Products & Materials : Tools & Equipment News

Murphy Geospatial Launches Geodrive: A New Mobile Mapping Solution

Geospatial leader Murphy Geospatial, is launching a bespoke mobile-mapping technology to support faster and more accurate geospatial data capture in the built environment. The eye-catching vehicle, called GeoDrive, can easily capture up to 100km of geospatial survey data in just one day. In a world where the sustainability and maintenance

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Arco launches circular hi-vis range with recycling start-up

Arco launches circular hi-vis range with recycling start-up

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has launched a new responsible hi-visibility clothing range designed in collaboration with Stuff4Life, a polyester recycling start-up that features garments designed for circularity. The eight initial launch items include short-sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve and long sleeve polo shirts, waistcoats, sweatshirts, fleeces, softshells and overcoats.

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Leeds Beckett and Coltraco collaborate to develop a novel low-cost building airtightness testing tool

Leeds Beckett and Coltraco collaborate to develop a novel low-cost building airtightness testing tool

Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which

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EnviroHoard™ specified for huge regeneration scheme

EnviroHoard™ specified for huge regeneration scheme

Panthera Group is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the official hoarding contract for the €8.7 billion regeneration of East London’s Silvertown.  The company has been appointed by logistics firm Clipfine on behalf of the main developer, Lendlease.  The mixed-use regenerative project is set to become a new

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Atlas Copco breaker cracks down on tough underwater project

Atlas Copco breaker cracks down on tough underwater project

Atlas Copco’s hydraulic breaker and power pack are used for ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project in Malta’s harbor In Malta’s biggest harbor, a big electrification project is ongoing to energize cruise liners and cargo ships with clean electric energy instead of diesel fuel. For the intensive underwater works, contractor

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Werner launches new product catalogue

Werner launches new product catalogue

Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue.   The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products

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Powerday continues to pioneer the UK waste management industry with investment in two Volvo Trucks electric skip loaders

Powerday continues to pioneer the UK waste management industry with investment in two Volvo Trucks electric skip loaders

After successfully trialling Volvo Trucks’ first fully electric skip loader, Powerday – London’s leading recycling and waste management company – has become one of the first companies in the UK to place an order for the Swedish manufacturer’s vehicles. Powerday currently operates a fleet of over 70 vehicles, servicing construction

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Products & Materials : Tools & Equipment News

Murphy Geospatial Launches Geodrive: A New Mobile Mapping Solution

Geospatial leader Murphy Geospatial, is launching a bespoke mobile-mapping technology to support faster and more accurate geospatial data capture in the built environment. The eye-catching vehicle, called GeoDrive, can easily capture up to 100km of geospatial survey data in just one day. In a world where the sustainability and maintenance of infrastructure assets are of utmost importance, Murphy Geospatial plays a crucial role by providing accurate geospatial data. This data empowers asset owners to make well-informed decisions, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of their infrastructure investments. The new service, aimed at large projects within construction, infrastructure, and energy and utility sectors, will gather significant volumes of data on large geographical areas at higher speeds and lower cost compared with traditional data capture methods. How does GeoDrive work? GeoDrive uses high precision scanners and a multi-camera system to collect sub centimetre accuracy information and is mounted on top of a uniquely branded vehicle or it can be fixed to trains or other moving vehicles. The extremely precise data captured by this new service is also thanks to Murphy Geospatial’s emphasis on quality control of workflows, managed by well-trained staff with their own expertise in geomatics, allowing them to focus on even the most trivial details of a project. Murphy Geospatial Associate Director Maciej Targosz commented: “This new solution is going to make a huge difference to clients gathering information in relation to large-scale projects. The speed at which GeoDrive can capture data will save clients both time and money when compared with the method of taking a total station along the length of a site. “GeoDrive also supports cost-effectiveness of projects as it means more-detailed methods of surveying are deployed where they are needed, having already gathered base data for a project’s entirety. This supports informed decision making and optimised resource allocation. “For clients managing projects that cover highways, it will also eliminate the need for traffic management. GeoDrive will also help clients mitigate project delays, public inquiries, protests, and production bottlenecks.  “We’re looking forward to supporting clients access and analyse the quality data at speed that GeoDrive can gather, and will be offering this new service throughout Ireland, UK, and Europe.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Arco launches circular hi-vis range with recycling start-up

