ConstructionWorX DIGITAL - Winter 2022

CEA Management Council

Rory Keogh

Gomaco International Ltd

Sam Mottram

(UK) Ltd

Nick Ground GKD Technik Ltd

Charles Stevenson

JCB Sales Ltd

Paul Ross

Plc

Mark Ormond

Manitou

Kate Wickham MBE Gate 7

David Waine

Steel

Nick Allen SMT

Damien McCormack

Nylacast Engineered Products

Board

Suneeta Johal

Mark Ormond

Paul Ross

Stevenson

Honorary President

From the Chief Executive

The dawn of a new era?

Welcome to the winter edition of Construction Worx magazine. I write this from the UK Pavilion at the Bauma exhibition in Munich, which is the first major international construction trade show I have experienced, and I have to say I am impressed. I would like to thank the CEA global team for organising the UK element, which has been very well received. Talking to exhibiting CEA members and visitors, there is a buoyant and confident feeling. The UK Pavilion is very busy and, people are once again happy to meet in person and build good relationships moving forward.

The CEA evening reception at Bauma was well attended and it was fantastic to meet so many new people and reconnect with colleagues that I met in my first year in office as CEO.

Many good conversations have been had with a number of companies reporting expansion and that they are actively recruiting new talent, which is exciting news. Supply chain issues remain problematic for most businesses, however, for many, order books are at capacity until 2024.

It has to be said, we have experienced an extraordinarily turbulent few months, a new Monarch, and the outgoing of two Prime Ministers, which spiralled the UK into economic turmoil, worsened by the recent ‘mini-budget’,

where most of the cuts and changes have mostly been dropped.

We now welcome a new government, with Rishi Sunak at the helm, and as a country and an industry we need stability – we call on Mr Sunak to deliver on his pledge – and place economic stability and confidence at the heart of the new government's agenda.

Consistency is key to restoring some stability and confidence, where our sector can deliver growth. As I sign off for the magazine to ‘go to press’ we are anticipating the government's medium-term fiscal plan, which has been put on hold until November the 17th, when Jeremy Hunt will announce his financial plan to the nation. Let us hope this will be the dawn of a new era to follow from the positivity I have experienced at bauma

I would like to hear from you about the challenges we are facing as an industry, and of course, anything else you would like to get in touch about – do drop me an email at suneeta.johal@thecea.org.uk

My very best wishes,

Dr Susan Scurlock MBE

Malcolm Harbour CBE

Nick Ground

David Bell Patrons

Suneeta Johal Chief Executive Construction Equipment Association

Suneeta Johal Chief Executive Construction Equipment Association

CESAR equipment security and registration scheme marks its 15-year anniversary

For 15 years the CESAR scheme has been protecting construction plant equipment from theft and is the UK’s official construction and agricultural equipment security and registration scheme of the Construction Equipment Association, promoted by the Agricultural Engineers Association, and powered by Datatag ID Ltd. Established in 2007, it is the only scheme of its kind which incorporates a database of ownership, allowing stolen machinery to be identified and returned to its rightful owner.

May 2006 saw a major initiative in the campaign to stamp out crime in the construction industry when more than 20 companies were invited to tender to the Plant Theft Action Group to implement a unique security and registration scheme – a first for the sector.

Datatag – the European market leader in security identity systems within the Motorcycle, ATV, Scooter, Trailers, Boats, IT, Cycle, Jet Ski

and Construction and Plant sectors – underwent a rigorous tendering and selection process before a final submission to the Construction Equipment Association and was announced as the winning company in November 2006.

CESAR was first launched at the Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS) conference held at JCB's Rocester HQ in 2007, with the

agricultural sector coming on board on 2009. Since its launch CESAR has been adopted by a 'who's who' of leading equipment manufacturers including Caterpillar, Hitachi, John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Volvo, Komatsu, Hyundai, Takeuchi, JCB, SANY, Manitou and Merlo. In fact the scheme has been adopted by 93% of the leading OEMs in the UK. (A full list of supporters can be found here Who Is Involved (cesarscheme.org))

To date, 550,000 items of equipment have been marked with the multi-layered technology which gives each machine a unique identity. The universally recognised triangular CESAR registration plate has become the industry standard identification mark. CESAR marking of construction and agricultural machinery has contributed significantly to a decline in thefts since the scheme was first launched.

Recovery rates of CESAR registered equipment are significantly higher than non-registered machines and official statistics confirm that a machine protected and registered by the CESAR Scheme is approximately four times less likely to be stolen than a non-registered machine and approximately six times more likely to be recovered.

The scheme is also recognised by Police, Law Enforcement, Border and Port Authorities as a result of the accurate machinery data recorded by Datatag and the CESAR Scheme.

Kevin Howells, Managing Director, Datatag, said “The last 15 years has been one of the most difficult and challenging periods ever recorded, particularly the last five years. During this time I have constantly been impressed and grateful for the support of the CEA, the AEA and the fantastic dedicated team at Datatag, who have helped make the Official CESAR Scheme a world leading security initiative. Our addition of the Emissions Compliance Verification feature has

helped the Scheme gain the support of almost all of the major OEMs, protecting and registering equipment for their valued customers. The database now surpasses half a million machines. So thank you to all of the participating, customer focussed, manufacturers and here’s to the next 15 years.”

Ruth Bailey, Director General/CEO, Agricultural Engineers Association said “Theft of agricultural machinery is in nobody’s interest, except for the criminals, who are often part of organised criminal networks. As well as the financial costs involved, it is also incredibly disruptive to farmers and other users of machinery, who rely on it to look after livestock and grow crops. The AEA supports any initiative which reduces theft. CESAR has proved itself over the last 15 years to be a very effective deterrent and we see it going from strength to strength as it reaches this milestone.”

Suneeta Johal, Chief Executive, Construction Equipment Association commented on CESAR reaching its 15-year anniversary, “Unfortunately we will never entirely stamp out plant theft, it’s a sad fact of life, particularly in the current economic climate. The CESAR scheme is amongst a few proven plant theft deterrents and boasts excellent recovery rates. Reaching this 15-year milestone and 550 thousand registrations is testament to its success. We look forward to the next milestone of 1 million machines displaying the familiar CESAR triangle.”

In 2013 Datatag launched Micro CESAR – a theft system for small tools and equipment. Insurers, manufacturers and industry bodies had raised the issue of small tool theft, and Micro CESAR was the response from Datatag and the CEA.

There are new developments in the CESAR suite of products, which are currently on trial with a leading contractor. Watch this space for the ‘official launch’ which is coming soon.

The scheme is also recognised by Police, Law Enforcement, Border and Port Authorities

CESAR SCHEME TECHNOLOGY

EXPLAINED…

CESAR uses State of the Art Datatag ID technology, with both visible and covert markings, making it a real theft deterrent. These include the now-iconic and uniquely numbered tamper-evident triangular ID plates, hidden RFID transponders, microscopic Datadots, and a unique forensic DNA solution. Once fitted these technologies are almost impossible to remove successfully and when recorded on Datatag's secure database, are accessible to the police 24/7enabling them to identify any machine at the roadside night or day. The Datatag team has trained 1000’s of police officers, from across the 43 UK Constabularies on CESAR.

There are no annual fees for the scheme, just a one-off investment in marking and registering your equipment for life. In addition, Datatag has a manned 24hour international call centre specifically for CESAR and the scheme is also part of Interpol’s training programme – so its reach is worldwide.

THE EVOLUTION OF CESAR…

In 2019, the CEA and Datatag ID announced the launch of the biggest evolution of the CESAR scheme to date; the addition of Emissions Compliance Verification (ECV). ECV takes the machine’s engine emission standard from the engine’s EU Type Approval number and displays it on a simple to read colour coded plate. ECV provides a quick and easy reference point where machines are working on sites where they are required to comply with NonRoad Mobile Machinery (NRMM) emission regulations.

The CESAR ECV system combines the technology behind the security marking scheme with an additional colour coded plate showing the engine emission stage from stage two through to stage five and now includes electric and, coming soon, hydrogen. The information about the machine is then collated on a comprehensive, secure database accessible through the ECV clearing portal. This information enables plant owners and operators, contractors and site managers to comply with any local policy or contractual obligation in place regarding machinery emissions levels.

JCB and Hitachi were among the first manufacturers to fit the CESAR ECV scheme as standard in early 2020 – the scheme has now been adopted by over 90% of OEMs and leading machine dealers in the construction sector.

HS2 has also adopted the CESAR ECV scheme across their sites as part of their air quality strategy, CESAR have busy fitting ECV systems to both new and existing equipment across the industry.

Leading contractor, Mace has mandated CESAR ECV across its projects. Andrew Kinsey, Mace Sustainability and Operations Director said, “Identifying compliance with air quality standards for Non Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) on site is now much easier and safer with CESAR Scheme Emissions Compliance Verification (ECV) which is why Mace require contractors and suppliers to use it.”

Sunbelt Rentals UK was the first plant hire company in the UK to adopt an ECV upgrade programme across their fleet. Sunbelt placed 2021/2022 orders for stage V equipment spanning excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, compressors and rollers to the value of £55m.

