PLANT PLANET
Issue 20, February 2022
Clements Plant & Access Hire: investing in carbon neutrality
Sitech®: Experts in advanced construction technology
& All New
FutureWaste
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Interview: The Making of Morris Leslie
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It’s the first edition of a brand new year Well, 2022 has arrived, and with it a sense of optimism for a brighter year ahead. The UK Construction Industry is ready to make a comeback in a BIG way. In this, the Plant Planet Team are no exception! This issue highlights the optimism the industry has for the future. From the trends set to dominate the industry this year (page 29), to new developments on the HS2 project in Warwickshire (page 37), to the future plans of some of the biggest companies in construction (pages 43 & 48); this issue is bursting at the seams with infectious optimism for this year. Of course, we also look back this issue. On page 55, our regular contributor Rachel Lambert sits down with Morris Leslie and Graham Ogilvie of the Morris Leslie Group in the first in a two part series on The Making of Morris Leslie. As ever, this year we strive to bring you the latest news from across the construction industry. Plant Planet wish you all a very happy (and healthy) 2022.
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@Plantplanetuk 4 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
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Our Team
6 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Darren Shelton
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12 Latest News
A round up of the news from the plant machinery industry over the past two months.
24 Commentary
Stars of the Future
Employers Invited to Recognise their Construction Plant Apprentices and Trainees for 2022.
29 Commentary
2022: Construction Trends this Year
Kate Hutchison reports on the trends set to take the industry by storm in 2022.
37 commentary
Exciting Times for the Construction of HS2
David Chuck gives Plant Planet an update on the progress of the HS2 project in Warwickshire.
55 Interview
The Making of Morris Leslie
Morris chats to Rachel Lambert in the first of a two-part interview about how it all started, and how the Morris Leslie empire continues to diversify and evolve.
64 Commentary
The Fuel Lighter Than Air
Is Hydrogen the real future energy for larger construction & agricultural plant? This issue, David Chuck investigates...
Issue number 20 February 2022 8 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
78 Latest News 82 Agricultural
Fuelling tomorrow with agricultural waste
Cover story
CLEMENTS PLANT & ACCESS HIRE: HEADING FOR A NET ZERO HIRE BUSINESS
Company Profile
86 Commentary The Big Industry Trends of 2022
92 Machinery
Council Opts for a ‘Body Double’ With MercedesBenz Econics
SITECH® UK & IRELAND: EXPERTS IN ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
event preview EXECUTIVE HIRE SHOW 2022: BACK & BIGGER THAN EVER!
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 9
Contributors Written by the industry for the industry David chuck @KingstonPR David Chuck has worked in the Construction Plant industry for over 50 years. As well as being a contributor to Plant Planet magazine, David is a social media and website management consultant, and a Partner of Kingston PR.
Kate Hutchison @PlantPlanetMagazine
Louise Carney CEA
Rachel Lambert @KingstonPR Rachel Lambert is a PR consultant and the founder of Kingston PR, a business she started over 28 years ago. A former magazine editor, she is also a freelance writer covering a range of sectors.
Catherine Morgan Sitech® UK & Ireland
Lisa Collins the CPA
Paul Jones Clements Plant & Access Hire
Morris Leslie Morris Leslie Group
Graham Ogilvie Morris Leslie Group
10 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Akvile Peckyte
Hannah Bounford
@PlantPlanetUK
@PlantPlanetUK
Akvile Peckyte is an English Literature graduate from the University of Exeter. She has now joined Plant Planet as a regular contributor.
Hannah has worked as the Editor for Plant Planet Magazine for over three years. She particularly enjoys writing about new advances in construction plant.
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Latest News
REDUCED TAILSWING & REDUCED EMISSIONS FOR GEORGE LESLIE
A
leading civil engineering contractor has followed up its purchase of JCB’s latest X Series excavator - with an order for two more. So impressed was Glasgow-based George Leslie with its JCB 245XR, that the company is investing in the two additional models. Supplied by dealer Scot JCB, the original model has been put straight to work draining the Mill Glen reservoir in North Ayrshire. It has been fitted with the latest GKD Technologies Series 2 safety control system and is being fuelled with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) to further reduce carbon emissions. Graham Barclay, George Leslie
Plant Manager, said: “George Leslie has been buying JCB equipment for over 50 years. The new JCB 245XR is performing extremely well and has driven the order for more of these impressive models. Our operators find the machine really smooth to operate, with plenty of digging power, reach and stability, even when working over the side with this reduced tailswing machine.” “We are looking to lower our CO2 emissions and have been running a trial with HVO fuels on the JCB 245XR with good success - so we will aim to move our entire JCB fleet onto HVO fuels in the future. That we can do this without having to make any modifications to the engines is of great benefit on our journey of carbon reduction.”
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Vac UK delivers UK-first Rhino to Roocroft Road Restraint Systems ROOCROFT
Road Restraint Systems has become the first customer of Vac UK’s Longo dealership to take delivery of the classleading Rhino vacuum excavator. The top-of-the-range model is based around the most powerful twin fan suction excavator on the market and includes premium features such as a vibrating skip which improves unloading and reduces the need for manual clearing. It is built on a Volvo FH chassis powered by the 13 litre 540hp Euro 6 compliant engine. Established in 1978, Roocroft initially carried out safety barrier, bridge parapets and general fencing works. In 2006, it added the capability to provide
12 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Latest News
slip formed safety barriers and concrete drainage channels.
capable of handling the toughest challenges.
To support its highly skilled, well-trained workforce, the Lancashire-headquartered business has consistently invested in the most up-to-date and technically advanced plant and equipment to suit its operations.
“We have built a reputation for providing an excellent professional service, with a flexible approach and a willingness to collaborate to deliver successful projects for our clients,” he said. “We are often faced with excavating around critical infrastructure and the safety of our workforce is our upmost priority along with avoiding damage to our clients buried infrastructure. This state
Joseph Roocroft, joint managing director explained that because the company operates on the National Highways road network, it is vital that it sources the best quality, most reliable equipment
of the art vacuum excavation unit will greatly help us achieve this ambition. “The Longo Rhino impressed us hugely and we have every confidence it will repay our investment.” Sean Gallagher, Vac UK’s general manager said: “We are really pleased to have seen our first delivery go to Roocroft. They share many of the same values as Vac UK and operate to the same philosophy on equipment.”
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Plant Planet • February 2022 • 13
Latest News
Komatsu Europe announces the new PC170LC-11 excavator KOMATSU
Europe is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned PC170LC-11 excavator. The latest addition to Komatsu’s EU Stage V emissionscompliant family, the PC170LC-11 excavator retains all the customer values of the previous model, and additionally benefits from EU Stage V emissions compliance thanks to Komatsu’s proven aftertreatment system and a range of new customer focused options. With growing demand for environmental solutions, and urban areas becoming
increasingly sensitive to emissions, the PC170LC-11 EU Stage V crawler excavator provides customers with the opportunity to participate in any tender, demonstrate environmental credentials, and future proof their investment. Paul Dickinson is Product Manager at Komatsu Europe. He says: “The updated PC170LC-11 Stage V has many new features. The introduction of Komatsu Integrated Attachment Control, with flow and pressure settings for up to 15 attachments, means quick and easy tool changes. The new blade specification undercarriage, with two width options, provides additional functionality for site clearance and basic dozing activities as well as additional stability for digging. The new LED worklamps extend the working day with daylightlike illumination in the working area and around the machine. Not forgetting, the Komatsu designed & developed low ground pressure option is
available for those applications requiring ultra-low ground pressure.” Komtrax telematics and Komatsu Care, a Komatsu maintenance program for customers, offer top fleet management and support, protect the machine against misuse and guarantee maximum efficiency and uptime.
PC170LC-11 EU Stage V – New features and benefits. • EU Stage V emissions compliant – peace of mind, participate in any tender. • New Komatsu after treatment system – Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) added to the existing selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet Stage V emissions. • Reduced fuel consumption (-3%) – lower running costs • No exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) – simplifying engine technology & aiding fuel usage • Extensive new options list: ► Blade spec undercarriage with x2 blade options ► 600mm Road-liner track shoe option ► Komatsu Integrated Attachment Control (KIAC) for mono-boom & 2-piece boom ► LED work lamps as standard and additional LED work lamps option
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14 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Latest News
66 meter telescopic boom: Auto-Klug chooses Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3 THE
family-owned company Alfred Klug GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its crane range with a Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3 mobile crane. The 150-tonner replaces a 120-tonne crane in the fleet. An important decision criterion was the 66-meter telescopic boom, one of the longest in this crane class. Furthermore, the crane scores with strong lifting capacities with 9 tonnes basic ballast, which it carries with 12 tonnes axle load on public roads. In addition to Liebherr’s reliability, the variable support VarioBase®, the ease of operation and the good and fast service were factors that led to the choice of a Liebherr crane.
16 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Ehingen (Donau) (Germany), January 31, 2022 - Alfred Klug GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its crane range with an LTM 1150-5.3, which is destined for the Zwickau branch. There, the 150-tonner closes the gap between the 130and 200-tonner in the company’s crane range and is also the largest crane at the location. The crane’s main areas of application will be transmission mast erection, concrete erection and transformer handling. Werner Glück, owner and managing director of Alfred Klug GmbH & Co.KG, reports, “The 66-meter boom of the LTM 1150-5.3 was an important decision criterion for us.” In addition to the strengths in the technical area, other advantages were important for the choice of a Liebherr crane: “Liebherr also
scores with ease of operation, reliability, and good and fast availability with regard to service and spare parts,” says Glück. Another factor was the VarioBase® variable outrigger base. It enables safe and flexible crane operations even under difficult conditions, such as confined working areas. The simple operation and load capacities calculated for the individual situation increase safety, which relieves the crane operator and increases efficiency. Auto-Klug replaces a 120-tonner with this crane. In 1939, the company originated from a car recycling business. In the meantime, the size of the family-owned company with headquarters in Hof extends to eight locations in four German states.
