standard machine, all thanks to the semi-automatic operation of the boom and arm. A key feature of the machine control system is the bucket angle retention facility, allowing for slope finishing to be carried out with fewer movements and the edge of the bucket is controlled to prevent over digging. Responsive sensors on the body, boom, arm and bucket work in perfect harmony with the unique hydraulic control unit, helping to provide an accurate measurement of the excavator’s incline and front working angle.
Equipped with a factory-fitted 10in touchscreen monitor which has a split-screen option to show two or three views at once; the operator can rotate the view of the machine 360° and zoom in and out of view to monitor the progress. The ZX210X-6 will play a significant role in Hitachi’s ICT solutions and the increasing importance of BIM (building information modelling) in the construction industry. Wilbert Blom, product manager for Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe, said: ‘The ZX210X-6 excavator plays a pivotal role in Hitachi’s ICT construction solutions, which connect people, information, processes and technology to create safe and productive working environments. More accurate than its competitors, it is the most technologically advanced Hitachi excavator to date.’
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Sandvik’s new PowerCarbide additions – the greatest carbide innovation for decades PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Sandvik is launching two new carbide grades to the PowerCarbide family. This is the most significant carbide innovation in the rock drilling industry for decades. The new grades extend grinding intervals and service life by up to 30% compared with standard carbides. The new PowerCarbide grades, GC80 (Gradient Carbide) and SH70 (SelfHardening) give users several other benefits, such as lower cost per drilled meter, less time for changing bits and improved safety.
based on an improved knowledge about the wear of the drill bit in different types of rock,” says Robert Grandin, Product Manager for Underground Top Hammer at Sandvik Rock Tools. The GC80 is developed for abrasive ground conditions with high silica levels in the rock. A new, unique method makes it possible to produce buttons that are wear-resistant on the outside, while the center provides a toughness that pushes the service life and grinding intervals even further.
“Sandvik was the first company in the drilling history to manufacture rock tools with cemented carbide, and are working continuously on developing new and more advanced solutions. The new PowerCarbide grades are
The SH70, which is developed for hard, competent ground, is a grade with homogeneous properties throughout the material. SH70 is called ‘self-hardening’ because the enhanced deformation hardening
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makes it more wear resistant as you drill with it. The surface hardness is continuously ‘refilled’, which means that the hard top never wears off. Sandvik has more laboratory capacity and human resources for cemented carbide development than any other company in the industry. “Controlling the whole chain, all the way from our own tungsten mine to the production of drill bits, is a unique enabler for developing groundbreaking rock tools,” says Robert Grandin. “Since we have the most advanced range of carbides, we almost certainly have something in our product range that is perfect for each customer’s conditions.” Both new PowerCarbide grades are available from stock with selected assortments today.
Coming November 2019 - The Ultimate Tradeshow Directory
The must have guide for procurement professionals in the construction industry
Register your interest today at: www.insideconstruction.co.uk/tsd
TRADESHOWS & EVENTS
New Look LAMMA Labelled “A Great Success”
LAMMA’s move to the NEC in Birmingham has been hailed as a great success by many of the thousands of visitors who thronged to the revamped event and the 650-plus exhibitors who packed the halls with the latest farming machinery, equipment and innovative technology.
The first all-indoor LAMMA show, which took place on 8th and 9th January, represented a new era for the UK’s largest farm machinery and technology event. The overriding message that emerged during the show was that the new indoor venue had proved ideal for a national event of this size and stature. It provided a comfortable environment in which to view and discuss the vast array of agricultural kit on show and to talk business, leading many exhibitors to comment on the high quality of conversations they had had with visitors. The move also helped LAMMA build on its reputation as a launch pad for a host of machinery from the UK and across the globe, with many exhibitors using the new venue to unveil new tractors, combines, drills and cultivation equipment, feeder wagons and forage machinery, as well as
a wide range of innovative technology. LAMMA also stayed true to its roots, attracting not just large machinery manufacturers but also hundreds of smaller agricultural engineering and machinery firms from across the UK, hosting the widest range of innovative and established agricultural machinery and equipment under one roof anywhere in the UK. LAMMA’s commitment to innovation was reinforced in the Innovation Awards, which were relaunched at the NEC. The competition champions agricultural machinery, equipment and services innovations, and an Innovation Trail enabled visitors to find out more about the gold and silver medal-winning products showcased on exhibitors' stands. Other sectors including agronomy, business and farm management adissue 01
vice also featured. AgriBriefing group events director Elisabeth Mork-Eidem said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of what has been a busy and exciting year planning for the show. “We are thrilled with the incredibly positive feedback both from our exhibitors and visitors taking part over the past two days. “Together we pulled together and provided the show UK agriculture deserves. Around 40,000 people attended the event, and there was a real sense of excitement and buzz throughout the 11 packed NEC halls. “LAMMA would like to sincerely thank all our exhibitors and visitors who took this important move with us. UK agriculture finally has a show to rival its European counterparts and we cannot wait to start working on next
