Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, an Airdrie-based family business, has shown its commitment to age diversity with the appointment of a 79 year old construction industry veteran on the sales executive position. Eddie McLean, who was born in the same year as the Battle of Britain, is the oldest salesperson
Makita has introduced the first tool of the ever expanding and popular CXT cordless range – Makita 12v TW140D impact wrench. Its impressively small size allows easy access in tight locations and underlies its powerful performance, delivery and speed. Weighing only 1.2kg, including a Li-Ion CXT battery, and measuring just
Jarvis Contracting’s previous, six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz crane truck provided reliable, cost-effective service for 14 years. No surprise, then, that its highly specified successor also wears a three-pointed star. A long-established construction group based in Hertfordshire, the Jarvis Group acquired its muscular new flagship from Dealer S & B Commercials. The 8×4
Autonomous driving could be the answer to the 10% fatality rate on construction sites caused by moving vehicles. The autonomous function is now moving beyond just passenger cars and transportation vehicles and expanding into the various sectors. The construction industry welcomes this exciting new addition to the fleet. Here’s what to look
Nixon Hire, one of the UK’s largest and leading site equipment providers, have invested in a large fleet of lighting towers supplied by the market leader in LED lighting, Trime UK Limited. After carefully evaluating the range of LED lighting sets available in the current market, the company opted to
Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch has hired six lighting towers to the BBC’s ‘Biggest Weekend’ music festival held at Singleton Park, just outside the City centre. The safety of the visitors was of paramount importance; therefore the event organisers contacted Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch requesting some substantial engine-powered lighting sets that
The independent plant hire firm Jarvie Plant Group is calling on construction firms to hire equipment that helps alleviate rising costs and protect their margins. At a time when the UK construction sector is facing a reduction in major public infrastructure projects, the threat of higher labour costs as a
BoSS, the market-leading brand for access solutions, has launched a new range of configured access equipment, designed to make working over obstacles easier and safer. Manufactured using high-grade construction aluminium, the BoSS End-Linked Tower is ideal when working across obstacles such as buildings and large machinery. The BoSS End-Linked Tower
Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched its renewed HIAB light range loader cranes with a capacity from 4 to 11 tonne meters. This range of HIAB loader cranes combines strength and reliability with ease of use. Four options for remote and manual control systems ensure that the customer can choose
Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) is raising the capacity and diversity of its rigging stock, whilst equipping itself to respond to increasing demand for complex below-the-hook solutions, to more efficiently serve the heavy-lift sector. RSS attends to a myriad of industries from six UK locations but its most recently
Arvill Plant and Tool Hire, an Airdrie-based family business, has shown its commitment to age diversity with the appointment of a 79 year old construction industry veteran on the sales executive position. Eddie McLean, who was born in the same year as the Battle of Britain, is the oldest salesperson in plant hire in Scotland, and possible the UK. He is working closely with Commercial Director Hayley Shevill and has already brought in a slew of new clients to the innovative business. “At my age and having worked in the sector for so long, I know most of the people in the business and am delighted to bring my connections to a firm which has long set the pace in plant hire across Scotland,” commented Eddie. Eddie was brought into the team by owner and managing director Arthur Shevill, who founded in company in 1985 and ran it in its early years from his home and garden shed. “The whole team is delighted that Eddie has agreed to come on board. He has an unrivalled track record, he keeps his word, he has an excellent reputation in the industry and he knows how everything works,” said Arthur. “To indicate how valuable his contribution will be, he has already secured deals with Fankerton Plant, RJ McLeod, Marshall Plant, CM Steel, Front Line Construction, Advance Construction and Dem-Master,” he continued. Eddie left school in 1955 and went straight into working in the oil shale mines that have been operating in Scotland for more than a century. As well as the shale mines, he worked in construction on motorway projects including the M8, the M73 and the M74. He also gained a heavy goods licence and travelled the country as a lorry driver. “It’s great to have a fount of knowledge like Eddie on the team. We have all ages, including a trainee fitter who is just 16. Eddie has certainly brought the average age up by a few years,” said Hayley Shevill.
