New data released today shows the number of people in work has dropped. The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 138,000 in the three months to April amid growing signs of a weaker jobs market and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy
Metrolink has hit another milestone with the UK’s largest light-rail network enjoying its busiest month ever in its 32-year history. Millions of people got on board in May which proved to be a bumper month for events including the Great Manchester Run, Manchester City’s Premier League title-winning parade and high-profile
The UK construction industry is set to experience a shift in thinking with the September launch of Offsite Construction Week (OCW) – an unprecedented collaboration amongst leading industry pioneers and associations. Organisers of the influential Offsite Expo and Offsite Awards have partnered with industry leaders with the specific goal of
NAVTOR has taken another step forward on its ambitious growth path with the acquisition of specialist software development company Masterloop. With a proven track record within IoT (Internet of Things), AI and web solutions, Masterloop’s arrival boosts NAVTOR’s innovation and development team, already strengthened by the acquisition of Voyager Worldwide
Network Space Developments (NSD) has submitted a planning application for four new industrial units on its 2.8-acre site on Welcomb Street, Openshaw. The former Manchester College site, accessed from the Ashton Old Road (A635), currently comprises several redundant buildings of varying ages and sizes which were previously used as classrooms
Balfour Beatty has today been awarded the first phase of the c. £690 million Skye 132kV reinforcement project for Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) Transmission. On completion the project will ensure the supply of secure, clean electricity to thousands of homes and businesses across the Hebrides and West Highlands. The
More than one in five people in the UK fear they or someone they know could be homeless in the next 12 months – and 77% of the population want Government to support the building of more social homes to address the issue. A new study, released today by leading
E-learning collaboration to boost staff’s decarbonisation knowledge… The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) is collaborating with Kier Transportation to deliver essential (digital) eLearning to support Kier achieve their decarbonisation goals. This collaboration involves Kier Transportation using CIHT’s specifically designed courses that relate to climate change learning. These courses
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and
Since its foundation in 2018, Finnish company Lekatech has revolutionized the world of breakers and hammers with its state-of-the-art advanced electric powered solutions. Continuing its work in redefining the capabilities and benefits of hammers and breakers, Lekatech is proud to unveil its latest development at Hillhead 2024, the new Electric Hammer LEKA Toras
New data released today shows the number of people in work has dropped. The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 138,000 in the three months to April amid growing signs of a weaker jobs market and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), “Today’s newly released labour market statistics paints a very worrying picture and hammers home the uphill battle that the new Government will face. New data reveals that 3.2 million people are out of work but want a job, and that the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%.” Gill concluded: “As the new government takes office, it’s vital that they implement a cohesive plan that involves educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers to equip our workforce with the skills needed for today’s economy. As technology quickly advances, the labour market is transforming at pace and the skills gaps will only become more acute. Failure to address these issues now risks further economic stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Metrolink has hit another milestone with the UK’s largest light-rail network enjoying its busiest month ever in its 32-year history. Millions of people got on board in May which proved to be a bumper month for events including the Great Manchester Run, Manchester City’s Premier League title-winning parade and high-profile concerts at the Co-Op Live. During the month 4.1 million people travelled on Metrolink across Greater Manchester, setting a new record for monthly patronage since the network opened in 1992. The previous record of 4 million was set in November 2019. Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “This is a historic achievement for Metrolink and is the result of a huge team effort between TfGM and the operator KeolisAmey Metrolink over the last few years. “It shows just how important Metrolink is for Greater Manchester, as well as demonstrating Metrolink’s integral role as part of the Bee Network. It is also a testament to the staff on the frontlines and behind the scenes who keep the network running reliably. “This growth in passenger numbers, together with our renewed focus on tackling fare evasion is helping to get Metrolink back on track following the decline in passengers during the pandemic. “This is just one of many milestones that Metrolink has hit since 6th April 1992, and with work under way to improve the network and make it quicker, smoother and more reliable for passengers, I am confident that Metrolink will continue to go from strength to strength.” Damien Chabas, Managing Director of KeolisAmey Metrolink, said: “Metrolink plays a vital role in delivering a safe, reliable, and accessible public transport services for the around 900,000 people who choose to travel with us every week. “We are delighted with the record-breaking patronage in May, with the continued dedication and pride of our brilliant employees, KeolisAmey Metrolink will continue to build on our commitment to providing a highly-performing network in partnership with TfGM that adds value to the communities of Greater Manchester.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK construction industry is set to experience a shift in thinking with the September launch of Offsite Construction Week (OCW) – an unprecedented collaboration amongst leading industry pioneers and associations. Organisers of the influential Offsite Expo and Offsite Awards have partnered with industry leaders with the specific goal of inspiring strategic collaboration across the offsite construction sector. A UK first, Offsite Construction Week will bring together clients, manufacturers, developers, architects, specifiers, project managers, legislative and accrediting bodies for a week-long series of events, debates, and discussions on how to accelerate sector growth by removing current barriers to MMC implementation. Uniting industry leaders from different construction and material sectors, the newly-formed Advisory Group will create a set of objectives for successfully expanding the application of offsite construction methods and technologies, ensuring that every stakeholder’s perspective is reflected in the resulting strategy. The Advisory Group comprises 20 of the most well-informed and respected industry figures at the forefront of offsite innovation from pioneering companies and industry bodies. For full details of the Advisory Group, go to: www.offsiteconstructionweek.co.uk/advisory-group Together, these industry leaders will curate the Offsite Expo Masterclasses, roundtable debates and events that take place throughout the five days of Offsite Construction Week. Through a series of practical seminars that share insider knowledge of projects success factors and learnings – speakers will offer solutions to legislative, procurement, procedural, and financial roadblocks to accelerating the pace of implementing offsite methods and products in construction. Key topics to be addressed will include but are not limited to, creating industrialised construction ecosystems, enhancing building safety, increasing productivity, closing the performance gap, driving innovation, digital delivery for tomorrow, creating a zero-snag culture and delivering against net zero carbon targets. On behalf of the Advisory Group, spokesperson Tudi Sully said, “We will act as industry ambassadors for delivering a better built environment, chairing roundtable debates and connecting decision makers from various client organisations, industry bodies, government stakeholders and the supply chain. “By engaging in an open, unbiased and critical debate of current roadblocks to the implementation of approaches such as DfMA, offsite, MMC and industrialisation; showcasing past project challenges and successes; and offering insights from different vertical sectors, the Advisory Group will demonstrate a roadmap for the wider adoption of these innovative solutions. “With the ambitious goal to help accelerate the UK government’s agenda for a safer, more sustainable and faster-growing built environment, the Advisory Group will not only connect top decision makers but will also oversee an educational outreach to young professionals, apprentices and students in construction programmes – all of which will start at Offsite Construction Week.” The Advisory Group’s involvement during Offsite Construction Week will include curating the programme and leading the Masterclass seminars, sharing insights from the organisations they represent and presenting a highly focused, factual overview of the sector and the challenges it faces. Whilst the discussions in the Masterclass Theatre will equip attendees with a well-balanced view of the industry’s roadmap for the future, the Advisory Group will set the tone for a series of live webinars on some of the most pressing issues in the industry. About Offsite Construction Week Taking place from 16-20 September 2024, Offsite Construction Week will showcase the most comprehensive series of offsite technology events ever seen in the UK. The aim of the curated selection of seminars, industry awards ceremony, site tours and features exhibition, is to highlight the benefits and advancements in offsite construction, driving innovation and collaboration across the sector. Unilateral Support Offsite Construction Week is supported by a robust lineup of industry associations, including BUILDOFFSITE (BOS), Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT,) Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA), MMC Ireland, Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), Offsite Alliance, Steel Construction Institute (SCI), Structural Timber Association (STA) and others have come together to support the most comprehensive series of offsite events the country has ever seen. To keep informed go to: www.offsiteconstructionweek.