Many industries will be affected when red diesel loses its tax-free status in April 2022. With less than six months to go until red diesel users will be charged the full fuel tax to reflect on the emissions they produce, the MHM Group is urging industry leaders to adopt the
– The telehandlers are used for both construction and farming work – Launched earlier this year, the first of Bobcat’s new R-Series telehandlers have been delivered in the UK. The three T41.140SLP 14 m Stage V telehandlers form part of an order for five T41.140SLPs purchased by Truelove Property and
In a first for the construction and infrastructure industry, Balfour Beatty, in collaboration with Sunbelt Rentals, today launches EcoSense – a sustainable site cabin design with integrated disability and neurodiverse features. EcoSense boasts a range of sustainable applications and components including occupier-activated extractor fan sensors and lower kilowatt heaters with
WernerCo, the leading access equipment specialist which manufactures BoSS® towers, is urging workers and employees to carry out PASMA training to ensure the safety of professionals working on-site as restrictions are lifted across the UK. Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace accidents, with the construction
~ BNH one of first to add two new Cat 302.7 machines to their fleet ~ Plant hire and waste management firm Buckland Newton Hire (BNH) has increased its fleet of Cat machinery from exclusive Caterpillar® supplier Finning UK and Ireland, by adding two 302.7 mini excavators. The Dorset-based company
Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched the 110 tonne metre ™ super heavy loader crane HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro with the company’s new control system to deliver new productivity and safety benefits. The iQ range is HIAB’s new generation of loader cranes based on the new control system SPACEevo combined with
GDR Sales has taken delivery of the first SV120 sold in the UK. Retailed through Ben Burgess, Yanmar’s official dealer for Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Rutland, the new model will be used for riverbank maintenance, flailing and general building applications. One of the most powerful machines in the Yanmar portfolio,
To ensure the safe and efficient handling of materials, the UK’s leading manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems Smartroof has invested in four Combilift at its Derbyshire production facility With the previous 12 months being the busiest in the company’s history, there has been a marked increase in
Speedy has become the first UK hire provider to publicly commit to adopting science-based targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050, further enhancing their accountability focused leadership in sustainability. Science-based targets (‘SBT’) provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst
Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of tools and equipment hire and B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, have formally extended their partnership which offers tool hire to DIY customers. The partnership builds on an initial trial and will enable customers across the UK to hire the latest high quality
Many industries will be affected when red diesel loses its tax-free status in April 2022. With less than six months to go until red diesel users will be charged the full fuel tax to reflect on the emissions they produce, the MHM Group is urging industry leaders to adopt the use of cleaner alternatives, in particular HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). Red diesel is widely used in the agricultural, marine and construction sectors, and although at present business owners benefit from a 47p-per-litre tax rebate for its use, as of April 2022 they will have to switch to ordinary ‘white’ diesel costs, taxed at the full rate. That means many businesses will be paying five times as much in fuel duty as they do currently. In the wake of rising costs and significant impacts on the environment, a market leading equipment manufacturer, the MHM Group is urging businesses within the plant hire and construction industries to consider switching to HVO fuel as a greener, more sustainable alternative. HVO is a premium quality fuel made from 100% renewable raw materials, and can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% when likened with fossil-fuel diesel. Every 1,000 litres of diesel burned produces 3.6 tonnes of greenhouse gas CO2, compared to just 195kg GHG CO2 for every 1,000 litres of HVO burned. The MHM Group has itself recently confirmed that all of its diesel-powered machinery, principally generators and lighting towers, are now fully compatible, approved and safe for use with HVO fuel. Commenting on how the rental market can reduce its carbon footprint, the MHM Group’s Managing Director Mat Llewellyn said: “Everyone in the industry has been aware that green changes are on the horizon, but often these deadlines come up much faster than we first anticipate. For that reason, we have been doubling down on our efforts to ensure that Bolt, our new equipment for sale and our rehire fleet becomes more sustainable and that we can offer solutions to the construction sector on eliminating harmful carbon emissions. “Using HVO is significant a part of this process and becomes even more important with the tax rises to red diesel and the growing consensus on the need for action to address climate change. We are also continuing to invest heavily in other renewables, such as solar and battery hybrid engine and diesel free machines, as part of our comprehensive approach to a sustainable future.” Launched in 2010, the MHM Group is the leading supplier of a range of sustainable equipment, including solar hybrid generators and solar lighting towers. The supplier offers a range of innovative products that emit zero carbon and can be powered by renewable fuel sources. For more information on MHM and its equipment, visit http://www.mhmplant.com.
