Doosan Bobcat will be showing the company’s new E19e two-tonne electric mini-excavator for the first time in the UK on Stand I40 at the Executive Hire Show (EHS) from 8-9 February 2023 at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry. Alongside the E19e, the company will also be presenting the
GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s largest independent equipment hire company, is delighted to confirm its continued FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold Certification, operating in all depots south of, and including, Birmingham. This award is the pinnacle for fleet operators’ organisations. The scheme supports GAP’s drive to continually improve operator
Akela Construction has been appointed by Dawn Homes to lead a diverse package of works for the new Quarriers Gate development at Bellshill. Following approval last year, the 3.1-hectare site, sitting on land formerly occupied by Bellshill Athletic Club, will be transformed to create 74 new two-storey detached, semi-detached and
National construction equipment hire and services provider Speedy, has been awarded a Grade B on the Carbon Disclosure Programme accreditation. The programme assesses their ability to show real progress in operational practices and transparency in their environmental impact. Speedy’s success in their CDP accreditation is another step closer to their
One of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies has given Finning the green light to complete the UK’s first Certified Machine Rebuild (CMR) on a 15-year-old Cat 836 landfill compactor to give it a new lease of life ensuring that it can continue operating for another 15 years.
The handover of an L260H wheel loader from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) to Swiss firm AG Balmholz proved unconventional – with a floating delivery needed for the machine to reach its new home. It’s early morning and the fog is still drifting across Lake Thun when the final preparations
MHM is set to speak at the show’s Innovation Trail Live to discuss low-emission solutions for the hire, plant and tool sectors The MHM Group has been selected to speak at the Innovation Trail Live in Coventry as part of this year’s Executive Hire Show, where they will discuss new
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported
Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader), have been selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in the USA. The NIHF annually recognizes inventors, promotes creativity and advances the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
UniCarriers in the UK have rebranded to Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. Logisnext UK Ltd is delighted to announce that the brand UniCarriers is now replaced in the UK by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. This change is part of the European strategy of the company’s owner, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE). Since the acquisition
Doosan Bobcat will be showing the company’s new E19e two-tonne electric mini-excavator for the first time in the UK on Stand I40 at the Executive Hire Show (EHS) from 8-9 February 2023 at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry. Alongside the E19e, the company will also be presenting the popular 7/45 portable compressor from sister company, Doosan Portable Power. The EHS is firmly established as the only annual national event aimed at tool, equipment and plant hirers and the suppliers serving this dynamic industry. The EHS enables hire professionals to not only see key suppliers they already do business with, in one place, but also to get in front of new companies from around the world who are looking to serve this important market. Clean and Quiet Operations Building on the success of Bobcat’s smaller E10e, the world’s first 1 tonne electric mini-excavator, the E19e adds to Bobcat’s expanding range of electrically powered machines. As a true pioneer in the field of battery-powered equipment, Bobcat is driving an industry-wide shift towards electric excavators and other construction equipment such as the company’s unique T7X model, the world’s first electric compact track loader. The Bobcat E19e features the same profile, external dimensions and comparable performance as the popular E19 mini-excavator, more than 10,000 of which have been sold worldwide. The E19e boasts the same stability, lift capacity and breakout forces as its conventional counterpart, while its constant torque curve (a feature of electric motors) ensures dependable and powerful operations. With a width of just 98 cm, the new electric model is easy to operate in even the most confined workspaces, making it ideal for tasks such as demolition as well as outside applications that require quiet, zero-emission operations. The E19e features a 3.5-hour battery capacity and can be recharged quickly using a super-fast charger. This means that by topping up the power during work breaks, the machine can be used all day for the majority of typical applications. Thanks to the model’s ergonomic design, its battery capacity and service codes are clearly displayed, making planning simple. The E19e is also immensely versatile, with a wide array of compatible attachments available. Bobcat’s hydraulic clamp attachment, for example, is unique in the market for this size category. Doosan 7/45 Stage V Compressor Continues Success in the Market Designed with a focus on simplicity, durability, reliability and transportability, the 7/45 Stage V portable compressor provides 4.0 m³/min (140 cfm) of compressed air at 7 bar nominal pressure. Like