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Latest News
National Highways partner with FutureWorx 2022 to deliver its ‘Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP)’ project National Highways have expressed that the organisation is “delighted to confirm participation at next year’s Future Worx technology event.” The exclusive technology show case is taking place on 30th and 31st March 2022 at the East of England Arena, Peterborough. 18 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Latest News
HIGHWAYS
England is hoping to bring the transport industry even closer together as the company launch its Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP) maturity levels, and demonstrate how CAP can work on construction sites. Amer Essa, Innovation & Continuous Improvement Innovation Advisor at National Highways explains: “Advances in technology and the introduction of CAP are transforming activities across the UK construction sector. CAP offers potential in a wide range of applications including the remote collection of data for design, autonomous extraction
and movement of materials and robotic construction. In 2019, the benefits of deploying CAP on construction sites were beginning to be recognised. However, organisations were each pursuing their own agendas and no sector-wide approach had been developed.” In June 2020, National Highways and i3P jointly launched a CAP roadmap with the aim of making it business as usual by 2035. The roadmap was developed collaboratively with over 75 organisations and addresses the technical, business and legislative challenges, split into three key themes of people and society; technology and hardware and data and digital techniques. Amer added, “If the Roadmap
vision is realised, this has potential efficiency and productivity savings of £200Bn for the UK construction sector by 2040.” HS2 Ltd - the specialist company established to build Britain’s new high speed railway network – is the latest high-profile partner for the upcoming FutureWorx event in the UK. Suneeta Johal, Chief Executive at the CEA, said, “The HS2 team has a good track record of working with both Plantworx and the CEA – so they are most welcome supporters of our new event. “Futureworx will provide the HS2 team with the perfect platform to showcase their use of new technologies to design the station of the future, demonstrate →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 19
Latest News → their progress and achievements in building a low carbon railway that will change the way we travel in Britain.” National Highways joins The Supply Chain Sustainability School and HS2 in supporting the FutureWorx ‘future technology’ event, which is being delivered by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), hosts of the PlantWorx exhibition. The event will showcase what the construction site of the future will look like – embracing immersive technologies and exploring and cutting edge innovations and the power of Data.
20 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
There will be a focus on people plant interface management, telematics, the connected site, GPS systems, safety systems and advances in autonomous and electric and hydrogen machinery. The event aims to highlight sustainability, productivity and advances in future fuels such as hydrogen, electric and HVO. FutureWorx, National Highways, HS2 and the Sustainability Supply Chain School, will bring together industry professionals keen to find out what is in the pipeline of ideas and technology which will
shape tomorrow’s construction equipment experience. The two-day event will also include conference sessions, live product demonstrations and technical talks. More news to follow on delivery partners in the coming weeks – watch this space. On the first evening of the event, FutureWorx will host an Awards evening in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
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commentary
stars of the future
stars of the future: Employers Invited to Recognise and Reward Their Construction Plant Apprentices and Trainees for 2022 The CPA Stars of the Future Awards 2022 are now open for entries.
EMPLOYERS
across the construction plant sector are being invited by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) to recognise and reward their construction plant apprentices and trainees. The CPA’s Stars of the Future Awards 2022 are now open for entries, and with around 900 apprentices across the six main plant-based occupations, employers again have the opportunity to nominate their outstanding apprentices and trainees who they see as being the industry’s future leaders. Nominations are welcomed from all employers including planthire companies, manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and others
24 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
operating in the construction plant sector with apprentices and trainees in their workforce. Stars of the Future is a national awards scheme for apprentices and trainees in the construction plant industry, organised by the CPA, the leading trade association for the plant-hire sector in the UK. The CPA has over 1,800 members who supply some 85% of hired plant to the construction and allied industries. 2022 marks a landmark year for the CPA’s Stars of the Future Awards as it is the tenth year of the awards programme. This year, six national titles will be awarded - Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2), Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3), Plant Operative of the Year, Plant Installer of the Year, Lifting Technician of the Year and Hire Controller of the →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 25
commentary → Year - as well as some special awards. Kevin Minton, Chief Executive of the CPA said: “Each year, Stars of the Future gets bigger and better and we’re very excited that this year marks the tenth year of the awards. It is now firmly established as the premier event of the construction plant sector for recognising and rewarding the skills and calibre of the industry’s apprentices and trainees. There were 70 nominations from across the industry for Stars of the Future in 2021, and we anticipate there will be even more nominations this year.
stars of the future and complete and submit their nominations in good time. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the CPA website at www.cpa.uk.net/ skills-training/stars-of-thefuture. You can also watch a video clip of last year’s event to find out what Stars of the Future is all about,” he continued. The 2022 winners will be announced at a live awards presentation at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, on 7th July 2022. Stars of the Future winners will be in contention for a number of prizes, as well as national recognition. Previous prizes have included Snap-on tool kits, iPads and an all-expenses paid trip to Germany to visit a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant.
“We’re very excited that this year marks the thenth year of the awards” - Kevin Minton “As the nominations closing date is 31st March 2022, we urge employers to act now
26 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
The national winners for Stars of the Future 2021 were Dean Johnston of Liebherr and NSCG Stafford College (Plant Mechanic of the Year), Luke Thornton of GGR Group and Activate Apprenticeships (Plant Technician of the Year), Jim Baraclough of L Lynch Plant Hire (Plant Operative of the Year), Liam Basson of Falcon Tower Crane Services (Plant Installer of the Year), Amy Wicks of L Lynch Plant Hire (Hire Controller of the Year), Beth Doel of HSS and Reaseheath College (Best Personal Statement) and Lucy O’Rourke of Sunbelt Rentals and Reaseheath College (Judges’ Special Award).
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Stars of the Future 2022. For further information, please contact Lisa Collins on 07968 840390 or email lisa@ lisacollinscommunications. co.uk
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Plant Planet
We’re on the go
Trends of 2022
commentary
Construction industry trends this year
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 29
commentary
Trends of 2022
OVER
the course of 2021, the construction industry continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the industry remains vigilant but is looking forward to a year of reemergence and growth. Here are Plant Planet’s top trends that will be key in keeping the industry on its toes throughout the new year.
In 2020 alone, it was estimated that over 4,500 projects were put on hold in the uk Delayed Construction Projects will Resume: The construction industry, like many others, has seen some gloomy days with the struggle of the workforce skills gap and many projects becoming delayed or halted altogether. In 2020 alone, it was estimated that over 4,500 construction projects were put on hold in the UK. With construction being a key contributor to the UK economy, it is vital that these delayed projects get back on track in 2022. Modern methods of construction look to provide a solution to this, another recurring theme that is set to feature in 2022. →
30 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
commentary
32 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Trends of 2022
→ Modern Methods of Construction: The rising costs of building materials are, unfortunately, not looking to decrease anytime soon. The rising costs of construction will have a major impact in affecting the industry throughout the year, with many adaptations being made as a way of reducing construction costs to accommodate for the rising price of materials. Modular Construction will be a key adaptation to many projects due to its various benefits, such as the ability to be completed in nearly half the time and providing an estimated saving of 20% on construction costs. Modular buildings can also be disassembled and refurbished, reducing demand for raw materials, and eliminated large amounts of waste by recycling materials, thus ensuring a greener, faster, and more cost-efficient method of construction.
options for planet-friendly methods.
Green Machines: Machinery brands such as JCB, Caterpillar and Volvo are just some names already committed to reaching net-zero carbon emission targets, investing in cleaner and greener machinery. Plant Hire is looking to become more popular throughout 2022, with many turning to plant hire instead of owning machinery. Many rental companies are aware of their fleet being in constant use by others, so they ensure their equipment is regularly serviced and installed with the latest technologies, making it a preferred method of operations for some.
many construction oems are committed to reaching net-zero carbon emmission targets.
Sustainability: Following the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference hosted by the UK last year, many businesses are looking to go green in the new year, with emphasis on how to create a more sustainable way forward. New developments in renewable and recyclable materials, as well as developments in electric machinery, are providing more
The heavy equipment rental sector is also making ecofriendly investments and looking to introduce several electric plant to their fleet, alongside other methods of reducing carbon emission produced by diesel engines. BISAF’s Particulator filter removes virtually all Diesel particulate from the exhaust of smaller construction machines up to 30 kW. The particulator is designed to assist plant hire businesses where a filter may not be specified for every machine. This filter can be transferred and interchanged between machines when →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 33
commentary → needed, resulting in much less CO2 produced from the machinery used.
Trends of 2022 development. Construction technology has increased so much that is has coined its own term “ConTech”. Platforms such as connected sites, using cloudbased technology, are allowing for sites to remain united on a single platform while transforming communication, while other digital platforms are providing solutions for fleet/ inventory management as well as buying and selling machinery.
Construction technology has increased so much that it has coined its own term - “ConTech”. Construction Technology: The introduction of modern methods of technology promise to change the construction industry with increased efficiency and workforce safety. Investments in digitization were given a powerful boost by Covid-19, with further innovations in constant
34 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Technologies such as 3D printing and Robotics are looking to continue
to contribute greatly to the industry. Robotics are performing an increasing number of tasks, including loading, brick-laying, installing drywall. Some are being used as a solution to the construction skills gap. Where available, businesses can place robotics to cover when labour shortage occurs. 3D printing is set to continue to take the industry by storm, being used to create a wide variety of materials from other sustainable materials with high turnaround times as a result of its ability to mass print custom designs. With many trends set for a continued development in the industry, 2022 looks to be a year of great possibilities and growth for the industry.