– The telehandlers are used for both construction and farming work – Launched earlier this year, the first of Bobcat’s new R-Series telehandlers have been delivered in the UK. The three T41.140SLP 14 m Stage V telehandlers form part of an order for five T41.140SLPs purchased by Truelove Property and Construction Ltd, based in Lincoln in England. With standard tyres fitted, the T41.140SLP offers a maximum lift capacity of 4.1 tonne, a maximum lift height of 13.65 m and a maximum forward reach of 9.8 m. Established in 1968, Truelove Property and Construction is a family-run business based in the heart of Lincolnshire with over 50 years’ experience and the completion of nearly 1000 new homes to its name. Truelove also has a subsidiary farming business called Happy Days Farming Company. The Perfect Choice for Housing Development Projects The new T41.140SLP telehandlers were supplied by AMS Bobcat Ltd, the local Authorised Bobcat Dealer based in Scunthorpe. Barrie Truelove, Owner and Director of Truelove Property and Construction Ltd, comments on the move to Bobcat telehandlers: “We were not satisfied with the performance of our previous brand of telehandlers. We chose to replace them with the Bobcat telehandlers for a number of reasons including their suitability for our applications, the price, the lead time and the quality and locality of service offered by AMS Bobcat. It has been a very successful transition as all of our operators are very happy with the new Bobcat telehandlers.” The new telehandlers are in use on current Truelove property developments at Kirton Lindsey and Nettleham in Lincolnshire, where the company is building prestigious, individual two-storey family homes designed and built for modern open plan living with bespoke kitchens and bathrooms. Truelove builds all its houses to the LABC standard, one of the three main providers of structural or ‘new home’ warranties in the UK and the company abides by the Consumer Code for Home Builders 2020. Presiding over some of the new Bobcat telehandlers on his project is Site Manager, Henry Truelove, Barrie’s son. Henry recently completed his first Ironman challenge in Mallorca in Spain, where he performed well, narrowly missing the podium in his class. He also dedicated his race to raising well over £2000 towards the treatment costs for the mother of a good friend. She was seriously injured during a horse riding accident and was put into an induced coma for several weeks and is only now learning to walk and talk again. From Construction to More Success in Farming One of the T41.140SLP units is also being used on Worlaby Farm near Brigg, where it is being employed to lift and handle steel components being used to build a new 10,000 tonne grain store at the farm. Worlaby Farm forms part of Happy Days Farming Company. Truelove bought its first farm in January 1994 at Farndon near Newark in Nottinghamshire and then went on to buy Worlaby Farm and another in Kingerby at Market Rasen. The company has continued to grow with the acquisition of three further farms since then, with one at Snitterby in 1996 and two at Nettleham in 2006 and 2016. Typically, the Bobcat T41.140SLP telehandler is used in construction applications, but this model can also find other uses in agriculture as demonstrated at Happy Days Farming, where the telehandlers are used for applications such as loading and stacking hay bales. Happy Days Farming mainly concentrates on arable farming with over 5000 acres under management, but the company has also moved recently into pig production. Happy Days Farming employs all of their own labour and runs the farms themselves – the company is continually looking to expand and seek new opportunities in the farming market. As mentioned above, three of the new T41.140SLP telehandlers are the first of the new R-Series models to be sold in the UK. As well as the T40.140SLP, the new generation R-Series telehandler range provides a choice of 11 more models with Stage V engines. The new R-Series telehandlers cover lifting heights from 6 to 18 m with maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.1 tonne. The new R-Series range of telehandlers from Bobcat comprises the models below: Compact telehandlers – TL26.60, TL30.60 and TL30.70 Middle range telehandlers – TL35.70, T35.105, T35.105L and T36.120SL High lift telehandlers – T35.130S, T35.130SLP, T35.140S, T41.140SLP and T40.180SLP Precise Control and Placement at Height The new R-Series telehandlers