Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within
GMI Construction Group has celebrated the successful completion of the £32.9m Urban 8 Logistics Park at King’s Norton, Birmingham – transforming the former Pilkington Automotive and GKN Aerospace sites into a state-of-the-art warehousing and logistics hub. The 400,000 sq. ft speculative development by Canmoor Asset Management and Tristan Capital Partners,
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough
Over 250 commercial and industrial refurbishments were completed by Inco Contracts in 2024 as it completed its best year to date. The Cannock headquartered company, which is fast approaching its 15th anniversary, continued to win and deliver large scale logistics, distribution and manufacturing projects, whilst also adding a significant volume
Building work on new community facilities including an exclusive coffee shop, a handy supermarket and boutique local shops is continuing at a great pace at Wellington Place. Visitors to the development off Leicester Road will notice the vision for the community hub near Davidsons Homes’ parcel of the site starting
Only two contenders remain in the race to acquire WHSmith’s high street business as the retailer considers withdrawing from town and city centres across the UK. Alteri, the owner of Bensons for Beds, and Modella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft, are now the final bidders in discussions with WHSmith and its
The Scottish and UK governments have signed a £70 million investment programme with Argyll and Bute Council to deliver vital economic growth for the area. The 10 year Rural Growth Deal (RGD) for Argyll and Bute will see the Scottish and UK Governments each contributing £25 million to the programme,
MARKING a key development milestone, work has begun to construct a brand-new secondary school for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Greenwich. Located on Hargood Road, Rowan Wood School will provide 128 places for children aged 11-19 with autism (ASD) and complex needs, and is set to complete later
Strategic renewable energy consultancy calls on property asset managers to prioritise the performance and safety of their commercial solar PV assets to boost profitability Landlords and property asset managers should pay closer attention to the operations and maintenance of the solar systems installed on their buildings otherwise they risk devaluing
Bobcat is presenting several new developments at LogiMAT 2025 as part of a comprehensive display of the company’s material handling product lines, including diesel, LPG and electric forklifts, reach trucks and warehouse equipment such as pallet trucks and stackers. Bobcat is showing three new developments in the range including: Introducing
Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within the growing Founders Place scheme. Developed by igloo, the neglected and derelict site will evolve into the Orchard Yard housing scheme. The funding is to help build thousands of new homes as part of the Government’s plans to get the country building again, create jobs and grow the economy. This multi-million-pound boost is awarded to councils to unlock disused brownfield sites. Newcastle City Council were successful in securing £2,4m in the last funding round with £1.65m allocated to bring forward housing on Founders Place. The South Street site, once home to workshops of the Stephenson Engineering Manufactory, has seen various industrial uses over the decades but fell into disrepair after the last tenant, Doves Building Merchant, left in 2004. The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop derelict shells are now deemed dangerous and inaccessible. The enabling work will now allow for the clearing out asbestos, removal of unsafe structures – largely added in the 20th Century with little or no historical value – and put in new retaining structures. This will also unlock millions of pounds of inward investment with the site eventually seeing circa 70 homes being developed. The phased plans will reinvent the Machine Shop whilst retaining and restoring the fabric of the earliest industrial structures. This will all help bring South Street back to life by providing family homes and apartments, along with business space, a public park and courtyard. Accessed from Sussex Street, the Smith’s Shop will complement its neighbour by providing further housing and public spaces. Combined, the two developments will once again be open to the public, enhancing the wider area. Insiyah Khushnood from igloo, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the enabling work which is the first essential step to breathing new life into this derelict site of the former Stephenson Works. Without these works the site would remain abandoned but now we have the opportunity to take the first steps in this important regeneration scheme that will create a thriving residential community within an unused and forgotten part of the city.” Cabinet member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Dan Greenhough, said: “I am delighted that planning committee have approved this. “These are incredibly important buildings from a historic perspective, but they are also in a dangerous condition due to structural decay and asbestos. This work will enable the buildings to be made safe so work can begin restoring them to their original glory and turning them into much needed housing bringing more activity back to the site. “This will be another step forward for Founders Place development site which is also attracting good quality jobs to the city.” Work is expected to start on the site this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has celebrated the successful completion of the £32.9m Urban 8 Logistics Park at King’s Norton, Birmingham – transforming the former Pilkington Automotive and GKN Aerospace sites into a state-of-the-art warehousing and logistics hub. The 400,000 sq. ft speculative development