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Exciting times for the construction of HS2
commentary
Exciting times for the construction of hs2 David Chuck gives Plant Planet an update on the progress of the HS2 project in Warwickshire
SINCE
my last update on the progress of HS2 in Warwickshire, much has happened and one of the highlights has been the launching of Dorothy – who, you might ask, is Dorothy? Dorothy is HS2’s first tunnel boring machine to be launched on the northern section of Phase One. The naming ceremony was carried out by
Pete Waterman, the legendary music producer and rail enthusiast. Earlier this year, Warwickshire residents, schools, colleges, and community groups were asked to nominate the names of women closely associated with the county. Dorothy was suggested by a student at Warwickshire College Group and emerged as the winning name in a public vote last summer. The Dorothy in →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 37
commentary
Exciting times for the construction of HS2
→ question is Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Her discoveries included confirming the structure of penicillin, and her work with insulin paved the way for it to be used on a large scale for treatment of diabetes. Following a lifetime of academic success, she passed away in 1994 in Shipston-onStour in Warwickshire.
HS2’s first tunnel boring machine is named after nobel prize winner dorothy hodgkin. Dorothy is now boring a mile-long tunnel under Long Itchington Woods to protect ancient woodland. When she reaches the northern portal, she will be partially dismantled and then transported back to the launch site (shown in the images) to start work on the second mile-long tunnel. Further south in Buckinghamshire, more exciting work has been taking place, as the county saw the beginning of the construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Construction of the UK’s longest railway bridge began in early 2021, with an →
Images: Pete waterman unveils the name of the long itchington wood tunnel tbm
38 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
STARS OF THE FUTURE 10TH YEAR
RECOGNISE AND REWARD YOUR PLANT APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES Nominate them for the 2022 CPA Stars of the Future awards. Now open for entries: ê Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2) ê Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3) ê Plant Operative of the Year ê Lifting Technician of the Year
Jim Baraclough of L Lynch Plant Hire won Plant Operative of the Year for 2021. He’s pictured here during the training he received at ACOP Group as part of his prize.
Watch last year’s event and download nomination forms from www.cpa.uk.net/skills-training/ stars-of-the-future
ACT NOW! Nominations need to be in by 31st March 2022
ê Hire Controller of the Year
SAVE THE DATE: Live awards
ê Plant Installer of the Year
presentation on 7th July 2022
Construction Plant-hire Association 27/28 Newbury Street, Barbican, London EC1A 7HU Tel: 020 7796 3366
Email: enquiries@cpa.uk.net
Web: www.cpa.uk.net
commentary
→ expert team of ground engineers sinking the first of almost three hundred piles that will form the foundations for this viaduct.
Exciting times for the construction of HS2
of up to 200mph. The Colne Valley is an area of diverse countryside with areas of parks, green spaces, and reservoirs. Along with the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal, the valley is a well-used public space offering recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
An expert team of ground engineers have been working to sink piles that will form the foundations for the viaduct The viaduct, which will carry the new high-speed rail line for 3.4km across a series of lakes and waterways on the northwest outskirts of London, will be almost a kilometre longer than the Forth Rail Bridge, and will be able to carry trains travelling at speeds
40 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Set low in the landscape, the design was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water. With a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, it will carry the railway around 10m above
the surface of the lakes, River Colne, and Grand Union Canal. The structure will be supported by fifty-six piers, with the widest spans reserved for where the viaduct crosses the lakes, and narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes, and help complement the natural surroundings. The first pier is now under construction, as portrayed in the images. Construction of HS2 is gathering pace now, and future articles will continue to feature the progress of this immense project.
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far left: the viaduct’s first peer under construction left: work on the viaduct looking south above: cgi of the finished viaduct Below: the temporary jetty, looking north
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 41
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Sitech
company profile
Sitech UK & Ireland: ®
Experts in advanced construction technology SITECH
UK &
Ireland are the leading provider and authorised dealer of Trimble construction technology. From machine control to site positioning and construction site software, they’ve got you covered.
The sitech Team is made up of passionate people from across the industry who live and breathe innovation From field-tofinish SITECH use their expertise and industry experience to deliver tailored
solutions that transform the productivity of civil engineering and major construction projects. Backed by the wonderful team at Trimble, SITECH help forward-thinking companies to use emerging technologies to make their jobs easier, safer and more accurate. The SITECH team is made up of passionate people from across the industry who live and breathe innovation. Day in, day out they deliver firstclass technical support, service and training to customers. The company are always on the look out for new talent to join us and are currently recruiting field-based engineers across the UK. If you are ready for an exciting new career, contact SITECH today at recruitment@ sitechukandireland.com. →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 43
company profile
Sitech
“I know that together we are going to deliver big things in 2022 and beyond” - Grant Pearce
Meet grant pearce In January SITECH UK & Ireland welcomed Grant Pearce aboard as the new Head of Business. Grant joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise gathered across three decades of industry experience. “It’s been a great first month getting up to speed with the SITECH world,” explains Grant Pearce, Head of Business, SITECH UK & Ireland. “I’m thoroughly impressed by the passion that I see in this team and I know that together we are going to deliver big things in 2022 and beyond.”
44 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
designed to transform site productivity, safety and accuracy.
Grant Pearce, Head of business for sitech uk & Ireland SITECH specialises in transforming site productivity, accuracy and safety with industry leading technology solutions from Trimble. The company offers a complete range of on and off machine equipment and site software
When it comes to rental equipment, SITECH can help you to work out the best solution for your project and timelines. You can even hire Trimble equipment directly from them. Speak to the friendly SITECH team about your construction technology rental needs today. →
the infographic overleaf lists some of the products and solutions that sitech can offer to their clients
Machine control
3D, 2D and automatic machine control systems designed specifically for earthworks, groundworks, compaction, paving and grade control operations. SITECH’s solutions work on multiple machine types and manufacturers. Trimble machine control technology solutions are scalable and flexible. Enabling operators to be more productive and accurate, whilst also enhancing site safety.
Site positioning systems
Industry leading Total Stations for high accuracy and reliability, with optional machine control capabilities. Scalable, flexible, GPS technology for reliable site positioning systems. Rugged, durable, handheld controllers for wireless connectivity between the office and site, and SiteVision, a handheld outdoor augmented reality visualisation tool designed to simplify complex data.
Software
Trimble construction site software has been developed to drive the best results from your construction technology investment. Designed with the users in mind Trimble has easy-to-use interfaces and realtime connectivity. SITECH’s software helps optimise asset allocation and enable wireless collaboration and production reporting across projects, sites and offices.
Lasers & Levels Spectra Precision Lasers and Levels are designed for the construction industry. Rugged, tough and built ready for use on construction sites. SITECH provide a comprehensive range of Automatic Lasers, Automatic and Precise Automatic Levels.
Protection plans
All solutions come with a factory warranty. You are likely to use your built-to-last equipment for longer than the initial warranty which is why SITECH offer additional coverage. With a Trimble Protection Plan you can maintain a fixed, scalable expenditure for maintenance of your equipment. Protecting your investment and productivity by minimising delays and downtime.
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 45
company profile
sitech services Professional Services Enhance your construction technology capabilities with the help of SITECH’s specialist services team. Located throughout the UK, delivering expertise in data preparation, drone services and consultancy. Calibration and servicing requirements can be taken care of in SITECH’s in-house service centre or on-site with their team of field-based engineers depending on the equipment.
Sitech Training Ensure you are getting the most from your Trimble construction technology investment with specialised training. SITECH provide classroom, workshop and on-site training courses for on-machine, off-machine, surveying and software. They cover a range of experience levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced. Bespoke training packages designed around your specific needs are also available. If you are keen to find out more about how SITECH and Trimble can help transform the way your
Calibration and servicing requirements can be taken care of in sitech’s in-house service centre
46 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
construction works then contact thier friendly team today.
HEAD OFFICE – UK Morgans Business Park, Unit 17 Bettys Lane, Norton Canes WS11 9UU United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 808 1969 139
IRELAND Unit A Aerodrome Business Park Rathcoole, Co. Dublin Tel: +353 (0) 1257 4075
SCOTLAND Whistleberry Road Hamilton, Glasgow ML3 0EG Tel: +44 (0)141 887 4800 info@sitechukandireland.com www.sitechukandireland.com/
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Cover Story
48 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Clements plant hire
Clements plant & Access hire: Heading for a net zero hire business Plant Planet hear from Clements Plant & Access Hire about their ongoing investment to run a carbon neutral business.
FOR
approaching 60 years, providing innovative plant and access hire solutions and offering industry leading customer service support, have been the driving forces for Coventry based, Clements Plant & Access Hire. But now, in order to maintain their position as the largest independent hire company in the UK’s City of Culture, the company are taking a stand and making efforts to run a carbon neutral business.
a business and investment mission to offer the most environmentally friendly equipment, and additionally, take the small but significant operating changes to manage the business to limit their carbon footprint.
“It’s important that we work to make Clements a net zero carbon emissions company” - Jim Longstaff
With the increasing demand for companies to operate in an environmentally responsible manner and limit their climate impact, Clements have embarked on
Jim Longstaff, Chairman of Clements, explained to Plant Planet that “It’s important that we work to make Clements a net zero carbon emissions company, and we are getting closer to achieving that status. It will not be the easiest of tasks especially with the high proportion of plant and equipment being manufactured and used across the industry still relying on fossil fuels to power them. Also, in order to run the business efficiently, we need a fleet of delivery vehicles to ensure we have the capacity to meet the requirements of →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 49
Cover Story
Clements plant hire
→ customers. Wherever possible we are committed to replacing fossil fuel driven vehicles with environmentally friendly options, that will balance our overall carbon emission output.” “Whilst our focus is firmly on servicing the multitude of industries and customers that hire from us, we are innovating our product range that will differentiate Clements and set ourselves apart from our local competitors.”