offer agility on demand, with a newly configured transmission system providing enhanced smoothness to carry out the trickiest jobs at height with surgical precision. These operations are also facilitated by the combination of the Boom Positioning System, the new updated, ultra-accurate joystick, the inching function and the improved visibility from the cab. An enhanced inching pedal design is easier to use and reduces fatigue. A higher engine brake provides a shorter stop distance and increases safety on construction sites. Turtle/rabbit speeds are standard on all models and operated from the joystick. There is a new DYNAMIC mode for applications requiring rapid transmission response and the new optional hand throttle with FLEX DRIVE function allows for the control of travel speed independent from engine rpm. Approaching 30 Years as a Bobcat Dealer: Nearly 4000 Machines Sold Established in 1992, Scunthorpe-based AMS Bobcat is one of the longest standing Bobcat dealers in Europe and is approaching 30 years of partnership with Bobcat in the UK. Over the intervening years, AMS has sold nearly 4000 new Bobcat units into a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, shipping, plant hire, mining, landscaping and demolition. As well as Bobcat telehandlers, AMS Bobcat is also responsible for sales and service of Bobcat skid-steer and compact track loaders, mini-excavators, compact wheel loaders, light compaction and attachments throughout Lincolnshire and South and East Yorkshire. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com
In a first for the construction and infrastructure industry, Balfour Beatty, in collaboration with Sunbelt Rentals, today launches EcoSense – a sustainable site cabin design with integrated disability and neurodiverse features. EcoSense boasts a range of sustainable applications and components including occupier-activated extractor fan sensors and lower kilowatt heaters with built-in, self-regulating digital thermostats, which will reduce carbon emissions on site by up to 30%. The new site cabin design, which supports the company’s refreshed sustainability strategy “Building New Futures”, is currently being rolled out across several of the company’s projects in the UK and will be introduced as standard to all new site set-ups from January 2022. Once deployed, it is expected that Balfour Beatty will save a minimum of 1,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions across its site cabin portfolio each year. When combined with the company’s EcoNet technology, which effectively manages the power supply of site compounds, an additional 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of CO2 savings can be expected annually. Following an idea born through its employee-engagement programme, My Contribution, EcoSense also incorporates wider corridors for wheelchair users, coloured plug sockets and switches to assist the visually impaired and tri-coloured LED lighting for those who are hyper-sensitive to bright light; marking a positive step forward in making site cabins a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent people. Heather Bryant, Balfour Beatty’s Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability Director, said: “At Balfour Beatty, sustainability is at the heart of what we do, whether we’re attracting, training, and retaining the diverse workforce of the future, or developing innovative new solutions for the construction and infrastructure industry. “But we know that to truly move the dial, we must work together. EcoSense is yet another example of how, alongside our partners such as Sunbelt Rentals, we are actively becoming smarter and greener, faster, as we move towards an inclusive, Net Zero world.” Ian Needham, Director of Accommodation at Sunbelt Rentals said: “Sunbelt Rentals is committed to advancing technology for a lower carbon future and to making our industry as inclusive as possible. “Working with our partner Balfour Beatty we have developed an industry-changing solution with EcoSense. Not only is the cabin design more energy efficient, but it can be powered by low or zero carbon power sources as the norm. In addition, the disability and neurodiverse elements will help to give everyone equal opportunities when working on site.” To find out more about what Balfour Beatty is doing to reduce its carbon emissions, visit Balfour Beatty’s website here, or read its refreshed sustainability strategy, “Building New Futures”.