Arco launches circular hi-vis range with recycling start-up

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has launched a new responsible hi-visibility clothing range designed in collaboration with Stuff4Life, a polyester recycling start-up that features garments designed for circularity. The eight initial launch items include short-sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve and long sleeve polo shirts, waistcoats, sweatshirts, fleeces, softshells and overcoats. As a key supplier of hi-visibility clothing, Arco is committed to addressing the problem of what to do with garments that have reached the end of their useful life. As a result, the garments in the responsible hi-vis range have been designed to last longer, are made from certified recycled and responsibly sourced materials and developed with end of life in mind, focussing on the recyclability of materials. Designed with life-extending features, the responsible hi-vis range has been developed to increase the longevity of the clothing. Garments are tested to retain integrity, dimensional stability, UV protection and colourfastness to above the average number of washes – knitwear and trousers are certified for up to 50 washes – twice the typical use cycle – which reduces the need for replacement and reduces carbon emissions. All garments are made using 100% Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled polyester and have been sourced and produced ethically by GRS-certified manufacturers*. To improve efficiency and reduce additional component usage, labelling has been printed directly onto the garment. All additional components, including poppers, toggles, zips, ribs, cuffs, neckbands and collars, are made from recycled polyester so do not need to be removed before entering the recycling process.The hi-vis range has been developed in conjunction with Stuff4Life and can be recycled using their patent-pending chemical recycling solution that’s currently being scaled-up. Once a garment comes to the end of its life, the recovered materials from the recycling process become valuable raw materials that can be transformed back into new polyester yarn for garment production over and over again. This more sustainable approach to re-creating raw materials helps to significantly decrease the environmental footprint of manufacturing, playing a pivotal role in the shift towards a circular economy.Dalvir Sarkaria, Product and Procurement Manager at Arco said: “Customers are placing growing significance on making responsible product choices. As a result, we recognised a clear requirement to develop and introduce a new range of products with the aim of supporting customers to achieve their sustainability objectives.“The launch of our Arco Responsible hi-vis range is an exciting moment for us and demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering on our strategic plan for sustainability – A Safe Tomorrow – and by supporting our customers’ desires to make responsible choices for their business. Using a complete circular approach, the range can offer assurance to customers with proven sustainable credentials whilst remaining excellent quality and competitively priced.” John Twitchen, Founder of Stuff4Life, commented: “We’ve worked closely with Arco’s product development team on the new range. Our input has helped to reduce the impact of garments in design, in use and at end of life. In tandem, we have developed our polyester depolymerisation process to ensure the maximum recovery of polyester-rich garments and enable the supply of as-good-as-new products back into the supply chain, driven by the ambition of delivering a truly circular process.” The Arco Responsible hi-vis clothing line includes garments that have been designed for all weathers and temperatures and conform to the relevant hi-vis safety standards. The range includes interactive outdoor clothing and garments with UV protection, wicking properties and other practical features. Arco Responsible hi-vis clothing is available to purchase online here https://www.arco.co.uk/Web-Taxonomy/Personal-Protective-Equipment/Protective-clothing/c/WEB_329287?q=%3Arelevance%3Aresponsible_choice%3AGlobal+Recycled+Standard+%28GRS%29&facetRange=&show=Page&userSelectedPageSize=36 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Leeds Beckett and Coltraco collaborate to develop a novel low-cost building airtightness testing tool

Leeds Beckett and Coltraco collaborate to develop a novel low-cost building airtightness testing tool

Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which uses ultrasound to detect and locate air leakage sites. It is the first system of its kind to also quantify the extent of any air leakage. The tool can be applied to both new and existing buildings, so can be used before, during and after building or renovation. The new collaboration between Coltraco and Leeds Beckett University has been funded by the Government through Innovate UK to develop, evaluate, and optimise the use of the Portascanner® Airtight – creating an improved version of the product, along with best practice guides and training materials for professionals. Dr David Johnston, Professor of Building Performance Evaluation in the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The airtightness performance of building fabric can have a significant impact on energy use and CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop low-cost tools that are capable of rapidly assessing and quantifying the airtightness performance of a building, providing an alternative to existing methods of testing airtightness. All of these tools will be important in helping the UK meet its Net Zero obligations.” The project will assess the use of the new technology within both a controlled and real-world environment. This will be used to design and develop a rigorous, best-practice process. The team will also compare the technology with other airtightness testing technologies – such as blower door fans – to assess the accuracy of the Portascanner® Airtight and how it compliments tried and tested existing technologies. The team also plan to make improvements to the technology, including upgrading the hardware to include a wireless sensor, and developing and testing a mount for a geostationary drone, to hold the generator in place on external structures for tall buildings. Daniel Dobrowolski, Senior Physicist – Research, Development, Design, and Ergonomics at Coltraco Ultrasonics, said: “We are committed to evaluating the benefits of the Portascanner® Airtight as a rapid testing tool through a systematic empirical study and so this project is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the academic experts. The research we undertake with Leeds Beckett will aid professional airtightness testers, building services engineers, and building surveyors to confidently take full advantage of Coltraco’s innovative technology to improve building airtightness and, ultimately, building sustainability.” Professor Johnston added: “We look forward to further developing our relationship with Coltraco, and demonstrating how industry and universities can work together to improve the sustainability of the built environment in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Keeping Your Construction Site Safe This Autumn with Rethync's Multisite Construction Hoarding

Keeping Your Construction Site Safe This Autumn with Rethync’s Multisite Construction Hoarding

As the autumn season approaches, construction companies and house builders are urged to prioritise site safety in the face of changing weather conditions, particularly strong winds. Rethync Ltd, a leading innovator in construction site solutions, introduces its Multisite steel hoarding as the essential answer to these safety concerns.  Phil Chadwick, Managing Director of Rethync comments: “Autumn presents unique challenges for construction sites, and ensuring site safety is paramount. Rethync’s Multisite steel hoarding is engineered to withstand the elements while providing enhanced security options and supporting environmental sustainability, making it the ideal choice for construction projects this season.  “With all our jobs, we provide wind loading calculations as standard for added safety. And for sites facing particularly harsh autumn winds, we offer site-specific installation amendments to enhance resistance, including narrower post spacings, larger foundations, enhanced security and height options, or the addition of backstays.  “All this is in line with the construction industry’s goals of environmental sustainability, and the Multisite hoarding we provide at Rethync is designed with recyclable benefits in mind. The recyclable nature of the materials used in steel hoarding allows for reduced waste, the option to reuse, and it is recyclable, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly construction process.”   As Autumn ushers in unpredictable weather, it is crucial to prioritise site safety on your construction projects. Rethync’s Multisite steel hoarding is your reliable partner in creating a professional and secure site environment during this fluctuating season. With its wind resistance, enhanced security options, and eco-friendly features, their Multisite ensures that your construction site remains safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible.  Contact Rethync today for a safer and more sustainable construction experience on 03300 535898 or info@rethync.co.uk  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act: will this new law help protect the livelihood of tradespeople?

The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act: will this new law help protect the livelihood of tradespeople?

