The Lancashire-based authorised Yanmar CE dealer has turned one of Yanmar’s most compact excavators into a standout fundraising prize, with the winner set to be announced at the Great Eccleston Show. Mellor Plant UK, Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA (Yanmar)’s authorised dealer for the North West of England, is giving one
Investment in the latest mobile power technology is giving field service engineers at Finning UK & Ireland the tools to deliver a more versatile and sustainable maintenance and repair offer to customers. Portable battery power stations will give teams carrying out essential work on remote sites access to a power
A highly complex office redevelopment in the heart of Westminster is demonstrating how innovative engineering and careful planning can help deliver major retrofit projects in some of the UK’s most constrained urban environments. Specialist tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of 1 Victoria
Reinforcing its ongoing commitment to the construction sector, Certas Energy, the UK’s leading independent fuel distributor, will be one of the sponsors at Hillhead, the country’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition, running from 23rd until 25th June. As part of its sponsorship of the event, which will take place in cavernous Hillhead Quarry in
Civil engineering company McPhillips has added its first Cat® machines to its fleet in a partnership with Finning UK & Ireland. McPhillips is currently working on site at Finning headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire, as the delivery partner responsible for constructing a new workshop. Due to complete later this year, the
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together the capabilities needed to make electric construction equipment a practical, on-site reality. By addressing power supply, charging, energy management and operational integration as a single system, the collaboration responds directly to rising sustainability and productivity pressures and the industry’s shift from standalone technologies to
Finning engineer Chris Bee is taking on a 194 mile tuk-tuk drive from Skegness to Blackpool, raising funds for Race Against Dementia. The coast to coast challenge will take place over four days, 22nd to 25th May. With a top speed of only 35mph the journey will present a genuine
Sunbelt Rentals, the UK’s largest hire company, brought together customers, partners, suppliers and industry voices for One – The Sunbelt Experience, a one-day event, on Thursday 7th May, centred on the ideas, technologies and partnerships shaping the future of the industry. Focused on innovation, technology, safety and sustainability, the event
City Lifting has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of the Liebherr 195 HC-LH luffing jib crane, marking a significant milestone for both businesses. Ahead of the crane’s first project, a housing development in Essex, Liebherr worked closely with City Lifting’s technicians during the initial erection
Rapid construction at a major heavy-duty Sheffield industrial facility has seen main sub-contractor Cidon Construction continue with advancing the development. In order to facilitate high quality work, rapidly, efficiently and safely, the company has been working with National Pile Croppers (NPC), which has supplied Quad L and QXL pile croppers
The Lancashire-based authorised Yanmar CE dealer has turned one of Yanmar’s most compact excavators into a standout fundraising prize, with the winner set to be announced at the Great Eccleston Show. Mellor Plant UK, Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA (Yanmar)’s authorised dealer for the North West of England, is giving one UK resident the chance to win a specially wrapped Yanmar SV08 in a summer raffle for Cancer Research UK. The dealership has transformed the micro excavator into a vivid magenta and rose-pink showpiece – bright, bold and impossible to miss. The custom SV08 forms the centrepiece of a campaign inspired by a charity close to the hearts of Mellor Plant UK’s team, while bringing customers and the wider community together in support of Cancer Research UK’s work to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Over the past 50 years, the charity’s research has helped double cancer survival in the UK. “This is a cause that means a great deal to our team and many of the families and customers we work with,” shares Gordon Hayes, Director at Mellor Plant. “We wanted to do something positive that would bring people together while raising money for an incredibly important charity. With Yanmar’s support, the SV08 felt like the perfect machine to place at the heart of the campaign.” A pink machine with a powerful purpose The SV08’s bold new look draws on Cancer Research UK’s distinctive visual identity. Its magenta and rose-pink wrap features the charity’s recognisable dotted ‘C’ motif, creating an immediate connection to the cause. Finished with crisp white detailing, the design turns one of Yanmar’s smallest excavators into a striking symbol of hope and collective support. Behind the wrap is a practical machine built for confined working environments. Weighing 1,035kg, the SV08 has an adjustable width of 680 – 840mm and a maximum digging depth of 1,460mm. Its narrow access and extendable undercarriage are ideally suited to landscaping, utilities, agricultural work and residential construction, making it a fitting prize for Mellor Plant UK’s customers across Lancashire and the wider North West. “We are proud to support Mellor Plant UK with this