all Doosan portable compressors, there is a wide range of options and customizations available for the 7/45 to meet customer needs. The 7/45 Stage V compressor on the EHS stand will feature a Tough Top (polymer) canopy, which is a standard feature on all the latest small compressors from Doosan Portable Power. This easy-to-open canopy creates a fantastic line with the polymer mudguards and bumpers. Integrated LED lights are also offered as standard for all the machines as well as environmentally important bunded bases. The long-standing metal canopy versions are still available to customers as an option. There are three more 7 bar Stage V compressor models in the small compressor range including the 7/20, 7/25 and 7/55, with outputs of 2.0, 2.5 and 5.0 m³/min (70, 90 and 180 cfm), respectively. The small compressor range is completed by the 14/35 higher pressure model providing 3.0 m³/min (105 cfm) of compressed air at 13.8 bar. The E19e and E10e are part of a comprehensive selection of mini-excavators from Bobcat covering models from 0.8 to 8.5 tonne, alongside a full line-up of skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders, telehandlers, compact wheel and small articulated loaders and attachments. Also aimed at the tool and plant hire industry and the markets it serves, Doosan Portable Power offers a comprehensive range of portable compressors, generators and lighting products for the construction and rental industry. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com For more information about Doosan Portable Power products, visit the website: www.doosanportablepower.eu Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s largest independent equipment hire company, is delighted to confirm its continued FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold Certification, operating in all depots south of, and including, Birmingham. This award is the pinnacle for fleet operators’ organisations. The scheme supports GAP’s drive to continually improve operator safety, fuel economy and vehicle emissions. It also helps embed the most efficient operations throughout the business. Put simply, the scheme demonstrates that GAP, as a national hire company, is achieving and maintaining industry leading best practice in efficient, sustainable and safe commercial vehicle fleet management. In maintaining Gold certification, GAP ensures compliance with all aspects of Road Transport Law. Being committed to ambitious sustainability and carbon reduction targets, GAP Hire Solutions only purchases vehicles fitted with the latest euro VI diesel engines, thereby limiting environmental impacts by achieving significant reductions in CO2, NOx, and Particulate Matter emissions. Additionally, the recent inclusion of electric vehicles into the fleet has enabled GAP to support customers with the implementation of ‘zero emission sites’. GAP also continues to invest in its fleet, fitting all HGVs with state-of-the-art safety equipment including cameras, nearside proximity aids and audible reversing alarms which support safe driving practices in congested urban areas. Furthermore, GAP has invested in an industry leading asset management, delivery and telematics system which supports the monitoring of driver behaviours and includes route planning capabilities and contributes towards a reduction in idling, ‘unnecessary miles’ and fuel usage. Allister Maxwell, Head of Safety, Risk & Compliance, at GAP commented: “GAP’s continued FORS certification demonstrates that our drivers and vehicles are maintaining exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency and environmental protection.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Akela Construction has been appointed by Dawn Homes to lead a diverse package of works for the new Quarriers Gate development at Bellshill. Following approval last year, the 3.1-hectare site, sitting on land formerly occupied by Bellshill Athletic Club, will be transformed to create 74 new two-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced homes off Hattonrigg Road. “This is an extensive package of work and will allow us to showcase our skill and experience in delivering a wide range of ground engineering works. Quarriers Gate is an exciting, yet complex development at Bellshill and one which presents us with a great opportunity to put our expertise into practice. We’re committed to delivering the very best service for our clients and we’re looking forward to working with our colleagues at Dawn Homes once again when our team arrives on site in March,” said Paul Winters Operations Director of Akela Construction. With a combined value of £4.2m, Akela will deliver full development earthworks, including creation of a SuDs pond and sewers, including a diversion to a large combined sewer around the boundary of the site parallel to Hattonrigg road, floor slabs and plotwork. “We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Akela Construction as we shortly begin work to transform this previously neglected site into a vibrant community with much needed modern, energy-efficient housing and will provide lasting benefits to the local area for years to come,” added Dawn Homes Managing Director, Martin Egan. Akela will also deliver the road and footpath network, driveways, and street lighting. Work is due to begin onsite towards the end of March. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National construction equipment hire and services provider Speedy, has been awarded a Grade B on the Carbon Disclosure Programme accreditation. The programme assesses their ability to show real progress in operational practices and transparency in their environmental impact. Speedy’s success in their CDP accreditation is another step closer to their net zero commitments. In 2021, Speedy became the first plant hire company in the UK to publicly commit to net zero carbon emissions under science-based targets before 2050, and in 2022 accelerated that commitment to achieve the target by 2040. Speedy’s alignment to SBT targets are important in helping to keep global temperatures within a 1.5C temperature rise to prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change, in line with 2015 Paris Agreement. Included in that commitment, the company have committed to: reducing its emissions from its vehicles and property estate by 50% by 2030; reducing emissions from its supply chain by 42% by 2030; and reducing its total emissions by 90% by 2040 to achieve Net Zero Carbon. Speedy launched it’s new ESG strategy at the Speedy expo in October last year. Speedy recently invested extensively in the latest low-emissions EV models for its commercial vehicle fleet, as well as in battery powered tools across their product range. They also launched the UK’s first Net Zero service centre which has now been awarded an A+ energy rating, creating a blueprint for its future new and refurbished service centres. Amelia Woodley, ESG Director at said, Our goal is to become an ‘A graded’ company, cementing our position as a leading agent of environmental transparency and action. We launched our ambitious ESG strategy ‘The Decade to Deliver’ at the Speedy Expo in October last year, which is an action-based plan that accelerates our drive to achieve net zero before the Government’s target of 2050. We’re working hard to make this decade a period of change focusing on the importance of reducing carbon emissions and finding new industry leading ways of working. Speedy’s latest CDP rating highlights the significant progress they have made in the last 12 months in committing to transparency and accountability in the targets they have set and report on being 1 of 1600 companies out of 18,700 globally to achieve a CDP B Rating. To find out more about our sustainability goals and strategies, please visit our website. https://www.speedyservices.com/sustainability Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies has given Finning the green light to complete the UK’s first Certified Machine Rebuild (CMR) on a 15-year-old Cat 836 landfill compactor to give it a new lease of life ensuring that it can continue operating for another 15 years. FCC Environment owns and operates over 200 recycling, treatment, and disposal facilities across the UK, managing more than 8.5 million tonnes of waste for their customers, which include over 72 local authorities across North Yorkshire, Suffolk and Essex. FCC’s waste processing fleet alone comprises 500 machines including landfill compactors, wheeled excavators, track type loaders and articulated dump trucks, with Cat equipment making up almost half. One of these machines, a Cat 836 landfill compactor, was purchased from Finning in 2007 with a full repair and maintenance programme, which proved instrumental in keeping the machine operating effectively for around 15 years whilst minimising downtime. However, when the machine’s transmission failed in late 2022 FCC Group Plant Manager, Bill Stone, began discussions with the Finning team on the best solution for a replacement machine package. This included looking at buying another new machine as well as considering the option to carry out a full CMR, which is the highest-level Cat certified rebuild available. Adam Walker, engine and drivetrain product manager at Finning is overseeing the project. He said: “Sustainability is now at the forefront of the waste industry, so we’ve seen a shift in demand towards companies requesting remanufactured or reconditioned parts for their machines, or for the entire machine to be rebuilt. “This is the first machine rebuild that FCC has commissioned, but the company now plans for this approach to become an integral part of their fleet management succession plan because it enables them to demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the environmental impact of their operations and reducing emissions in the drive to net-zero. “Rebuilding a machine instead of buying new requires 85% less energy, uses 86% less water and generates around 61% fewer greenhouse gases. Plus, we recover and recycle over 65% of the original machine, so it’s ready to be used as a replacement part in another machine.” “Not only that, but customers choosing a rebuild machine option will typically save around 50-60% on the cost compared with buying a new machine. While remanufactured parts, of which there are around 8000+ Cat certified ones available, can be up to 60% less than the cost of a brand new one.” Bill Stone said: “We have a commitment to run our operation in an environmentally and socially responsible way, and by choosing to rebuild and give our assets a second life rather than buy new, we are helping to meet that commitment. “Our mobile plant fleet is key to our operation, so it is essential these assets are managed effectively, and Finning plays a vital part in that. “It is because of their record of strong aftermarket support and our collaborative relationship with the team at Finning that we have complete confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their rebuilds and they will play a crucial part in our succession planning moving forward.” Once complete, the Cat 836 will be ‘as new’ so will offer the same machine lifespan as a new machine. Machine rebuilds are fast becoming a recommended approach for firms’ fleet management, providing a sustainable and commercial option alongside investment in new machines. Finning has seen their number of machines rebuilds double year on year, with their specialist rebuild engineers completing hundreds over the last three years. For more information about the Finning UK & Ireland rebuild service and fleet performance optimisation solutions go to https://www.finning.com/en_GB/services/response-repair-rebuild/rebuilds.