Tom Welland, Sunbelt Rentals Business Development Director HS2, said “As part of the HS2 supply chain Sunbelt Rentals recognise the need to report, easily, our Plant NRMM data to help achieve these targets. There is no universal recognition scheme for NRMMs, so currently it is a manual process to identify and ensure the correct policy is enforced. With a clear need for a simple system which could cut down in confusion, wrong deliveries, wasted time and money, as well as the risk of non-compliant plant being used, the ECV scheme created by Datatag ID in partnership with the CEA, seemed the logical scheme to get behind and support.”

CESAR ECV has now been adopted by over 90% of OEMs and leading machine dealers in the construction sector 4) CESAR was first launched 2007, with the agricultural sector coming on board on 2009

John Deere adopts CESAR across its agricultural range of machinery

The Plantworx construction trade show gains traction as more exhibitors book for the 2023 event!

The 5th biennial construction machinery exhibition will be held on 13-15 June 2023, at the East of England Arena and Events Centre, Peterborough.

Technology is changing the face of the Construction landscape –the last four years have seen a rapid growth in digital collaboration, electrification, connectivity, safety, telematics, real time-data, wearables, virtual and augmented reality - these coupled with the journey to automation, sustainability and the road to carbon zero, make the construction site of today and of the future a very different place.

Plantworx 2023 will be the show where emerging and disruptive technologies will feature alongside construction equipment, innovation, technology products and services. The show remains the UK's biennial showcase for the construction sector – and will lead visitors into the future of construction.

Spanning more than 150,000m2 of exhibition space, Plantworx

will give visitors an opportunity to see some of the latest plant and machinery operating in ‘real’ construction site conditions, alongside compact/mid-range equipment, tools and services. Already over 140 companies have secured their stand space and 85% of the digging demonstration areas have been sold.

Many of the key machinery OEMs have already confirmed their presence at the show, these include, Hidromek, Takeuchi, Sany, Liugong, Mecalac, John Deere, Avant, Kubota, Doosan and Bobcat and BOMAG. Also expect to see attachment specialists Auger Torque and BPH Attachments, leading tiltrotator companies including Engcon, and Steelwrist.

Handling and lifting specialist Manitou and Merlo have also confirmed alongside, remote control demolition experts, Brokk, which will be at the event showing the company’s latest demolition robots.

The digital revolution is truly upon us and what started as a trickle has now become a flood of technology and connectivity companies coming to market. Plantworx has already attracted a number of these businesses to exhibit in 2023 – these include, telematics specialists MachineMax, ABAX Telematics and Plant Tracking, and connectivity solutions company, Onwave.

Plantworx will also be showing ‘the future of the connected site’, which will feature the latest in site ‘technology’ – more details of this brand new initiative to follow in the next issue of Construction Worx.

Machine control and machine guidance will also be a big part of the show, these systems are now ‘the norm’ on the majority of site machinery whether factory or retrofitted – iDig 2D & 3D by Nasco Digtec will be demonstrating the very latest in dig technology.

Xwatch Safety Solutions, who is a leading provider of safety solutions for construction machinery is a brand new exhibitor and is currently a market leader in the design and supply of height & slew control for excavators, rated capacity indicators. James Fisher Prolec, also a leader in its field of site safety systems will be exhibiting its latest technology, as will award winning Spillard Safety Systems, who alongside showing sophisticated camera systems, will be demonstrating safety systems designed for the future of connected vehicle technology.

A full exhibitor list can be found on the Plantworx website www.plantworx.co.uk

MORE SPACE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR START UP COMPANIES

At Plantworx 2023 the availability of inside exhibition space has increased by up to 20%. This will also accommodate many of the new technology companies that have joined the sector since Plantworx 2019. A special package has been put together to attract to new companies and emerging innovators with the Plantworx "Big Ideas” showcase concept.

Construction Equipment Events Director, Rob Oliver said, “We are looking for start up and new to sector companies with products, technologies or services new to the construction industry. The sort of ideas which can make a Big IMPACT on our industry - which can improve efficiency, sustainability, safety or security. We are encouraging companies who think they fit the criteria to get in touch to discuss what we have on offer.”

The 2023 event is predicted to attract over 400 exhibitors from the world’s leading machine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. Over three days, visitors can expect to see the very latest in technological advancements and innovations which will impact the future of construction.

PLANTWORX – THE VENUE

The CEA took the decision to host Plantworx once again at the East of England venue, following positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors who attended the 2019 event, which was deemed a resounding success.

The permanent exhibition facilities offered by the East of England Arena provided the perfect platform for exhibitors to present their products, equipment and services – introducing the latest plant and technology to the UK construction industry.

Visitors also applauded the Plantworx show’s new home, praising the ‘all weather’ venue as a ‘definite winner’, with its permanent walkways, good communication signals and wifi facilities – which allowed visitors to ‘do business – while doing business’!

The show, which will be the ‘largest working’ event in 2023, is planning a comprehensive demonstration programme where exhibitors can put their machines through their paces in ‘real-site’ conditions.

Sales for stand space at the 2023 Plantworx Event are going great guns – there’s still time to book your space – please contact Angela Spink, Plantworx Sales Manager angela.spink@plantworx.co.uk for further details. Visit www.plantworx.co.uk for more information about the event.

Plantworx and Primary Engineer team up to inspire Engineers of the Future

The biennial Plantworx Construction Equipment Exhibition and the CEA has once again teamed up with educational organisation, Primary Engineer, to work with primary schools in the Peterborough area, on a new and exciting STEM construction project.

Plantworx and the CEA first began working with Primary Engineer in 2015 and have since funded hundreds of potential young engineers from local schools - inspiring our future engineers. However, this will be the first year that a ‘Construction Project’ has been introduced where the children will be tasked, using STEM skills, to create a dumper truck or a tower crane, which is very exciting – particularly in a Plantworx year! The presentation and judging of the school projects will be held at Plantworx on Thursday 15th June 2023 as part of the ‘Student Day’.

Andrew Norris, Head of Partnerships, Central and East England, Primary Engineer said, “It is wonderful to once again be working with Plantworx and the CEA to provide opportunities to demonstrate the power of engineering to children in the Peterborough area. Primary Engineer will train the teachers and bring engineering professionals

into the classrooms to demonstrate that engineering is a career for everyone. It is also fantastic that the pupils participating will be able to visit Plantworx, be wowed by the equipment on show, and hopefully go back to their studies with a clear goal of making a difference in the world through engineering.”

ENGINEERING SKILLS

There is a well-documented drive to increase the number of young people engaging with STEM as a precursor to careers in the sector. Within this ambition is the awareness that the number of females attracted to engineering and science is not increasing sufficiently to make an impact on the gender balance in the sector.

The Primary Engineer Construction project provides both KS1/

P2-3 and KS2/P4-7 teachers and pupils with creative, practical projects using construction engineering as the vehicle.

The training comprises two teachers per school and an invited engineer. Teachers make models on the course to use in the classroom. They are given an understanding of the curriculum links and access to the Primary Engineer Virtual Learning Environment where teaching resources can be found.

“Working in teams, the students will build their projects, which will form part of the school curriculum. The best teams will then present their designs at Plantworx on Thursday 15th of June as part of the Student Day where they will be judged by a team of engineers.”

PRIMARY ENGINEER AND THE UNIVERSE OF ENGINEERING

The demand for engineers way surpasses the numbers coming through the current routes to apprenticeships and university programmes. Perceptions of engineering stereotypes are ripe for change and this will initiate in primary school classrooms.

Primary Engineer has been working with teachers to address the fundamental issue of a lack of engineers and the wider perception of engineering since 2005. Its programmes and activities have a national footprint engaging over 65,000 pupils in the academic year 2021-22.

The research demonstrates that primary teachers find STEM subjects more difficult to teach, this lack of skills increases the disengagement of pupils with these subjects from a very early age. Primary Engineer has addressed this issue by providing teachers with practical skills and academic knowledge to subtly apply and embed the theoretical into

the practical, effectively ‘STEM by Stealth’. The impact on the teaching professionals and their pupils which has been reported anecdotally in numerous schools, Ofsted reports and evaluations from Engineering UK’s Tomorrows’ Engineers programme which funded some of Primary Engineers engagement with schools have also demonstrated significant impact on learning outcomes and experiences.

Since 2005 Primary Engineer has responded to the demand led by teachers and local companies expanding the programme from the first Primary Engineer training days delivered to primary teachers to a comprehensive suite of training and whole class activities.

Plantworx and CEA is seeking sponsorship support from Plantworx Exhibitors and CEA member companies – £800 is the cost to become a sponsor of the 2023 Primary Engineer event – this fee covers funding for teacher training, provide the materials and the project delivery.

All companies involved will receive widespread publicity which will surround this event and be invited to the ‘Celebration Event’ which will be held on Thursday 15th June 2023 at the Plantworx Exhibition, East of England Arena and Events Centre, Peterborough.

Tales from the underground

Plantworx reveals what’s beneath the showground’s surface for the 2023 event

Even though the weather at the last Plantworx event in 2019 was particularly challenging, thousands of visitors made the pilgrimage to the event, which proved to be a great success. This was thanks in part to its move to the East of England Showground and Arena, with its permanent walkways and a much improved infrastructure for visitors.