inspiring fundraising initiative,” says Phil Elam, Yanmar UK Dealer Manager. “It reflects the close relationship between our dealers and the communities they serve, while showing how our network can make a positive contribution beyond the job site.” A summer in the spotlight The custom SV08 is already attracting attention this summer, including at Hillhead, the UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition, held last week at Hillhead Quarry in Buxton, Derbyshire. It will next appear at the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show from 3–5 July at Salesbury Hall, Ribchester, before the raffle reaches its finale at the Great Eccleston Show on 18–19 July 2026, where the winner will be drawn on stage. As a highlight of Lancashire’s rural calendar, the two-day event will put the campaign in front of farmers, contractors, machinery enthusiasts and families from across the North of England, with Mellor Plant UK attending and the SV08 on display. Visitors will have one final chance to support the campaign before one lucky entrant takes it home. How to enter Tickets cost £20 and the raffle is open to UK residents only. Entries can be purchased at Mellor Plant UK’s headquarters, via WhatsApp on 01254 812937 or by emailing sales@mellorplantuk.co.uk. Full terms and conditions are available at www.mellorplantuk.co.uk. All proceeds will support Cancer Research UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Investment in the latest mobile power technology is giving field service engineers at Finning UK & Ireland the tools to deliver a more versatile and sustainable maintenance and repair offer to customers. Portable battery power stations will give teams carrying out essential work on remote sites access to a power socket no matter where they are on site. The units can power heavy-duty tools and instruments in all weather conditions, giving engineers greater capability to respond to the changing requirements of a call-out. Unlike traditional fuel generators, the battery power stations are emission-free for a low-carbon energy solution and, as they are classed to be ‘whisper quiet’, operating at under 30 decibels, the power-on-the-go solutions also lower the environmental impact of field services. Finning has invested in 29 Instagrid GO (110v) units. Lisa Craddock, Service Operations Area Manager for Finning UK & Ireland, said: “The new equipment takes our service offer to another level, helping us to overcome barriers around power supplies so we can maintain high-quality customer support systems. “The battery systems are smaller and lighter than an inverter and provide a grid-like performance with an outlet for electrical equipment using a standard three-pin (110v) plug. “Our maintenance and repair service is designed to support customers by reducing downtime and maximising the performance of their machines. We’ve listened to feedback from our engineers working out in the field and believe this solution offers more flexibility to adapt effectively to the sites we visit and the complexities of the issues we deal with. “Whether it is at a construction site, a quarry or on agricultural land, the power packs can be easily carried to the site of repair, minimising trailing cables and eliminating noise pollution and local emissions. Our teams work incredibly hard to keep unexpected delays to a minimum for our customers. This investment supports that commitment while addressing sustainability issues around emissions linked to mobile power supplies.” The Instagrid GO (110v) equipment offers fast in-vehicle recharging, meaning teams can rely on a consistent remote power supply. As it provides an alternating current (AC) outlet, the same as a standard domestic electricity supply, there is no need to convert power from direct current (DC) sources, like a vehicle battery. This cuts out exhaust emissions connected with inverter use for a more sustainable source of power. Lisa added: “We operate 515 vans across the UK and Ireland, with 86 percent of those vehicles delivering field service support. “With smarter, more compact power supplies onboard, we are matching the extensive technical skills and knowledge of our engineers with equipment that offers improved efficiency and reliability and meets our zero local emissions targets.” Neil Fitzgerald, Business Development Manager for Instagrid UK, said: “This equipment is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than traditional power sources, removing site limitations while also supporting sustainability goals and reducing environmental impact. “The innovative design of the Instagrid GO, connecting a bank of batteries to multiple micro-level inverters, reflects significant advances in mobile power technology to match the enhanced customer service offer from Finning. “Our customers are key drivers of change. We understand the challenges of delivering a reliable, client-focused service out on site and are proud to be working with Finning to help it maintain its high-quality support offer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A highly complex office redevelopment in the heart of Westminster is demonstrating how innovative engineering and careful planning can help deliver major retrofit projects in some of the UK’s most constrained urban environments. Specialist tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of 1 Victoria Street, where contractors Keltbray and Mace Construct are delivering the redevelopment of a prominent 1960s office building through an ambitious programme focused on retaining much of the existing structure. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding the entire building, significant elements of the original structure are being preserved, helping to reduce embodied carbon by eliminating the need for extensive new piling and foundations. However, this sustainable approach has introduced a series of unique engineering challenges. Because the original foundations are being retained, the tower cranes have been installed within the building’s basement on structural foundations more than 60 years old. This required an entirely bespoke lifting strategy, with crane positions dictated by the existing structural layout rather than conventional construction practices. The project has been carefully phased, with a total of nine Wolffkran tower cranes supporting demolition and construction activities. During the initial demolition phase, a Wolff 355 B luffing jib crane handled heavy lifting operations within the confined site, including excavators, structural steel and demolition equipment. As construction progressed, four further cranes were installed to support the delivery of the building’s reinforced concrete core and early superstructure works, including the demanding slipform construction process that requires continuous concrete placement and highly coordinated lifting operations. One of the most technically challenging aspects of the project has been adapting the cranes to work on the retained foundations. Wolffkran’s adjustable cross-frame system enabled each crane to be precisely aligned with the existing structural support points, with individual support legs configured to varying lengths to accommodate the complex geometry below ground. The engineering challenges will continue into the final stages of the project. Once the basement slabs have been completed around the crane bases, dismantling the equipment will require a carefully planned operation using ceiling hoists, specialist forklifts and skating systems, as conventional mobile cranes will not have sufficient access within the completed structure. Later this year, lifting operations will move to roof level as the next phase of construction begins, with larger luffing jib cranes supporting the installation of the upper floors, façade and building services. Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the redevelopment of 1 Victoria Street is expected to become one of central London’s most technically demanding retrofit projects, showcasing how innovative construction techniques and specialist engineering can help deliver sustainable regeneration while preserving existing building assets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Reinforcing its ongoing commitment to the construction sector, Certas Energy, the UK’s leading independent fuel distributor, will be one of the sponsors at Hillhead, the country’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition, running from 23rd until 25th June. As part of its sponsorship of the event, which will take place in cavernous Hillhead Quarry in Buxton, the country’s leading fuel and energy transition partner will also be supplying approximately 2,000 litres of its Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to power the site’s official shuttle buses, which will transport up to 20,000 attendees to and from the huge quarry site across three dynamic, action-packed days. Compared to standard diesel, HVO can cut life-cycle GHG emissions by up to 90%*. This means that a delivery of 2,000 litres from Certas Energy could drive down emissions by up to 5,164KG of CO2e** over the three-day period, highlighting the significant role lower-carbon fuels can play in reducing the environmental impact of large-scale events. In addition to lowering carbon emissions, HVO can also contribute to improved local air quality compared to standard diesel emissions, helping to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PMs) and carbon monoxide (CO), a positive outcome for attendees and surrounding communities. As a drop-in alternative to red and white diesel, HVO can typically be used in existing engines without the need for costly modifications or downtime, making it an accessible and practical step for business owners looking to transition to lower-carbon fuel solutions*. HVO is playing an increasingly significant role as a transitional fuel, enabling customers to reduce emissions by up to 90%* compared with standard diesel from their operations while supporting longer-term net zero ambitions. During Hillhead, Certas Energy will be exhibiting at stand A8, where brand representatives will proudly showcase how renewable fuels can effectively cut on-site emissions. The stand will also welcome attendees keen to explore bulk fuel, HVO, AdBlue and lubricants, all expert-backed solutions with a proven track record of keeping construction fleets efficient and reliable. The team will also be demonstrating Certas Energy’s impressive new telemetry systems, which enable business owners to monitor fuel levels remotely, in real time, via a handy mobile app. This reduces the risk of runouts and minimises the need for reactive ordering, and customers purchasing a telemetry system during Hillhead can take advantage of a 10% discount. Visitors to the stand will also have the chance to meet brand representatives from Flogas Britain, joining the Certas Energy team as a collective front, forming part of DCC Energy Great Britain. As a trusted energy partner, Flogas Britain supports customers with reliable LPG, BioLPG and LNG energy solutions, helping to improve operational efficiency