Clements have continued to upgrade the fleet of electric scissor and spider lifts One such innovation was the addition of a Dingli Lithium Electric Boom Lift. The 24 metre working height BT24ERT features state of the art high capacity lithium battery technology that can operate for up to 3 days on a full charge with zero emissions. The specifications of the machine suit both internal applications as well as outdoor work and has a large working platform with the ability to carry up to 454kg. The four wheel drive and steering system and extended battery life deliver industry leading performance for remote site applications. To supplement the range of environmentally friendly hire equipment, Clements have also continued to upgrade the fleet of electric scissor and spider lifts, as well as hybrid, Bi-energy and full electric boom lifts.
50 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Covering working heights from 4 metres up to 24 metres and featuring two wheel, four wheel and tracked drive variants, the range covers every possible application. Investing in the best environmentally friendly equipment from industry leading manufacturers such as Niftylift, Dingli, Manitou, Ruthmann and Genie has helped to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the company.
Simple but effective activities around the Torrington Avenue Depot such as replacing office fluorescent lighting and yard floodlighting with LED technology with PIR motion sensing technology help to reduce energy usage. The fleet of delivery HGV’s and light commercial vehicles have been updated with more efficient, cleaner vehicles. Clements are in a great position to build on the successes of 2021 and the extended range
of plant, access and tool hire that is now readily available at the depot ensures that hirers can secure the equipment that they need, when they need it. It’s not unusual to see the Hire Team and Engineers responding flexibly with innovative solutions to help customers hire the machines that they need to complete their projects. The company has already committed to significant investment that will supplement the best range of equipment →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 51
Cover Story
Clements plant hire
→ and service already available in the West Midlands. During the first quarter of 2022 alone, over £775,000 of new equipment including Kubota excavators, scissor lifts, lightweight boom lifts, and mast lifts. Added to that will be a new 3.5ton flat bed vehicle and a new 18ton delivery vehicle will also be added to the fleet. In particular, the lightweight electric boom lifts that will be joining the fleet imminently, uphold the company’s drive towards a carbon zero business. The lithium battery powered machines feature all-electric drives and deliver zero emissions. The efficient batteries will provide extended operating life, reduced charging requirements and minimise operational costs. Another benefit is the ability to transport the lifts on trailers, keeping emissions to a minimum and enabling delivery using lower emission vehicles. Clements also seek out the best performing construction equipment from Kubota, Thwaites, Manitou, JCB and Bomag to cover the vast majority of hire requirements. As more emission friendly equipment enters the market, further investment will follow to maintain the objective of achieving the net zero target. It is great to see an organisation taking the lead and responsibly approaching how they can limit the impact they have on the environment whilst still delivering excellence in service.
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52 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
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Morris Leslie
Interview
The Making of Morris Leslie Morris Leslie is one of the most illustrious names in the plant and equipment industry. Morris chats to Rachel Lambert in the first of a two-part interview about how it all started, and how the Morris Leslie empire continues to diversify and evolve. A selection of Selwood machines which have now joined the Morris Leslie hire fleet
FOR
those who think Morris Leslie is just about construction plant hire and used equipment sales, then think again. There are eight different businesses within the umbrella of the dynamic Morris Leslie group, operating from 18 locations throughout the UK. Morris Leslie relocated its headquarters in 2019 to impressive new facilities at Caledonian House, in West Kinfauns on the outskirts of Perth.
As well as plant hire and equipment sales, Morris Leslie has an extensive property portfolio with some 2 million sq ft of commercial properties, including industrial, self-storage and office space, along with residential properties. Morris Leslie owns Perth Airport and all its buildings along with Errol Airfield. The Auction division of Morris Leslie hosts twice-weekly vehicle auctions spanning construction equipment, commercial transport, and all manner of transportation from modern to classic cars. It doesn’t stop there; we are only skimming the surface.
There are plans in progress for some exciting developments in the leisure and tourism sector in Perth (a proposed £33.8 million leisure led development currently undergoing planning consent). That doesn’t include the most recent launch of Morris Leslie Villages; four luxury lodge parks with locations to be rolled out in Scotland and England. And we should also mention that Morris has some 2000 acres of arable farmland. This is where it becomes apparent that Morris Leslie is a rather busy man, thankfully →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 55
Interview → supported by a very experienced team of people with expertise in their respective fields. Despite this, Morris and his Group Operations Director, Graham Ogilvie, have kindly given up several hours of their time to speak to me, and they are patiently (and candidly) talking to me about the past, present, and future path of Morris Leslie.
Morris Leslie 70 employees came across to Morris Leslie on completion of the purchase. Morris and Graham describe how the opportunity came around, and how swiftly the transaction was completed. It was Graham who spotted a post on LinkedIn back in July from an employee of Selwood Plant Hire saying the staff had been given notice that their jobs were at risk. He promptly contacted Selwood’s Managing Director to express an interest and signed an NDA. The very next day Graham and Morris were on site visiting all Selwood Plant Hire depots and had set up a meeting with the owners in the afternoon. They carried out their due diligence over the weekend and placed a bid on the Monday (there were three parties bidding for the business), learning that they had been successful shortly afterwards.
The Selwood Plant Hire deal is one that Morris Leslie and Graham Ogilvie are evidently very proud to have won. In total, Morris Leslie employs some 350 people across the group. This includes the most recent acquisition of Selwood’s Plant Hire division, comprising five of its depots in Exeter, Birmingham, Chandlers Ford, Bournemouth, and Bristol. Selwood, as many in the industry will know, made the strategic decision to concentrate on their successful pump business rather than plant hire. The Selwood Plant Hire deal was completed on 1st September 2021, and it is one that Morris Leslie and Graham Ogilvie are evidently very proud to have won. A key focus of the acquisition was about retaining the experienced workforce employed by Selwood Plant Hire, and the purchase of 1300 core assets including excavators, dumpers, telehandlers & rollers.
56 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
“We certainly didn’t hang around,” laughs Morris. “I think it is one of quickest acquisitions we have made. To think that Graham spotted the initial social media post on the Wednesday, we were there with the owners on Thursday, and by the following Monday we had put in the successful bid, is quite an achievement. We are delighted to welcome so many of the Selwood Plant Hire team to Morris Leslie Plant Hire.”
The energy and enthusiasm that both Morris and Graham show as they are telling me about this latest Morris Leslie acquisition is clear to see. I’m interested in how Morris Leslie got to this point and so we rewind the clock to learn how it all began. Morris explains that he was brought up “in agriculture” on the family farm in Perthshire. “While farming was the traditional family business, I was always interested in construction equipment. My grandfather had sold off a field for gravel extraction for a local bypass when I was at primary school, and I remember coming home from school and sitting alongside the driver on a Caterpillar 977, as it loaded the trucks. I was fascinated, even at that young age, I was about 10 years old at the time. I think that was the start of my love affair with construction equipment.” Morris went on to agricultural college. The college lecturers would repeatedly tell their students that farmers should diversify. Diversification, in their opinion, was the way forward. They would remind the class that small farms were being swallowed up and that agriculture was going to change forever. It got the young Morris Leslie thinking. “The message of diversification really resonated with me, and I believed the way ahead was to look at machinery. At that time farmers were being encouraged to make fields bigger, tear out hedges and upgrade drainage,
“I remember coming home from school and sitting alongside the driver on a caterpillar 977 ... I think that was the start of my love affair with construction equipment”
Morris leslie in his earlier days
and it occurred to me that I should invest in a machine and hire it out. I bought a Hymac 370, my first investment in machinery. I realised I had picked it up at a reasonable price and could make a profit on it,” explains Morris, who obviously had that entrepreneurial talent from a young age. Morris recalls advertising one of the first machines he bought in a local farming newspaper, Scottish Farmer, and having about 30 people wanting to buy it, which soon confirmed in his mind that “this was the industry to be in.” “In those days, you could roll up to a company and ask if they
were interested in selling any of their machinery. They’d look to see what surplus assets they had and then check the value the assets stood at in their books and agree a deal at book value (usually at a good price too) to me, and then I’d sell it on to a farmer. The farmers were doing well out of the grant situation at the time, so they had money to spend. The business grew from there.”
hourly charge for the dealer’s fitter & van. Today that same equivalent cost is 46% more! I have no idea how the UK has ended up having some of the lowest rates in the world today!”
This shows the profitability of plant hire at the time, when hire rates per week were in excess of 1% of the capital cost. “A good example at the time was a JCB-3C hourly hire charge with a driver was the same as the
David was a friend of Morris and had a lot of experience in small plant. He had also managed to build up a customer base in Malaysia, and this got Morris thinking (again) about overseas opportunities. →
In 1974, the next stepping-stone in the Morris Leslie story was when David Miller joined the company. It marked the start of Morris Leslie, the company, as we know it today.
David MillEr on a trip to Kuala Lumpur
The next stepping stone in the morris leslie story was when david miller (pictured right) joined the company
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 57
Interview
Morris Leslie
→ “We were operating out of a little office, and I remember we made the decision to install a Telex machine. At the time, we thought this was something great to be able to send messages backwards and forwards to the other side of the world. We really thought we’d cracked it!” Morris and David were selling all sorts of equipment to Malaysia, from dumpers and mixers to concrete pumps. At the time, that was without doubt, the market to be in. Sadly, the situation changed when David became ill and passed away about three years after he had started with Morris.
An early morris leslie low loader in its old livery for hire to customers. Feeling buoyant, Morris had the notion of joining the Scottish Plant Owners Association but had his hopes quickly deflated, when they refused him membership. “I laugh about it now. I think I’m the only person ever to have been blackballed by the SPOA. After being rejected, I managed to get chatting with the President at a show we were attending. I can remember his words clearly: ‘Listen Laddie, get yourself some operators and we’ll get you joined. You can’t be doing this self-drive, it’s not right!’. I think I was ahead of the game because we were one of the first to be offering a self-drive hire service,” says Morris with amusement.
