Products & Materials : Plant & Machinery News
Finning UK & Ireland is on track to double the number of regional dealers in its network by the end of 2024 with the recent addition of Oakley Machinery in Somerset

Finning to DOUBLE regional dealer network by end of 2024

Finning UK & Ireland is on track to double the number of regional dealers in its network by the end of 2024 with the recent addition of Oakley Machinery in Somerset Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® equipment, parts and service, established a network of regional Cat distributors in

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Bennetts Cranes helps Feltham Construction manage complex lifting requirements at high-density redevelopment site

Bennetts Cranes helps Feltham Construction manage complex lifting requirements at high-density redevelopment site

Bennetts Cranes, a leading specialist tower crane hire company, has successfully tackled the complex heavy-lifting challenges presented by a commercial site redevelopment project in Slough. Managed by Feltham Construction, the Bath Road site is an important part of a local regeneration scheme aimed at revitalising the area by  building new

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One thousand Bobcat employees across the globe volunteer for the benefit of their local communities

One thousand Bobcat employees across the globe volunteer for the benefit of their local communities

The company is committed to community engagement worldwide In recognition of its commitment to communities and sustainability across the globe, Doosan Bobcat (Bobcat) employees and members of its leadership team have been celebrating the company’s support of nearly 100 organizations and municipalities through volunteer efforts to benefit the places where

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DEVELON Launches Updated Electric-Powered Mini-Excavator

DEVELON Launches Updated Electric-Powered Mini-Excavator

The DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator is the company’s latest iteration of an electric-powered machine The DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator is the first mass-produced electric-powered excavator manufactured by DEVELON, formerly known as Doosan Construction Equipment. This 2 tonne excavator combines low-noise and zero emissions with the features and performance enhancements that are found on the

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Building towards success, in work and in life

Building towards success, in work and in life

A worker from the construction industry has continued a remarkable transformation journey this month, being named runner-up at the 2 BROS PRO Amplified Classic bodybuilding competition. Mitchell Clarke, Mobile Mini Key Account Manager, has worked for the company for nearly 4 years, initially joining as an Internal Sales Representative and

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Five Finning employees shortlisted for inspiring women awards

Five Finning employees shortlisted for inspiring women awards

Five employees from Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® machines and equipment, have been shortlisted in multiple categories at the Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering (IWCE) Awards 2023. Now in its second year, the IWCE awards recognise those across the industry who inspire others, overcoming

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Latest Issue
Issue 328 : May 2025

Products & Materials : Plant & Machinery News

Finning UK & Ireland is on track to double the number of regional dealers in its network by the end of 2024 with the recent addition of Oakley Machinery in Somerset

Finning to DOUBLE regional dealer network by end of 2024

Finning UK & Ireland is on track to double the number of regional dealers in its network by the end of 2024 with the recent addition of Oakley Machinery in Somerset Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® equipment, parts and service, established a network of regional Cat distributors in 2022 setting local company’s up as Authorised Sales and Service Centres (ASSCs). As the network continues to expand at pace, Finning has brought in construction industry expert Nadine Craddock, as Regional Dealer Manager.  Nadine, who’s worked for Finning for 13 years in various roles including Parts Supply Chain Supervisor and Supply Chain & Inventory Manager said: “I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to develop relationships with our existing regional dealers and look forward to helping with the company’s ambitious plans to continue to grow the network. “Having a dealer who’s local to them is something our customers really value. We’ve also found customers like to deal with someone with industry knowledge and an understanding of the operational capabilities of the Cat machines so they can provide the most appropriate guidance on which machine is the best fit.  “As we look beyond 2023 the aim is to continue to grow the network to include other regional areas to cover the whole of the UK by the end of 2024. This will mean we can provide customers with a fast, reliable and localised service that is tailored to their needs.” “Our most recent addition, Oakley Machinery, is positioned well to cover the South West of England – one of the area’s which we don’t currently cover. This sets us on target for our wider aim to cover the whole of the UK.” With an increase in demand for smaller Cat machines across the construction, landscaping, and agricultural sectors, each of the established dealers are strategically located to serve customers across the country. England is covered by four dealers – Norris Plant Hire from Nottinghamshire, Bennie Plant in Northamptonshire and East Anglia, Howard Plant in the North West and Cooks Midlands covers the Midlands territory. Scotland is covered by four dealers – Mark Garrick for northern Scotland, R C Dalgliesh takes responsibility for the south, DM Forklifts covers the east, while LCF Engineering serves customers in the central belt.  Wales is covered by three dealers – DJS Hydraulics Agri covers north Wales whilst South Wales Forklift Trucks and Frank Sutton Ltd cover the South. Nadine continues: “Looking forward, as we start to plan for our dealer conference in the new year, I hope to be able to cover the whole of the UK to ensure accessibility for all customers. We hope to see our current dealers succeed and grow as we continue to support them by providing the best tools and training.” For dealers who sign up to become ASSC’s, Finning offers extensive support and training throughout the year including an annual dealer conference and training event. To find out more, or to express an interest in becoming an ASSC dealer click here: https://www.finning.com/en_GB/company/Become-an-ASSC.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Bennetts Cranes helps Feltham Construction manage complex lifting requirements at high-density redevelopment site