while taking practical steps towards a lower-carbon future. Whether powering asphalt production, supporting off-grid sites or helping businesses reduce emissions, it works alongside customers to deliver practical solutions that meet their operational needs today, while supporting their journey to net zero. Quarry Face will showcase 35 mighty machines in action, including large excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks, dozers, hydraulic breakers, screening buckets and mist cannons, working in tandem. Rock Processing, also known as ‘Crusher Alley’, will feature a range of tracked and skid-mounted crushers, screens, scalping grids and stockpiling conveyers side by side for Hillhead visitors to behold in wonder. East Demo Area, aptly located to the east of the exhibition site, features a range of specialist crushers, shredders, screens and washing equipment, while the Registration zone will play host to rock processing and impressive recycling demonstrations. Curated Demonstrations, new for Hillhead 2026, will welcome leading manufacturers at selected times throughout each day, with each invited to showcase their machines as part of a dynamic, curated live show hosted by broadcaster and technology presenter, Nikki Dean. Combining live machine operation with expert commentary and manufacturer interviews, the dramatic action will be streamed onto a giant LED screen, set against the impressive quarry face backdrop. Visitors will gain a unique insight into exactly what these marvellous machines can do in real working conditions, while learning more about the latest product developments, technologies and innovations directly from the experts operating them. Cathy Bailey, Energy Transition Manager at Certas Energy, said: “Construction is a very important sector for us, one we’ve been proudly supporting for more than 20 years, so we’re delighted to be attending and sponsoring Hillhead this year. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to support not only this brilliant event but the industry as a whole, engaging with attendees to showcase the energy transition possibilities available, whatever stage of their journey they may be at when they meet us. “I’m incredibly proud to be attending Hillhead and look forward to meeting anyone keen to take the first step of their energy transition journey.” To learn more about how the UK’s leading energy transition partner can support your business at any and every stage of your transition journey, visit the Certas Energy team at stand A8 during all three days of the action-packed event. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Civil engineering company McPhillips has added its first Cat® machines to its fleet in a partnership with Finning UK & Ireland. McPhillips is currently working on site at Finning headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire, as the delivery partner responsible for constructing a new workshop. Due to complete later this year, the 1,230 m² Rebuild Centre of Excellence will provide purpose-built facilities for Cat Certified Rebuilds, inspections and major repairs as more customers look to extend the life of existing fleets. McPhillips has already put one of its new machines, a Cat 308 Mini Excavator, to work on the scheme with a further three Cat 305 Mini Excavators delivered to the Shropshire-based firm. Designed to be compact yet powerful, the machines offer the reliability and performance needed to navigate a range of complex job sites across the construction industry. Helen Day, Product Manager at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “Connecting customers with the machinery that supports their ambitions is very important to us. There is a clear synergy between the efficiency and sustainability goals of both McPhillips and Finning. “McPhillips is a forward-thinking company and relies on a modern fleet of plant equipment to meet the demands of its schedules. The versatility and agility offered by the Cat 308 and 305 models mean they are real assets to construction companies working with a diverse range of clients. “With multi-functioning performance, they are ideal for manoeuvring across work sites, easy to transport and offer low operating costs. In terms of efficiency, the lift and dig capabilities help to power through jobs while in-built sustainability features support lower fuel burn, emissions and noise. This investment by McPhillips will bring multiple long-term benefits to its operations.” Cat mini excavators from 5-10T are designed to support Ease Of Use software packages to enhance safety, accuracy and productivity. These assist operators in controlling the machine to optimise performance and simplify operation. The cab supports a healthy working environment with air conditioning, comfortable seat and adjustable wrist rests, while the control display includes a Next Generation Monitor for easy to read information and customisable preference settings. Neil Surridge, Site Manager at McPhillips said: “The new machine has been one of the most valuable pieces of plant on this project, allowing operators to work confidently in restricted areas. Its reliability, precision, and versatility have been essential in keeping the build moving smoothly and safely.” McPhillips works across a variety of sectors with clients including local authorities, businesses, housebuilders, highways agencies and retailers. Paul Inions, Managing Director of McPhillips, said efficiency through collaboration was essential for continuous improvement. He said: “We are committed to being at the forefront of environmentally low impact construction. Investing in our fleet not only means we have equipment that produces the most efficient output in terms of sustainability, it also means we have reliable access to the right machines for the job at hand. “We deliver projects that meet the highest standards and partnering with Finning on its new workshop it is clear to see we share the same goals of having a positive impact and making a meaningful difference through the way we work. “It was a very natural next step to strengthen our partnership further through the addition of Cat machinery to our fleet.