Makita has introduced the first tool of the ever expanding and popular CXT cordless range – Makita 12v TW140D impact wrench. Its impressively small size allows easy access in tight locations and underlies its powerful performance, delivery and speed. Weighing only 1.2kg, including a Li-Ion CXT battery, and measuring just 161mm in overall body length, the TW140D impact wrench will deliver 140Nm of fastening torque and 270Nm of nut busting blitz, will run up to 2,600rpm and will deliver up to 3,200ipm. This model features an electric brake and variable speed trigger; forward and reverse rotation and an LED job light. It also has an ergonomic soft grip handle for operator comfort and a convenient belt clip. The TW140D CXT impact wrench is available with two 2.0Ah Li-Ion CXT slide batteries and DC10WD charger (offering a 60 minute charge time), or as a body only machine. Moreover, Makita’s new, premium quality, 3/8” drive CR-MO impact sockets, made from high strength chrome Molybdenum alloy steel, offer a combination of durability and impact resistance and for best results are recommended for use with the TW140D. Makita also launched its 12v-MAX SDS-Plus HR140D cordless rotary hammer drill that generates one joule of impact energy and up to 4,900ipm. Weighing just 2.6kg, this model will run up to 850rpm. It features two operating modes – rotary only and rotation with hammering – and a vibration absorbing grip handle assembly, which cuts drilling vibration transmission to protect the operator for up to six hours use. The HR140D 12v CXT rotary hammer is currently available with a 65 piece accessory kit containing wood and metal bits, a tape measure, two 2.0Ah CXT Li-Ion batteries and a charger, all packaged in a convenient and protective carrying case. Makita is a leading world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and workwear known for quality, performance and durability in rigorous industrial use. Operating for 45 years, it is Britain’s number one professional power tool manufacturer, offering an extensive inventory of over 620 products and accessories.
Jarvis Contracting’s previous, six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz crane truck provided reliable, cost-effective service for 14 years. No surprise, then, that its highly specified successor also wears a three-pointed star. A long-established construction group based in Hertfordshire, the Jarvis Group acquired its muscular new flagship from Dealer S & B Commercials. The 8×4 Arocs 3235 has a ClassicSpace M-Cab, behind which is installed an Italian-built, 36 tonne-metre Fassi F365A e-dynamic knuckle boom crane. Its beavertail body, meanwhile, is by Sterling Bodies, of Stokesley, North Yorkshire. Purpose-designed for construction-related applications, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs offers a compelling blend of strength, payload capacity and performance. Jarvis Contracting’s truck is powered by a 7.7-litre straight-six engine which transmits its 260 kW (354 hp) output via a 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated gearbox. To reflect the fact that the truck will spend most of its time working on road, the operator has chosen rear air suspension in preference to steel springs. As well as being more comfortable and quieter for the driver, this arrangement means the body can be lowered when required, making it easier to load plant. The Arocs is smartly finished in the Jarvis Group’s red, white and blue corporate scheme, and rides on Alcoa alloy wheels, while its appearance is further enhanced by a sun visor and roof-mounted beacons. From a safety perspective, meanwhile, the truck is equipped with a full complement of cameras and a side-scan system that meet the FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold standard. Established more than 100 years ago by Ernest Charles Jarvis, the Jarvis Group comprises four specialist divisions: Jarvis Contracting, E7 Building Services, Jarvis Homes and Jarvis Commercial. Individually and together, they design, build and maintain all types of property for private and public sector clients, delivering new build projects with values of up to £20 million. Jarvis Group Plant & Transport Manager David Meadows recalled: “Our last crane vehicle had been on the road since 2004 and was exceptionally reliable, so we certainly got our money’s worth. “This experience was an important factor, of course, but it was not the only reason we chose another Mercedes-Benz. We did a lot of homework on the specification before we ordered this new truck, and S & B were able to provide us with a 32-tonne chassis that ticked all our boxes.” He continued: “Ride height was crucial. We’d had some issues previously when manoeuvring on rough terrain, particularly with the front end, which was dragging. The Arocs provides plenty of ground clearance, with high approach and departure angles that make it ideally suited to site work.” Jarvis Contracting works primarily in the northern Home Counties, London (north of The Thames) and the south Midlands, with its specialist retail and fit-out team operating nationally. It is now using the new eight-wheeler to transport plant and modular accommodation units from its own plant division. The vehicle has been assigned to dedicated driver Andy Bewley. “He’s a very happy lad, and so he should be, because the Arocs is a beautiful piece of equipment,” continued Mr Meadows. “Image is important, too, and the new truck looks fantastic in our branding.” The subject of an eight-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract, the truck will be inspected and maintained at S & B Commercials’ headquarters in Welham Green, near Hatfield. The Arocs is also equipped with revolutionary Mercedes-Benz Uptime maintenance technology, which employs an array of sensors that monitor its condition constantly. As a result, S & B will know precisely what is required before the truck reaches the workshop, and can order parts in advance while setting aside sufficient time during a single visit to complete all tasks. Thus, the system ensures Maximised Use – one of the three pillars of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ all-embracing RoadEfficiency strategy – for the operator. David Meadows added: “S & B’s Key Account Manager Vick Croker went to a lot of time and trouble to ensure that we ordered exactly the right truck. He’s a true gent, very easy to deal with, and made the process a real pleasure.” www.jarvisgroupltd.co.uk