WernerCo, the leading access equipment specialist which manufactures BoSS® towers, is urging workers and employees to carry out PASMA training to ensure the safety of professionals working on-site as restrictions are lifted across the UK. Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace accidents, with the construction sector accounting for a significant proportion of these, so ongoing training is essential to ensure safe work at height practice when using towers. Sophie Ellam, Product Manager for WernerCo, comments: “With lockdown and a reduction in construction output over the past year some workers and employees may not realise their PASMA cards may have expired. Also, with output increasing, more companies will be looking to take on employees, some of whom may not have had the appropriate training. “PASMA training remains safe to do so with the current restrictions in place and there is a range of courses to ensure employees are fully qualified and up to date with the latest guidance.” The PASMA accredited Towers for Users course is designed for those who are responsible for specifying, assembling, dismantling, using, altering, moving and inspecting access towers. The course runs for one day and provides both theoretical and practical training on tower legislation; PASMA codes of practice; hazards associated with using mobile access towers; and what should be avoided. PASMA training has continued despite even the toughest social distancing restrictions this year, with accredited training centres and instructors keeping courses COVID-secure for everyone who needed them, especially in sectors like construction, national infrastructure and maintenance. WernerCo is an approved PASMA training centre and offers industry standard training programs on the safe use of mobile access towers and low-level access equipment. For more information visit: https://www.bossaccesstowers.com/services/training
~ BNH one of first to add two new Cat 302.7 machines to their fleet ~ Plant hire and waste management firm Buckland Newton Hire (BNH) has increased its fleet of Cat machinery from exclusive Caterpillar® supplier Finning UK and Ireland, by adding two 302.7 mini excavators. The Dorset-based company managed to stay ahead of the curve by being one of the first companies to order this new machine. BNH is not only one of the first companies to have the 302.7s, but it is also unique in Dorset by having a fleet of only Cat equipment, totalling 70 machines. The company cites the long-lasting reliability of Cat machines as one of the reasons it continues to purchase them, as well as the high resale value of the vehicles. The resale value is particularly important to BNH as it purchases the newest Cat models almost immediately after release, to keep its fleet cutting edge. BNH was quick to snap up the new 302.7s due to them being the most popular size of mini excavator chosen by builders. The hydraulic system that the 302.7s come with means that these machines still pack a powerful punch, so operators don’t have to sacrifice power for size. “We see these as an essential purchase for any plant hire business,” said Brad Perrett, Manager at BNH. “Over the 30 years that we’ve working with them, Finning has continued to provide quality products and have never let us down — we’re now up to 75 Cat machines in the fleet. “We sent the 302.7s out as soon as they arrived and have not seen a single one back here yet; they are in such high demand that they have been out every day. We have already received positive feedback on these machines from customers on our Facebook page, which is very promising.” “It’s always a pleasure to work with Brad and the team at BNH as they are always first in line for the latest machines and technology from Caterpillar,” said Jack Pilgrim, Territory Account Manager at Finning. “The new 302.7s will be replacing the older D and E series that were previously used, making BNH one of Dorset’s few plant hire companies with such an extensive and up-to-date fleet”. The 302.7 mini excavators are designed to have an ergonomic control layout with adjustable wrist rest and travel pedals in order to minimize operator fatigue. The engine is positioned to reduce the heat and noise that travels into the operator’s station, increasing operator comfort and worker productivity. For more information on Cat next generation excavators or the newest machine in the range, the Cat 302.7, visit www.finning.com.
Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched the 110 tonne metre ™ super heavy loader crane HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro with the company’s new control system to deliver new productivity and safety benefits. The iQ range is HIAB’s new generation of loader cranes based on the new control system SPACEevo combined with the CombiDrive 4 remote control that is used for the first time on the HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro. The HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro is the largest HIAB crane to date with a long reach and great lifting capacity, but still lightweight in a compact package. It delivers the performance of a 110tm loader crane but is similar in size to a 90tm range model. This means it can be installed easily on 4 axle vehicles and still leaves room for payload, as well as reducing costs and fuel consumption. The performance to weight ratio is achieved by the new V12-Power boom profiles. “Our customers want big cranes that are suited for a great variety of tasks in a smaller crane package to increase flexibility, reduce operating costs and improve fuel efficiency. We are proud to have launched our biggest HIAB crane to date with some amazing new technological features to deliver unrivalled performance and safety features,” says Marcel Boxem, Director, Product Management, Loader Cranes Heavy & Super Heavy, Hiab. He continues: “The HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro is the first in the iQ. range that will set a new standard for precise manoeuvres and high speeds, and personalised settings to improve productivity. At the same time, the new features we are introducing are also making crane operation safer than ever for the operator and the surroundings.” The new SPACEevo control system allows the crane to be operated precisely even at high speeds. It is built using an open technological platform that enables continuous updates. The crane is controlled by the new remote control CombiDrive 4 that provides more information, with bigger colour screens, haptic feedback (vibrations) and increased battery life. It is possible for the operator to personalise settings like speed and crane reaction. It features the new Confirm View that increases safety by identifying the position of the operator compared to the stabilisers, so they only open if the operator is positioned to see their movement properly. The crane features the DLC-S stabilisation program. Using the remote control operators can simulate the stabilisation capacity that the crane will have in a certain position and with the stabilisers opened. This is a great feature to plan the scheduled lifts. The HIAB iQ.1188 HiPro has in-built connectivity so that owners can access Hiab’s HiConnect™.