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together the capabilities needed to make electric construction equipment a practical, on-site reality. By addressing power supply, charging, energy management and operational integration as a single system, the collaboration responds directly to rising sustainability and productivity pressures and the industry’s shift from standalone technologies to integrated, ready-to-deploy solutions. Hitachi Energy, a global leader in electrification, and Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), a leading manufacturer of construction equipment machinery, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing end‑to‑end approaches that support the deployment of zero‑emission construction sites. The collaboration brings together electric construction equipment with clean power supply, energy management, and system integration capabilities to help address one of the construction industry’s most pressing challenges: decarbonization. Customer and investor demand for lower‑emission, more productive construction operations is reshaping the industry. At the same time, regulatory and permitting frameworks increasingly require projects to address emissions and environmental performance throughout the planning and approval process. While electrification, automation, and efficient resource and asset planning offer clear pathways to reduce emissions, transitioning from individual electric machines to fully functioning zero‑emission construction sites requires a coordinated ecosystem of solutions and effective system integration across equipment, power infrastructure, and energy management systems. Under the agreement, Volvo CE and Hitachi Energy will work on a non-exclusive basis to assess potential technical and commercial concepts supporting zero-emission construction and manufacturing operations, with a focus on system integration and site-level operational execution. The scope includes joint work on business models, go‑to‑market approaches, and aftermarket and support considerations, supported by joint teams from both companies. “Strategic partnerships such as this with Hitachi Energy are key to accelerating the transition to zero-emission construction,” said Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE. “By combining complementary expertise and delivering a complete, integrated solution, we are giving customers the confidence, security, and peace of mind they need to adopt emission-free operations today.” “Electrification is a game changer in the decarbonization puzzle, particularly for hard‑to‑abate environments such as construction sites,” said Niklas Persson, CEO of Grid Integration at Hitachi Energy. “As construction operations become more electric and more complex, success depends less on individual technologies and more on system‑level integration, strong execution, and close collaboration with partners like Volvo CE who share our ambition to enable zero‑emission construction at scale.” Zero-emission construction requires a coordinated ecosystem of solutions and seamless integration between machines, electrical infrastructure and energy management systems (Illustration: Volvo CE/Hitachi Energy) The initial focus is business and go‑to‑market‑oriented, emphasizing practical, plug‑and‑play approaches to help customers simplify the transition to zero‑emission construction sites. At the same time, the agreement establishes a foundation for deeper technical engagement over time, with the potential to explore more advanced capabilities such as connected machines, digital integration, and expanded service offerings. Volvo CE has long been at the forefront of the construction industry’s move toward electrification and digitalization, while Hitachi Energy brings deep expertise in power systems, energy management, and system integration. Together, the collaboration represents an important next step in providing customers with a comprehensive solution to help navigate and accelerate this transition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finning engineer Chris Bee is taking on a 194 mile tuk-tuk drive from Skegness to Blackpool, raising funds for Race Against Dementia. The coast to coast challenge will take place over four days, 22nd to 25th May. With a top speed of only 35mph the journey will present a genuine endurance challenge, with a route planned that avoids all motorways. The tuk-tuk has been imported from India for the occasion and has been fitted with VisionLink™ telemetry software by Finning UK & Ireland, enabling Chris’ colleagues to remotely monitor his journey. The VisionLink software, which can be fitted as both new or retrofit software, is usually reserved for tracking, optimising and monitoring the performance of heavy machinery and can be accessed via Cat central, allowing operators to enhance onsite efficiency. In this instance it will allow Chris’ colleagues to track his progress and support him as he travels across