In 1980 the company started its plant hire operation in scotland. Morris carried on and went on to build a good secondhand sales business. It became apparent that, for the business to progress especially for the foreign market, it needed to create its own supply. Soon after (in 1980), the company started its plant hire operation in Scotland, where it quickly established itself as a major player in the Scottish hire market. There are amusing memories from that era. One of the first significant purchases of hire assets was for 20 brand new 580 Case excavators. These were all
58 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Growth in the 1980s continued in plant hire and used equipment sales. Morris was also eyeing up the property market. In January 1988, he purchased Errol Airfield in Perthshire as well as the main
hangar that had just been vacated by a whisky company. This purchase certainly wasn’t made on a whim. The airfield had been disused for a while. Morris had for some time been thinking about equipment auctions, and always saw the potential value of investment in land and property. Errol Airfield was the perfect setting for an auction. And so, the first Morris Leslie auction took place in 1988. (How that side of the business has grown since then, with Morris Leslie now well known for its numerous and varied vehicle auctions.) “I had been thinking about it for a while. I was at a plant auction near Leeds, and got into conversation with John Greenshields at Finnings. I happened to mention my idea about holding an auction, and John thought it was a great idea, saying he had a lot of equipment to sell too. This led to the very first auction at Errol Airfield, and the start of many more to follow.” Unsurprisingly, there was a story attached to that very first auction, which gained →
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Interview
Morris Leslie
A potential customer at a morris leslie plant auction in 1999
60 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
→ Morris Leslie a lot of publicity. He smiles as he tells me about his first ‘press encounter’. “We decided to invite the local press along to see if we could get some nice write-ups about what we were doing. I can remember, we were really excited when people attended, but it happened to coincide with the Conservative Party Conference which was taking place in Perth, when Margaret Thatcher was in power. “The press duly showed up and we did get some really good editorials, apart from one, which was something I hadn’t expected. I opened the Daily Record to find they had given our auction two pages of coverage, but with the headline ‘Sale of Shame’. Their slant being, that the Tories had cut capital expenditure in Scotland, and this was where all the surplus equipment was being sold off. They wanted to make a point because the conference was just 10 miles down the road. Little did we expect to be on News at 10. That was my first brush with the press, and a very memorable one too!” It did, however, certainly publicise Morris Leslie auctions, and several more were held that same year in 1988 … and they have gone from strength to strength, especially when Morris’s son, Gregor joined the business back in March 2007. In 2013, the first classic car auction was held, and the diversification in auctions has been very much driven by Gregor over the years. Going back in time again, expansion continued in the late 90’s. Morris Leslie made its first
important acquisition of three depots from Maxiom in the southwest, which heralded the company’s entry into the plant hire market in England. 1990 also saw Morris Leslie set up Cautrac in Colchester, Essex. Another company and another depot to add to the Morris Leslie collection as part of its expansion plans. At the time, they had been buying some used equipment from Japan, and it was through this, that they were introduced to Morooka. This led to Cautrac being awarded the franchise for Morooka (in the UK).
Gurney closing their Colchester depot.” On sharing the news with John, he couldn’t have been happier, saying that it was “a great yard” and Morris Leslie ended up buying it the following week. Initially it was used for selling second-hand plant and equipment. Then, the Marooka franchise opportunity came about. This was the start of us selling new equipment.
1990 saw morris leslie set up cautrac - another company and depot to add to the collection.
“It’s funny how things unfold. I knew John Hillman who had been working for Colchester Tractors, prior to Ernest Doe taking ownership. We got chatting and started making plans to set up Cautrac, with John having a small stake in it, but we needed premises in the Colchester area. “By chance, whilst I was on a debt-collecting trip in Inverness …” (I stop Morris at this point because I’m amused to think about the days when he would personally go out to collect cheques from customers.) “ …. Yes, I used to pick up the cheques!” he laughs. “On one such trip, I happened to be get talking to the company owner. He enquired about what my business was up to, and I told him that I was looking for a depot in Essex. The timing was perfect because he had just been reading an article in Construction News about May
“John successfully grew and built a fantastic business over the years supported by a great team of people. John was fully committed to growing the business putting in long shifts and travelling the world sourcing plant. He always insisted on travelling first class so he could work immediately upon landing. This resulted in him having one of the largest collections of KLM China Dutch houses which they gave to first class customers!” The business continued to expand, and the depot was opened in Bolton to serve customers in the North of England. “We continue to have a very happy association with Morooka. I was very honoured to have been invited out to Japan for Morooka’s 50th Anniversary three years ago and I felt privileged because only myself and another →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 61
Interview
Morris Leslie
→ western dealer from America, were invited up on stage to participate in what was a very lavish ceremony attended by government ministers.”
Cat machines at the bedford depot
Never wanting to stand still, another opportunity came Morris Leslie’s way following a management buyout at Cox Plant Hire in 2000. “The team who had bought Cox were short of funding so we would buy their equipment and hire it back to them, which would subsequently give us products to sell as and when they were replenishing stock.
of assets owned by Morris Leslie Plant Hire at that time to around 5000. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Hewdens would ever come up for sale, and being able to buy a large swathe of the business was a real milestone moment for us. We brought all the employees over too.”
morris leslie is one of the fastest growing rental companies in the uk. “This arrangement worked for a while until the point that Cox ran out of funds. We agreed the best way forward for us was to buy their three depots.” Since the turn of the new millennium, Morris Leslie Plant Hire has pursued a trail of acquisitions, having already acquired three Cox depots and the southwest depots from Maxiom prior to those. In 2013, three depots and its assets, were secured from Ambrose Plant Hire, which was followed by one of Morris Leslie’s most significant plant hire acquisitions: the four depots from Hewdens following their demise in 2016. The Hewden acquisition doubled the number
62 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Then in 2018, Surrey based Chertsey Plant Hire was acquired, followed the next year
Morris leslie head office
by LPM in Nottinghamshire. The most recent, of course, being the five Selwood Plant Hire depots. Little surprise then, Morris Leslie is one of the fastest growing rental companies in the UK. In the background, Morris Leslie was also very busy adding to its property portfolio and farming business which, today is nothing short of extensive.
To be continued... In a future issue of Plant Planet we continue to chart the success of Morris Leslie Group and talk in more detail about his many ventures.
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commentary
the fuel lighter than air
the fuel lighter than air Is Hydrogen the real future energy for larger construction & agricultural plant? This issue, David Chuck investigates...
MENTION
the word hydrogen and most people think – explosive. The truth is, hydrogen is less combustible in air than petroleum or LPG gas. Petrol is 2 to 3 times more flammable in air than hydrogen. Hydrogen is 14 times lighter than air – if released, hydrogen
64 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
disperses quickly rising into the atmosphere, whereas propane and petrol vapours pool at ground level, where any accidental ignition presents a clear danger. Take in the above information, pass this on, and then hydrogen has overcome its first hurdle for becoming one of the fuels of the future. In addition, the only emission from a hydrogen
powered vehicle is water! The thoughts in the industry are that for vehicles over 10 tonnes in total weight (including what they may be carrying), the way forward is hydrogen – not battery power. There was just one way of powering vehicles with hydrogen and that was by means of a hydrogen fuel cell.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen reacts with oxygen across an electrochemical cell, similar to that of a battery to produce electricity, water, and small amounts of heat. This is ideal to drive the products manufactured by TCP Ltd of New Maldon Essex, which include tower-lights and generators. In one of the images of the TCP products, you will see it is connected to a BOC Hydrogen Gas Cylinder, which is a lightweight carbon wrapped cylinder, containing 30% more gas than a traditional cylinder.
Above: TCP ecolite th200 hydrogen powered mobile lighting tower Below: JCB 542-70 Hydrogen powered loadall
Full details of these products can be found at www.tcp-group. co.uk. Now there is a different way to power a vehicle with hydrogen – JCB have converted a JCB 4.8 litre Dieselmax engine to run on hydrogen. The engine’s common-rail injection system has been removed and replaced with a gas injection and spark ignition system. JCB say that in the future, they may even be able to convert existing engines. The engine is now on trial fitted to an agricultural Loadall and a construction back-hoe loader. The engine has won one of the oldest and most prestigious awards honouring technical achievement in British automotive engineering – The Royal Automobile Club’s Dewar Trophy. Hyundai have recently revealed a hydrogen powered →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 65
commentary
the fuel lighter than air
→ wheeled excavator in the 14 Tonne Class and a medium sized yard forklift, designated as H2 models using fuel cell technology and set to have a refuelling time of around 20 minutes for 8 hours running. Yes, refuelling with hydrogen takes longer than with petrol/ diesel or LPG gas, but work is also progressing well to make this process faster. New Holland has a tractor named NH2 that uses a hydrogen-diesel fuel mix to enhance power and reduce emissions. The engine can run on 100 percent diesel or a diesel – hydrogen mix. The tractor has been jointly developed with Blue Fuel Solutions.
hyundai recently revealed the h2 excavator, powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology The primary downside to hydrogen production is it often relies on fossil fuels, but agriculture has a unique position to solve this problem. Since farms are typically in open sunny areas, they are ideal locations for solar or wind power infrastructure which could generate green hydrogen. How is Hydrogen made? On Earth, the most important source of hydrogen is water, which covers more than 70% of its surface and it is created by electrolysis of water. The electricity can be from renewable sources making the
66 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Above: Sir Anthony Bamford with the Royal Automobile Club’s Dewar Trophy Below: Hyundai Hydrogen Powered 14 Tonne Wheeled Excavator
process very climate friendly. However, looking into the future:
Above: new holland hydrogen tractor Below: TCP Ecolite GH2 Hydrogen Powered DC Generator
Producing hydrogen using only sunlight and water may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but in fact many microorganisms naturally produce hydrogen using light in a process known as photosynthesis. This method for producing hydrogen does not result in any direct greenhouse gas emissions. Today, it is in the stage of laboratory experimentation and one day, this natural process may be industrialized. There are also ongoing projects to extract hydrogen from sea water using renewable wind produced electricity.