However, for a number of exhibitors, it was this very infrastructure that caused a few issues, as demonstration equipment buckets ruptured water pipes and unearthed cables. But according to site records, these utilities shouldn’t have been where they were digging.

It might have been fun for the ducks when a digging demo plot became a pond, thanks to a water main strike, but it certainly wasn’t for the exhibitor. Although these incidents didn’t cause any major problems for the Plantworx team, headed by event director, Simon Frere-Cook MBE, they were enough to put a very different plan in motion to ensure that this never happened again.

This involved the commissioning of a ‘whole site’ survey with MK Surveys, who used Leica Geosystems ground penetrating radar and cable detection surveying equipment, to reveal just what was underground and where. The project itself took a team

of three surveyors over two weeks to complete, before all the information was then put into a 2D and 3D model.

Talking to Simon at the showground, he explained why his team were ‘going underground’ and how the survey was going to allow them to change the next Plantworx show. (13th -15th June 2023, East of England Showground and Arena, Peterborough).

Simon explained, “When we made the move to East of England showground, the first thing we needed to do was determine how we could put on the type of Plantworx show that visitors expect. The main part of this, of course, involves seeing plant and equipment in action, in our dig zones. In order to create that live dig area experience that everyone enjoys, we looked at the site plans and determined the best location for these activities to take place.

With the plans showing where the underground utilities were on the site, we decided to locate the dig zone into one area that was free from any of these pipes or cables. Of course what we discovered at the show was the site plans were not up to date or accurate. We also recognised that concentrating all of the live demos into one area was not ideal for the way in which people visited the show.”

Simon continued, “This was because the flow of visitors tended to focus on these areas. So, following a review of the 2019 show, we wanted to change this and of course avoid any potential incidents in the future, by investigating what was actually underground and where. In doing this we knew we could use the information to reshape the show, by opening up areas for demonstrations and distributing them more widely around the showground. This in turn would help us to improve the experience for visitors and exhibitors alike.”

In order to build a factual and accurate underground model, the MK Surveys team brought a suite of Leica Geosystems surveying equipment onsite, gathering information to be used to complete a comprehensive survey of the whole showground. The MK Surveys team, headed by Gordon Livie explained what was involved in the survey, how the equipment actually worked and what was involved with creating the final model.

Gordon and his team worked with a range of Leica Geosystems equipment in a grid formation on a grassed area that makes up part of the 250 acres of outside space at the showground.

Gordon said, “Before we even got to site with our equipment, we had to do a lot of research to collate and study the existing plans of the site, which would give us a guide of what to expect. This process included collecting plans from the East of England showground and the statutory undertakers”.

“On looking at the plans, it became clear that over time, they had been altered with various degrees of accuracy, from pencilled in lines to more detailed drawings. But as we got onto site surveying, we soon learnt that although these documents showed some of the utilities, there were many more hidden below ground that hadn’t made it onto the plans.”

“Of course, the problem comes with this type of site when you have both historic utilities like metal pipework and then newer utilities like plastic pipes. This is because the standard metal detection systems you can use, don’t work with plastic utilities. In order to ensure we captured everything accurately, we had to combine the use of the Leica Ultra Electromagnetic Locator metal detection system, its smaller Leica DS2000 Ground Penetrating Radar and its larger cousin, the Leica Stream C Ground Penetrating Radar.”

“In order to create the site model, we used all of the detection equipment to detect the underground utilities first. Then all location equipment was used to map the positions of the detected utilities. All the ground penetrating radar (GPR) data was then collected using GNSS tracking, so the positions of any utilities were recorded in the exact location as we carried out the survey.” “For anyone not familiar with how GPR equipment works, basically the technology uses a transmitter and antennas which emit electromagnetic energy into the ground. When the energy encounters a buried object or a boundary between materials the receiving antenna is able to process this and create a model by recording the variations in the return signal. So, if a plastic pipe or other utility is in the ground, this will show up on the readings. This means we are able to collect accurate depth, and size information of the utilities, that is then put together by our software modelling experts. This, in turn, allows them to build an accurate model of what is underground, creating a 2D and 3D version of this.”

Gordon described what the team discovered after the survey was finished, he had some quite startling revelations, with some utilities up to 10 metres in the “wrong” location. The large fuel

In order to build a factual and accurate underground model, the MK Surveys team brought a suite of Leica Geosystems surveying equipment onsite.

main which crosses the site has also now been properly mapped as the location of this was a very grey area.

Gordon assured the Plantworx team that any areas proposed to be excavated would be cleared before any ground is broken for the 2023 event. After all, with almost four years passing between the survey and the event, due to the COVID pandemic and cancelling the 2022 event, allowing Hillhead to go ahead, there is no telling if a new utility has been installed that was not picked up this time.

Visit www.plantworx.co.uk for further details…

That winning feeling

Plantworx Innovation Awards 2023 held in association with the Construction Equipment Association – submissions invited.

Winning an award can have incredible benefits for a company and the value and impact can be far reaching, by enhancing brand profile and recognition. Showcasing your achievements and innovations to the wider industry and potential clients could lead to an increase in sales and improved competitiveness.

There’s also tremendous PR value in winning as award, with additional press coverage and free publicity opportunities, both internally and externally.

An award win can also boost staff morale creating a real ‘buzz’celebrating success across your business and teams and rewarding outstanding work. Don’t forget the networking opportunities at the awards ceremony too - where there are good prospects of meeting potential new customers and industry influencers!

The Plantworx Innovation Awards ticks all of these boxes and more - as the winners will also have the opportunity to showcase their winning product/service at the event in front of thousands of visitors and business leaders. So, what are you waiting for?

All entries, except for the Skills & Training category and Young Apprentice, must be new to market within the last year, leading up to Plantworx 2023. Entries are invited from all Plantworx exhibitors. To get ahead of the pack, exhibitors are invited to contact Louise Carney for a copy of the Awards criteria via louise.carney@plantworx.co.uk. There is a new section of the website under construction for uploading digital entries – details coming soon!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

17th February 2023

ceremony on the evening of Tuesday 28th March 2023 at the Plantworx event venue at the East of England Arena and Events Centre in Peterborough – save the date!

SMART CONSTRUCTION

Komatsu UK a Smart approach from the factory to the site

Komatsu UK has been manufacturing its medium to large excavator range for the UK and export markets at its facility in Birtley, County Durham, for over 35 years. On a recent tour of the facility, Construction Worx correspondent Peter Haddock found out how Komatsu has put Smart technology into its excavators.

Komatsu wants to add this smart approach to other OEMs’ products with the launch of a new retrofit machine guidance solution. This is because the business, through its Smart Construction division, is not just making great products. It's also built a powerful digital platform to ensure machines can deliver these projects more efficiently.

When you arrive at the Komatsu factory, the site itself is unmissable as it covers an area of 200,000 sqm of which 50,000 sqm is covered space used to manufacture and assemble its excavator range.

What strikes you about the factory is the welcome you get from the people that work in it, and so I was very pleased that MD, Paul Blanchard, took the time out to talk to me about the latest developments in the factory. He said: "Over the last 12 to 18 months, we have increased production by around 30% to meet industry demands for our products across the UK and globe.

"To support this, we have taken on 150 new staff, including

apprentices and graduates. For me, it's all about building a sustainable, highly skilled local workforce and using our existing experts, some of which have been with us for 35 years to train those joining us. Our training is all about supporting each team member coming into the business.

From design to manufacture, we all take immense pride in what we do at Komatsu UK. We are particularly proud of the fuel savings achieved from our hybrid range and the applications we can support with our specialist machines like the K100. And of course, all of our machines can now be more connected through the development of the Komatsu Smart Construction Solutions we are now able to showcase in our demonstration area."

Where the Komatsu UK team is responsible for the excavator range, its colleagues from Komatsu Europe are now rolling out the Smart Construction portfolio of solutions and hardware. To find

out more, I met Richard Clement, its European Deputy General Manager, for the launch of its new retrofit 3D machine guidance system for mixed OEM fleets.

This system was retrofitted to a PC210 LC Dash 11 excavator straight from the factory, making it Smart Construction ready. As a machine guidance system the solution, like others on the market, requires the installation of sensors mounted on the boom, stick and bucket links so it can determine the position of the machine against site design data. The machine connects to the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) through two antennae mounted on the safety rails at the back of the machine.

And for Komatsu machines, the system can also connect with an IMU sensor in the chassis, enabling it to report on the payload in each bucket, linking this into the overall material journey from excavator to ADT to stockpile or site placement.

But unlike other solutions, the end user does not need a specialist tablet, just one that operates on the android platform. In this case, a Samsung tablet was used. It connects to the main controller hidden inside the machine through Wifi and therefore doesn't require additional wiring inside the cab. It also means that a site manager can connect to the machine and access information from outside the cab.

Talking about the launch, Richard said: "We brought Smart Construction to the European market in 2020 and, as part of its rollout, we recognised the need to make it fully accessible to mixed fleet owners. To do this, we developed a new machine guidance retrofit solution that could make a standard excavator, in this case, smarter. We already equip some of our machines with Intelligent 3D Machine Control 2.0 (iMC 2.0), but now we can use this solution to create a data feed into our Smart Construction dashboard.