the country. Taking on the challenge with friend Rick Martin, and with help from a support team from Tuk-Tuk UK, Chris’s journey will begin at the RNLI station in Skegness and finish the first day at Lincoln Cathedral. Day 2 will present the biggest test of Chris’ endurance as the journey takes him through Worksop and Sheffield via the A57 to stay overnight in Hyde. The final day of the challenge will see Chris travel around Manchester on the A56 towards Bolton, up to Darwen and then on to the finish line at the RNLI station in Blackpool. Chris has committed to this challenge to raise money for Race Against Dementia after his mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The charity, founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, funds early career researchers to help accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia. Chris said: “Dementia is a disease that affects a lot of people and over the past few years it has impacted my family following my Mum’s diagnosis. I have been trying to raise as much money as I can over the past few years and this year myself, Rick and our families wanted to step it up by completing our biggest challenge yet.” Some of Chris biggest supporters have been his colleagues at Finning UK & Ireland who helped to fit the tuk-tuk with VisionLink software during a visit to the company headquarter in Cannock, Staffordshire. “We know this won’t be an easy challenge but have already been blown away by the level of support we have received. Finning has been really generous in fitting the tuk-tuk with VisionLink so my colleagues can support me remotely. It will be really motivating to know they are watching my progress, and I am thrilled to operate what could be one of the world’s first telematics-enabled tuk-tuks!” Kathryn Palmer, Digital Manager at Finning UK & Ireland said: “Everyone at Finning is immensely proud of what Chris has already achieved in raising money to help Race Against Dementia in their fight against this life-changing disease. We are proud to support him on his tuk-tuk challenge and will be watching our telemetry data closely to monitor his progress. “On behalf of everyone at Finning UK & Ireland, we wish Chris, Rick and their families the best of luck as they take on this incredible challenge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sunbelt Rentals, the UK’s largest hire company, brought together customers, partners, suppliers and industry voices for One – The Sunbelt Experience, a one-day event, on Thursday 7th May, centred on the ideas, technologies and partnerships shaping the future of the industry. Focused on innovation, technology, safety and sustainability, the event created a space for practical conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. From AI and equipment intelligence to digital tools, operational insight and lower-carbon solutions, the event programme explored how change is being applied in real-world settings across the industry. Across three theatres focused on covering, technology and innovation, customer, and people, attendees heard from speakers and experts on the topics driving transformation across multiple sectors and industries. Sessions explored how data, connected equipment, safety solutions and new ways of working are helping businesses improve performance, strengthen customer experience and support teams on the ground to work as one team. The event also featured live demonstrations, interactive displays and opportunities to connect directly with specialists from across Sunbelt Rentals and its supply chain partners, giving attendees practical insight into the solutions, services and thinking helping shape the next chapter for the industry. Title sponsor, JCB, showcased hydrogen solutions during the event, highlighting a shared commitment to practical innovation and technologies that support the transition to low and zero-carbon ways of working. Phil Parker, CEO of Sunbelt Rentals, said: “One – The Sunbelt Rentals Experience was designed to bring together the conversations that matter most to our customers and our business – how we deliver more consistent, joined-up outcomes as one team. We welcomed our customers, partners, and colleagues to Liverpool to experience how Sunbelt Rentals is evolving – not just in what we offer, but in how we operate. As customer expectations continue to shift towards more integrated, accountable delivery, our focus is on making it easier to do business with us – through one connected experience, clearer ownership, and solutions delivered at scale. The event brought that to life, showcasing the strength of our capability, the breadth of our offering, and how we are advancing our 4.0 strategy to deliver better outcomes for our customers and the sectors we support.” The event forms part of Sunbelt Rentals’ wider focus through their five-year growth strategy, Sunbelt 4.0, focused on being equipped for success by sharing practical insight, strengthening customer conversations and bringing together the technologies and expertise that will shape the future of the industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City Lifting has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of the Liebherr 195 HC-LH luffing jib crane, marking a significant milestone for both businesses. Ahead of the crane’s first project, a housing development in Essex, Liebherr worked closely with City Lifting’s technicians during the initial erection process at the company’s Leighton Buzzard yard, providing specialist support and familiarisation training. The agreement