GDR Sales has taken delivery of the first SV120 sold in the UK. Retailed through Ben Burgess, Yanmar’s official dealer for Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Rutland, the new model will be used for riverbank maintenance, flailing and general building applications. One of the most powerful machines in the Yanmar portfolio, the SV120 delivers class-leading versatility, impressive capability and unbeatable performance. Its compact design and short tail make it a hugely popular choice for tight job sites, while its offset boom (unique on a machine of this size) allows operators to work in small spaces, close to walls and across the entire track width without having to reposition the excavator. Featuring a 3.6 litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, the SV120 delivers 85kW (116HP) at 2,000rpm and 400Nm torque at 1,600rpm, all fed through a pressure-controlled autoshift transmission. A hydrostatic travel drive (with planetary reduction gears) allows the SV120 to travel in two speed ranges, 0-2.7km/h in forward and 5.4km/h in reverse – at gradients up to 60%. With four independent hydraulic circuits, the SV120 can use a wide variety of tools, making it incredibly versatile – from buckets to rock breakers, loading hooks and pallet forks. A hydraulic pump capacity of 190L/min and a maximum working pressure of 350 bar deliver a digging force of 81.5kN for the bucket and 61kN for the arm. Recently delivered to the GDR Sales headquarters in Norwich, the SV120 is already proving a valuable investment. Director Gary Riseborough commented: “I’ve been a customer of Ben Burgess for more than 30 years and have a good working relationship with the team. Over the years I’ve purchased several machines and have always been really happy with the service received. “I was visiting the Norwich site and spotted the SV120 in the yard. It was very similar to my existing midi excavator, but more compact. I asked the team if it was available and bought it on the spot! “It’s been a really good machine so far. It came as standard with all the features you would usually need to add on to a machine and this particular model actually runs on bio-oil, which (when working close to rivers) is ideal. We also work in a lot of wooded areas, so the machine’s compact size means we can easily fit between trees. Major components are accessible from ground level, so there are no rails to get in the way, and the visibility from the cab is brilliant. I can’t say that I’ve seen a comparable machine do it better!” Robert Turner, Construction Sales Manager at Ben Burgess, added: “We’ve worked closely with GDR Sales for a number of years, providing a wide range of class-leading equipment. When Gary purchased the SV120, we knew it would prove the perfect partner. Combining compact design with class-leading performance, we’re confident that the new model will continue to deliver above and beyond expectation for years to come.” Located in Norwich, England, GDR Sales provides a wide range of contracting services, including riverbank cutting and maintenance, flailing and weeding for farms. Furthermore, the team delivers a variety of building work for sites across the region. For more information about Ben Burgess, visit www.benburgess.co.uk/new-machinery/construction-machinery. For more information about Yanmar’s latest range of compact equipment, including the SV120, visit https://www.yanmar.com/gb/construction/.
To ensure the safe and efficient handling of materials, the UK’s leading manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems Smartroof has invested in four Combilift at its Derbyshire production facility With the previous 12 months being the busiest in the company’s history, there has been a marked increase in the volume of materials that need to be offloaded and moved around both inside and outside the factory. To increase production efficiencies and to meet the growth in demand for ‘room in roof’ systems, Smartroof has acquired four new multidirectional forklifts from Combilift for its Swadlincote facility. Handling specialist Forkway provided Smartroof with two Combilift C8000E and two Combilift CBE 3000 models which were supplied with Smartroof’s corporate livery. Commenting on the additions, Lukasz Semen, Production Director at Smartroof said: “Space utilisation and speed were crucial factors and the Combilifts have been integral to keeping up with fast paced operations and gaining more workspace inside.” The largest electric model available, the C8000E has enabled the safe handling of 10-12m long x 2.7m deep bundles of roof panels. Fitted with a 5.5m mast, a 6m wide hydraulic spreader beam with 2.5m long forks, the Combilift can reach across the truck bed to lift a complete load in one single procedure. With the previous trucks this necessitated multiple lifts and what used to take 40 minutes is now complete in 15 minutes. The CBE 3000s have a 3t capacity and will enable the Smartroof operatives to offload lighter products and components, as well as transport materials to the assembly lines. Compact and manoeuvrable, they can move between machinery without hindering the production facility. “We are in the process of changing the layout of the production area to accommodate the larger models, and without their multidirectional ability we’d have at least 20% less capacity overall. We weren’t expecting them to be quite as big as they are, but when we see them at work we realise why. They do exactly what we need and we’re very happy with the outcome,” added Lukasz. The investment in these handling solutions will ensure a high level of operational flexibility at the Smartroof facility and will ensure the company will be able to meet the housing sector’s growing demand for offsite ‘room in roof’ solutions.