The new holland nh2 is based on the t5 140 model
So, what is the price of hydrogen gas, you may ask? In America where it is already more widely used, the price is around $16 per KG. However, hydrogen is a more efficient fuel than petrol or diesel but at present is around 4 times more expensive. However, this will reduce as more & more hydrogen is produced and through more efficient production processes. The more one investigates whether Hydrogen is the real future energy for larger construction and agricultural plant, the more research projects one comes across and these will be covered in future editions of Plant Planet.
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Plant Planet • February 2022 • 67
event preview
EHS: Bigger than ever
Executive hire show 2022: Back & bigger than ever! Plant Planet explores the multitude of exhibitors and equipment attending this years show.
THE
Executive Hire Show (EHS) will be making its long awaited return in February and is set to be back in a BIG way. The show will take place between 9th and 10th February 2022, at its established home (and newly rebranded) Coventry Building Society Arena, formerly known as the Ricoh Arena. Despite the change of name for this familiar venue, the EHS remains largely unchanged.
However, the organisers have promised that this year’s event will be ‘bigger and better’ than ever — a statement that is easy to believe given that the event team recently confirmed that the both the main hall and Atrium have completely sold out. As for the themes arising for the hire-industry’s first big event back after Covid, it seems that new technology, sustainability and safety will be taking centre stage. The compact plant hire and equipment industry is booming! Infrastructure
projects are pushing forward, which has propelled the hire sector to reach new peaks, and the construction equipment industry is also embarking on the journey to achieve netcarbon-zero by 2050. Therefore, innovation and investment in new technology, safety and renewables and sustainable solutions, are all at an all-time high. Chris Moore, publishing and events director at the Executive Hire Show, said: “This is the main event for the plant and tool hire trade, and this →
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 69
event preview → year we’re bigger and better than ever, with more than 135 exhibitors, of which over 30 are brand new to the event and a great many new products on display”. Chris added, “We salute those manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting who have remained resolute throughout the uncertainties. Stand bookings have continued apace. Recent weeks have seen rotation moulding specialists Jobec UK sign up. Likewise product marketing aficionados Exordia Global and smart telematics providers GemOne. We are expected to be completely sold before the event and look forward to bringing the hire sector back together once again.”
EHS: Bigger than ever solutions for the evolving hire sector.
New exhibitors that have committed to the 2022 show include BISAF Ltd, the UK specialist for emission control on small diesel plant. BISAF has introduced a diesel particulate filter, the Particulator, designed particulator Look out too for LFI for the type of smaller who will be making machines that are not their EHS debut with their normally supplied with a filter TuFF and Pro range of access fitted as standard. products, and who will also be The launching a brand new product, Particulator which is under wraps until has been the event – but the company tested on promise it’s worth the wait! a machine Welfare cabin manufacturer, by an Genquip Groundhog has independent not missed a show yet – the automotive company is back once again emissions test laboratory and in 2022, launching two brand was found to give greater than a new ‘eco’ products at the 99.9% reduction in particulate, show. Sales and Marketing as well as having a regeneration Manager Peter Beach said, cycle that cleaned the filter “Our future lies in sustainable effectively. It has also been and environmentally friendly extensively used in the field to products. Our commitment to demonstrate its effectiveness in a Carbon Energy plan as well as improving air quality, as well as producing easy to use, robust its durability and ease of use. and sustainable products means Other new exhibitors for 2022 we have the product range include Dymac Global, who that meets the ever increasing specialise in renewable power demands of today’s UK hire products and Powr2, a US based market.” manufacturer of renewable Taking centre stage on the power systems and innovative Genquip Groundhog stand → energy storage systems, that
the ‘innovation trail eco- live’ is making a return for the 2022 event. The ‘Innovation Trail Eco–Live’ is making a return for the 2022 event. The focus of the trail will be on emerging trends and technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. ‘The Innovation Trail Eco’ event will be hosted by media influencer Peter Haddock, owner of Content With Media. Companies profiled on the Trail will reflect environmental and sustainable solutions and products that embrace the latest technologies, including safety innovation and offering of efficient and future proof
70 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
claim to decrease emission and noise on any temporary power application. Alongside them, and the very latest to join the EHS family is Fentex, whose range of absorbency products will find much favour with companies looking to mop up spillages and maintain a tidy workshop. the bisaf
above: genquip groundhog’s static welfare unit below left: trime x-solar hybrid below right: vistors at the 2020 executive hire show
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 71
event preview → will be the brand new static welfare unit, the Groundhog I.760. Alongside the I.760 will be the Groundhog Solar Loo. This fuel-free, solar powered unisex toilet is designed for use on construction sites.
EHS: Bigger than ever JCB 1t-e one tonne site dumper
JCB will be showcasing a series of machines from its e-tech range of compact equipment. Fellow EHS veteran JCB will be once again attending the show, showcasing a series of machines from its E-TECH range of compact equipment. The E-TECH range all deliver zero emissions at the point of use and low noise levels, making them ideal for indoor, underground and emissionssensitive working sites. Included on the stand will be the 1T-E electric one-tonne site dumper model. Productivity and performance are identical to the conventional diesel model, both in travel speeds and in tipping cycle times. The machine offers a maximum payload of 1,000kg and a maximum load over height of 2,392mm. It will be joined by a series of further JCB equipment for the rental sector including compact excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers, tools and accessories. Over at the Thwaites stand, hirers who visit will discover how at the point of handover, they can add further value to customers who are planning to operate a Thwaites 1-Tonne dumper for the first time. Hirers
72 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Thwaites one tonne dumper
Toro uk’s elecric Dingo®
can order (free of charge) from the stand, machine decals displaying a handy QR code that leads to a video, which when affixed to the machine, viewed prior to operating and applied during operation will reduce risk, improve performance and enhance the customer experience. Meanwhile, Mecalac will be showcasing its class leading 3.5 MDX cabbed site dumper. Combining stylish design with state-of-the-art operator technology, Mecalac’s 3.5MDX cabbed site dumper sets the standards in performance, safety and practicality. Mark Royse, Head of Sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “As a leading event in the construction calendar, the Executive Hire Show provides an excellent platform to showcase some of our ‘rental favourites’ to key decision-
makers. While a new addition to our product range, the 3.5MDX is already receiving positive reviews from construction professionals worldwide. “We’re also looking forward to sharing our other latest developments with visitors to the show and their suitability for the equipment hire market.”
the UK & Ireland. The company will be offering the first public showing of its mini excavators for the small plant and tool hire market.
“we’re looking forward to sharing our latest developments with visitors to the show” - mark royse
Alongside the pioneering 3.5MDX, Mecalac will also showcase its highly-acclaimed 6MDX cabbed site dumper, TA1EH ROPS site dumper, and MBR-71 single drum pedestrian roller. SANY has also confirmed its first ever attendance at the Show, which forms part of the OEM’s renewed focus on
Moving away from larger plant and equipment, Toro UK is introducing the world’s first electric Dingo®. Built for indoors but strong enough for outdoors. As a market leader in compact utility loaders, Toro has made a major step into the electric equipment marketplace with the introduction of the new Toro® →
The Mecalac 3.5mdx cabbed dumper
Plant Planet • February 2022 • 73
event preview Pinnacle platform’s Sinoboom 1330SE Scissor Lift
EHS: Bigger than ever → e-Dingo® 500 compact utility loader. The e-Dingo allows contractors and construction professionals to realize all the benefits and power of a standard compact utility loader with no fuel costs and zero exhaust emissions. Pinnacle Platforms, the authorised GB distributor for Sinoboom Aerial Work Platforms, will be showcasing the Sinoboom 1330SE, an all-electric, virtually silent, 19’ (5.8m) max working height 880kg Scissor Lift. The machine is powered by the very latest 12v x 2/11 5Ah 24DC lead acid, AGM, maintenance free, short charge, long run, dry cell batteries, replacing wet lithium batteries that require daily levels of maintenance and high levels of charge. On stand C40, Trime’s X-ECO LITHIUM HYBRID tower light will be a prominent attraction. Also on display will be the Trime X-POLE SOLAR. This is a lighting tower that is powered by a combination of solar energy and battery power. Dustcontrol UK will exhibit its recently remodelled versions of the Tromb range
74 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
which meets modern safety requirements while offering ergonomic and modular functions. One of the major updates is that the new DC TrombTwin model is separable, meaning the dust extractor and pre-separator are easily detached and re-assembled from each other – making them simple to transport for actions such as floor grinding. HPC KAESER is showing the Mobilair M255, which is the largest oil-injected portable compressor from HPC KAESER. It is compact, safe, and easy to use, and perfect for applications such as drilling, quarrying or blasting work. It features a powerful and efficient Cummins engine, a diesel particulate filter, and an SCR system, fulfilling ‘Stage V’ emission or ‘Tier 4 final’ regulations. Demon International is extending its range of Lithium Ion E range pressure washers to include a conversion of fossil fuelled towed bowsers to fully battery powered. Demon is offering customers the battery unit to fit themselves or to convert them at the Demon factory. Re-using the bowsers and converting to battery has a great environmental impact in up-cycling the units to a new, greener version. As for machinery attachments, Barrier Master has proved to be a game changer for highways post extraction, both in terms of safety and productivity, winning numerous highways industry awards. Barrier Master can remove VRS posts lighting columns etc. complete with
up to 1.5m diameter concrete foundations with a force of 15 tonnes. All Manual handling of posts has been eliminated as has the danger of ejected parts should a post snap whilst being removed. The company will be showcasing its brand-new MK 2 versions of both multi-award winning Barrier Master and Fence Master ranges. For those looking for alternative fuels – FuelBox will be at the Show with its revolutionary bag-in-box fuelling system. If visitors are looking for a more sustainable fuel option, Green D+ HVO is the latest drop-in replacement for Diesel and can be used in all diesel engines,
as it conforms to EN15940. The environmental benefits are significant, reducing CO2e levels by up to 90%, particulate matter levels by 86%, Nitrous Oxide levels by up to 30%, improving local air quality. HireHop will be promoting new overseas offices and a new deposit feature, allowing not only the recording of security deposits, but it also allows the deposit to be refunded or used as a payment towards an invoice. HireHop also sends the deposit transaction to your accounting software (currently being Sage 50, Sage Business Cloud, QuickBooks and Xero), adding even more seamless
integration between accounting software and HireHop. Other companies set to exhibit this year include Doosan, Snorkel UK, Altrad Belle, Stihl, MHM Group, Niftylift and more. Registration for this year’s show is currently open and it’s FREE visit: https://rfg.circdata.com/ publish/EHS22/ Put the 9th and 10th February 2022 in your diary, this year’s EHS is not one to be missed! For a full exhibitor list visit www. executivehireshow.co.uk and be sure to check out Plant Planet’s April edition for a full show round up.
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Plant Planet • February 2022 • 75
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THE FUTURE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
FutureWaste COUNCIL OPTS FOR A ‘BODY DOUBLE’ With Mercedes-Benz Econics
FUELLING TOMORROW WITH AGRICULTURAL WASTE & THE BIGGEST INDUSTRY TRENDS OF 2022
Veolia EREMA Enters a New Announces its Dimension With Large-Scale Recycling Plants First Electric As the demand for recycled plastics grows, so does the size of the machines. This applies to the processing of polyolefins as well as to PET recycling. With its unique dimensions and production capacity, this new size of plant features a screw diameter of 280 mm, implemented for the first time in a VACUREMA® Basic 2628 T large-scale project for producing rPET pellets. EREMA has just shipped the plant to a customer in Brazil. Up to 40,000 tonnes per year of rPET meeting the highest quality standards can now be produced. “For this purpose, we installed a screw with a length of ten meters, a diameter of 280 millimetres and a weight of 3.5 tonnes, which is the largest ever used in one of our recycling machines,” explains Managing Director Michael Heitzinger. The screw was manufactured by 3S, a subsidiary of EREMA GmbH. No less impressive is the reactor of this recycling system, which, with a height of around 10 metres, is also unique and almost reaches the roof of the new production hall. 500 tonnes of input material were recycled during the test phase, which was subject to strict quality control. “The entire project was a great team effort,” Heitzinger said, thanking everyone involved.
Vehicle Battery Recycling Plant in UK
Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, has announced its first electric vehicle battery recycling facility in the UK, which will have the capacity to process 20% of the UK’s end of life electric vehicle batteries by 2024. Many of the materials required for battery manufacturing rely on traditional water and energy intensive processes. It is estimated that 500,000 gallons of water is required to extract one tonne of lithium using this type of mining. Urban mining or the use of recycled materials could reduce water consumption as well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions from battery production by up to 50%.
Just four years ago, the largest extrusion line supplied by EREMA was designed for a throughput of 15,000 tonnes per year. This size of plant was ordered by customers once or twice a year. In the meantime, machines like this leave the production site in Ansfelden every month. As early as 2020, EREMA proved to be a pioneer and reliable partner for implementing unique large-scale projects. That was when the food and beverage packaging manufacturer Envases Universales Mexico commissioned two VACUREMA® Basic 2625 T machines, each with a screw diameter of 250 mm and a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year.
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Veolia’s new facility in Minworth, West Midlands marks the first step in developing its recycling technology and treatment capacity within the UK, with an anticipated 350,000 tonnes of end of life electric vehicle batteries predicted to be in the country by 2040.
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ZWE-Led Research Finds Toxic Substances Risking Health of Local Communities New research published by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) about incinerators in three countries – Spain, Czechia, and Lithuania – finds a high level of contamination in the vicinity of incinerators, posing a significant risk to the environment and to the health of people living nearby.
for consumption. If these eggs were intended for the commercial market, they should have been withdrawn from the market. •
The analysis of the vegetation, pine needles, and mosses also shows high levels of dioxins in the vicinity of the waste incinerators. This means people living in the vicinity of
To assess the real impact of waste incineration,
incinerators could be harmed if they eat
the biomonitoring research conducted by
vegetables grown in the contaminated soil for
ToxicoWatch Foundation for ZWE analysed
consumption.
the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the surroundings of incinerators in Valdemingómez (Spain), Pilsen (Czechia, and Kaunas (Lithuania).
The research warns of the impacts of the current incineration strategy for human health and highlights the incompatibility of the current incineration heavy strategy with the EU’s zero
The study used bioassays, an analytical method
pollution agenda. It also gives a warning signal
to determine the concentration or potency of a
for contamination of the environment with highly
substance by its effect on living animals, plants,
harmful toxic substances for human health and
living cells, or tissues. This particular study used
the environment – such as dioxins (PCDD/F),
carefully collected biomarker samples – such
dioxin-like PCBs, PAHs, and PFAS.
as eggs of backyard chickens, pine needles, and mosses – in areas around incinerators. The research found that: •
The majority of eggs analysed exceed the EU action limits for food safety as regulated in the EU Directive 2013/711/EU.
• 80
A high percentage of eggs exceed the safe level FUTURE WASTE
Janek Vähk, ZWE’s Climate, Energy, and Air Pollution Programme Coordinator, said: “There is an urgent need to assess the real impact of waste incineration on human health and the environment. People living near waste incinerators need to be reassured about their health risks and the safety of such combustion facilities ”
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FUELLING TOMORROW WITH AGRICULTURAL WASTE
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BUILDING BACK GREENER ENCAPSULATES THE STRATEGY TOWARDS NET-ZERO”
I
It is no surprise that as we move towards a circular economy, we should think about how the massive quantities of agricultural waste produced in each harvest could be repurposed in another form. Studies have found that on average, for every kilo of food harvested, there is 1.5 kilo of residue produced. If handled improperly, agricultural waste can pose a health risk, as well as cause pollution of air and water. So how can agricultural waste be repurposed, and what role does it have in a circular economy?
sheets. In many places around
Research by the European
biofuel with similar properties
Union Commission states that
as crude oil. However, this
the EU Green Deal and the Farm
method requires high energy
to Fork strategy both hone in on
consumption, and researchers
“developing Europe’s agriculture
are exploring alternative
industry toward a high-value
methods.
food system.” Similarly in the UK, the slogan of Building Back Greener encapsulates the strategy towards net-zero, and is dominating the conversations in the industry. As part of the Agricultural Transition Plan from 2021-2024, the UK government announced the
the world, agricultural waste is dumped, and the most common method of disposal continues to be incineration, producing large amounts of greenhouse gases. Due to the nature of the waste, it is often difficult to recycle, and there are missed opportunities to make further use of the materials. Usually, waste is pretreated and fragmented through shredders and pulverisers. To name a few uses, agricultural waste can then be repurposed as: • Biofuels. In simple terms, when placed under high temperature and pressure, materials such as surplus grains unsuitable for sale turn into a
• Textiles from waste. Innovators in the fashion sector have begun repurposing banana and hemp plant waste to produce fibres which are naturally antibacterial, cutting down the chemical treatment required significantly.
Farming Innovation Programme
• Fertiliser. It is possible to
- an allocation of £17.5 million
create a low-emissions process
to support the agri-tech
for transforming industrial
revolution. However, there is
organic waste into fertiliser, as
still a way left to go.
demonstrated by the EU-funded
Agricultural waste can include anything from crop residue to plastics such as containers and
BTSys project by Agristarbio. According to CORDIS, organic waste is fed into the reactor.
FUTURE WASTE
83
Chemical reagents then treat the waste and balance the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, following which an industrial dryer reduces the humidity content of the fertiliser. To finish, a highefficiency granulator turns the fertiliser into granules, the form in which most fertilisers are sold on the market. Take a look to see it in action: https://youtu. be/mzSukceldFg Currently, agriculture produces 21% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and according to the UN, around a third of all food produced for humans is wasted or lost. Sustainability in farming continues to be high on the agenda for many, and while there is no singular solution to the issue of waste disposal, we must consider making every part of the food chain more circular. 84
FUTURE WASTE
IT IS POSSIBLE TO CREATE A LOW-EMISSIONS PROCESS FOR TRANSFORMING INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC WASTE INTO FERTILISER”
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THE BIG INDUSTRY TRENDS OF 2022
T
The recycling and waste industry continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2022, the sector looks to reemerge more resilient and determined to seize new opportunities.
Green Waste initiatives are
in technology were given
likely to be the focus for waste
a powerful boost by the
management providers in
pandemic, with further
2022, as the industry looks to
innovations in constant
decrease its carbon emissions
development, and technology
and strive for sustainability.
that promises to help the
councils offer a green waste
Further advancements in
Following the COP26 UN
collection service throughout
robotics means that they can
Climate Change Conference
the UK. Many focus on
now perform an increasing
hosted by the UK last year,
cardboard and plastic recycling.
number of tasks. For instance,
“going green” will be the
However, by placing garden
robots in waste management
driving force behind many
waste into your green bin, e.g.,
can be used in picking stations
decisions made in the industry
grass, leaves, branches, etc., this
to sort waste in material
throughout the upcoming year,
ensures these materials will be
sorting facilities. Apple is even
with emphasis on creating a
recycled as opposed to dumped
using robots to dismantle and
more sustainable path forward
onto landfill sites, lessening the
recover materials from its
regarding waste and recycling
impact on the environment.
phones and pads in an effort
processes.