for the new crane was first announced last year and later celebrated at Bauma in April, where representatives from City Lifting and Liebherr marked the occasion together. Headquartered in Purfleet, Essex, City Lifting is widely recognised for delivering complex lifting solutions across London, supporting projects ranging from restricted inner-city developments to work on some of the capital’s best-known landmarks. The Liebherr 195 HC-LH has been designed to suit constrained urban construction environments, making it well suited to City Lifting’s specialist operations. The crane can operate with a minimum working radius of just three metres and achieve an out-of-service position of less than 10 metres, while also offering flexible configuration options for tight sites. Advanced features include a hydraulic luffing system capable of delivering fast and precise movements in under 90 seconds, helping improve efficiency and site safety. The crane also benefits from Load-Plus technology, which can temporarily increase lifting capacity by up to 25%, alongside Liebherr’s Tower Crane OS operating system for enhanced control and operational monitoring. Designed with busy city-centre logistics in mind, the crane can be transported using just four vehicles, helping reduce disruption during delivery. Assembly has also been streamlined, with individual components weighing no more than eight tonnes, allowing smaller assist cranes to be used on site. Before entering service, City Lifting’s technical team completed a week-long training and familiarisation programme delivered by Liebherr, covering the crane’s systems and operational processes in detail. Trevor Jepson, Managing Director of City Lifting, said several practical design features influenced the decision to invest in the crane. He highlighted the position of the hoist winch within the first jib section, which reduces transport requirements and saves time, as well as the larger drum size that reduces rope layering on taller buildings. He also noted the crane’s accessible maintenance design, allowing safer access to the brake and gearbox from the fixed working platform regardless of jib position. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rapid construction at a major heavy-duty Sheffield industrial facility has seen main sub-contractor Cidon Construction continue with advancing the development. In order to facilitate high quality work, rapidly, efficiently and safely, the company has been working with National Pile Croppers (NPC), which has supplied Quad L and QXL pile croppers and round the clock support for the project. The ongoing redevelopment of a heavy-duty industrial facility in Sheffield is part of a contract valued at £138 million, which will support construction of a 13,800m2 building. VINCI Building will deliver the project to provide foundations, a 40 metre high superstructure and building service solutions for the facility, alongside teams of subcontractors and supply chain partners. Due to the structure of the building, with its high load bearing walls and superstructure, secant piles were initially chosen due to their ability to be constructed and form excavations in areas of high-water table. They are also able to be high load carrying whilst suffering from less vibration during construction. These were cropped by VINCI Building using a NPC monster cropper, the QXXL, which proved ideal for dealing with the 1,050mm piles. Next stage and more cropping The initial cropping of the secant piles was undertaken using a NPC Quad XXL, which has been designed and developed to deal with piles of between 1,050mm and 1,200m. “The development of the Quad XXL has proved to be the ideal tool for this project. It has the size to get over the 1,050mm piles and reduce them effectively. It is the only piece of kit capable of fitting in between the primary/secondary piles that have a range of 1,050mm – 1,200mm. Piles of this size often come oversized generally at the top,” explains NPC company director Scott Fitchett. This work was undertaken by VINCI Building working in conjunction with NPC. The pile cropping of the other non-secant tiles is being undertaken by sub-contractor, Barnsley headquartered Cidon Construction, which is a specialist reinforced concrete contractor with over 20 years’ experience in the delivery of complex concrete structures. For dealing with the smaller 600mm to 750mm bearing piles until the end of Jan 2026 an NPC QL was used. Following on from that, and for cropping the larger 750mm to 950mm piles, an NPC QXL will be used. Quad designed to be productive All three members of the NPC Quad family work in a similar fashion. The cropper is lowered over the top of the pile to recommended height – on ‘de-bonded’ piles this could be 500mm or more. The jaws are closed until a pile section pops free, with the reinforcement bars being kept straight for ease of removal, with the broken pile section easily lifted to dumper or an identified safe area. The Quad family uses four powerful and fully synchronised rams with specially designed blades to give a superb pile cut. Best utilised on piles with ‘debonded’ reinforcement bars, the Quad design gives it a very small footprint to enable access into tight spaces. “The Quad family has certainly delivered on the Sheffield project. Both VINCI Building and Cidon Construction have been impressed with the performance. It’s been a pleasure to work with both companies on what has proved to be a demanding project,” concludes Scott Fitchett. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals