GENQUIP GROUNDHOG REAPS THE AWARDS

one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of temporary accommodation units, GenquipGroundhog is celebrating a trio of awards for their iRange of sustainable, low-emission site welfare units.

At the recent Hire Association Europe (HAE) Hire Awards of Excellence ceremony, Genquip-Groundhog was honoured with a ‘Highly Commended’ citation in the ‘Product of the Year’ category for their innovative i550 welfare unit. The i550 welfare unit is powered by a low emission 2kVA engine-driven battery charger system charged by a 1200W inverter. Additional power is via four 360-watt solar panels – roof mounted with a high-capacity charger controller. The i550 welfare units operate from an intelligent solar power and battery system. In addition, the i550 is fitted with a Victron Remote Monitoring system (VRM) that helps the operator to catch potential issues early by setting alerts and alarms. The HAE Hire Awards of Excellence celebrate the amazing achievements of hire and supply companies across the UK’s plant, tool, equipment, and event hire industry. The award ceremony took place on 22nd April at the Grosvenor House, London.

Genquip-Groundhog’s latest innovation in sustainable site welfare provisions is their iRange of mobile and static welfare units, and its environmental credentials have been endorsed by winning a Global Gold commendation in the 2023 Green Apple World awards. GenquipGroundhog topped the group in the Green Energy class. The Green World komatsu Ltd. (President and CEO: Hiroyuki Ogawa) has developed a concept machine for a medium-sized hydraulic excavator that combines a hydrogen fuel cell and Komatsudeveloped key components, to achieve carbon neutrality at workplaces of construction equipment.

Awards are organised by The Green Organisation, and are fundamental to The Green Organisation’s philosophy of helping others to help the environment. The International Green Apple Environment Awards were launched in 1994 and have become one of the world’s most prestigious recognition campaigns.

The Genquip-Groundhog iRange has also been recognised by one of the UK’s leading plant and equipment trade exhibitions, Plantworx 2023. The iRange has been included in the shortlist in their Innovation Awards programme in the ‘Non-Operated Plant and Support Service’ section. The 2023 awards were focussed very much on environmental solutions, sustainability, safety, and the use of smart technology.

Genquip-Groundhog has placed carbon emission reduction, lowered fuel costs, and empowered the use of renewables in the design of the iRange. These units are powered by an intelligent solar power and battery system, which means that the backup HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) Stage V-compliant generator is only running for around a third of the time when compared to a conventional welfare unit. HVO fuel is a renewable diesel alternative based on vegetable oils, grease, and similar residue. It is a drop-in diesel alternative with 90% lower net CO2 greenhouse gas emissions.

The Genquip-Groundhog partnership manufactures a wide range of sustainable accommodation units used throughout the hire, event, rail, and construction markets.

Their manufacturing facilities are based in Neath, South Wales. Continuous product development is ongoing, and bespoke models can be produced for specific requirements. They offer nationwide training, support and a dedicated spare parts department.

By advancing the PoC (Proof of Concept) tests it started in May 2023, Komatsu will accelerate its efforts to embark on the commercial production of medium-sized and large construction equipment powered by hydrogen fuel cells in the near future.

In its mid-term management plan, Komatsu committed to minimising environmental impact through its business, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from use of its products and production of its equipment by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels) and a challenge target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To help its customers achieve carbon neutrality, Komatsu has been providing a variety of products, services, and solutions that reduce environmental impact, such as hybrid hydraulic excavators and electric mini excavators.

Komatsu is also engaged in research and development to provide products equipped with new power sources. For the new concept machine, Komatsu adopted a hydrogen fuel cell system and hydrogen tank, which were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation (Operating Officer, President: Koji Sato) (hereafter “Toyota”), on Komatsu’s medium-sized hydraulic excavator. In addition to Komatsu’s comprehensive control technology, the combination of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell system and Komatsu key components, Komatsu is working towards zero exhaust emissions and a significant reduction in noise and vibration, while delivering the same powerful digging performance and high operability as engine-driven excavators. Medium-sized and large construction equipment requires a power source with higher energy density than that of small construction equipment, which has led the move to electrification with batteries. Because hydrogen has a higher energy density and can be refueled in a shorter time than recharging batteries, Komatsu has been advancing its R&D efforts as a promising electrification choice for medium-sized and large models. To contribute to realizing a hydrogen society and carbon neutrality, Komatsu will continue its efforts toward the commercial production of mediumsized and large construction machinery equipped with hydrogen fuel cells by conducting PoC tests of this new concept machine.

DANTOTSU Value is defined as customer value creation that generates a positive cycle of improvement of earnings and ESG resolutions in Komatsu’s new mid-term management plan, entitled “DANTOTSU Value –Together, to “The Next” for sustainable growth”. Through this DANTOTSU Value, Komatsu will strive to create new values in order to take steady steps forward to the next stage for the workplace of the future and pass on a sustainable future to the next generation.

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To learn more about Komatsu, please visit: www.komatsu.com