Speedy has become the first UK hire provider to publicly commit to adopting science-based targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050, further enhancing their accountability focused leadership in sustainability. Science-based targets (‘SBT’) provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and ensuring sustainable business growth. An emissions target is considered ‘science-based’ if it is in line with the reductions needed to meet the global commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. In the long term, reducing the carbon output of Speedy’s hire and vehicle fleet through the use of solar, hybrid, electric and hydrogen technology will help achieve this global goal. Speedy’s targets will be verified by the Science Based Targets initiative and published, alongside the first year’s progress, over the coming financial year. Alongside the SBT commitment, Speedy will also be joining the We Mean Business coalition and the United Nations Global Compact’s to accelerate an inclusive transition to a net zero economy. The move to commit to an SBT reinforces the firm’s position on setting the pace in the UK hire sector in the drive to achieve net zero. It follows on the heels of other market-leading sustainability commitments including: trialling a number of electric delivery vehicles including two converted electric London taxis; a company car list that now consists almost entirely of hybrid and electric vehicles; launching the first 7-tonne Electra eStar rear-steer beavertail body truck in the UK (in partnership with Sterling GP); being the first hire provider to switch to fuelling powered access machinery exclusively with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and working closely with customers and suppliers to trial the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), reducing carbon emissions by up to 90%. “I am proud to announce that we are the first hire company in the UK to commit to net zero carbon emissions under science based targets before 2050. We are committing to this to challenge ourselves in a transparent and measurable way,” said Speedy’s Chief Executive Russell Down. “As a key enabler within the supply chain, our aim is to inspire confidence in our people, customers and supply chain partners by reducing the carbon output of our hire and vehicle fleet through the use of new technologies. We will be working collaboratively with all our stakeholders to deliver net-zero carbon within the industry.”
Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of tools and equipment hire and B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, have formally extended their partnership which offers tool hire to DIY customers. The partnership builds on an initial trial and will enable customers across the UK to hire the latest high quality tools and equipment from Speedy stores within B&Q, for their home improvement projects. B&Q is committed to making it easier for customers to improve their homes and make life better. Partnerships are an essential part of this, with shop-in-shop and concession partnership models enabling B&Q to adapt quickly to changing consumer demands in order to get closer to customers and ensure that their needs are met. The Speedy Hire partnership demonstrates the pace, scale and agility that’s central to B&Q’s growth strategy. “Following a successful trial, we are delighted to announce this formal agreement to extend our partnership with B&Q. This new agreement demonstrates the power of the Speedy brand and our market leading customer service proposition. We have seen growing demand from B&Q customers for our products since we opened our first in-store outlet last year, and we’re excited about supporting more DIYers up and down the UK as we continue to grow,” said Russell Down, Chief Executive, Speedy. The Speedy in-store outlets will provide B&Q customers with access to the firm’s national four-hour delivery promise on its 350 most popular products. These range from angle grinders, floor sanders, hammer drills and mixers to tower scaffolds, generators, lighting and dust extraction units, and can be ordered in time to enable DIYers to get on with the job same day. Speedy has seen rising demand for hire from B&Q customers since the start of the trial last summer. Hiring a wide range of tools and equipment enables homeowners to be more confident and ambitious with their DIY, and provides them with a convenient and accessible way of completing improvement projects where buying bigger ticket DIY tools may not be feasible. “We’re delighted to be rolling out tool and equipment hire service concessions to 23 more of our stores with Speedy, following a trial at 16 stores. Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping, and the Speedy concessions are just one way in which we’re making it easier for people to improve their homes. We’re excited by the potential re-use of our space to offer new services in store and the positive response we’re seeing from our customers,” added Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q. With sustainability high on the agenda, hiring tools that would be used a handful of times and then stored away potentially destined for landfill will also benefit the environment, reflecting a more circular economy in the re-use of DIY tools and equipment. Speedy’s existing customers will also have access to the new trade counters 7 days a week to order and collect products, adding to its existing 200-strong national Service Centre network. The roll-out follows the successful trial in 16 B&Q stores with a further 23 in-store outlets scheduled to open by January.