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NAVTOR has taken another step forward on its ambitious growth path with the acquisition of specialist software development company Masterloop. With a proven track record within IoT (Internet of Things), AI and web solutions, Masterloop’s arrival boosts NAVTOR’s innovation and development team, already strengthened by the acquisition of Voyager Worldwide in December. The Norwegian-headquartered business will now focus resources on the continued push for data-driven efficiency, performance and decarbonisation for customers, integrating further solutions into its connected digital ecosystem. Fresh perspectives “Masterloop provides another piece of the digital puzzle as we continue our mission to make life easier, safer and more profitable for shipping companies worldwide,” comments Tor Svanes, NAVTOR Founder and CEO. “The team’s industrial IoT strength and maritime understanding, highlighted by their Bluekey vessel efficiency application, will feed into our drive to enhance our portfolio with intelligent, data-based, AI solutions that simplify the increasingly complex operational reality faced by today’s maritime businesses. “Masterloop brings something new to the table, with fresh perspectives and broad experience gained from outside of shipping too. We believe they can help accelerate our innovation, as we push to deliver transformational technology for an evolving industry. It’s great to have them on board.” Shared visions NAVTOR is the world leader in e-Navigation and performance solutions, with products and services aboard over 18,000 vessels in the world fleet. Masterloop, meanwhile, has made a name for itself with a proprietary IoT platform, Bluekey and a smart bike-sharing application CityBike Cloud. Its client history includes names such as Easee, Zaptec, Kolumbus and Kverneland Group. Jan Helge Skailand, Masterloop’s Founder and CEO, has a long history of collaboration with NAVTOR. He was originally one of the founding team in 2011, taking the role of CTO, before leaving to form Masterloop in 2013. The two companies have collaborated on numerous projects since that point. Deep-dive expertise “In many ways this feels like ‘coming home’,” says Skailand. “I know NAVTOR very well and the two companies share the same values, innovation culture, and commitment to developing new solutions that unlock powerful benefits for users. However, we also have a deep-dive domain specialization within IoT and have gained experience from working alongside a unique mix of customers. So, I think we have something to offer a team that is already at the vanguard of maritime technology. I can’t wait to see what comes of this.” Masterloop’s team of ten, based in Norway and Sri Lanka, will now join NAVTOR’s global network of approximately 400 specialists. A key task will see them feeding competence into the Green AI for Sustainable Shipping (GASS) project, which is now tailoring digital twin and AI-based tech to introduce ‘dynamic voyage optimisation’ for vessels, aiming to cut emissions by up to 20%. Purpose driven development “We want to lead from the front and help change the industry with smart technology,” comments NAVTOR CTO Anders Holme. “Optimising performance and energy efficiency is one of our main focuses, helping our customers comply with stricter regulations, dramatically reduce fuel costs, and, of course, work towards ambitious decarbonisation goals. “We have a strong sense of purpose and an important role to play. It’s great to see a talented team like Masterloop buying into that, enhancing our capacity as we seek to ‘make a real difference’ for the industry we serve.” NAVTOR offers a comprehensive range of integrated smart shipping solutions, including advanced planning platform NavStation, fleet performance software NavFleet, and unique digital logbooks, amongst other products and services. To discover more please see www.navtor.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Network Space Developments (NSD) has submitted a planning application for four new industrial units on its 2.8-acre site on Welcomb Street, Openshaw. The former Manchester College site, accessed from the Ashton Old Road (A635), currently comprises several redundant buildings of varying ages and sizes which were previously used as classrooms and workshops by the Manchester School of Building. The full planning application submitted to Manchester City Council is for the demolition of existing buildings and delivery of up to 75,175 sq. ft of multi-let industrial accommodation for Class E(g)(ii)(iii), B2 and B8 uses. The scheme, designed by AEW Architects, includes four highly sustainable commercial units ranging from 7,674 sq. ft to 29,439 sq. ft, all with ancillary office space at first floor, generous external service yards, dedicated car parking and EV charging points. Joe Burnett, Development Director for NSD, commented: “We are delighted to have submitted our planning application for the site, which represents the final piece of the jigsaw for the wider City Works Business Park. “The site is strategically located in a highly desirable area of Greater Manchester which is ideal for both industrial and last-mile logistics uses. Its accessibility to a skilled local workforce provides a wealth of opportunities for commercial operators who are looking for market leading, high quality, sustainable, industrial units. The proposed development will have its own distinct identity but has been designed to complement the highly successful existing City Works Business Park, which we delivered several years ago and is still owned and managed by Network Space Investments. “This scheme will also further bolster our pipeline of circa 700,000 sq. ft of multi-let industrial schemes that are already consented across the North West and Yorkshire.” NSD initially acquired the site in 2022 and work is expected to start in 2025, subject to planning. Spawforths is advising NSD on planning. Agents for the proposed scheme are Cushman & Wakefield and JLL. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has today been awarded the first phase of the c. £690 million Skye 132kV reinforcement project for Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) Transmission. On completion the project will ensure the supply of secure, clean electricity to thousands of homes and businesses across the Hebrides and West Highlands. The detailed design and development phase, valued at £32 million, will see Balfour Beatty provide technical solutions for a new 137km, 132kV double circuit overhead line between the existing Fort Augustus and Edinbane substations, as well as new sealing end compounds to link the overhead line to the underground electricity network, ultimately joining the Isle of Skye and Western Isles to mainland Scotland. Subject to planning approval, the full construction contract award is expected later in 2024. Due to the expansive and unique terrain, Balfour Beatty will engage its in-house environmental and sustainability team to consider ecological and environmental requirements, from peat management to wildlife translocation, contributing to SSEN Transmission’s biodiversity net gain targets. In addition, the Company will work closely and collaboratively with local communities to minimise disruption wherever possible, including introducing a ‘Skye workers village’ to provide the construction workforce with dedicated site accommodation. Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business said: “We have a long and proud history of working with SSEN Transmission. This most recent award is testament to our expertise and capability in delivering overhead lines and underground cabling works in complex and challenging environments.” Paul Higginbotham, SSEN Transmission’s Deputy Project Director for the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project, said: “We’re pleased to strengthen our relationship with Balfour Beatty as a supply chain partner for the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project, helping us deliver security of supply to homes and businesses along its route from Skye to Fort Augustus, as well as to the Western Isles.” This latest award follows the Company’s appointment to SSEN Transmission’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework in August 2023 for which it commenced detailed development and design in early 2024. Main construction work for the Isle of Skye Reinforcement Project is expected to begin in early 2025. At project peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 650 people including 32 apprenticeship and graduate positions as part of the Company’s commitment to The 5% Club. Balfour Beatty has unrivalled end-to-end capability in the UK energy market. Find out more here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than one in five people in the UK fear they or someone they know could be homeless in the next 12 months – and 77% of the population want Government to support the building of more social homes to address the issue. A new study, released today by leading social enterprise Places for People, can reveal that 21 per cent of people living in the UK fear they or someone they know will become homeless in the next year. The worry is even greater among renters – both private (30%) and social (29%) – compared to 15% among homeowners. Latest Government data shows 3,898 people were counted as sleeping rough across England on a single night in Autumn 2023, and 121 in Wales. In Scotland, 2,438 households reported rough sleeping during the previous three months before applying for support in 2022/2023. Rough sleeping alone does not tell the whole story of the severity of homelessness. The most recent Government data shows households living in temporary accommodation is at its highest ever level with 112,660 in England, 15,625 in Scotland and 5,700 in Wales. Meanwhile, according to the most recent available data, there are 1.29million households waiting for a social home in England, 110,900 in Scotland and 90,000 in Wales. Well over three-quarters (80%) of people think that homelessness is a major national issue and a similar proportion (77%) believe Government needs to build more social homes to address the problem. 81% say Government should provide more funding to prevent homelessness. Places for People, which owns or manages more than 245,000 homes across the UK including 74,000 social homes, is calling on the next Government to put building 90,000 social homes per year as a top priority. John Greaves, Chief Impact Officer at Places for People, said: “These figures should alarm us all. What we found has bluntly exposed the worry that exists throughout the country. Sadly, however, they do not come as a surprise – for too long we have been highlighting the seriousness of the ever-growing homelessness crisis facing the UK. “With renters in both social and private properties most concerned, everything people are telling us points towards a desperate need to build more social homes, although delivering the right mix of all tenures remains vital to ease overall pressure. At Places for People, we’re doing all we can to build more quality homes, including for social rent, and we support those who have fallen on hard times and are being let down by the welfare system, but we can only do so much. “We know that building 90,000 social homes a year will be a challenge, but we’re ready to help. We see an opportunity to deepen our collaboration with partners and work closely together as part of public-interest-led development groups. This would bring developers, local authorities, members of the public and others together on larger schemes to plan and deliver the quality homes needed in a more joined-up and community-focussed way. This could be supported by giving Homes England greater flexibility over funding to deliver on more challenging sites. We want to put ourselves forward to work closely with Homes England and a local authority on a specific site to trial this model, building on the development corporation approach. “As a sector, the concerns we have raised time and time again around the need for more social homes have not been listened to by Government in recent years. So, we are now urging whoever forms the next Government to listen to the people of the UK and put delivering more social homes at the top of your priority list. Talking’s over, it’s time to build.” Places for People is doing all it can to build the quality homes needed across the UK. It completed 1,750 new homes in the last year, of which 86% are affordable, with 265 available for social rent. A further 1,944 were started in the last year, of which 74% are affordable and 210 will be available for social rent. In addition to building more homes, Places for People also supported over 10,500 people who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the last year. We also fund, build and manage a range of facilities across the country to accommodate homeless people, including housing pods currently being developed in Bristol where those living there can live independently. As a social enterprise we also provide significant investment to communities around the UK through direct support and services such as white goods provision, money advice, heat and food vouchers, education, health and wellbeing and more, totalling around £300million in social value per year. The new study, conducted by Opinium on behalf of leading social enterprise Places for People, is a survey of 4,000 UK citizens. The research is being released in the weeks leading up to the General Election this summer. Read the full results table on homelessness, including a breakdown by region, click: Homelessness polling data Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
E-learning collaboration to boost staff’s decarbonisation knowledge… The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) is collaborating with Kier Transportation to deliver essential (digital) eLearning to support Kier achieve their decarbonisation goals. This collaboration involves Kier Transportation using CIHT’s specifically designed courses that relate to climate change learning. These courses are specifically tailored for the highways and transportation sector and provide CPD in subjects including decarbonisation and carbon literacy. These accredited CIHT e-learning courses explain why the global effort to mitigate the risk of dangerous climate change demands very significant changes to how transportation professionals plan, design, deliver, operate, maintain, and decommission transport systems. Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said: “The UK needs to cut transport emissions in half by 2030 – and then carry on towards 2050’s Net Zero. That isn’t something to start thinking about in 2049. Within the CIHT, we have engaged with members, partners (including Kier Transportation) and stakeholders, and through CIHT Learn, users can now dedicate a larger portion of their ongoing learning to sustainability.” “We welcome this important collaboration with Kier Transportation and the support we are now able to provide their staff as they join us on this decarbonisation journey.” “Through taking these courses, colleagues at Kier Transportation will learn how to identify gaps in their awareness, knowledge and skills and create a personal Continuing Professional Development plan tailored to their job role and its influence over transport decarbonisation.” Matt Tompsett, Head of Environment & Sustainability, Kier Transportation said: “Everyone’s talking about carbon and it’s continuing to raise higher on the agenda of organisations, up and down the value chain.” “We know that not everyone is an expert in carbon, but it’s important that we give our people the right tools and knowledge so they can make informed decisions and implement climate solutions in their sphere of influence, whether that be in their own lives – or at work.” “That’s why we decided to work with the CIHT to develop and roll our carbon literacy training for our people. It’s a big step in the right direction, to ensuring the right conversations are taking place so our people understand how they can influence and reduce our carbon footprint.” As of 8 May 2024, Kier Transportation employees have completed 1,476 courses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) portfolio and delivering advanced technology to industrial operations worldwide. Driven by a mission to redefine industrial reliability, Loctite Pulse leverages over 70 years of industrial brand expertise to offer a comprehensive suite of IIoT solutions. From state-of-the-art monitoring sensor technology to trusted solutions for both static and rotating equipment, the brand empowers industries to stay ahead of plant failures, helping to reduce downtime and enhancing safety and sustainability. The Loctite Pulse app enables the monitoring of critical assets with just a few clicks and thus significantly facilitates the maintenance of a broad variety of assets without the need for any additional IT implementation. It provides alerts and information about the equipment status to effectively support users in prioritizing tasks and scheduling shutdowns. Key features of the new solutions include: “We are excited to unveil these groundbreaking solutions as part of our expanded portfolio,” said Dr. Kourosh Bahrami, Corporate Senior Vice President General Manufacturing and Maintenance, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “With our offer in smart maintenance and advanced IIoT technology, we are empowering industrial customers to enhance reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.” The new solutions amplify the connection between Loctite’s IIoT portfolio and Henkel´s MRO core product range. Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring allows customers to monitor critical assets like pumps, motors, and gearboxes, detect issues early, and apply proven solutions from Loctite’s extensive MRO product range to solve the issues. Similarly, Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection links seamlessly to Loctite’s established composite repair, sealing, and coating solutions. This integrated approach ensures that problems are diagnosed while corresponding repair products are being offered from a single source. Loctite Pulse goes beyond predicting and identifying failures – in case of interest the company helps customers to find smart fixes by offering high-performing, long-lasting repair products. Henkel introduced Loctite Pulse in 2021 and quickly expanded the offering with the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution in 2023. The solutions are being implemented at corporates as well as small and medium-sized enterprises from the oil and gas, chemical, and food and beverage industries, as well as in Henkel’s production facilities. At Henkel’s production site in Düsseldorf, for example, the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution provides instant information via the smartphone app, allowing prompt identification of blockages or blow throughs. “With Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Traps, we can react immediately and do not have losses of several months, which cost us money,” explained Annegret Schindlmeyr, Sustainability Manager at Henkel. In addition to the portfolio expansion, Loctite Pulse has received multiple prestigious market accolades for its innovations, including Engineering Product of the Year 2023 by the DEA, the Digital Innovation Award 2023 by BEMAS, the New Technology Award 2024 by OTC, the „Best Smart Industry 4.0 Solutions Award“ of IOT Solutions World Congress, and the Real Innovation Technology Award (RITA) 2024 in the Product Innovation category. To learn more about Loctite Pulse and its expanded portfolio, visit the respective websites for North America and Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Since its foundation in 2018, Finnish company Lekatech has revolutionized the world of breakers and hammers with its state-of-the-art advanced electric powered solutions. Continuing its work in redefining the capabilities and benefits of hammers and breakers, Lekatech is proud to unveil its latest development at Hillhead 2024, the new Electric Hammer LEKA Toras 35. The development and introduction of Lekatech electric hammer technology is seen by the breaking industry as ‘game changing’. The patented Lekatech linear electric motor technology is the result of many years of dedicated research and innovation. Its development is now disrupting the traditional hydraulic impact hammer market as its electric technology produces high levels of performance, delivering huge benefits on urban construction projects and in quarry or mine environments, above or below ground. Lekatech’s electric hammer technology is a major advance in hammer design and construction. Of light weight and high power, but producing low vibrations, Lekatech hammers are built for operator comfort, economic use and high productivity. Electrically powered, Lekatech’s linear electric motor produces low emissions and operating costs, and as such, is transforming breaking globally. Designed to seamlessly integrate with electric carrier machines, Lekatech electric hammers have been designed to be the perfect match for electrically powered machinery. The original Lekatech Electric Hammer delivers up to 70% energy savings when factoring in overall energy consumption of the equipment. In addition to energy efficiency, the Lekatech Electric Hammer has been able to significantly outperform comparable traditional technology, providing twice the blow impact energy of a hydraulic hammer of the same size. “The Lekatech Electric Hammer is highly efficient and has a power to weight ratio superior to similar traditionally powered hammers. Furthermore, it was introduced to the market at the same time as electric excavators and is thus a natural partner for electric powered equipment, and the ideal choice for when working in zero or low emission areas. Through listening to our customers and distributors, we have now improved the Lekatech Electric Hammer. We are proud to introduce the Electric Hammer LEKA Toras 35 which will be shown for the first time at Hillhead 2024 in the UK (25-27 June) at the Lekatech stand, S7,” explains Antti Anttila, CEO, Lekatech Oy. Introducing the LEKA Toras 35 As with its existing electric hammers, the LEKA Toras 35 has been developed using the latest technology in conjunction and working with breaking experts in the field. The LEKA Toras 35 is based on tubular linear (permanent magnet) electric motor technology which is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of breaker hammer use. The structure, despite weighing only 540kg, is robustly constructed with a minimum number of wear parts. “For an operator, the effectiveness of the hammer is often the most important feature of a working machine. With LEKA Toras 35, significantly higher performance values are reached than with conventional technologies. It is also highly flexible, with adjustability being integral to its development. Every blow and every gap between the blows can be adjusted individually and dynamically enabling unprecedented possibilities for hammering applications,” explains Antti Anttila. “In designing the LEKA Toras 35, we built on the success of our original Lekatech Electric Hammer. This was developed so that users could benefit from using a breaker where each hit of the hammer is optimized with the machine adapting to changing conditions. In effect, using a high precision force that learns. Lekatech technology is an embodiment of digitalization in hammering and is a catalyst for the electric transformation in the ecosystem. “Through the latest development, the LEKA Toras 35, we have developed an electric hammer which further revolutionizes the breaking and hammering industry. It has been tried and tested in demolition, hard rock quarrying and many other applications, and we are now proud to introduce it to professionals and companies who will truly benefit from its unique and market changing features. We feel that given the historical importance of Hillhead to the global hammering and breaking industry, that the show will be the perfect environment to introduce our latest development to the world,” adds Antti Anttila. Revolutionary environmental development As with the original Lekatech Electric Hammer, the LEKA Toras 35 is based on Lekatech’s patented linear electric motor technology and uses electric impact hammer technology. This technological breakthrough not only enables more energy efficient earthmoving, quarrying and mining operations, but also strengthens the realization of a green transition in these fields. “Environmental friendliness and performance go hand in hand with the LEKA Toras 35, with its programmable features providing flexibility that enable continuous digital development. Furthermore, the innovative hammer eliminates the need for oil and the oil-associated environmental impact of hammering, with oil consumption being reduced by 98% when compared to hydraulic hammers,” concludes Antti Anttila, CEO, Lekatech Oy. The LEKA Toras 35 is now available from Lekatech, and a number of countries in Europe from Lekatech’s strategically located partners located throughout the world. Key features of the LEKA Toras 35 The Lekatech stand at Hillhead will be located at S7 and will display the new LEKA Toras 35 as well as an array of Lekatech electric hammering solutions. For more information, please contact: Satu Rämö, Marketing and Communication Manager, Lekatech Oy Tel.: +358 40 537 4020 satu.ramo@lekatech.fi www.lekatech.fi Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