Bennetts Cranes helps Feltham Construction manage complex lifting requirements at high-density redevelopment site

Bennetts Cranes, a leading specialist tower crane hire company, has successfully tackled the complex heavy-lifting challenges presented by a commercial site redevelopment project in Slough. Managed by Feltham Construction, the Bath Road site is an important part of a local regeneration scheme aimed at revitalising the area by  building new residential properties on underutilised commercial sites . To ensure efficient and high-capacity lifting of the concrete frames onsite, Bennetts Cranes recommended a Jost JTL 108 luffing jib tower crane for the project. This crane effectively addresses the risks of oversailing and collisions common in high-density urban sites and provides a more environmentally friendly and quieter option as it doesn’t need a generator. Adam Jervis, Senior Contracts Manager at Feltham Construction, comments: “Choosing the right tower crane for prominent sites, like the one in Bath Road, can be tricky due to the proximity of neighbouring buildings and residents. Having collaborated with Bennetts on a number of sites around Wiltshire and Oxfordshire since 2009, we approached the team confident in the level of site planning expertise they would bring to this build. The Jost JTL 108 has provided the perfect solution and is helping ensure an efficient and productive build.”   One of the main requirements of the Bath Road redevelopment site is to lift  concrete frames and concrete skips filled with reinforced steel bar, bricks, blocks, plasterboard and other general building materials. The Jost JTL 108 is proving to be the optimal choice, offering a lifting capacity of up to 6 tonnes and the ability to handle large and heavy  loads with ease. Another key consideration for Bennetts was the efficient coverage of all corners of the development while managing the risk of oversailing neighbouring properties. The Jost JTL 108, with its minimal out-of-service radius of 9.6 metres, provides an ideal solution by delivering heavy lifting capabilities while mitigating the potential for oversailing and collisions. Edward Seager, Managing Director, Bennetts Cranes adds: “What’s particularly interesting about the Jost JTL 108 is that it also excels in energy efficiency, requiring only a 50kVa mains power supply. With inverters on all three motors, it achieves a power surge just 20% higher than the running current. This innovative design makes it ideal for city centre sites as it reduces power consumption, eliminates the need for a separate generator, and offers cost savings, environmental benefits, and quieter operation.” Additionally, the Slough site benefits from the crane’s compact design, requiring a relatively small 24-metre tower. At this size, the tower can be transported to and from the site on a single lorry, reducing costs, minimizing disruption, and lowering emissions associated with delivery vehicles. The Jost JTL 108 is currently on site at Bath Road having originally been erected in March 2022. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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One thousand Bobcat employees across the globe volunteer for the benefit of their local communities

One thousand Bobcat employees across the globe volunteer for the benefit of their local communities