Autonomous driving could be the answer to the 10% fatality rate on construction sites caused by moving vehicles. The autonomous function is now moving beyond just passenger cars and transportation vehicles and expanding into the various sectors. The construction industry welcomes this exciting new addition to the fleet. Here’s what to look forward to. The Future Is Here While it may seem as though manufacturers are still working out the teething issues in autonomous technology, the future is on our doorstep and 22 states in the U.S. have already passed legislation detailing the legalities of autonomous vehicles. This legislation is the beginning of the end of driving as we know it and the construction industry is hot on the heels of passenger cars and taxis for their piece of autonomous pie. From mining vehicles to dozers, those in the industry estimate these heavyweights to start making their appearance within the next decade. New Hope For Construction Workers Construction workers, and especially those working on the roads, often have to face dangerous situations to get the job done. Impact protection vehicles were designed to prevent collisions with the workers by featuring a crumple zone made for impact. Previously, these vehicles still needed a driver but thanks to autonomous technology, drivers are also now spared from potential impact. The Ability To Pick and Choose While the construction industry still needs to wait in line for its share of driverless vehicles, by the time they arrive on the scene, the passenger and transportation motoring world will already be flooded with used vehicles looking for a new owner. The first batch of autonomous vehicles will be around for eight years by the time construction vehicles make their appearance, which means upgrades are inevitable. Autonomous Vehicles Are Just A Part Of It Just when you thought autonomous driving was the only new technology making waves in the construction industry, predictive analytics comes along and swoops every hard hat right off their feet. This technology is a boon for the safety side of a construction site, as the analytics are able to prepare scenarios based on the information provided. Pair that up with autonomous vehicles and construction sites will soon have a 0% work accident rate. Innovative technology paves the way for safer construction sites and creates opportunities where workers feared to tread. The pairing up of technology such as autonomous driving and predictive analytics is a sure way to improve safety ratings at the very least. This will be a decade of growth and possibility for the multi-billion pound construction industry as it awaits the arrival of that driverless bulldozer.
Nixon Hire, one of the UK’s largest and leading site equipment providers, have invested in a large fleet of lighting towers supplied by the market leader in LED lighting, Trime UK Limited. After carefully evaluating the range of LED lighting sets available in the current market, the company opted to purchase the Trime X-ECO LED sets. The Trime X-ECO LED is a compact, energy saving site lighting tower already popular with many rental firms and contractors. With sustainability at the core of its development, Trime have calculated that the X-ECO uses approximately £336.00 less in fuel each month, when compared to many traditionally illuminated lighting sets available. Nixon Hire’s managing director, Graham Nixon commented, “We looked at several different makes and models of lighting towers, but we decided that the Trime X-ECO LED had all the features and benefits that would help to ensure that our hire fleet is kept in line with present day demands for green products. The lights are a great addition to our existing eco product range.” The Trime X-ECO LED sets have already been delivered and distributed around the Nixon Hire depots from the Highlands of Scotland to Nottingham in the East Midlands. The X-ECO lights will be hired to a range of customers including site contractors, highway projects and on outside events. Founded in 1967, Nixon Hire is a family-run business employing nearly 500 people across an ever-expanding depot network. With over 50 years of experience they supply plant equipment, tools, site accommodation, welfare facilities and portable toilet products alongside associated services. Nixon Hire currently has 13 depots in the north of England and throughout Scotland. Likewise, the Trime Group can also boast over 50 years of experience in the development and marketing of environmentally sustainable lighting sets for the construction and rental markets. Trime UK is headquartered in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire; their manufacturing plant is based near Milan, Italy.
Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch has hired six lighting towers to the BBC’s ‘Biggest Weekend’ music festival held at Singleton Park, just outside the City centre. The safety of the visitors was of paramount importance; therefore the event organisers contacted Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch requesting some substantial engine-powered lighting sets that would ensure the safe passage of both foot traffic and vehicles into the main arena. “We have close links with the event teams at Swansea Council and they recommended us to the organisers of the Biggest Weekend. The requirement was for good quality lighting along with extended running times between refuelling,” said Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch manager, Chris Lewis. “We decided that due to the importance of this very prestigious event, the X-Eco LED lighting sets would be the best product to cover the organiser’s responsibilities. We have had previous experience with these units and always found them more than satisfactory,” added Chris. MHM Plant, the power and lighting specialists, were the suppliers of the X-Eco LED lights. The X-Eco LED features six energy saving LED lamps and is fitted with AMOSS safety system, which automatically lowers the mast if the lighting set is moves while the mast is still erected. In addition, it has a fully bunded fuel tank that prevents fuel and oil from falling onto the ground, thus eliminating the possibility of slips and ground contamination. Brandon Hire was established in 1971 and is a major national tool and equipment hire business with over 900 employees, operating from a network of 143 locations across the UK. The company became part of Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, in November 2017, following the acquisition of Brandon Hire Group Holdings Limited. MHM is headquartered in Port Talbot, South Wales and supplies a range of power generation machines, lighting and related equipment throughout the UK. The company also operated a rehire service to rental companies wishing to provide a hire service to their clients without having to endure costly capital outlay.