"By offering an entry level 3D and 2D machine guidance solution, rather than full machine control, we are also able to connect machines for a lower price point. And this solution has a dual purpose of providing that guidance for the operator to help with the efficiency on the job site whilst also sending a data feed from this machine directly into our Smart Construction ecosystem.

In turn, this will join data from other machines in the fleet, allowing us to see progress on site through an 'as built' data model. This approach helps site teams to understand what the machine is achieving, essentially using it as one of the Internet of Things sensors on the job site that can continually feed in information in real-time.

For example, on this PC210, we can also measure payload and match this to the Komatsu HM300-5, 28 tonne ADT in our demonstration area.

By combining data from both machines you can see the muck you've shifted, where it has been taken to, and therefore build up a picture of your cut your fill. Combine this with fixed and variable costs like salaries and fuel, and you have a much greater understanding of your overall project profitability."

The data collected by Komatsu's Smart Construction solution is also comparative, so you can work out where extra training or support is needed from one operator to the next to boost productivity and efficiency. It's all part of building a digital project focused ecosystem that allows you to manage, measure and monitor a site.

Richard: "I think it's important to understand that the data feed doesn't actually have the value. The value comes from the information you can glean from it. And it's not just about managing a fleet of machines. You have to take a holistic look at the overall project. For example, the terrain data from drone flights can be very useful, as can other surveys of the site. And bringing together this information can be very impactful. This is because no singular feed from, say one machine, can answer questions around how to make improvements without complementary data from other sources."

SIMPLIFYING CONNECTIVITY AND UPDATES

Using the Samsung tablet, Richard showed me how an operator can also take advantage of having a larger tablet in the cab as it's the Smart Construction app that provides the 'human machine interface' of the solution.

Richard: "By designing the app and field testing it with operators, we have made it intuitive and simple to use with Wifi connecting the tablet to our controller. We have even developed different visibility options so that the guidance information can be delivered in a way that is preferable to the operator from looking at a 3D or 2D model, for example. Site managers with existing android phones or tablets can also download the app to access information without having to buy another device. And the app is regularly updated to take advantage of new and improved features."

As part of the systems connectivity options, in addition to getting corrections from the GNSS network, it can also be used with a base station, connecting via satellite radio to the controller.

PAYLOAD ON THE MOVE THROUGH CLEVER CALIBRATION

Richard: "To enable payload monitoring on its own excavators through the retrofit solution, we have networked our hydraulic sensors to measure the pressure and the cylinders. We can use this information to calculate the load in the bucket right after calibration. And this is a dynamic load measurement system, so you don't need to pause to let it measure as it weighs the material whilst the bucket is swinging to load it into the ADT."

Komatsu has developed Smart Construction pilot as part of its Smart Construction suite. This allows operators who use different buckets for varying applications to set up a machine and calibrate all of the different buckets at the start. This stored information can then be used to get accurate payload data for each bucket, using its unique system generated reference number. It also means if that bucket is shared or used on a different connected machine, the file can be sent to it.

Another benefit of pilot is all of the geometrical data of the bucket is also stored, so engineers creating models can use this information to ensure accurate machine guidance. Richard added: "In addition to this approach, we have recognised there are varying different software packages used within construction and earthworks design.

"With this in mind, we have built a Smart Construction translator into the pilot application, so you can transmit whatever file format you like, and it'll convert it into the format that's necessary for this machine to use. This means engineers are able to use the software they want and know that they are designing for the machine and no extra intermediate work needs to be done."

As part of the retrofit package, Komatsu has also thought about how the sensors in the boom, stick and bucket are connected, using shorter hose runs with added projection at the bucket link. Richard: "If you do damage a connection point having a shorter run is much easier to fix than replacing a large piece of pipe or the full length of wiring."

To date, Komatsu has launched the tracked excavator kit with two piece boom and tilt buckets options. It will shortly also offer a wheeled excavator kit with other kit options being developed.

Once a customer connects a machine or fleet, they will then be able to

join a fast growing base of Smart Construction enabled businesses. And this is where Richard and his team will be on hand to help understand how a customer operates from initial tender to pre-construction and construction, right the way through to project completion.

Our Smart Construction approach is about analysing what can be achieved through optimising business processes one step at a time. With digital tools, you can plan better, reduce mistakes and cut out waste. But to be successful, you need to identify pain points and solve them together through implementing technology, training and coaching.

"We already know what technologies are round the corner like semi and full autonomous machines, but Smart Construction is about the here and now. And being able to simulate a project using our tools before a machine gets onto the site is a perfect example of forward planning that makes an immediate impact."

Having seen the Smart Construction demonstration at the factory, it is clear that there are huge benefits to be had. From flying drones to making models and interrogating Smart Construction dashboards all in real-time, we can truly bring the construction site to life. It's then all about putting the right connected machines from any OEM, with the right technology, trained and informed staff together to deliver the project.

SKILLS & TRAINING

AccXel a future blueprint for plant and construction training

Portacabin in a field or a five star hotel like training facility designed for learners and the wider construction community? Peter Haddock pays a visit to the new £3m state-of-the-art AccXel construction and plant training centre of excellence in Gloucestershire, which is set to reshape the industry.

Before you walk through the doors of AccXel, you are greeted by a statement that defines what the centre is all about 'Supporting People to Construct the Future'. As you enter, you feel like you are in a five-star hotel complete with some muddy boots on the side.

The building flows into a central café where apprentices, other learners, staff, and the construction industry mingle, sharing experiences and enjoying good food and coffee. As this is not just a training facility, it's a construction hub. By day two, spacious, light rooms to the right of the café are full of learners, and by early evening, these can and were being transformed for one of many events, making it a multifunctional space.

Turn left at the reception, and you enter more learning spaces with murals on the walls letting you know that this is a rather cool construction environment. At the far end of the corridor, a door opens

up to reveal an amazing simulator and technology suite, complete with four Tenstar simulators.

At the time of my visit, it was the second week of AccXel's first-ever apprenticeship intake, having opened its doors on 5th January 2022. Trainers were showing students how to operate excavators, and one particular station was completely surrounded. Taking a closer look revealed all of the excitement, as trainer Jamie Williams was busy 'digging to grade' using the Leica Geosystems MC1 machine control console that had been installed and calibrated the week before.

This is part of a key industry partnership approach by AccXel that has teamed up with not just Leica Geosystems but also JCB through its local dealer, Holt JCB. As Founder and Managing Director, Nicola Bird explained to me her vision for AccXel: "It all started with the realisation that both our family business KW Bell Group and our supply chain were

struggling to attract new people into our respective businesses.

"This led me to think about how we could tackle this issue and practically bring more people into the industry. So we set up two satellite facilities to train 23 groundwork apprentices in our own bespoke apprenticeship programme.

"It was a great learning experience that helped us understand how to give individuals a pathway to a career in our sector. But one thing we also recognised was that a portacabin in a muddy field would never attract people in the first place.

"So we put together an inclusive vision and a business plan to build AccXel and in October 2020 we were awarded £1.96m by HM Government and GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership via the 'Getting Building Fund'. KW Bell group added a further £1m of investment, and what is now the UK's first co-funded Construction Skills Accelerator Centre was born.

"A big part of this vision was the creation of industry partnerships and building a great team of like-minded people to deliver training. For our plant training offering, we partnered with JCB and Leica Geosystems to ensure our apprentices and learners have the latest equipment and technology available. We will also use this equipment and the Leica Geosystems technology to help upskill individuals already in the industry.

"The key to our success is creating a centre that is fit for purpose and a great learning environment. We have designed AccXel to be totally inclusive of learners from all backgrounds and employers who can use the centre themselves for training or customer events. That way, we can bring the construction sector closer together and support employment opportunities for learners and fill the gaps we know exist for employers."

AccXel is not just about plant training. It's also a facility where groundworkers and bricklayers can learn a trade in the same environment and outdoors in real-world conditions. It was in this new outside area where I caught up with two apprentices and saw the brand new JCB equipment they were learning on.

Stood next to a JCB 100C-2 excavator, which had been fitted the week before with the Leica Geosystems cab kit to make it 'machine control ready', I spoke to a young apprentice, Corey Burford, who was now in his second week on the course.

He said: "I saw AccXel being built as I live locally, and I have always wanted to get into construction, so I applied for the apprenticeship. Learning and working on the best equipment gives me the opportunity to start a career in the industry and find employment. We have already started by learning all about Health and Safety and the worksites we will be on in the future, and I am looking forward to the digger training on the new JCB's”.

AccXel is not just for young people like Corey, as I discovered when I spoke to career changer Paul Worsfold who has decided to join the

sector. Paul: "I was a bit nervous at making the change, to be honest, but two weeks in, and I know I have made the right decision. You only have to approach the building to see how good it is. The classrooms are great, and the simulators are amazing bits of kit to use. I think all the new equipment really sets you on the right path from the get go.

"I hope to get my initial experience onsite through this apprenticeship, and with a management background in my previous career, the potential is there for me to move on to a site manager level in the future. For me, it's massively important that AccXel also has links to employers in the region."

With lots going on at the facility, you can really see the pride in both the learners and staff, who have quickly gelled together. There is so much going on at AccXel, and yet it feels like a place where everyone is welcome, and this is because of Nicola and her very practical approach.

Nicola: "If you spend all your time looking at delivering great buildings and structures and neglect to take the same approach to provide great learning environments, you will never attract the right people for the future.