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year’s show to make that even bigger and better.” Jon Hercman of LAMMA headline sponsor Asset Finance Partners (AFP) said: “AFP thoroughly enjoyed headlining LAMMA 2019. “It was great to see so many people from the wider agriculture industry under one roof and the indoor format at the NEC created a real positive energy which reflected in the discussions we were having on our stand. “It was a great start to what will no doubt be another exciting year in agriculture. AFP would like to thank everyone who joined us at our stand for a chat.” The buoyant mood was reflected by a raft of tweets from visitors and exhibitors (see @lammashow and #lamma19), and summed up by Essex farmer and NFU vice-president Guy Smith (essexpeasant) who wrote: “Impressed @lammashow today. Lots of kit and farmers. I always felt when our industry lost Smithfield and The Royal we lost more than the events themselves. It was good to witness what felt like a statement of faith in the future of UK ag at the NEC.” Warwickshire farmer farmerangus1 backed up that sentiment with: “Well done @lammashow crying out for a
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venue like this for years, cracking atmosphere and felt a real buzz inside. No more negativity in agriculture – the future generation don’t need it. “ Lincs farmers James Willox3 added:” Got to say #LAMMA19 at the NEC was by far the best LAMMA show I've been to. Hope it continues and goes from strength to strength. Yorkshire farmer Jono Dixon (Sunkfarmer) said: “@lammashow fresh in our minds and been a huge success. #LAMMA19 in my opinion was excellent. Fendt national sales manager Martin Hamer said: “We have been really, really busy. We firmly believe agriculture deserves a really good shop window and we very pleased to be at the NEC – it’s been a really positive experience.” McConnel’s Nicholas Hassell described LAMMA ’19 as the best show ever. “It has been absolutely amazing – we couldn’t see the stand carpet for visitors yesterday. We’ll be looking to increase our stand space next year.” Krone’s UK head of marketing James Duggleby said: “The LAMMA move to the NEC has been fantastic. We’ve seen what we think is record attendance, great positive mood, fantastic enquiry levels and everybody seems to have really embraced the move in-
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doors. See you again in 2020!” Kuhn’s Kate Bennett described the event as brilliant. “It’s a great improvement now we’re indoors, end users and exhibitors have been really impressed. We’ve had a constant flow of people and great interest in the machines.” The NEC Group’s managing director of conventions and exhibitions Karthryn James said: “It is great to witness a premier sector event such as LAMMA utilise what we have here in Birmingham, confidently transforming their event with our flexible space and the support of our dedicated and knowledgeable in-house team. “It has been an absolute pleasure to join the LAMMA team on this journey. Visitor and exhibitor feedback received has been extremely positive, and we look forward to helping deliver an even better experience next year.” LAMMA ’19, supported by headline sponsor AFP, took place on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th January. For further LAMMA information see www.lammashow.com LAMMA ’20 will take place at the NEC on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th January 2020.
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TRADESHOWS & EVENTS
Asia visits Cologne: Asia-Pacific Sourcing sets new benchmark
Asia-Pacific Sourcing – Europe's number 1 sourcing platform – has been on a growth trajectory since its premiere in 2005.
The signs are very positive for the upcoming event in Cologne from 25 to 27 February 2019: Over 750 exhibitors from 17 countries have already confirmed their participation (as of November 2018) and will be presenting over an area of 31,000 square metres. This will make the 2019 trade fair the biggest Asia-Pacific Sourcing to date. "For retailers, Asia is the most important supplier market for sourcing, private labels and OEM goods," says Catja Caspary, Vice President of Koelnmesse. "Except for EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne, there is no comparable sourcing platform outside of Asia offering the breadth and depth of high-quality goods found at Asia-Pacific Sourcing." Spread across two levels of exhibition Hall 11, trade visitors can look forward to the latest tools and products for home, garden and leisure from the Far East. The product portfolio will be complemented by
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the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW Fair) taking place at the same time in Hall 10. In addition to the quantity with respect to the number of exhibitors, Asia-Pacific Sourcing has also seen a steady increase in quality. Around 30 exhibitors are part of the "Best of China" group, which represents products of particularly outstanding quality. Among the exhibitors at Asia-Pacific Sourcing are manufacturers and distributors from the Far East, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India. They will showcase their tools, goods, innovations and trends in Asian products from the home, garden and leisure sector to international visitors. The diverse spectrum of offerings makes AsiaPacific Sourcing an international hub for international import and export businesses. In addition to Europe's top sourcing platform, the IAW Fair, Europe's lead-
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ing order trade fair for promotional goods, seasonal impulse items and trend products, will also be held at the same time. As a result of the industry-related product portfolio of the IAW Fair and the short routes between both events, visitors will find even more exhibitors, offers and opportunities for new contacts and good business. To make sure their visit runs smoothly and in order to avoid queuing at the entrances, the visitors are recommended to pre-register online free of charge for both Asia-Pacific Sourcing and the IAW Fair. Asia-Pacific Sourcing is open exclusively to trade visitors on 25 and 26 February 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on 27 February from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for pre-registered trade visitors.