by Canmoor Asset Management and Tristan Capital Partners, in partnership with regeneration specialists St Francis Group, comprises eight BREEAM Outstanding EPC A-rated units ranging from 25,000 sq. ft to 70,000 sq. ft. The 29 acre former brownfield site is set to bring up to 900 jobs to the area, further enhancing the West Midlands’ infrastructure and logistics capabilities. GMI delivered the project on time and to a high standard despite initial adverse weather conditions and the constraints of the site, located off Eckersall Road and adjacent to the A441 and A38. The development features a variety of sustainable measures including LED lighting, over 300,000kWh/annum of PV power generation, electric vehicle charging and energy saving infrastructure – resulting in overall CO2 emissions savings of 25%. The high specification detached units are set amid landscaped surroundings and are externally finished in composite metal cladding in various grey and silver finishes, with glazing incorporated into entrances and office spaces. Simon Dale, Director of Operations at St Francis Group, said: “From commencement to PC, the GMI Team have been a pleasure to work with – a delivery partner in the truest sense. Working in a collaborative way the site team met all of the challenges that multi-unit schemes provide, to deliver a high-quality development that matched everyone’s expectations. Well done to the GMI Team.” Adam Taylor, GMI’s Regional Director, Midlands, added: “This project underscores GMI’s capability to deliver large-scale, impactful developments. It will significantly contribute to local employment and skills development while showcasing Birmingham’s prominence in the logistics sector. The collaboration between all stakeholders has been outstanding, and we are proud to hand over this first-class facility.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s planning committee gave permission for up to 370 more homes. Up to 208 will be for social rent, helping those on the council’s housing waiting list as well as providing new homes for existing residents. The council also granted permission for the much-anticipated new community centre, adventure playground and the final phase of Athlone Gardens. Peabody has been speaking to those who use the existing community centre as well as the council and wider community to ensure the design meets the requirements of the local neighbourhood and residents of all ages. The centre will be bigger than existing centre and accessible from Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove, helping to bring these communities together. The final phase of the project will also see further enhancements to green spaces, including the completion of Athlone Gardens, and better connectivity for pedestrians. There will also be improvements to roads, a new neighbourhood square and courtyard, an outdoor area for markets and other community events, and more commercial spaces. James McMylor, Regional Managing Director for Development for Peabody, said: “This project will ultimately provide around 1,000 much-needed new homes for people of the Royal Borough, more than half of which are affordable, as well as a new space for community events and activities. So, we’re pleased to have the council’s backing for this final phase and we hope to make quick progress on delivering this final phase. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their views on our plans and helped to shape the future of the neighbourhood.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Over 250 commercial and industrial refurbishments were completed by Inco Contracts in 2024 as it completed its best year to date. The Cannock headquartered company, which is fast approaching its 15th anniversary, continued to win and deliver large scale logistics, distribution and manufacturing projects, whilst also adding a significant volume of Cat ‘A’ and ‘B’ office schemes to its growing portfolio of clients. Work has been undertaken right across the UK and this has been facilitated by investment in a new office in Cardiff to cover opportunities in the South West and Wales, building on the continued expansion of existing offices in Warrington and Stevenage. Together, they have contributed £44m in project revenues, representing a 20% increase in sales on the previous year. Sam Norton, Operations Director, commented: “What we have tried to do over the last twelve months is put in place the foundations to consolidate the exponential growth we’ve enjoyed in recent years, investing in eighteen new people to take our direct team to 46 and our supply chain to more than 100 trusted suppliers. “The decision to open a presence in Wales and the South West has also been a resounding success, with ten projects already tendered for and won. This means we now have the capacity to deliver all the projects we’re working on, as well as exploring new opportunities across commercial, industrial and education. “A lot of the pension funds have stayed true to their investment plans, and we saw a take-up on industrial space rise in 2024. This, combined with elevated levels of liquidity in the office marketplace, gives us every indication that demand is increasing.” Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial and commercial refurbishment schemes across the UK, completing hundreds of projects every year. These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards. Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes, external groundwork packages, building services, M&E installations, strip-outs and demolition, not to mention heritage and conservation work. Sam continued: “There’s been some significant projects completed last year, including works at Manchester Airport, a stunning industrial transformation in Coventry and our largest fit-out to date in St Helens and exciting new work in Plymouth. “These contracts showcase our track record for delivering on time, to budget and to the highest possible standards. It’s an approach we are now taking into the education world, with a lot of schools and buildings set for repairs following Labour’s decision to increase the budget.” “Education expert Billy Sneddon has joined us as contracts manager and his years of experience is already helping us win new work in the Midlands and the North West.” Inco Contracts has also committed to its Early Years’ Talent scheme, which it first introduced in 2020. The company has pumped £125,000 into its roll-out and ongoing development to date and this has seen it recruit five people across its network of offices, with every person progressing quickly into important roles in our contracts team. They are all appointed with a mentor to oversee their development, 3-monthly training reviews to identify strengths and weaknesses, enhanced responsibility to lead and company-funded education at college or university. For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building work on new community facilities including an exclusive coffee shop, a handy supermarket and boutique local shops is continuing at a great pace at Wellington Place. Visitors to the development off Leicester Road will notice the vision for the community hub near Davidsons Homes’ parcel of the site starting to become a reality. The buildings will form the heart of Wellington Place, offering an attractive destination for visitors and local people to stroll around and enjoy. Ethical coffee chain Esquires has been confirmed as one proprietor, following its initial successful venture into the centre of Market Harborough. A local Sainsbury’s will also open at Wellington Place, giving buyers and local people a handy new place to shop. Iain Pickering, Design Director for Davidsons Homes, said: “The community facilities at Wellington Place have been designed not just as a convenient pitstop for locals, but a hub that people will be able to stroll around and enjoy. “Visitors to our development at Wellington Place, or even those using the new road connecting it to our Lubenham View development, may have noticed the buildings appearing at a great rate. It’s wonderful to see our vision begin to be realised and to see just how this section of the development will act as the focal point of the site. “From Wellington Place, there’s a lovely walk along the canal to The Waterfront, a restaurant where you can enjoy a summer’s evening sat sipping a cool drink and watching the canal boats moored up nearby. Or those that want to venture a little further afield could even cycle to Foxton Locks, a historic site with the longest flight of locks in Britain. Buyers could also walk along the main road to the centre of Market Harborough, where independent shops, well-regarded restaurants and vibrant coffee shops await. “Our Wellington Place local centre means though, that you won’t have to leave the development if you don’t want to. All facilities that could be needed are right here, giving our buyers the best of both worlds.” The facilities at Wellington Place are set to open later this year. For more information and to see the latest homes available to buy at Wellington Place, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Only two contenders remain in the race to acquire WHSmith’s high street business as the retailer considers withdrawing from town and city centres across the UK. Alteri, the owner of Bensons for Beds, and Modella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft, are now the final bidders in discussions with WHSmith and its advisers regarding a potential deal. Doug Putman, the owner of HMV, is no longer involved in negotiations, although the Canadian businessman could still submit an offer before the auction process concludes. This follows WHSmith’s announcement in January that it was exploring strategic options for its high street division, including a potential sale. The retailer, which operates around 500 high street stores across the UK, has increasingly shifted its focus to its global travel division, which now accounts for 85% of its trading profit. A sale could result in WHSmith giving up the rights to its brand name, raising the possibility that the retailer – a presence on British high streets since 1792 – may disappear from town centres altogether. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Scottish and UK governments have signed a £70 million investment programme with Argyll and Bute Council to deliver vital economic growth for the area. The 10 year Rural Growth Deal (RGD) for Argyll and Bute will see the Scottish and UK Governments each contributing £25 million to the programme, and the council and its partners providing at least £20 million of match funding. The RGD is designed to deliver at least 300 additional jobs, training opportunities for more than 6,000 people, support for business growth, new housing and worker accommodation, and more than 70,000 additional visitors to the area every year. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “It was an absolute privilege to visit the Isle of Bute to sign the transformational £70 million Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal. Being the final of Scotland’s 12 city and growth deals, it was an extra special moment. This means a package of more than £3 billion UK Government and partner investment is driving local growth and improving living standards for communities the length and breadth of Scotland. “The UK Government is investing around £1.4 billion into important local projects across Scotland over the next 10 years – including £25 million for the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with the Scottish Government and local partners with investment and reform to turbocharge growth and put more money in people’s pockets.” Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Argyll and Bute is full of potential with its rich history, spectacular scenery, vibrant communities and abundance of natural resources. “We are providing £25 million through this Deal to create jobs, attract investment and secure the region’s economic future. The Deal will support projects to drive innovation in marine science, support training that enables local people to access jobs and boost tourism to deliver sustainable economic growth. “The Deal’s signing fulfils our commitment to ensuring that all areas of Scotland are supported by Growth Deal funding.” Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Jim Lynch said: “This is significant and very welcome investment in the economy and longer term future of Argyll and Bute. Our area boasts a number of key industries that support not only our local economy, but that of Scotland and the UK more widely. “Scotland and the UK need rural and island areas like Argyll and Bute to succeed, and this growth deal is key to achieving that success. Partnership has been key in reaching this stage and will continue to be so. I look forward to working with our national and local partners in transforming this investment into economic benefit for Argyll and Bute.” The Deal was signed on Bute, home of Rothesay Pavilion, the first project expected to be delivered with support from the Rural Growth Deal. The renovation of the 1938 Pavilion is designed to transform the building into a valuable resource for day-to-day life on Bute, and a driver for the island economy as a national tourist destination. Projects for delivery through the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal are: Project Project Details Projected start date Tourism – Creating a World Class Visitor Destination theme Rothesay Pavilion The RGD will provide £9m of funding to support the internal fit-out of the renovation and refurbishment of the Grade A Listed Rothesay Pavilion. When completed, the Pavilion will include an events space, office facilities, the caretaker’s house, flexible exhibition space, craft retail/café space, the dressing rooms, young people’s studio, the outdoor spaces and corridors. When completed, the Pavilion will include an events space, office facilities, the refurbished caretaker’s house, flexible exhibition space, craft retail/café space, dressing rooms, young people’s studio, and outdoor spaces. 2024/25 Kintyre Sea Sports The RGD will provide funding of £2m for a new water sports hub on Campbeltown Loch, creating an outstanding natural destination for sailing and other water sports. KSS currently operates from Campbeltown Sailing Club; however, this facility no longer meets the required standards to sustain the increasing demand in the wide variety of water sports that exist in the community. The proposed new development will see the existing site redeveloped to form a two-storey building that will house changing facilities, space for learning, offices, a community café, a kitchen, and a range of storage space. 2025/26 Rural Skills Accelerator Programme (RSAP) Business Skills This project will provide £500k of revenue funding from the Scottish Government for a programme of leadership skills training for current and future business and community leaders in Argyll and Bute so they can benefit from and contribute to the transformational opportunities from Rural Growth Deal Investment. This element of the RSAP is being led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and focuses on leadership interventions that will cover the whole of Argyll and Bute. 2025/26 STEM Hubs Creating new Community STEM Hubs within the RGD will provide a platform for STEM engagement opportunities for people of all ages in Argyll and Bute. £2.5 million funding from the Scottish Government will deliver modern, aspirational facilities for online (remote) and face-to-face learning. The RGD will also create two physical STEM Hubs – one in Dunoon and one within the European Marine Science Park near Oban. 2026/27 UHI Argyll Estate Enhancements This project will provide £1.5 million of funding from the Scottish Government to support UHI Argyll’s campus enhancements at their Construction, Engineering, and Renewables Centre (CERC) in Lochgilphead. The proposal seeks to expand the scope of UHI Argyll’s STEM curriculum, and significantly increase student volumes at the organisation’s construction and engineering hub in Lochgilphead to meet regional and national skills needs, maximise job opportunities aligned with emerging technologies, tackle the Climate Emergency and support the Just Transition to Net Zero. 2028/29 Creating a Low Carbon Economy Islay Low Carbon Economy The RGD will invest up to £3 million, with £1.5 million from both the Scottish Government and UK Government, to fund the delivery of low carbon infrastructure to support the island’s pathway to net zero. The RGD presents an opportunity for public sector
MARKING a key development milestone, work has begun to construct a brand-new secondary school for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Greenwich. Located on Hargood Road, Rowan Wood School will provide 128 places for children aged 11-19 with autism (ASD) and complex needs, and is set to complete later this year. The two-storey SEN facility will be situated on the site of former primary school Kidbrooke Park, which has been demolished to make way for the new purpose-built school. Designed to Department for Education (DfE) regulations and Building Bulletin 104 (BB104) guidelines, Rowan Wood will consist of three modular buildings which will be linked together, with one building dedicated to administration and dining, and the other two designed for teaching. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the project, providing project management, cost management, and health and safety services via the Crown Commercial Service Construction Professional Services framework, working in close collaboration with contractor Galliford Try and architects Haverstock. Simon Hembury, associate director of project management at Pick Everard, said: “It’s always rewarding to work on SEN schools and consider the unique design requirements that staff and pupils will need from their space. “At Rowan Wood, that means we’re consulting extensively with various stakeholders to ensure we are designing an inclusive space for all, in line with DfE regulations. “The site is located in a residential area, so we have worked very closely with both the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Galliford Try to ensure minimal disruption and ensure everyone is on board with a project that will really transform local educational need in the area. “We’re looking forward to seeing the site evolve over the course of the year and have a positive impact on the region.” As part of the project, the team cleared a large amount of asbestos from the previous school building onsite, ensuring the area is safe for future construction. Helping maintain quality and efficient standards of delivery, offsite construction methods will be used to construct the new school, with transport routes carefully determined to deliver goods and materials to the site. PV panels will also be installed on the roof, with the project targeting BREEAM Excellent. Gavin Bridge, managing director for building southern at Galliford Try, said: “This event marked the start of our collective journey towards providing an exceptional SEN school. We are excited to work alongside the Royal Borough of Greenwich and our partners to bring Rowan Wood school to life. Providing every child with the opportunity to thrive, to learn, and to grow in a setting designed to meet their unique needs and aspirations.” Cllr Majid Rahman, cabinet member for planning, estate renewal and development, said: “This day marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our local education and planning sectors. This is tangible proof of the resource we are inputting into much needed positive developments for our residents. We are working on building more provisions like this in the borough to meet demand which I am eager to see come to fruition.” For more information on Pick Everard’s services, head to https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Strategic renewable energy consultancy calls on property asset managers to prioritise the performance and safety of their commercial solar PV assets to boost profitability Landlords and property asset managers should pay closer attention to the operations and maintenance of the solar systems installed on their buildings otherwise they risk devaluing their asset and also missing out on potentially lucrative returns, according to Longevity Power, the independent strategic renewable energy consultancy. As the global solar market continues to grow, the losses from underperforming solar assets grow with it. 2024 research by RaptorMaps, the solar asset management company, found that worldwide, underperforming solar PV systems are estimated to have led to USD$4.6 billion in preventable losses in 2023. Anthony Maguire, Managing Director at Longevity Power, explained, “A commercial solar PV system is an investment that needs to be properly maintained and monitored in order to deliver a reliable ongoing return for the owner. Real estate investors who install solar PV systems on their properties often rely on the installer to oversee the operations and maintenance of their new asset. This approach may seem easier, however installers are often not well placed to provide a sufficiently high quality of service”. Correctly maintaining and optimising a solar PV system can be challenging without the right expertise. Maguire makes the point that the potential revenue missed can quickly add up without owners realising or taking any steps to rectify it. “Without properly tracking performance, there is no recourse for the asset owner to trigger performance damages or remediation work for which the installer may be contractually liable” said Maguire. “In reality, companies that install systems are often not well equipped to carry out maintenance and monitor performance because they lack both the dedicated in-house expertise and the appropriate platform, often relying upon the free portal provided by the inverter manufacturer.” Maguire continued, “At a basic level, failing to monitor your asset can be a significant fire safety risk but further to this, it can have a big impact on projects return on investment.” “For example, there is a very real possibility that the asset owner might be receiving an export tariff for the energy generated from their building’s solar system that is below market rate.By tendering this regularly you can secure a higher rate. And in markets where there are negative export prices during periods of peak generation, systems that are not managed in a dynamic, smart way will actually incur a cost. “Poor solar PV maintenance and management also causes problems further down the line when the time comes to sell a property. We are increasingly seeing prospective buyers pull out of sales where onsite solar PV systems are lacking a data bank of historical performance data and as-built specification documentation. “Missed revenue opportunities can quickly add up too, including the potential for the co-location of battery storage. By continually evaluating the consumption pattern of the building, owners can identify opportunities to install batteries for the storage of surplus electricity rather than exporting it back to the grid. Investing in on-site battery storage becomes financially sensible and delivers significant cost savings as both the consumption pattern of the asset and the market price of consumed electricity and surplus generation inevitably change over time. Maguire identified the following important steps for asset managers and property owners to follow to ensure poor performance doesn’t eat into potential returns. “Fundamentally owners need to be smart about how they manage these assets. To get the best out of an asset, owners need to remotely monitor their system on a platform that is able to collate a wide variey of data points to ensure that it is performing in line with expectations,” he said. “This way, the platform can conclusively determine whether there is a safety fault that merits further investigation, or based on the cost of cleaning and the forecasted drop off in performance, whether it is worthwhile having the panels cleaned.” “Without careful operation, maintenance and management of their solar PV systems, asset owners are not only compromising the safety of their tenants and their buildings, but also leaving money on the table and delaying a worthwhile return on their investment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bobcat is presenting several new developments at LogiMAT 2025 as part of a comprehensive display of the company’s material handling product lines, including diesel, LPG and electric forklifts, reach trucks and warehouse equipment such as pallet trucks and stackers. Bobcat is showing three new developments in the range including: Introducing Bobcat Lithium (Li-ION) Batteries At LogiMAT 2025, Bobcat is announcing the upcoming launch of the company’s new Li-ION battery range, available in various capacity options. This reliable, high-quality battery technology has been developed by Bobcat and will be installed in each series. With a lifespan 2–3 times longer than lead-acid batteries – plus fast, efficient charging – lithium battery power can ensure that work can be kept flowing more flexibly. Moreover, with a 5-year/10,000 hour warranty and seamless forklift integration, Bobcat’s lithium batteries deliver lasting value for any application. Key specifications include: • 400 and 600 Ah available for each voltage • Integrated with truck CANBUS, no need for a separate display • Cell chemistry: LiFePO4 (LFP) = Lithium iron (ferro) phosphate • Heat management system applied • Monitoring and diagnostics app available New Bobcat Li-ION Chargers The battery range is complemented by new Li-ION Chargers from Bobcat. The chargers are optimised for quick and reliable charging, ensuring equipment is powered and running efficiently. Where the customer needs a rapid stand-alone charger, Bobcat Li-ION Chargers provide the flexibility and performance to keep operations running smoothly. New Warehouse Equipment (Class 3) Bobcat is updating its warehouse equipment portfolio with three new product series. In addition, the company’s current LSM12N-7 and BSL12/16N-7 stackers are now available in initial lift versions. The new warehouse products will also be available with Li-ION batteries from production. New warehouse product series: • BPM16/20N-7: pedestrian powered pallet trucks: 1.6 & 2 t capacity • BPR20/25N-7: powered pallet trucks with platform: 2 & 2.5 t capacity • BSR12/16N-7: powered platform stacker trucks: 1.2 & 1.6 t capacity • BSR16N-7i: powered platform stacker truck with initial lift: 1.6 t capacity The new BPM16/20N-7 pallet trucks are the perfect match for all kinds of applications in and around SMEs, manufacturing and warehousing. The long tiller arm provides optimal, highly ergonomic operation. It requires less effort, and the operator maintains an optimal distance from the truck. Top-quality components, robust construction, a travel speed up to 6 km/h, and simplified maintenance make the pallet trucks in this series reliable partners for every task. The BPR20/25N-7 powered platform pallet trucks feature a travel speed of up to 8 km/h, ensuring the trucks are built for optimal horizontal transportation over extended distances. Equipped with Electric Power Steering (EPS), these trucks offer ergonomic and safe operation. The suspension flip-down platform minimizes body vibrations, and the sideways protective arms provide additional stability and protect the operator during turns. In walking operation mode, the platform and arms are folded compactly within the truck’s outline, conserving space. The 1.2 and 1.6 t capacity BSR12/16N-7 powered platform stacker trucks are designed for high efficiency, excelling in storage and picking operations involving heavy weights. The ergonomic, suspension flip-down platform – paired with protective arms – greatly enhances operational efficiency. These trucks are capable of reaching lift heights up to 5.5 m and they are also perfect for tasks over extended distances. Thanks to the robust 8 mm metal skirt, strong chassis, durable mast and metal battery cover – along with premium components from leading suppliers – these models lower service costs and ensure constant readiness for professional use. The EPS system, coupled with the proportional lifting function, enables smooth and effortless stacking operations. Bobcat’s First Li-ION 3-wheel Forklifts The company is introducing the BNT series, Bobcat’s first Li-ION 3-wheel forklifts, designed for light to medium-duty applications. These models — B16NT, B18NT and B20NT — offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution tailored to the growing electric forklift market. The new range extends Bobcat’s electric counterbalanced line-up. Manoeuvrability is the key aspect in the design of these forklifts, making them ideal for use in tight environments. Despite their compact size, these forklifts boast an ergonomic design that ensures large leg room and exceptional operating comfort for the operator. Setting a new standard in confined space material handling, these forklifts provide a smooth ride and high stability in every job. Three different load capacity models are available: • B16NT – 1.6 t load capacity at 500 mm • B18NT – 1.8 t load capacity at 500 mm • B20NT – 2.0 t load capacity at 500 mm Key Highlights • Dual Drive: equipped with 4.5 kW dual-drive motors to boost productivity • Maintenance-free 51.2V 300 Ah Li-ION (LFP) battery and 150A charger (380V) • Comfortable dimensions: designed for compact environments, while still offering comfortable spacious dimensions for the operator Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