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The handover of an L260H wheel loader from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) to Swiss firm AG Balmholz proved unconventional – with a floating delivery needed for the machine to reach its new home. It’s early morning and the fog is still drifting across Lake Thun when the final preparations for a special machine transportation from Kander Delta in Einigen are complete. A towboat pushes a pontoon, atop which sits a Volvo L260H wheel loader, destined for the idyllically located quarry belonging to AG Balmholz, on the northern shore of Lake Thun. As the 35-ton Volvo L260H wheel loader comes into view, the hustle and bustle at the quarry increases. The delivery of this new machine is not only exciting, but also a milestone, as it is the first Volvo CE machine for AG Balmholz. Its exceptional location in the Bernese foothills of the Alps, on the steep northern shore of Lake Thun makes transportation of goods and mining materials to and from the quarry a challenge. Although accessible via the winding lake road that runs between Thun and Interlaken, the route which is popular with day trippers and motorcyclists, is limited to loads of 34 tons. So, no chance to transport the wheel loader by road. Excavating hard rock for railway infrastructure The quarry is just one of only 10 in the whole of Switzerland to provide a valuable source of a special dense, compact and high pressure-resistant hard rock. Every year, the workforce at AG Balmholz extract around 250,000 tons of hard rock, which is processed into blocks for hydraulic engineering, railway ballasts, chippings and crushed sand. Much of this material is transported to customers throughout Switzerland on ships across the water to Thun, where it is offloaded and then transported by rail. Robust and reliable The mining of hard rocks, such as those found at Lake Thun, is material intensive and requires reliable, durable machinery. Many factors played a role in the decision to choose the Volvo wheel loader. Managing Director, Christoph Künzi, explains: “When it came to the new acquisition, we were particularly impressed with the breakout force of the Volvo wheel loader.” In the initial evaluation of the machine by plant manager, Markus Wegmüller and his team, the figures on paper looked impressive. Then came the practical test. Depending on the blade used, the breakout force of the Volvo L260H is between 256 kN and 336 kN. Other qualities, such as cab comfort and simple serviceability also met their requirements, and the team were all in agreement that the Volvo wheel loader would complement the existing machine park. “Overall, the L260H came out on top, in terms of price, performance and consumption too,” concludes Künzi. This result is no surprise, as the 35-ton wheel loader offers a static tipping load at full turn of almost 24 tons A longer wheelbase than its predecessor means the L260H can be mounted with a larger bucket, which adds to the overall efficiency and productivity. AG Balmholz’s new wheel loader has a bucket capacity of 6.5m³. Old friends Although the L260H is the first Volvo machine for AG Balmholz, both Volvo CE and Robert Aebi AG are familiar to Christoph Künzi from the decade he spent working for Vigier Beton Berner Oberland prior to being appointed Managing Director at AG Balmholz in 2020. There, machines from Volvo CE have been used for many years. And so it was, that long-standing partners met again at AG Balmholz for the evaluation of this new machine. Whilst demand for railway ballast and other hard stone products remains strong, Christoph Künzi’s concerns for the future are around the recruitment of skilled workers. There is no vocational training available to prepare workers for a career in quarrying, just courses in raw material processing. So, AG Balmholz trains junior employees itself and says it is constantly on the lookout for suitable new recruits. Innovation for CO2 neutral asphalt In another example of its commitment to innovation, AG Balmholz is collaborating with Frutiger AG Thun and Marti AG Bern on a new road surfacing plant that will be virtually fossil-free. Oberland BWO in Wimmis near Spiez will be operated by AG Balmholz on behalf of the owners, and will replace two existing plants in the Bernese Oberland. Crushed sand and chippings are both by-products of hard rock mining used in road construction, making this a complementary collaboration. Instead of fossil fuels to power its production processes, the plant will use clean waste wood, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,700 tons per year compared to conventional energy sources. It also makes this the first CO2 neutral treatment plant in Switzerland. 1,000 operating hours As soon as the L260H is unloaded at the quarry it is put to work, with operator Fabian Frutiger happy to get started. AG Balmholz plans to use the wheel loader for around 1,000 operating hours per year for the next 10 years, before it will be time to replace this hard-working machine. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MHM is set to speak at the show’s Innovation Trail Live to discuss low-emission solutions for the hire, plant and tool sectors The MHM Group has been selected to speak at the Innovation Trail Live in Coventry as part of this year’s Executive Hire Show, where they will discuss new innovative products on stage and showcase the business’ ground-breaking sustainable equipment to the plant and tool sector. Brad Ireland, Sales Director at MHM, will speak with presenter Peter Haddock from Content with Media after being selected for an interview that will be filmed live on their Executive Hire Show stands and shared on social media. This will be the tenth year in a row that the MHM Group has attended the Show at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CBS), taking place on the 8th and 9th of February. The Group will be joined by 149 other businesses and hire industry professionals. After celebrating a 150% rise in revenue in the last two years due to the increasing demand for its low-emission and innovative products, the MHM Group will be promoting power, fluid storage and lighting solutions, with the MGTP 10 USY- Stage 5 taking centre stage as the first 10kva ultra-silent generator in its class. Director, Brad Ireland said: “We are very much looking forward to attending The Executive Hire Show as it has always been a rewarding experience for MHM. This event allows us to showcase the best of our Eco equipment which has seen a 30% increase from last year– and has greatly contributed to the growth of the business and increased our focus even further on our sustainable product offering.” As the Government increases its efforts to reduce pollution, the construction sector has already seen many climate-related regulatory changes last year including the ban of red diesel. Brad added, “Companies are faced with the responsibility of reducing their carbon footprints and we hope to support businesses with their eco initiative by offering lower-emission solutions to the plant hire and construction sectors. We want to demonstrate MHM’s commitment to pushing the hire industry to become greener, as well as look to alternative methods of energy to power plant equipment across the UK. “As we move into 2023, we have big plans to increase our sustainable hire fleet and promote products that improve energy efficiency and lower emissions as part of a drive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future and available to purchase or rehire from MHM Group.” For more information on MHM and its equipment, visit https://www.mhm-group.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The event attracts substantial interest from owners, operators, hirers and contractors from across the UK. UK Plant Operators Magazine recognises that the industry faces a severe skills gap, urgent attention is required, as such this issue is at the strategic heart of the publication’s output. The nation’s leading contractors and hirers, through close relationships with the magazine, promote the operation of plant machinery as a rewarding and sustainable career path. The pathway to becoming a plant operator has been simplified with best-in-class training available through the CITB National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham. The best plant hire companies are providing excellent terms and conditions, first class opportunities and the latest technology. Creating a safer, smarter and cleaner environment to attract the next generation of UK Plant Operators. UK Plant Operator Magazine publisher Brian Coogan said: “We are delighted to welcome the CITB as headline sponsors of the 2023 campaign. As industry leaders the CITB supports the skills needs of the construction industry. We share the same values and face the same challenges. We look forward to working together to champion the sector, create awareness of the need for, and advantages gained, from quality training… all for the good of the UK construction industry.” In 2023 the UK Plant Operator of the Year campaign will see some exciting developments, with leading UK hirers and contractors entering teams to compete in a series of challenges across a range of Excavators, Telehandlers, Compact Loaders, Bulldozers, Backhoes, Wheel Loaders and Tilt Rotators, to name a few. The very latest models, supplied by the world’s leading manufacturers. The event is open to all to enter once they have their equipment tickets up to date. Finalists will demonstrate their skill and knowledge, in addition to showcasing the technological and engineered solutions the machines deliver, supporting the industry to be safer and more sustainable, whilst improving performance. The 2023 event will expand further with the introduction of a Scottish heat in July, the winners will qualify for the final on 30th September at the National Construction College. Brian Coogan added: “Working with the UK’s leading training authority, we will deliver together a message to the industry that encourages training, helping to build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce.” Gary Cumiskey, Head of NCC Curriculum Delivery at CITB, said: “This is such a fun event and showcases all sorts of skills on various types of machines. But there’s also a serious message behind it, as we seek to attract the next generation of workers to fill skills shortages in the UK. The benefits of these careers are obvious, so I’d invite operators across the country or anyone who is curious about a construction career to join us for this exciting event and find out more.” To find out more about the campaign and register your interest visit https://ukplantoperators.