The company is committed to community engagement worldwide In recognition of its commitment to communities and sustainability across the globe, Doosan Bobcat (Bobcat) employees and members of its leadership team have been celebrating the company’s support of nearly 100 organizations and municipalities through volunteer efforts to benefit the places where Bobcat employees live and work. On 12th September 2023, more than 1000 employees in 12 countries across Bobcat’s global footprint participated in company-organized projects, volunteering thousands of combined hours. “As an organization, we aim to create positive social impact to enhance the communities where we live and work, as well as benefit our neighbours,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO. “Our community engagement initiatives are a company tradition, and over the years, we have supported hundreds of organizations with thousands of volunteer hours all with the goal of creating a better tomorrow.” Impactful community projects across EMEA region In Dobris in the Czech Republic, where Doosan Bobcat’s headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are located, 179 executives and employees participated in activities including a city and forest clean-up project; bush and tree planting; fence painting and preparing a surface for a children’s playground. Volunteers used a fleet of Bobcat equipment including skid-steer, compact track and wheel loaders with various attachments to help in the projects making tough jobs easier, while increasing efficiency and productivity. Representatives of the town of Dobris and community employees joined Bobcat staff in these volunteer efforts. The Mayor of Dobris, Pavel Svoboda, commented: “With so many people involved at once and with the equipment used, we can really conduct meaningful and impactful projects in a short period of time to benefit all the residents and make our town an even better place. I am grateful for any helping hand.” Projects varied across all 15 of Bobcat’s EMEA business sites and involved 407 employees serving a combined total of 949 hours on behalf of their local communities. Their tasks included recycling projects, litter picking and a wildflower meadow restoration project, as well as various donation projects such as blood donation, food donations for charity organizations and money donations to fund local fire brigades.  Bobcat employees from around the world participated in the initiative, encompassing the Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America, Asia, Latin America and Oceania regions. The global effort supports Bobcat’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments to community engagement, sustainability and responsible growth as an organization in the communities where its employees live and work. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Keaveney Plant Hire acquires Suction Excavator and expands its fleet with Paragon funding

Keaveney Plant Hire acquires Suction Excavator and expands its fleet with Paragon funding

Kent-based Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd has added a state-of-the-art Suction Excavator to its fleet, thanks to financing from Paragon Bank. The plant hire specialist, based in Ashford, secured £450,000 from Paragon’s SME Lending Construction team to acquire the new asset, helping it to meet escalating business demands and expand its service offering. The firm’s Managing Director, Andrew Keaveney, developed a strong rapport with Paragon’s SME Lending team having previously secured financing from the bank. Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd is a division of the wider family-run business founded in 2007, The Keaveney Group. It’s recognised as a key supplier in the industry and combines family values and innovative technology, resulting in a cost-effective service with strong client partnerships. The newly acquired ESE 6 RD RSP Suction Excavator is mounted on a Mercedes Benz Arocs 8x4x4 Chassis Cab with cutting-edge features, such as a fully hydraulic articulated hose carrier, and is the ideal solution for working at distances ranging from zero to six metres. Thanks to the support of Paragon’s Construction team, Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd can further commit to providing an array of equipment to its clients. Tracey Cronin, Business Development Manager in Paragon’s Construction team, led the deal on behalf of the bank. Commenting on the funding secured from Paragon, Andrew Keaveney said: “Thanks to the support from Paragon Bank’s SME Lending division we have secured the necessary financing to elevate our operations. The acquisition of the Suction Excavator enables us to meet the growing demand for this asset.” Commenting on the support provided to Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd, Tracey Cronin, Business Development Manager in Paragon’s Construction team, said: “We are thrilled to assist Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd in its journey of growth and fleet expansion. Our partnership withAndrew Keaveney andhis dedicated team has been further strengthened, and we take pride in continuing to provide financing solutions that drive its success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Travis Perkins plc invests in new HIAB loader cranes for improved customer deliveries

Travis Perkins plc invests in new HIAB loader cranes for improved customer deliveries

Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, has announced a multi-million pound investment in 400 new truck loader cranes. These new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are the first of their kind and will replace the existing cranes on the Group’s heavy side delivery vehicles in the Travis Perkins merchanting and Keyline Civils Specialist businesses over a three year period. This version of the HIAB iX.162 crane is around 150 kgs lighter in weight than the previous model, HIAB X-HIDUO 162. This allows the truck to increase its payload and lower its fuel consumption. To further reduce carbon emissions, the new cranes have been developed so the engine can be stopped and restarted from the crane remote control. This results in a significant reduction in idle time emissions and noise. Despite being lighter, the new crane model is stronger than the previous model. This gives operators more flexibility and enables them to deliver heavy loads in even the most challenging customer environments safely and with greater accuracy. They also come with Hiab’s all-new CombiDrive 4 remote control, which has confirmed view sensors and automatically detects operator positioning to minimise accident risk and promote better safety for operators, customers and the public. “These new cranes represent a significant investment. They support our plans to innovate and grow, and they cement our place as a leading partner to construction by serving our customers with improved safety and efficiency. All new cranes will come with a maintenance contract, which means they will be maintained to the highest standards by Hiab. They also support our own commitment to net zero and the decarbonisation of our customers’ supply chain; a commitment we share with Hiab, whose values very much align with our own,” explained Richard Byrne, Travis Perkins Group HSE & Fleet Director. Gage Roberts, Hiab Key Account Manager – UK & Ireland, said: “We are all very excited to introduce the first HIAB iX.162 HIPRO  BSS-2 to Travis Perkins and get this unit out working in the field. It became very apparent that when specifying a crane for our customers, the safety features alongside the environmental factors are much more prominent considerations than they ever have been previously. The new crane has an abundance of innovations that will all work towards this crane being the safest, most efficient and most productive crane in the industry. It is also great to work alongside a strategic partner such as Travis Perkins plc; a company that always demands the very best – something that benefits both businesses enormously.” “There has never been a product on the market before like the HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 in its category. Our innovation teams have been working on this round-the-clock for several years and no stone has been left unturned, from hose routing and weight savings, to enhanced safety features and technology that will help companies achieve sustainability  targets. When the new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are rolled out, we expect the crane operators to see immediate benefits. We look forward to working with Travis Perkins and bringing about real change to the wider UK industry,” Vice President for Sales & Product Management, Loader Cranes Light & Medium, at Hiab, Alexander Gelis, added. The new 400 HIAB cranes will be rolled out from January 2024, and will be supplied to Travis Perkins and Keyline with HiConnect telematics in order to monitor the performance and safe operation of the crane. They will also be supplied with, the comprehensive service contract solution ProCare, available for Hiab equipment. It provides proactive maintenance and expert assistance to maximise equipment performance, reliability and lifespan. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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DEVELON Launches Updated Electric-Powered Mini-Excavator

DEVELON Launches Updated Electric-Powered Mini-Excavator

The DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator is the company’s latest iteration of an electric-powered machine The DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator is the first mass-produced electric-powered excavator manufactured by DEVELON, formerly known as Doosan Construction Equipment. This 2 tonne excavator combines low-noise and zero emissions with the features and performance enhancements that are found on the next-generation DX-7 Series family of mini-excavators. “The DX20ZE-7 is designed to meet a growing demand for electric machines,” says Stephane Dieu, Excavators Product Manager for Europe at DEVELON. “As compact equipment, such as mini-excavators, has a higher tendency to work in cities and residential areas, where it has proximity to other workers, it has a great advantage over the diesel counterpart due to less noise and no emissions.” Retractable tracks allow the new excavator to pass through narrow passages and entrances/exits, making it ideal for working in confined spaces or indoor applications such as demolition and construction. Once the excavator reaches the work area, the operator can expand the tracks for better stability and lifting capacity. With its compact dimensions, the DX20ZE-7 is an excellent solution for construction and rental companies working in sensitive areas where low noise or night-time work is necessary. The DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator is powered by an in-house-developed 20.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with all of the electrical system and components on the machine optimized for work in harsh environments. A quick-charger system restores 80% of the battery power after only one hour and 20 minutes of charging, while the on-board charger restores the maximum charge after eight hours of charging. Telematics as Standard Telematics is standard on the DX20ZE-7 mini-excavator. Operators and dealers can remotely monitor their machine’s health, location and productivity from an app or website. Telematics can help owners: DX20ZE-7 Mini-Excavator Specs Rated power, electric motor: 13.7 kW (18.4 HP) Battery capacity: 51.6 V (20.4 kWh) Operating weight: 1941 kg Maximum digging depth: 2350 mm Maximum digging reach (ground): 3875 mm Maximum loading height: 2625 mm Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Building towards success, in work and in life