"We have proven with AccXel that things can be different when you work with great partners, employers and people. And this is why I believe our sector needs to take a much bolder step towards building a better training and support infrastructure that is fit for purpose now and tomorrow."

And I agree with Nicola. As we move forward, we need to attract and retain the very best in our industry, supporting them at every step of their career to build a better future for themselves and the businesses they work for. And who wouldn't want to learn in a five star hotel where even the toilets and welfare facilities are impressive!

DALE'S DIARY Regulatory report from the CEA

In this issue, the CEA’s Senior Technical Adviser, Dale Camsell, tracks legislative developments in the EU – which remains a major market for CEA members.

The Machinery Directive revision moves towards its conclusion and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) points to flaws in the EU Data Act in relation to connected products and data sharing.

MACHINERY DIRECTIVE REVISION

ENTERS FINAL STAGE

The EU Machinery Directive is the most fundamental piece of legislation that manufacturers must comply with prior to placing products on the EU market. As previously reported, it is currently undergoing revision and, during the summer period, the revision process entered its final stage. During this final phase of its development, the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council will discuss their differences and negotiate/agree the requirements that will be laid down in the legal text. The jargonistic term for this 3-way negotiation is “trialogue”.

Since the negotiations are currently ongoing, the institutions do not tend to divulge the detail of what has been agreed and what areas of divergence are still being negotiated. However, CEA has learnt that two

of the main areas where differences lie between the institutions relate to (a) the content of the machinery-type list that require notified body conformity assessment, i.e. the equivalent of Annex IV of the current Machinery Directive, where the Commission has identified 25 types, the Parliament 10 and the Council just 3, and (b) the transition period, i.e. the period during which manufacturers must (where necessary) modify their designs to remain compliant with the new regulation and for the standardisation bodies to revise the harmonised standards that allow manufacturers to obtain a presumption of conformity with the regulation. In this matter, the institutions vary from a transition period of 30 months to 48 months, with industry being very much in favour of the latter.

The legislators intend to complete the negotiations by the end of this year although they acknowledge that this could spill into the first part of next year. Industry will then have the duration of whatever transition period is agreed in order to make the necessary product changes.

Until the negotiations are complete and the final legal text is frozen, it is difficult to anticipate the implications of the new requirements. However, CEA members can rest assured that they will be kept closely informed of the outcome.

THE DATA ACT

There have been rapid advances in the connectivity of construction equipment in recent times. This technological development offers all sorts of benefits to many stakeholders; however, the legislators are now catching up and new regulations are being developed. Two of the main areas where legislation is being planned are in the field of data rights and in the cybersecurity of connected products.

The Data Act is intended to make data available for use by certain stakeholders and will set up rules on who can use and who can access the various types of data, and importantly, for which purposes that data can then be used.

In the European Commission’s legislative proposal, the intention is for the Act to provide (a) improved access to private sector data for the public sector, i.e. business to government (B2G); (b) fairness of data access and use in business relationships, i.e. business to business (B2B), and (c) new rules allowing customers to effectively switch between different cloud data-processing service providers.

Through CECE, the CEA has been very active in this matter, resulting in CECE developing a position paper indicating some significant concerns it has with the proposal. One of the main issues highlighted is that the regulation is disproportionate and overly burdensome, in that it sets obstacles to the already well-functioning arrangement of entrepreneurial relationships between manufacturers and machine owners. Yet it fails to make clear the interaction with third parties and thus would hamper contractual freedom and innovation. CECE also has many other concerns with the European Commission’s proposal.

Back in June a small CECE delegation, led by yours truly, was involved in advocacy activity with the Commissioner that championed the development of this proposal. During that meeting CECE’s concerns were shared, centring on the fact that the proposal seems to be written to cover data exchanges on the basis of a very simple, consumer-product oriented model and does not take into account the complex (but well-functioning) situation of connected products in the construction sector. More specifically, CECE has problems with the scope and definitions, certain aspects of B2B data sharing, mandatory B2G data sharing requirements, an unlevel playing field between large and small manufacturers, and the lack of compensation for manufacturers that are required to share the data.

The Data Act is being considered by both the European Parliament and European Council and the file is expected to enter the trialogue phase during Q1 2023, with the publication of the final text expected around this time next year.

CYBER RESILIENCE ACT

With regard to cybersecurity, in order to respond to the increasing threat of cyberattacks and hackings, the European Commission has recently published a proposal for a Cyber Resilience Act. The intention of this new piece of legislation is to establish common standards for cybersecurity products in order to increase resilience and security.

In principle, CECE welcomes the initiative, but is carefully analysing the proposal in order to gain an understanding of the implications and assess if there are any areas in which industry needs to advocate for change. Since the proposal was only published in late September the analysis is ongoing, after which, CECE will develop a position paper.

Note: since both the Data Act and Cyber Resilience Act are relatively new, I intend to provide CEA members with an overview of both proposals during an upcoming CEA Power Hour event. Watch out for details and invitations.

CECE ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT TEAM

In recent times construction equipment manufacturers have made significant and exciting technological progress in the electrification of machinery. However, this rapid advancement has resulted in the infrastructure providers, regulators and standardisation bodies failing to keep pace with the latest developments. In order for industry to understand where the gaps are and to assess what advocacy actions might be required, CECE has established a new project team that will focus entirely on industry’s needs in the field of machine electrification.

The group has only been formed in the last couple of months and I have been elected as its Chair. This puts CEA in a very favourable position in respect of CECE’s machine power related activity since Jason Ong (Komatsu) is Chair of the already existing project team covering internal combustion engines, therefore CEA members can be sure that their needs are well catered for within CECE.

BRIEFING UKCA marking and Type Approvals

The CEA’s Dale Camsell provides a briefing on the UK’s journey away from the CE mark with the adoption of UKCA marking and supporting conformity provisions….

In June this year, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) made a major announcement regarding certain easements in the requirements for UKCA marking. These relaxations apply to conformity assessments by third-parties, the labelling of imported stock, spare parts, and the affixing of the UKCA mark and importer’s information.

It is important to note that, despite these easements, there has been no change to the UKCA implementation timeline. As a reminder, CE marking alone will not be accepted in the GB market from 1st January 2023, apart from machinery that is manufactured in Northern Ireland. From that date, machines placed on the GB market must be UKCA marked. However, the route to demonstrating conformity has changed…

In the case where UKCA marking regulations require that a conformity assessment is performed by a third-party (e.g. outdoor noise regulation), the previous UK position was that, for products placed on the GB market from 1st January 2023, that assessment had to be performed by a UK Approved Body.

However, the new position is that the UK will continue to accept conformity assessments performed by EU recognised Notified Bodies as

the basis for applying the UKCA mark beyond the previous 1st January 2023 deadline. This means that conformity assessment approvals obtained in the course of CE marking activity will be accepted by BEIS for UKCA marking, provided that the conformity assessment was performed by 31st December 2022.

This acceptance is time limited though. Approvals from EU recognised Notified Bodies will remain valid for UKCA marking only until the expiry of the relevant certificate or for 5 years (31st December 2027), whichever is sooner.

BEIS has also announced that where CE only marked stock was imported under contract into GB before the end of 2022, there is no need to re-test and re-mark this imported stock. This is because it deems these products were already placed on the market in GB, thus manufacturers will not need to conduct UKCA labelling of stock that is CE marked and imported into GB by 31st December 2022.

With regard to spare parts, where such parts require conformity marking, BEIS will accept their placing onto the GB market on the basis that they comply with the same conformity assessment requirements that were in place at the time the original product or system they are ultimately intended to repair, replace or maintain was placed on the

market. This means that CE only marked spares can be placed on the GB market after 1st January 2023 provided that they will be installed into CE marked machines.

Prior to this latest announcement, the UK position was that, for products imported into GB, the importer’s details* were, until 31st December 2022, allowed to be shown on an accompanying document and, until 31st December 2023, the UKCA mark was allowed to be shown on an accompanying document. However, according to the latest BEIS announcement, both of the above sets of information can continue to be provided on an accompanying document until 31st December 2025.

Thereafter, the information must be on a label affixed to the machine, unless sector specific legislation allows an exemption due to circumstances, e.g. very small machinery.

Footnote: *please bear in mind that the exemption for the importer’s details applies only for products imported into GB from EU and EEA countries.

THE STATUS OF TYPE APPROVALS….

Provisional GB Type Approval for Non-Road Mobile Machinery Engines

There is no change to the implementation of the provisional GBTA scheme for NRMM engines, which comes into effect on 1st January 2023. Thus, NRMM engines placed on the GB market as of that date must have a provisional GBTA. However, this is primarily an administrative/ paperwork matter since no additional engine markings are required. The end result of the process is that the engine manufacturer will receive a letter from VCA confirming that provisional GBTA approval has been granted and it will provide the engine manufacturer with the provisional type approval number. OEMs are therefore recommended to seek verification from their engine supplier that a valid provisional GBTA has been obtained. This could be in the form of obtaining a copy of the confirmation letter, which the OEM can then store in their technical file.