Technology
to increase electronic waste
Technology is transforming
to see increase throughout the
Most waste is currently
many aspects of the sector
upcoming year. →
disposed of on landfill sites,
at a rapid rate. Investments
Green Recycling
All forms of biowaste can be recycled using the right machinery, and many local
recycling industry with greener practices will be a trend that continues throughout the year.
recycling, something we are set
including food waste, which accounts for nearly 50% of emissions, which as it decays creates enormous amounts of methane gas and global waste is only expected to grow if no improvements are made in the sector.
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GOING GREEN WILL BE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MANY DECISIONS MADE IN THE INDUSTRY THIS YEAR
FUTURE WASTE
87
→ Plant management,
In Italy, Ecomondo, Acea
emission monitoring, as well
Ambiente and Recycleye
as automated and remote
developed the first automated
machinery are all new
quality control system
innovative processes looking
designed for waste separation.
to be increased in the recycling
This system revolutionises
and waste management sector,
waste sorting on a global
with emphasis on developments
level, allowing for real-time
in waste separation processes.
information on its facilities,
Currently, plastics described
guaranteeing high purity in
as ‘compostable’ are rarely
separated waste materials. With
biodegradable at ambient
this breakthrough it is expected
temperatures. The most
that technology in this area is to
common polymer in these
be further explored throughout
plastics is only compostable
the year.
in industrial processes carried
Waste to Energy (WtE)
out at 70°C, but this process is not available commercially in
Waste-to-energy (WtE) has
the UK, resulting in these so-
been an ongoing debate in the
called “biodegradable” products
industry for quite some time.
ending up in landfill sites
Instead of sitting on a landfill,
regardless.
certain waste can be converted
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FUTURE WASTE
GENERATING ENERGY FROM WASTE LOOKS TO BE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS CIRCULAR THINKING into energy. Generating energy from waste looks to be the next step towards circular thinking. However, there is some debate to how truly ‘green’ this process
Circular Economy 2021 saw major development in the EU’s ambition to build a circular economy, with new
is.
laws implemented focusing
Most WtE processes generate
sustainable approaches to
electricity or heat through combustion and produce combustible fuels such as methane, a main contributor of greenhouse gases, conflicting with the industry’s strive for reducing the global carbon footprint. 2022 will see this method and debate further explored.
on encouraging reuse and consumption. This year, the sector will see this initiative develop further. The Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference takes place this year between the 1-2 March and will explore “A new normal: Sustainable products for sustainable consumption”. →
FUTURE WASTE
89
→ A ‘Circular Economy’ is the idea that there is no such thing as waste, as each material can be recycled and reused to make a new product, resulting in much longer lasting energy. Today, only 12% of Europe is circular. The globe strives towards making circularity the norm, and this year could see the enforcement of harsher restrictions on shipping hazardous waste out of Europe. The UK can expect to see a rise of remanufacturing, the process in which a product is returned to a better or original state and re-supplied with a warranty instead of creating another product, which would have resulted in excess materials and waste.
2022 Waste Targets The UK government have set pivotal targets in the upcoming years in order to combat climate change and emissions released from waste management. The UK’s plan is to maximise the value of resources using circular economical practises to meet zero emissions by 2050. The UK Resources and Waste Strategy ambitions published in 2018 will continue to be worked towards this year, with five key targets including: eliminating food waste to landfill; doubling resource productivity; working towards ensuring all plastic packaging placed on the market is recyclable, reusable, or compostable; eliminating avoidable plastic waste and finally, eliminating further waste of all kinds. 90
FUTURE WASTE
Remanufacturing is the industrial process of recovering, disassembling, repairing and sanitizing components of a product in order to resell at “new product” performance, quality and specifications. Key Applications include: 〉 Aircraft components 〉 Automotive parts such as car engines and components 〉 Electrical appliances and equipment 〉 Medical tools 〉 Office furniture 〉 Printing equipment 〉 Restaurant and food-service equipment NOTE: Remanufactured products cannot be resold as “used” or “refurbished”
COUNCIL OPTS FOR A ‘BODY DOUBLE’ WITH MERCEDESBENZ ECONICS
B
Bolton Council’s latest refuse collection vehicles are fitted with two types of FAUN Zoeller body but true to form, all are based on well proven Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis. Supplied by local Dealer Ciceley Commercials, the 19 six-wheelers represent a major step forward for the authority in terms of emissions reduction, operating efficiency and safety. The new trucks are all 2630 L variants with 7.7-litre inline six-cylinder engines that transmit their 220 kW (299 hp) outputs to the road via six-speed Allison automatic gearboxes purpose-designed for
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FUTURE WASTE
stop-start applications. Rear-steer axles provide enhanced manoeuvrability by reducing turning circles – a significant advantage when
and nitrogen oxide (NOx)
however, have been specified
emissions compared to their
with cylindrical Rotopress
Euro V predecessors, while also
bodies, which represent a new
consuming less fuel and up to
departure for the authority.
40% less AdBlue.
Built around a rotating drum,
working on residential streets.
Like Ciceley Commercials,
The vehicle’s comprehensive
primary contractor FAUN
safety armoury includes
Zoeller is also a well-established
the latest Active Brake
supplier to Bolton Council..
Assist 5 emergency braking technology, with industryleading pedestrian recognition capability, and Electronic Parking Brakes that are applied automatically when the engine is switched off.
higher payloads, reduced rear overhangs, a tight seal resulting in less dust and odour during collection operations, and fewer
fitted with 22m3 versions of
moving parts, which translate
FAUN Zoeller’s Variopress body
into lower maintenance and
and work with split Delta high-
repair costs.
level bin lifts. The Variopress system employs a conventional packer plate to compress the waste and was already being
they have replaced were 2012
operated successfully by Bolton
models, although four had been
Council on the six Mercedes-
providing reliable, cost-effective
Benz Econics it purchased in
service since 2009. The new,
2017.
a 90% reduction in particulate
number of benefits, including
Eight of the new trucks are
Most of the low-entry Econics
Euro VI-compliant trucks offer
this radical design offers a
The remaining 11 vehicles,
Bolton Council’s 20 m3 capacity Rotopress units are also fitted with Delta lifts and offer 11.5-tonne maximum payload capacities, up by about a tonne on their Variopress stablemates. They have been assigned to food and green garden waste collections. Although this
FUTURE WASTE
93
THE DRIVELINES ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RELIABLE AND THE CABS ARE COMFORTABLE AND WELLLIKED BY THE DRIVERS AND CREWS WHO USE THEM
type of body is capable of
through the official Mercedes-
compacting all types of waste
Benz Trucks Dealer network,
and recyclables, it is particularly
Bolton’s vehicles came with
well suited to organic material
comprehensive cover extending
as the rotating body ‘kick starts’
to three years/160,000 km.
the composting process.
94
FUTURE WASTE
Jason Molyneux, Senior Team
Bolton Council operates a
Leader in the Council’s Waste
fleet of 42 refuse collection
Department, confirmed:
vehicles which is dominated
“Ciceley Commercials’ Truck
by the three-pointed star. The
Sales Executive Matt Riley
authority maintains these
provides a great service, while
trucks in its own workshop,
we also have a very good
a stone’s throw from Ciceley
relationship with the Dealer’s
Commercials’ branch on Weston
aftersales team, who provide
Street. However, it relies on the
first-class back-up. If ever we
Dealer for regular parts supplies
have a technical issue we know
and any warranty work – as
we can just give them a call and
with all new Econics supplied
they’ll sort it out for us quickly.
“In truth, though, and this
speeds of up to 56 mph (90
explains why we have remained
km/h). Detection of a dangerous
loyal to Mercedes-Benz, our
situation triggers a three-
Econics have given us very few
stage reaction: first, the system
problems. The drivelines are
warns the driver with visual
exceptionally reliable and the
and audible alerts; then, if the
cabs are comfortable and well-
driver fails to react, it applies
liked by the drivers and crews
partial (approximately 50%)
who use them.”
braking; finally, if the driver has
Purpose-designed for municipal applications, the MercedesBenz Econic has a deep, panoramic windscreen and this, coupled with a low seating position, provides drivers with
still not intervened, it initiates maximum braking to bring the truck to a halt, applying the Electronic Parking Brake and activating the hazard warning lights to alert drivers behind.
unrivalled direct visibility. Its
At speeds of up to 31 mph (50
air-conditioned cab, meanwhile,
km/h) Active Brake Assist 5
is easily accessed via a single
is capable of applying full
step, making life easier for
braking when encountering
operatives who get in and out
pedestrians crossing its path,
numerous times during a shift.
approaching from the front or
The Econic also leads the field in terms of active safety. Active Brake Assist 5 combines camera and radar technology to detect vehicles ahead and stationary objects in its own lane, at
walking ahead. Not only does this remarkable technology increase safety for vulnerable road users and vehicle crews,
ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST 5 COMBINES CAMERA AND RADAR TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT VEHICLES AHEAD
but it also helps to relieve stress for drivers.
FUTURE WASTE
95
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98 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
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100 • February 2022 • Plant Planet
Miller Plant T: 01384 262400 W: https://www.millerplant.co.uk/ E: millerplantuk@yahoo.co.uk
DR Plant Repairs T: 01271 864429 W: https://drplantrepairs.co.uk E: enquiry@drplantrepairs.co.uk
Greens Plant Hire T: 01934 824463 W: www.greensplanthire.co.uk/ E: greensplanthire@btconnect.com
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