TRAINING & CAREERS
Training has started to fall behind our Tech Revolution
When you say the word ‘construction’ most of us tend to think of images of hard hats, scaffolding and muck…
Construction is going through exciting times at present with some of the biggest major projects we have ever seen and a huge demand for housing, working sites and infrastructure to support it all. With all this comes the need for new, innovative construction methods, and technology is playing an increasingly important role. With technology come a changing face and skill set within Construction and the need for a growing range of skills and for outdated practices and views to be radically changed. From smart homes and towns to drones along with robotic construction the industry is moving forward at a pace previously unknown. Colleges and training companies also need to adapt quicker to keep pace with these changes, However, if we are to
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keep up with the skills demand and attract the right people into the industry, more work needs to be done to shine a light on the opportunities it offers. Too often when the industry takes construction into schools it fails to convince the Xbox generation of the exiting tech opportunities within one of the greatest industries – the discussion is all about how great a project it is but not the career opportunities which are now available which come away from the stereotypical construction look and feel. It is also important to highlight that construction has roles across many different levels. Currently many construction courses at colleges focus mainly on traditional trades, with programmes featuring
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newer methods being few and far between. Many Colleges concentrate on gaming tech, which could easily become more industry construction related. A focused, industry-led approach is needed, rather than a bit from each business, the industry needs one voice in this but we don’t see the associations really taking up the mantel or investing enough in this area with accurate careers advice made available to young people and their teachers. The career pathways must be explained in more detail, and we must show that construction is and will continue to be a rapidly changing sector. We also need to ensure the education authorities and training industry as a whole understand the changes currently happening within
TRAINING & CAREERS
construction. We must also show young people the career path possible within our industry and is not about a particular job, which seems to be the stigma with many of the young, and it can mean undertaking a variety of roles within one much larger sector. This requires understanding of the different elements available and how we can demonstrate the pathways to achieve a lifelong career path and the excellent earning potential available to them.
The most important element is bringing young minds and new ideas from a generation which already has a leap on technology and bring with it the enthusiasm to ensure all these opportunities will become a reality. As technology continues to change and manifest, there is potential to deliver some very exciting projects over the next few years making them easier to build, cheaper, more energy efficient, with a different and more technically skilled workforce then we have ever had – but this can only hap-
pen if we nurture our future construction experts. Construction and Education need to work closer to make sure young people are being taught relevant skills, and that they are relevant to next year’s industry, not last years.
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CSIC and CITB team up to tackle the future skills challenge in the construction industry Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) have formed a new partnership to help address the shortage of innovation skills in the construction industry. CITB is the industry training board for the construction sector. It is dedicated to ensuring the construction workforce has the right skills for now and the future. Its remit includes supporting the skills development of the construction workforce in order to be more productive and respond to ever-changing industry needs. Industry-led and demand-driven, CSIC sits at the heart of the Scottish construction innovation ecosystem, operating as a catalyst and fostering collaborative partnerships around common issues to deliver transformational change across the sector. The partnership will create a strategic relationship to help identify and deliver the future skills and training the construction industry needs to help it innovate more, resulting in improved productivity across the sector. The partnership will incentivise and support innovation by providing ac-
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cess and training provision for industry, further education providers and public sector partners within the Innovation Factory, CSIC’s 35,000 sq.ft hub that provides an open access, low cost, safe environment for partners to access £2 million of state-ofthe-art equipment. The partnership will also result in: • The production of a joint research programme, which will stimulate future skills and training solutions where demand and need are proven. • An increase in training provision across Scotland by providing industry and construction stakeholders with access to innovative products and workforce upskilling. • Marketing and tracking of the use of offsite construction across Scotland, and developing courses and funding to incentivise skills and training. • Benchmarking and marketing productivity projects, to demonstrate how innovative processes can reduce costs, timescales and waste. • Developing courses, modules and frameworks which are relevant to the industry, and where applicable are incentivised by CITB grant support. Rohan Bush, Head of Public Partner-
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ships & Future Workforce, at CSIC said: “At CSIC we work collaboratively with the industry to develop the future skills our sector needs. Our objective is to support the construction workforce to become more innovative, dynamic and globally competitive. Similarly, CITB has identified the need to develop future skills and innovation within the workforce as part of its reform programme. Working together to realise these mutual aims makes perfect sense, and I look forward to building on previous collaborations with CITB through this new strategic partnership.” Sarah Beale, Chief Executive at CITB, said: “Our new partnership with CSIC will enable us to work together to help the Scottish construction industry develop the future skills it needs to boost productivity, attract new entrants, and meet the challenges of a changing economy. “Innovation is at the heart of this partnership and we look forward to finding new ways to help the industry in Scotland take full advantage of the training and technology that can transform the way we work.”
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