Full GB Type Approval for Non-Road Mobile Machinery Engines

In relat ion to the full GBTA scheme, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that, for NRMM engines, it will continue to accept applications for provisional GBTA through until the 31st December 2027. This is extension has been granted on the basis of feedback that was received during a consultation that took place in early summer, to which CEA contributed in partnership with other UK trade associations, notably SMMT.

This represents a lengthy delay to the implementation of the full GBTA scheme since, until recently, it was expected to be implemented during 2024. Engine manufacturers will now have considerably longer to obtain the full GBTAs.

HARD DATA

UK Construction equipment sales close to 2021 high

The CEA’s Market Analyst, Paul Lyons, provides his insight into what is happening in and around the UK construction equipment market…

Retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the first eight months of the year in the UK were only 2.5% below the levels seen in the same period in 2021. This indicates that sales are remaining at very high levels, as sales last year were the highest since before the financial crash in 2007, after a very strong recovery from the pandemic. During January to August this year, equipment sales reached just below 25,000 units. Feedback from the market suggests that demand for new equipment has remained strong this year, and sales would have been higher if supply chain constraints hadn’t held back production and the supply of equipment. One example in the first half of the year was the reduced level of imports of excavators from Japan, which official customs data identified as being 23% lower than the first half of 2021, measured by tonnage of equipment shipped into the UK market.

In their latest forecast published in August, Off-Highway Research are forecasting that sales of construction equipment for the whole of 2022 will be relatively flat, showing only a 1% reduction on 2021 levels. Following this, it is expected that sales will show a modest decline in 2023 as the impact of reduced activity in the construction market is experienced. The high level of uncertainty from the ongoing war in the

Ukraine is expected to result in a weaker economic climate and lower levels of investment. Combined with the effects of higher costs for materials and energy, lower construction activity is expected to result in weaker demand for equipment next year. In an unprecedented climate of uncertainty, it is more difficult than usual to forecast changes in equipment sales, but at this stage, Off-Highway is anticipating a modest 7% reduction in equipment sales next year.

The pattern of sales for the major equipment types in 2022 seems to have been impacted by the supply chain constraints referred to above, creating quite a range of different sales performances compared with 2021. Two-thirds through the year, the strongest growth has been experienced by sales of telehandlers (for the construction industry), recording nearly 24% growth on the same period last year. This has been a result of strong demand which hasn’t experienced the same supply chain constraints as some of the other products. In comparison, sales of crawler excavators in the period under review (-7%), and mini/midi excavators (-8%) have suffered from some of the supply chain constraints.

Construction equipment sales in the Republic of Ireland are also recorded in the statistics scheme run by Systematics International. The

latest update shows that sales were 12% down on the same period last year. After the first quarter, when sales were slightly ahead of Q1 2021 levels, sales have been weaker than last year. Q2 sales were 25% down on 2021, and were also 5% lower than last years’ figures in the last two months. In 2021 overall, the Republic of Ireland saw equipment sales grow by 26% as it recovered from the pandemic.

12.9% in 2021, with the pandemic recovery boost.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) published their Summer forecast for the UK construction market back in July. This update shows only a minor slowdown in the rate of growth expected for 2022 to 2.5%, compared with the previous forecast of 2.8%. In 2023, a further modest slowdown is expected, with growth in construction output expected to be at 1.6%. To put current levels of growth into context, output in 2021 grew by 12.9% in 2021, reflecting the recovery from the pandemic. Lower forecasts for activity in 2022 and 2023 reflect the climate of uncertainty from global issues and the potential impact of price pressures on the industry due to both local and global inflation. This is resulting in a rapidly rising cost of living, a slowdown in economic growth and falls in consumer confidence and spending, which will undoubtedly impact on investment within the construction industry.

GROWTH IN CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS EXPECTED TO SLOW DOWN IN 2022 AND 2023

The UK construction Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) published by IHS Markit is a good indicator of sentiment within the UK construction industry. The update for September is shown in the chart below and indicates a fairly flat outlook in the coming months, after falling from higher growth levels during the first half of the year. The Index for the last three months has been close to the 50.0 “no change” level. The latest survey identified that recent activity has been boosted by projects that had previously been delayed. However, new orders have been scarce in the last month, despite a reasonable pipeline of activity further ahead. Housebuilding was the best performing sector for the second month in a row, but Civil Engineering showed a fall for the third month in a row.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that construction output in the first eight months of 2022 was 5.3% above last year during the comparable period. This followed growth of

Current growth in the UK construction industry is being driven by the warehousing and infrastructure sectors, which are offsetting a slowdown in the private housing sector. The industrial sector, which covers warehouses and factories, is forecast to be the fastest growing sector in the next two years. Activity is being boosted by the strength of online retailing as well as manufacturers’ need for increased stocks due to the persistence of supply chain issues over the last two years. Infrastructure, the second largest construction sector, will also be a key driver of growth. Long-term pipelines of work in regulated sectors such as roads, rail, water and electricity will drive growth. This is boosted further by major projects such as HS2, Thames Tideway Tunnel, and Hinkley Point C, despite ongoing delays and cost overruns. (Note: for further updates see https://www.constructionproducts.org.uk/).

INFRASTRUCTURE

JV appointed to design and construct controversial tunnel under Stonehenge

National Highways has appointed a Costain and Mott MacDonald joint venture (JV) as Delivery Assurance Partner for the A303 Stonehenge (Amesbury to Berwick Down) Improvements Scheme. In this leading consultancy role, Costain will utilise the full range of its capabilities alongside its JV partner to manage design and construction of a new dual carriageway and tunnel, replacing the existing single carriage road.

The scheme is an important milestone in the transformation of the UK’s infrastructure. It will improve the lives of people living in and travelling through the area through greater connectivity, provide a significant boost to the local economy and support national growth. Once complete, it will enhance the Stonehenge World Heritage site and the natural setting of the stones, while bringing environmental benefits by

reducing congestion and increasing biodiversity around the site.

Costain will play a significant role in ensuring the successful delivery of the works and its benefits. It will work closely with Mott MacDonald, supply chain partners, road users and the local community to implement efficient, practical solutions to the complex challenges the project presents. Costain’s combined expertise will allow it to

proactively manage risk and drive a right first-time approach, leveraging technology and customer insights to drive efficiencies and inform best practice.

Sue Kershaw, managing director for Transportation at Costain, commented: “This award comes as a result of our strategy to bring together the whole range Costain’s capabilities to deliver for our customers and transform the performance of the UK’s infrastructure ecosystem. It demonstrates the calibre of Costain’s growing consultancy expertise and the value of our differentiated proposition in the market. Together with our customers we will create connected, sustainable infrastructure that helps people and the planet to thrive. This is the second award for our long-standing strategic partnership with Mott MacDonald and evidences the delivery of our strategy in meeting the wider needs of our customers.”

Ken Norbury, transportation managing director at Mott MacDonald said: “We have assembled a world class multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of this vital upgrade project. We are proud to be chosen alongside Costain and look forward to working collaboratively with the project team. This is an outstanding project that will improve peoples’ lives, enhance the World Heritage Site and its surrounding environment, which the country will be proud of.”

Derek Parody, National Highways’ Project Director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said: “We’re pleased we have completed the procurement process, and once the redetermination process is finalised, and should the Development Consent Order be granted, having this expertise in place will put us in the strongest possible position to deliver

this transformational scheme and deliver the benefits we know it can. Our Delivery Assurance Partner will help us to successfully coordinate and oversee the development of the scheme moving forward. This collaborative team will continue to work with local stakeholders, heritage bodies and local communities to deliver a successful and exceptional project for the area.”

ABOUT THE A303 AMESBURY TO BERWICK DOWN IMPROVEMENTS SCHEME

National Highways is committed to delivering a high quality, high performing, dual carriageway route along the A303/A358 corridor between the Southwest and the Southeast. Removing the traffic bottleneck past Stonehenge will improve connectivity and help open the Southwest, unlocking economic and social benefits for the region. This forms part of the Government’s national Road Investment Strategy. The scheme includes a tunnel, around 2 miles (3.3 kilometres) long, to remove A303 traffic from a large part of the Stonehenge landscape. In doing so, the tranquillity and natural setting of the Stones will be restored to benefit visitors’ experiences long into the future.

The scheme will also improve the quality of life for local communities by providing a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke and relieving nearby towns and villages of traffic.

The

Stonehenge landscape

Hydrema fits CESAR ECV to stage V Dump Trucks

Hydrema (UK) Ltd is the latest construction machinery manufacturer to fit

and Emission Compliance Verification

to

stage V Dump Trucks.

Mark Hyde, Sales Director, Hydrema (UK) Ltd commented on the decision to fit CESAR ECV, he said, “We are delighted to be working with the CEA and CESAR team in our shared objective of reducing carbon emissions and fighting theft in the UK construction and infrastructure sectors.

Suneeta Johal, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Equipment Association, said “Since the launch of the CESAR ECV system in 2019 the scheme has gained significant traction and we are delighted to report that over 90% of construction machinery manufacturers have adopted the emissions compliance verification scheme, alongside CESAR identification. It is great news to have Hydrema on board with the scheme and making emissions easier to understand across the construction industry, whilst deterring would-be thieves.”