The independent plant hire firm Jarvie Plant Group is calling on construction firms to hire equipment that helps alleviate rising costs and protect their margins. At a time when the UK construction sector is facing a reduction in major public infrastructure projects, the threat of higher labour costs as a result of Brexit and the after-effects of a prolonged severe winter, Jarvie Plant say they’re ideally placed to help with the unprecedented cost pressures construction firms are under. The Grangemouth-based firm has continuously renewed their portfolio of hire equipment by investing in technologically advanced plant, accommodation and vehicles that meet the highest quality and safety standards. “The construction sector is facing significant challenges on several fronts,” says Jarvie Plant’s business development director, David Jarvie. “Hiring newer equipment isn’t only the safest option, it can also be the most cost-effective overall as projects will not be negatively impacted by older machines breaking down. If a machine breaks, you need to find a replacement and that can result in time delays and significant costs. “Moreover, some of our newer equipment could help reduce fuel bills. For example, our ECO-Settler welfare accommodation units feature an automatic power management system which delivers 75% fuel savings against conventional units. In addition, our new fuel management offering is allowing our customers hassle-free hire of generators and accommodation, minimising downtime on site. Customers are also benefiting from reduced emissions from our new JS130 Excavators and 25-35m Rotating telescopic handlers.” But in addition to rising costs, the construction industry is also suffering a skill and labour shortage. The skills gap is driving up wages, which is squeezing businesses already battling higher material costs. With recruitment costs also increasing due to staff shortages, retaining existing employees is crucial. “Our customers’ staff have access to great equipment to work with and accommodation that offers them an excellent working environment, and we feel that is crucial to staff retention,” added Mr Jarvie. Jarvie Plant currently has a network of 9 hire depots across Scotland and the North West of England, with a tenth depot set to open later this year in Inverness.
BoSS, the market-leading brand for access solutions, has launched a new range of configured access equipment, designed to make working over obstacles easier and safer. Manufactured using high-grade construction aluminium, the BoSS End-Linked Tower is ideal when working across obstacles such as buildings and large machinery. The BoSS End-Linked Tower can be used to provide a large continuous working area by joining two BoSS access towers with the use of a new Step-Through Ladder Frame. With a 3.2m fixed deck, the uninterrupted area provides a bigger working platform with minimum components. Ideal for overcoming obstacles such as porches, garages or stairways, the BoSS Extended-End Cantilever frame system can be used to convert a double width access tower, providing an additional platform area of up to 1.8m. Both systems are lightweight to allow easier handling and feature a step through frame that provides a multi-level walk through structure. Sturdy stabilisers with interlocking clips improve the overall stability of the towers and a new plan brace ensures a rigid structure for improved performance. Colour coded Boss claws ensure braces are easily identifiable when working on site and a link brace system on the Extended-End Cantilever also prevents frame separation for added safety. Sophie Ellam, Product Manager for BoSS, said: “The Boss End-Linked Tower and Extended-End Cantilever have been designed with ease of use in mind. We identified that some job sites have restricted access and a usual access tower isn’t enough to ensure a safe working environment. Each product is a convenient solution as both use existing access towers that are then configured, meaning the system can save time and is more convenient. “Our Do More With BoSS philosophy ensures that our products are as efficient as possible while meeting more tailored requirements. By being able to make modifications to the standard towers that are already in a fleet it means more complex structures can be achieved as and when required. The Boss End-Linked Tower has a load capacity of up to 275kg per platform level and the expansive deck area can be erected at varying heights allowing for several people to work at once. The Boss Extended-End Cantilever has a platform height up to 6.2m providing a working height of 8.2m. Both systems come with an integrated ladder with anti slip rungs. Both configured towers conform to BS1139-6, which is the British standard for towers that fall outside EN1004 but utilise the same components to build more complex structures. To find out more about the Boss product range, visit www.bossaccesstowers.com
Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched its renewed HIAB light range loader cranes with a capacity from 4 to 11 tonne meters. This range of HIAB loader cranes combines strength and reliability with ease of use. Four options for remote and manual control systems ensure that the customer can choose between the systems that meet specifically the level of precision needed when operating a crane. “When we started the development of this HIAB loader crane series, we wanted to ensure that the renewed equipment will make work easier for the operators, keep it safe and increase efficiency, as we have learned that these are our customers’ priorities when choosing a loader crane. The unique X-4 SPACE system on the light range loader cranes enables the operator to handle the crane with the greatest ease and with higher load cycling speeds” says Jan Vink, Director, Light Range Loader Cranes, Hiab. As the HIAB light cranes are made with durable high-tensile steel, they combine low weight with the capacity to deliver heavy loads. Also, an external display gives a better overview of the active crane and service status. Depending on the choice of control system, a range of features are available for improving capacity, durability, flexibility, as well as safety. These features include Semi-Automatic Folding system, Load Stability System and remote control systems. “To avoid unnecessary downtime in our end customers’ operations, HIAB light cranes are designed for easier everyday maintenance. Key parts and components that require regular attention are located where they are easy to access. A good example is the integrated oil tank in the crane base, which can be installed without rearranging truck components and is quicker and simpler to reach. Also, these new models can be configured with various options, to enable easy mounting on the truck chassis. The whole installation is designed for the lowest possible overall weight,” Mr. Vink continues. The light range loader cranes come with the market’s only two-year warranty as well as a five-year warranty for the steel structure, as with other HIAB loader cranes. “The reliable performance and productivity are guaranteed through the offering of our comprehensive service network,” Mr.Vink says. “At Hiab, we set the standards for the loader crane industry. We want to be the number one loader cranes brand and partner to our customers, offering the best solutions on the market. Over the past two years we have renewed successfully both our medium-range cranes and now light range cranes. The positive feedback from our customers ensures that we are on the right path with our development work,” concludes Joakim Andersson, Senior Vice President, Loader Cranes, Hiab.
Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) is raising the capacity and diversity of its rigging stock, whilst equipping itself to respond to increasing demand for complex below-the-hook solutions, to more efficiently serve the heavy-lift sector. RSS attends to a myriad of industries from six UK locations but its most recently opened site is in Warrington, close to the heavy-lift depot of Ainscough Crane Hire, which named RSS a preferred supplier of lifting and rigging equipment at the end of 2016. And the partnership, combined with market conditions, is yielding demand for heavier and often specialised rigging gear. Steve Hutin, managing director at RSS, said: “Our heavy-lift initiative is two-pronged in that we want to ensure we have the product and expertise to respond to demand, but we must also continue to raise our profile in the sector so more industry professionals view us as a company capable of delivering below-the-hook solutions at the higher end of the marketplace.” He continued: “In the first instance, we are looking at our stock levels and manufacturing capabilities, but we are also repositioning the image of the company in certain areas to capitalise on the growth we detect where heavy lifting equipment is concerned; we recently signed off on promotional materials that focused on our capability to supply heavy lifting and crane accessories. There is also a good tie-in with our inspection, repair, and other divisions of the company.” Hutin was reluctant to state a capacity at which he feels the heavy-lift market begins. He said: “Some might say anything over 250t is a heavy lift but we have equipment suppliers with the engineering capability to go into the thousands of tonnes. Taking into account the super- or mega-heavy end of the market, the lines are blurred further. That’s why we look at the sector not only in terms of capacity but also in the context of complexity, where a spreader beam, slings, and other rigging gear might be required beneath the hook of a single crane.” Hutin was actually keen not to highlight Warrington as the fulcrum for this renewed heavy-lift focus. “Demand [for heavy lifting equipment] is nationwide,” he said. “In fact, at the forefront of our marketing endeavours is the message that we can provide rigging products and services across the UK. Further, we’re not limiting our growth strategy to supply of product—hire, sales, and inspection services are collectively important.” RSS does not want to enter the contract crane market, whereby it would source a crane and deliver a complete lifting package to clients. This exclusive focus on rigging equipment has swelled the potential of the Ainscough partnership, but has also opened doors with other major and regional crane rental firms. Sarens recently sourced a significant order for a project within the heavy-lift sector, Hutin confirmed. Picture: ainscough crawler.jpg Caption: RSS provided a variety of rigging equipment, including spreader beams, wire rope slings, and wire rope bobbins, for use beneath the hook of this Ainscough crawler crane. Contact for editorial enquiries: Steve Hutin, steve@rssgroup.co.uk