Building towards success, in work and in life

A worker from the construction industry has continued a remarkable transformation journey this month, being named runner-up at the 2 BROS PRO Amplified Classic bodybuilding competition. Mitchell Clarke, Mobile Mini Key Account Manager, has worked for the company for nearly 4 years, initially joining as an Internal Sales Representative and being promoted to Strategic Account Representative. He has been interested in health since he was 16 years old but admits he didn’t take the dieting side of bodybuilding seriously until around 2 years ago. “I didn’t know how to structure things properly until I hired my coaches, Sam and Jack from Tathams Powerhouse Gym and Fitness in Stapleford,” said Mitchell. “Last year, Sam won a bodybuilding show and afterwards, he said he thought I had the potential to do so too if I was dedicated enough. That was all the motivation I needed to take the next step.” Mitchell followed a gruelling regime including 18 weeks of competition preparation, slowly dieting down and increasing the intensity of his cardio and weight training to at least five days per week, on top of squeezing in at least 10-15k of steps per day. “It is an exhausting challenge, especially the last 3-4 weeks when energy is low. I am so grateful for the support from everybody at work, they have never been anything but supportive and encouraging. It is so important if you have a passion or hobby, to not let this impact your working commitments, as this is a personal lifestyle choice. “Whilst I am always conscious of managing my calendar with my food and water intake, this never affects my ability to give my all to customers or colleagues. The team from Mobile Mini West Yorkshire (Wakefield) have always been accommodating, showing interest in my progress and putting up with me cooking salmon in the office! They are really mindful and flexible and it would not be possible for me to achieve these ambitions without their support and understanding.” Mobile Mini UK is one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers. Headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees, the company has a national network of 16 sites and over 40,000 portable units. Typical customers include construction companies, retailers, manufacturers, hospitals, schools, utility companies, distributors, local and national government, hotels, restaurants, entertainment complexes and individual households. Steve Dickinson, Mobile Mini UK Managing Director, said “Mobile Mini UK considers its people to be its number one asset and we are incredibly proud of the achievements of our employees both at work and in their personal lives. Mitchell has shown the same level of dedication, graft and commitment in his bodybuilding as he does regularly for our customers and we could not be prouder of the fantastic example he is setting to achieve dreams and promote health, fitness and wellbeing.” The 2 BROS PRO Amplified Classic competition was held at Braywick Leisure Centre in Maidenhead in July 2023. Mitchell achieved second place in the first-timers division but is keen to keep progressing and strive to become a champion, “I was a little disappointed not to have won after all the hard work and effort, but on reflection, I am proud of how far I have come and I have the confidence and drive now for the next show and to go on and win.” For now, Mitchell will be continuing to build on his successful career in construction as well as other aspects of his life, “It takes a long time to build muscle, so might be a little while before I am ready to enter the next competition at the level I want to reach. In the meantime, I am hoping to buy a house soon and I am enjoying making good progress at work. I have a really good work-life balance at Mobile Mini and I am excited about what’s to come, both at the company and on my bodybuilding journey.”

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UK Powered Access Leader Nationwide Platforms expands fleet with major telehandler investment

UK Powered Access Leader Nationwide Platforms expands fleet with major telehandler investment

Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s leading provider of powered access for working at height, is excited to announce its latest fleet expansion with the addition of a number of high-performance Manitou telehandlers. The telehandlers will be available for hire from the company’s Warrington depot, catering to customers in the North West region across the construction, arborist, agriculture and other working at height sectors. The investment introduces four different models into the Nationwide Platforms fleet; the MT625, MT1033, MT1440 and MT1840, each equipped with a range of extra attachments including construction buckets, lifting hooks and extension forks. This strategic investment aligns with Nationwide Platforms’ commitment to providing unmatched levels of capability across multiple markets, and the new machines are equipped with a variety of features for enhanced operation. One standout feature of the Manitou telehandlers is their ergonomic ‘Joystick Switch-and-Move’ (JSM) system. Designed so that the joystick’s different controls align with the fingers and thumb of the driver’s resting hand, this system optimises operator control of the machine’s extension functions, allowing small, precise movements for smooth, safe and ambidextrous operation. High standards of safety and performance have always been at the core of Nationwide Platforms’ fleet, and the Manitou telehandlers excel in both aspects. These machines boast meticulously engineered weight distribution, ensuring optimal load capacities for their respective sizes. Moreover, the overload safety protection system provides early warnings to operators, balancing generous safety margins with class-leading performance. For enhanced site safety, three of the telehandlers–- the MT625, MT1440 and MT1840–- feature fully automatic parking brakes. Operators can conveniently dismount and re-engage the machines, as the automatic brakes are applied accordingly. The additional seat sensor technology guarantees that the machine remains immobile until the driver is seated and the throttle pedal is engaged. This significant telehandler investment reinforces Nationwide Platforms’ commitment to providing customers with the safest, most efficient, and most technologically advanced machines for working at height. The company has recently underscored this with various investments in solutions such as the highly successful Harness ON device, investment in Volvo Electric FM truck units, and its suite of telemetry services for customers. Glynn Brearley, Business Director, Procurement and Product Strategy at Nationwide Platforms, says, “This investment will ensure our clients have access to the latest in machinery technology that supports high levels of safety and productivity for working at height. It’s a busy time for many of our customers and we’re pleased to be able to announce an investment that ensures we remain their trusted powered access and material handling solutions provider.” For more information on Nationwide Platforms please visit: https://www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb. For more information on Manitou please visit: https://www.manitou.com/en-GB#1.