Kevin Howells, CEO, Datatag ID Ltd said, 'It's a testament to Hydrema UK that this wholly owned subsidiary of the larger Hydrema

Danish Group, who have been manufacturing some of the best construction machinery on the market since 1959, continue to press ahead and protect and register their customers' machinery with CESAR. the official construction equipment security identification scheme. I'm proud of the CESAR team and all of our Hydrema colleagues, based in Ripon, embracing the new Emissions Compliance Verification initiative and clearly doing their part to help towards cleaner air quality for everyone."

CESAR ECV - the video https://youtu.be/m_VuY_BFHLo

RFID detection system

ZoneSafe

Vehicle-mounted

detect RFID tags which can be

or placed on objects or property. When a

a detection zone, the vehicle operator

a visual and audible alert. A vibrating tag also

ZoneSafe

worker of an approaching vehicle.

does not require line-of-sight

be

regardless of obstructions, blind

weather or poor visibility.

REVIEW

Cautious optimism for the global equipment market

Strong construction markets and long lead times for new machines continue to prolong the post-Covid rebound, keeping equipment sales high in the face of economic headwinds.

Construction equipment markets around the world have enjoyed a boom for the best part of two years. Following the initial slump in the second quarter of 2020 as Covid caused the world to go into lockdown, demand for equipment rebounded with surprising vigour. The problem since then has been meeting demand for machines, which has generated enormous backlogs for manufacturers and the longest lead times many can remember.

Low interest rates and a range of stimulus measures around the world were the triggers for the construction rebound. That dynamic is changing as interest rates now start to rise, and this does seem to be slowing down the markets. However, most parts of the world are still seeing historically high demand for equipment and have a good medium-term outlook thanks to the long backlogs.

China

The exception to the rule is China. Sales here spiked very sharply in 2020 as a result of large and quickly enacted stimulus measures by the government. But rather than falling back to more natural levels following the highs of 2020 and 2021, the Chinese market entered

a steep decline in 2022. This was due to the reimposition of Covid restrictions in a number of major cities in the first half of 2022, along with concerns about the real estate sector, triggered by the financial woes of the country’s largest property company, Evergrande.

Equipment sales in China in 2022 are forecast to almost halve compared to the previous year as a result. A decline this year had always been anticipated, but it is turning out to be much more severe than expected. The only bright spot in China this year has been mining, where new equipment is being bought to make the most of the current high in commodity prices.

The Chinese government has responded with more stimulus measures, but it remains to be seen if these translate to increased equipment sales. It seems unlikely with so much young equipment in the population following the high sales of 2020 and 2021.

More to the point, no amount of stimulus will fix the problems in the real estate sector, where it will take time for debt to be restructured and for property prices to reset. Off-Highway Research’s forecast for equipment sales in China is downbeat as a result. The market is expected to bottom-out in 2023 and 2024 before returning to modest growth.

Chris Sleight, Managing Director, Off Highway Research

Europe

But China is the exception, not the rule. The rest of the world is enjoying a buoyant time and the problem is meeting demand for new equipment rather than managing a downturn. The number of machines sold in Europe in 2021 was the second highest volume on record. It could have been higher, perhaps eclipsing the record set in 2007, if supply shortages were not such a problem.

On the positive side, high demand and long lead times mean the peak of 2021 has extended into 2022. Sales are not expected to exceed 200,000 units, as was previously forecast, but it is still expected to be the third highest year on record. Many OEMs and distributors continue to report that it is the lack of supply, rather than a lack of demand, which continues to limit sales.

Equipment sales are expected to remain buoyant going into 2023, again due to the fulfilment of longstanding orders. However, there is uncertainty about the outlook once these backlogs are worked out. Infrastructure investment remains strong in Europe, and the longterm nature of these projects is helpful in providing stability and predictability in equipment sales.

On the downside, inflation and the consequent interest rate rises are likely to affect residential construction in particular. The extent of the impact is linked to Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, which adds to the uncertainty.

Off-Highway Research’s forecast is for a soft landing in the European market in 2023-2025, with sales remaining at historically high levels. However, that depends on no worsening in the outlook for inflation and interest rates - which itself hangs on the uncertainties around the war in Ukraine.

North America

The outlook is more or less identical in North America. Residential construction is cooling this year as a result of higher interest rates and that will feed into lower sales of compact equipment. The question is ‘When?’

As in Europe, there are long lead times for machines which look like they will continue to prolong the high even as the forces driving it diminish.

As far as heavy equipment goes, President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill is providing contractors and rental companies with the confidence to invest in new machines, but it is unlikely to cause a spike in sales.

Notwithstanding concerns about the residential segment, as in Europe, Off-Highway Research forecasts a soft landing in the North American market for similar reasons. Demand for construction is high, and the long-

term nature of many projects is positive for more stable long-term sales. However, the outlook for North America also comes with the same health warning as Europe – if inflationary pressures and interest rate rises trigger a recession then the market outlook will worsen.

Rest of the World

Elsewhere in the world, the largest emerging markets are enjoying quite a boom in equipment sales thanks to high global commodity prices. This is most in evidence in Latin America where Brazil dominates the regional picture. However, the pattern is emerging in the Middle East & Africa, Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Even the CIS region is strong overall, despite demand for equipment in Russia collapsing in the face of economic sanctions.

But among the developing world, it is only the energy and commodity exporters which are reaping the benefits. In India for example, growth is being pulled back by the deteriorating general economic environment. Inflation is having a broad impact on the Indian economy, including the construction and construction equipment industries.

Outlook

For the world excluding China, the outlook remains reasonably positive. Sales are likely to fall from the recent peaks, but overall volumes are still expected to stay high. The balance is between generally good conditions for the equipment market – particularly as far as infrastructure construction is concerned – against the negatives of rising inflation and interest rates.

As a result, 2022 is likely to be a fifth consecutive year of annual sales in excess of 1 million units. Sales have only been this high twice before – in the commodities and sub-prime boom of the mid 2000s and in the immediate aftermath of the global financial crisis, when stimulus spending in China took global sales to similar highs.

The concern is whether such a prolonged peak will mean that when a slowdown comes, excess young equipment in fleets around the world could be a barrier to new machine sales, deepening and prolonging the pain for the industry.

Whether and to what extent this transpires remains to be seen. It comes down to the policy response of multiple governments around the world to the most serious inflationary spike for four decades – a problem none of this generation of policy makers will have faced before.

Forecasting is a challenge at the best of times, but even more so when in uncharted territory.

For more information about their services, visit www.offhighwayresearch.com

MEMBER PROFILE

MachineMax easing your digital transformation journey

MachineMax is an award-winning equipment management platform and provider of universal telematics sensors for off-highway fleets that work with customers to measure key metrics. The metrics providing the biggest initial impact include utilisation, idling time, fuel consumption, emissions, location, and operating hours. Enabling a single platform view, MachineMax brings a customer’s data together from any source. Providing fast access to the right data to enable inthe-moment and strategic decisions.

MachineMax is delighted to be a new member of the CEA "We have joined the CEA for the magnitude of relationships and opportunities available to our organisation. The Association is pushing the industry forward, affecting policy and embracing innovation. Attending the first regional event in September 22 was very positive, well attended and provided a plethora of relevant information and industry data." Dane Marshall, Marketing Coordinator at MachineMax explained.

The MachineMax solution supports any data source, including their own easy-fit sensors, third party sensors and OEM telematics.

Amy Law, Marketing Manager, MachineMax said, “Looking at the CEA membership we recognised many OEMs which we can integrate with, many relevant ConTech businesses which we can identify synergies with and companies who, like us, have an ambition to support the construction and heavy equipment industry to reach their ambition

of Net Carbon Zero targets. As a business we are always looking for opportunities to collaborate and we recognise that the CEA provides a great forum for us to do this.”

With no consolidated view of the fleet, it is often the case that equipment operates sub-optimally, resulting in unnecessary costs, project delays, and a detrimental impact on the environment. An obvious solution is to use live machine data to highlight inefficiencies and underperformance - after all you cannot manage what you cannot measure.

This notion is supported by Innovation Manager at HS2, Jonathan Kelly, who said: "Collecting plant telematics on a project this size, where we have plant which is not only owned by the joint venture but hired from multiple plant hire companies, required a solution which is plant owner agnostic in its approach, can be attached and removed with ease on site, and gives you a holistic view of what’s going on site. This made MachineMax the obvious solution."

MachineMax recently released a case study with infrastructure specialist J. Murphy & Sons Limited (Murphy) who have partnered with MachineMax to consolidate the construction and engineering company’s entire fleet’s data into a single platform, providing them with visibility and the tools to use machine data to drive sustainability, efficiency, and productivity.

The MachineMax platform has allowed Murphy to combine its rental data (from Point of Rental’s Syrinx software, the company’s rental management platform) with fleet telematics from OEM and third-party telematics providers, giving Murphy greater visibility of equipment locations and insight into how its machines are being utilised.

MachineMax is an integral part of Murphy's Digital Transformation Journey, aiming to reduce emissions by 50% over the next five years. The case study focuses on the use of idling data that has helped Murphy to reduce emissions by 10% at HS2 Euston. The case study can be downloaded from the MachineMax website www.MachineMax.com Also available to

download is the latest White Paper from MachineMax which focuses on “The Rising Impact of Fuel and Emissions on Non-road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)” and seeks to understand how rising fuel costs and emissions are affecting NRMM fleets across the UK.