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader), have been selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in the USA. The NIHF annually recognizes inventors, promotes creativity and advances the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. How it all began In the 1950s, brothers Cyril and Louis operated a small machinist-blacksmith shop in Minnesota together, building and repairing machinery for local farmers. A farmer approached them with a need for a self-propelled loader light enough to be lifted to the second floor of a turkey barn and small enough to clean around the barn’s upright poles. In response, in 1957, the Kellers built a three-wheeled loader with two drive wheels in front and a caster wheel in the rear – the predecessor to the modern skid-steer loader. The loader came to the attention of Melroe Manufacturing Company (now Bobcat), which invited the Kellers to demonstrate their invention in their booth at the Minnesota State Fair in 1958. After a successful demonstration at the fair, the Melroe Manufacturing Company was awarded exclusive manufacturing rights to the machine on a royalty basis and hired the Keller brothers to refine the design and put the machine into production. World’s first true skid-steer loader To improve on the design of the loader, a second set of drive wheels was added to the back of the loader in 1960. With this four-wheel drive, the M400 became the world’s first true skid-steer loader. ‘Skid-steer’ describes the unique steering system, which enables the machine to turn within its own length. Later, the Bobcat brand name was established because of the machine’s toughness, quickness and agility. Joe Keller, son of Louis, said, “The Bobcat loader has positively impacted the lives of thousands of employees who have worked for the company, dealers who sell the machines, and customers who use the equipment every day to build their livelihood. While we may not always realize its impact, it is an integral part of our everyday life—from supporting farm operations that result in food on our tables to hauling materials around a jobsite building our homes and offices.” Sixty-five years later As Bobcat celebrates 65 years since the invention of the machine that created the compact equipment industry, it has continued to forge the future of the industry through innovation and forward-thinking. Bobcat now offers more than 100 products in the compact, grounds maintenance and industrial equipment industries, and produces more than 150 families of attachments. Other awarded inventors Other NIHF 2023 inductees include Rory Cooper, who invented wheelchair technology; Luis von Ahn, who co-created the website security program reCAPTCHA; Angela Hartley Brodie, who discovered and developed a class of drugs called Aromatase Inhibitors that stop the production of hormones that fuel the growth of cancer cells; and 14 other innovation pioneers. This year marks the 50th anniversary event of NIHF’s founding in 1973, when Thomas Edison was the sole inductee. Acknowledging the award on behalf of his father and uncle, Joe Keller said, “This recognition is a great honour to dad and Cyril’s families, but it is not just for us. It is a recognition for all of the early and current Bobcat employees who have helped bring our little ‘Keller loader’ to be the Bobcat machine it is today. It has been a great honour to have had a front-row seat watching this invention revolutionize the way work gets done around the world.” For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UniCarriers in the UK have rebranded to Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. Logisnext UK Ltd is delighted to announce that the brand UniCarriers is now replaced in the UK by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. This change is part of the European strategy of the company’s owner, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE). Since the acquisition of UniCarriers Corporation Ltd. back in 2017, Mitsubishi Logisnext Group has applied the strategy of ensuring that all wholly owned subsidiaries are taking Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks branded products to market in Europe. This project started in April 2021 and has reached completion with the UK subsidiary (Logisnext UK Ltd) rebranding on the 1st of January 2023. The Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks brand has been available in the UK since the 1970s, supplied by an established dealer network. In January 2023 this supply chain is now enhanced by the introduction of the direct to customer organisation with the re-branding of the UniCarriers business. Since the independent dealer network and the direct sales operation have been serving complementary customer segments, we emphasise that customer communication will largely remain unchanged other than a change in brand. Together, these two routes to market aim to increase the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks market share by providing tailored customer handling and service solutions. Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks supply materials handling products for logistics and warehousing, designed and manufactured at the group’s production facilities in Sweden, Spain, Finland, PRC and Japan. Consequently, our spread of customers is involved in storage and distribution warehousing as well as manufacturing with interests that include the production of food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, metal & automotive and the building industry. www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