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Five Finning employees shortlisted for inspiring women awards

Five Finning employees shortlisted for inspiring women awards

Five employees from Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® machines and equipment, have been shortlisted in multiple categories at the Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering (IWCE) Awards 2023. Now in its second year, the IWCE awards recognise those across the industry who inspire others, overcoming adversity, and achieving success in a sector where women often play a supporting role and remain in the minority.  Cheryl Griffith, Wear Parts Product Manager, and Chloe Harris, Apprentice Technical Trainer, have both been shortlisted for the ‘Contribution to Gender Diversity’ award, while Customer Experience Manager Rachel Hughes has been shortlisted for ‘Allyship Champion of the Year’. Zara Saraç, Head of Aftermarket – Electrical Power, and Sandra Sneddon, Depot Manager – Power Solutions, have both been nominated in the ‘Inspirational Leader – Supplier’ category.   Kelly Cole, General Manager of Electric Power at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many women from within Finning working at all levels being shortlisted in the IWCE Awards and for their contributions to the business to be recognised in this way. “There remains a desperate need for more women to come forward within this industry and events like this provide a crucial opportunity to inspire other women to do just that and to develop female talent within engineering. “We’ve worked very hard at Finning to ensure we promote and develop everyone within the business, and to ensure women can access those opportunities with the launch of our leadership development programmes combined with work/life balance measures including flexible and hybrid working. “This year’s line-up of nominees are all wonderfully inspiring women who are acting as role models for the next generation of engineers, and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who has been shortlisted.”  Finning is driving equality, diversity, and inclusion by signing up as a partner for the IWCE programme in collaboration with Construction News and New Civil Engineer, which aims to bring together people across the sector to champion the role of women within the industry.  The Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering Awards winners will be announced on 4th October at the Leonardo Royal St Paul’s in London.For more information about the award categories and the conference go to https://inspiring.constructionnews.co.uk/cnnceinspiringwomen2023/en/page/home  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Hybrids slash emissions by 85% as Sir Robert McAlpine and Aggreko accelerate sustainable collaboration

Hybrids slash emissions by 85% as Sir Robert McAlpine and Aggreko accelerate sustainable collaboration

An ongoing partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine and temporary power and temperature control hire company, Aggreko has yielded an 85% reduction in emissions and fuel across five live tower cranes on one construction project. The two companies have been working together since a series of industry-first field trials in 2021 to identify areas where savings could be made to reduce energy use and emissions during construction. The savings, which were made across five tower cranes from October 2022 to January 2023, came from powering on-site tower cranes with smaller generators, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and more sustainable fuels. Overall, estimated total efficiencies across the five tower cranes equalled over 234 tonnes of emissions and over 87,300 litres in fuel – equivalent to an 85% reduction in consumption. As Martin Mitchell, Plant Procurement Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine verifies, these savings demonstrate a clear roadmap forward for a sector looking to decarbonise: “We have been working closely with Aggreko for a while now as part of our shared goals to deliver long-term emissions and energy reductions on our projects. The fact that we’ve now realised an 85% reduction in fuel and emissions across multiple live cranes is fantastic news.” From October 2022 to January 2023, Sir Robert McAlpine’s tower cranes were powered by HVO-fuelled generators and BESS solutions. These work in synergy; the batteries operate the crane with generators, only running at time of peak load or to charge the batteries. Tom Adlington, Sector Sales Manager at Aggreko Europe has been a key stakeholder since the initial trials. He comments: “The typical nature of power consumption on construction sites means peaks and troughs are common. However, this also means generators are often oversized due to the misconception of incorporating greater power to meet start-up demand. In addition to adding a BESS solution, it was also crucial to select power solutions that would optimise energy usage through right-sizing.” Martin adds: “This evidence-based approach gave our business the confidence to invest in new technologies, which has clearly paid dividends in reducing our emissions and fuel consumption. As can be seen here, close working relationships across the supply chain are key to implementing more sustainable practices, and we look forward to working more with Aggreko in the future.” Batteries and hybrid solutions are a key strand of Aggreko’s recent £150m investment in its Greener Upgrades fleet, aimed at making cost and sustainability improvements via reduced emissions. Tom concludes: “Construction is and always will be vital to the UK economy, so it is crucial it is carried out sustainably. New technologies and processes must be part of the solution to optimising energy usage, which is why we continue to research, test and invest. “The success of this project provides a valuable example of challenging conventional thinking in the supply chain on the solutions and technologies required to reduce carbon footprints in line with net zero emissions targets set out in legislation.” To find out more about the Aggreko-Sir Robert McAlpine partnership, visit: www.aggreko.com/SRM   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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