The paper aims to address the very current need for the construction industry to reduce the emissions of their NRMM fleet, and with electric and hydrogen technology not being developed quickly enough to fulfil the needs of the industry. The Government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, will simply become unattainable if actions are not made now.

Additionally, with the industry paying 11.14p to the current 57.95p in fuel duty per litre practically overnight, for many businesses, the added 46.81p spent per litre has had a significant impact on their bottom line.

Both emissions and fuel costs are impacting businesses and the wider environment tremendously, hence this study analyses the current challenges impacting NRMM, including rising fuel costs, emissions targets, industry standards, public health, and productivity statistics.

For more information about MachineMax or to get in touch please email Hello@MachineMax.com

MEMBER PROFILE

Lifting the lid on heavy duty cooling

With the post-pandemic boom in sales of construction equipment reported by the CEA, the Association’s member company, SPAL Automotive, confirms that its range of high-performance axial fans and centrifugal blowers designed for heavy duty applications and specifications is experiencing a similar surge in interest.

James Bowett, Aftermarket Business Development Manager at SPAL, talks to Construction Worx.

“SPAL products are featured on the machinery of the world’s leading OEMs of construction and off-highway vehicles. They are renowned for having a long operating life, being robust and reliable, come with a 3-year warranty and you can find SPAL fans used in engine, oil and hydraulics cooling applications; while the HVAC blowers keep the cab environment well ventilated and temperature controlled no matter how dusty and hot it is outside.

“While SPAL products for the construction and off-highway sector are predominantly from the traditional brushed range, as the sector is gearing up for Stage V and Euro 6 emissions regulations, SPAL’s highly

efficient, brushless technology fans and blowers; are becoming an important part of the compliance process.

“SPAL brushless fans also have a number of advantageous features for applications operating in specialised environments. The fully sealed motor units are impervious to dust and water ingress and spark-free with IP68 and IP6K9K protection making them ultra-safe in potentially volatile conditions such as in deep mines.

“Software driven and smart-controlled, some SPAL fans have a reversing facility to remove dirt from the workings, ideal for earthmoving vehicles which need to get on with the job.

“SPAL also has high powered cooling for catalytic converters for off-highway plant to enable it to operate in Low Emission Zones in city

centres, in line with Euro 6 regulations.

“The journey to net zero has prompted the development of hydrogen fuelled machines; especially given the limitations of battery electric to generate enough power to operate massive machines as well as the impracticality of recharging facilities on site. Once again SPAL’s thermal management capabilities can meet the high demand to cool the energy transfer in hydrogen fuel cells and keep them running efficiently.

A History of Innovation

SPAL was established over 60 years ago in Italy where it started out in plastics moulding producing components for the automotive industry; before evolving into designing, engineering and manufacturing a wide range of axial fans and centrifugal blowers for the world's most demanding markets.

Having worked alongside vehicle designers for big motorsport names, SPAL has experience of being involved at the early planning stages of a vehicle build and has been able to devise and perfect engine cooling solutions to accommodate the latest advancements in automotive technology and then apply that learning to other sectors.

Listening to Customers

To target the off-highway sector at a slight tangent, SPAL sponsored the UK Plant Operator of the Year 2022, attending the live finals to

watch the shortlist of 40 competitors go headto-head, showing off their considerable skills manoeuvring plant machinery.

“It was great place to present SPAL products to a group of people who actually rely on our fans and blowers to keep their machines operating efficiently. To find out what the event audience knew about our products, we were asking visitors to complete a feedback form and have the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win and Miller & Carter voucher for a steak meal. The exercise was not just about highlighting SPAL’s wares but also to discover how we could best support our customers through the provision of aftermarket spares and replacement parts.”

SPAL’s heavy duty cooling solutions are available through approved distributors and directly to CEA members. To find out more go to www.spalautomotive.co.uk or email sales@ spalautomotive.co.uk

W: www.spalautomotive.co.uk E: sales@spalautomotive.co.uk Twitter: @SPALAuto Facebook: /SPALauto LinkedIn: /spal-automotive-uk Instagram: spalautomotiveuk PR Contact Lisa Holden lisa@ddpr.biz 07816 501268

James Bowett at SPAL presenting Neil Grainger of Always Digging with his voucher for a steak dinner at Miller & Carter at the recent UK Plant Operator competition.

NEW MEMBERS

Swell the ranks

Seven new companies have joined the CEA membership since the last issue of Construction Worx, which is excellent news. This new swell of joining businesses denotes the tripling of the CEA’s membership compared to the early 2000’s!

In this issue of the magazine the CEA would like to welcome to the CEA fold ABAX , AV Industrial Products, DXB Pump and Power Ltd, MachineMax (featured on pages 34/35) , MHM , OKO Sales and Plant & Vehicle services.

With staff, vehicles and assets spread over a wider area, innovative telematics solutions provider ABAX is fully aware of the challenges and headaches of managing a mixed fleet of vehicles, plants and tools.

ABAX offers solutions through its multiple products and also delivers added value to its customers alongside 24/7 support in areas to help with time-management, driving performance and behaviour, business efficiency and security.

Through a range of tracking devices, ABAX is able to offer a onestop-shop to fleet owners and managers regarding efficiency and productivity, as well as security and vehicle asset management.

The data and technology are tried and tested to overcome issues like vehicle tracking, minimising vehicle downtime, improving driving behaviour, cutting down on wasted administration time, curbing any vehicle misuse as well as increase security and monitoring.

Commercial director for ABAX UK, Kevin Bull said: “We recognise the challenges and pain points that fleet owners and managers face – which in many cases have been heightened during and since the pandemic.

“As well as our multiple products, we ensure that our customers receive value from using them, and we have a great team to help get them set up with any of our tracking devices.

“Our innovative tracking solutions give customers more control over their assets, vehicles and machines. This in turn allows them to reduce the risk of theft, driver speeding, loss of tools, driving performance and make sure that the fleet is driving efficiently.”

Following a period of significant growth over recent years AV Industrial Products Ltd has been rewarded with an increasing share of anti-vibration component sales into the UK Plant and Construction sector, with current turnover exceeding £5m/annum. For this reason, AV Industrial Products Ltd took the decision to becoming a member of the CEA.

Barry Langdale, AV Industrial Products Sales Director said, “CEA membership will provide us with increased authority within the UK plant and construction sector, and throughout the world as a leading supplier of anti-vibration mountings. It will offer increased marketing opportunities across the world and springboard the exposure of AV Industrial Products Ltd over the continents.”

AV Industrial Products Ltd currently supply many plant and construction OEM manufacturers in the UK, throughout Europe and

ABAX

beyond. The company has 50 years’ experience of specifying antivibration mountings within the sector. Typical applications include, plate compaction, road roller compaction, rock crushing, quarry screening equipment, engine mountings, gearbox mountings, radiator mountings, suspension components, articulated dump truck body pads.

DXB Pump & Power is a UK-based manufacturer with a primary focus on designing, manufacturing selling, and renting low energy, low emissions portable pumpsets from 7.5kw to 560kw in Stage V emission compliant format and even greater for areas with lower emissions including pumpsets up to 2000kw powered by CAT 3516 engines for the construction, quarrying, mining and wastewater markets.

The family-run business is located in Elmswell near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and operates in a new 13,000sqft facility with the ability to manufacture up to 35 pump sets a month depending on product mix. The founders started the business in what was a 2000sqft egg production shed on a farm and have steadily grown the business to over twenty people and a turnover in 2022, which will be close to £5m.

DXB work with a range of customers from the Environment Agency in the UK to international equipment hire companies servicing the construction industry in the UK, Europe, and further afield. It also works through channels to service the international mining markets around the world that demand the very highest quality equipment containing premium components and great aftersales.

MHM Group designs, develops and manufactures an extensive range of power generation machinery, solar-hybrid-generators, fluid storage

tanks and site lighting towers, alongside an extensive line of product related accessories. The company provides equipment rental services to the construction and plant hire sectors.

MHM Group say that environmental issues are at the heart of the company, and although MHM has set a target to become net zero by 2030, they nevertheless still provide a line of diesel-powered machinery, with ‘eco-friendly’ fuel-efficient engines and energy-saving LED lamps. All MHM diesel powered machinery is fully compatible with HVO fuel.

OKO Sales is the official UK Distributor of OKO anti-puncture, lifeextending tyre sealants. British-made original OKO is exported to 90+ countries and continues to expand.

OKO report that the super-strong Mining X-Tra heavy duty grade is made for large construction, mining, quarrying, and waste management tyres that operate on challenging terrain and the off road grade is a versatile sealant for small to medium tyres. Both have advanced formulae that requires c.20% less liquid than imported competitors, yet they seal large punctures.

The company is now officially Carbon Negative, a spokesman for OKO said, “We support tree planting and capture more carbon than we generate!”

Plant & Vehicle Services (PVS) provide in-depth safety and engine productivity monitoring for the construction industry on a mixed fleet platform.

Using in-depth Telematics, the PVS Data platform offers a single box, single subscription solution to provide remote machine monitoring capturing both real-time safety and engine productivity reporting. Realtime reporting on fuel level, idling, and running time allows customers to closely monitor their carbon footprint through increased efficiencies.

MHM Group

OKO Sales