The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act bill received Royal Assent on 20 July 2023, meaning it is now an Act of Parliament (law). Tool theft is a persistent issue faced by tradespeople, both those employed within a company and sole-traders. According to a recent survey by Markel Direct, who offer specialist insurance for tradespeople, 57% of those that had their tools stolen suffered a loss of earnings as a result, with 41% of those reporting a loss of over £2500, a significant amount in the current cost of living crisis. This new law could help to reduce the number of these incidents. Rob Rees, Divisional Director of Markel Direct, explains the new law and gives advice on how tradespeople can protect their tools and livelihood from theft. What is the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act? The law states that it is “An Act to make provision to prevent the theft and re-sale of equipment and tools used by tradespeople and agricultural and other businesses; and for connected purposes.” The primary aim of tool theft is the resale value, whether that is through places like social network marketplaces, buy and sell groups, online auction sites or even at car boot sales. This law allows the government to create rules that limit the sale of certain equipment. The equipment in question includes vehicles meant for off-road use (such as quad bikes and ATVs) or equipment primarily used in agriculture or business (such as tools). These rules could require the equipment to have security features like anti-theft devices and markings with a unique identifier. The law also allows the government to introduce requirements for sellers of such equipment to record specific information about the sale, such as the name and address of the buyer, the make and model of the equipment, date of sale and the unique identifier. However, according to subsection (4)(b), the law doesn’t restrict the sale of equipment that has been previously used for its intended purpose. This implies that if the equipment was stolen after its primary intended use and then sold, it might not fall under the scope of this law’s restrictions, and therefore second-hand sales of stolen tools will still be an issue. So, how can tradespeople protect their tools? As a specialist insurer of tradespeople, we know first-hand the devastating impact tool theft can have on a sole trader or small business. In a survey we conducted earlier this year, more than half of respondents reported losing more than 3 days of work due to tool theft; an unwelcome cost to absorb at a time when the trades sector is already facing price inflation in materials, fuel and skilled labour. The act has the potential to deter would-be thieves by introducing forensic marking of equipment, and recording of the owner’s details, at the point of sale by retailers – but it’s important to note, however, the regulations cannot be imposed on the sale of second-hand equipment. As such, the existence of a stolen tool resale market is likely to continue in the short term. Enhanced safety measures on storage/vehicles According to our survey, the majority of tools stolen are taken from vans of tradespeople: 41% from vans parked at home and 27% from their vans while “on-site” – so upgrading security on work vehicles should be a priority. Our research shows that out of the tradespeople that had tools stolen, only 16% have invested in additional locks for their van in addition to the ones already on the vehicle. Installing alarms, immobilisers, and tracking devices in work vehicles can help to deter thieves. They should also ensure that the area the van is parked in is well-lit, or possibly secured. Consider fencing private drives and using motion lighting to increase security. Remove valuable tools when unattended Our study also revealed that just over a third (35%) of tradespeople go to the trouble to remove their tools from their vans overnight. However, only 2% of victims of tool theft reported that the tools were stolen from their home, compared to those who had tools stolen from their van while parked at home. For some tradespeople, removing all tools and equipment from a work van each night is an inconvenient and timely task. Ultimately, however, it is one of the most effective ways of preventing your tools being stolen. If removing all tools isn’t possible, prioritise moving the most valuable items (by cost and day-to-day use) to a secure location inside the property. Make sure they are insured Despite the risk of loss of earnings, the same study found that 58% of the tradespeople questioned didn’t have insurance for their tools, and of those 25% cited their reason for not doing so as “Didn’t know tools insurance was available”. Tools insurance is there to cover the cost of replacing or repairing your equipment if it is damaged or lost, for example due to theft, but also in cases of flooding or fire. This coverage typically extends to power tools (sanders, drills, nail guns, etc.) and handheld tools (saws, chisels, etc). Be sure to check your policy to ensure that where your tools are stored meets the criteria for claims against theft. This usually includes ensuring they are not left unattended, or in an unlocked van. It’s also worth keeping a record of the tools you own – including receipts, serial numbers, and photographs – as this can help insurers pay your claim as quickly as possible. Additionally, forensically marking your tools can help the police return them to you if they are recovered. Use visible deterrents Targets for theft are usually determined by opportunity and ease. If visible deterrents are used, such as a sticker warning of GPS tracking, an alarm that blinks to show it is activated, and CCTV on your property pointing at the van, the van is going to be less of a target due to the potential hassle and increased likelihood of being caught. Sometimes even dummy deterrents are enough, like dummy cameras and fake

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EnviroHoard™ specified for huge regeneration scheme

EnviroHoard™ specified for huge regeneration scheme

Panthera Group is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the official hoarding contract for the €8.7 billion regeneration of East London’s Silvertown.  The company has been appointed by logistics firm Clipfine on behalf of the main developer, Lendlease.  The mixed-use regenerative project is set to become a new destination for London and will see the Millennium Mills restored to a thriving new town centre with shops, leisure facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars and over 6,000 new homes. Panthera Group won the contract to install EnviroHoard™ and EnviroFence™ products to secure the site following an extensive tender process for a sustainable hoarding solution capable of withstanding the ten-year project duration. The system also needed to comply with onerous loading requirements that exceed TWf guidance.  As part of the tender process a team from Lendlease’s Temporary Works department, accompanied by the projects’ Construction Managers, visited Panthera’s headquarters to physically inspect a mock-up of the system and undertake a robust Q&A session. The visit demonstrated that the award-winning system is not only designed in accordance with the TWf:2012 guidance code for wind, crowd and vehicle loading but also exceeds Lendlease’s higher safety factor requirements.  Both EnviroHoard™ and EnviroFence™ are designed for long project durations and offer further benefits in that the system does not delaminate or deteriorate over time. The modular design also improves manual handling and reduces the cost of hoarding moves offering additional commercial benefits to the client. As net zero solutions, they also support Lendlease’s Mission Zero objectives of eliminating greenhouse gases from its business by 2040. To that end, over the next decade the project will benefit from over 95% lower embodied carbon from EnviroHoard™ over a plywood hoarding. This will also support Lendlease in their ambition to achieve BREEAM Certification for all non-residential properties on this project. Panthera Group’s Managing Director, Neal James, was responsible for securing the hoarding contract with Lendlease and Clipfine: “This is a great win for Panthera!  The team are overjoyed to have secured such a prestigious high-profile project and cannot wait to get started on site. For a company of the stature of Lendlease to approve the system is a testament to the design and sustainability credentials of the EnviroHoard™ system. We look forward to working alongside Clipfine and delivering Lendlease our systems across the scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Atlas Copco breaker cracks down on tough underwater project

Atlas Copco breaker cracks down on tough underwater project

Atlas Copco’s hydraulic breaker and power pack are used for ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project in Malta’s harbor In Malta’s biggest harbor, a big electrification project is ongoing to energize cruise liners and cargo ships with clean electric energy instead of diesel fuel. For the intensive underwater works, contractor Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade is using an Atlas Copco handheld breaker and power pack. An ideal fit for the ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project. Rock breaking projects on land are tough, but nothing your Atlas Copco handheld breaker can’t handle. Fracturing rocks underwater, on the other hand… now there’s a challenge of a much higher order. Just ask Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade (PDIST), a specialist underwater contractor based in Bakırköy, one of the oldest districts in Istanbul, Turkey. The company is currently using Atlas Copco’s robust LH 390 pneumatic breaker for an intensive eight-month underwater electrical infrastructure project, as part of a wider effort to energize cruise liners and cargo ships across Turkey and Malta. The ‘Malta Medium Voltage Underwater Cable Laying’ project will enable vessels to plug into shoreside electricity to charge onboard systems while berthed at port, swapping out the need for fuel-dependency in place of clean electric. Coupled with Atlas Copco’s LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack, the LH 390 handheld hydraulic breaker is being used to crush rocks beneath the water’s surface in order to prepare the area for underwater electric cables. On land, the LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack transmits power to drive the submerged LH 390 breaker unit, which is tasked with the demanding job of fragmenting rocks and dislodging them from the ground to forge a clear path for the cables, which will transmit electricity to allotted on-land charging ports. The Atlas Copco LH 390 hydraulic breaker is designed for tough applications While such a demanding application may land other air units in troubled waters, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 hydraulic unit has proven itself to be tough enough to take such a challenge in its stride. As one of the most powerful handheld breakers in the world, the titan LH 390 is designed to break anything, anywhere. Weighing 33 kg and offering 125 bar of pressure, its high pressure-to-weight ratio also means users can achieve optimal performance without compromising on portability. The LH 390 handheld breaker is coated with premium water resistant, anti-corrosion and anti-rust paint, meaning it can be plunged in saline ocean water and remerge unscathed. Before use, the machine’s unparalleled robust design and high-quality components are also rigorously tested at Atlas Copco’s in-house testing facility, ensuring it is suitable to weather any storm. Vibro-reduction technology The PDIST team is required to physically dive underwater to power their tools, which is why it is important to not only have a breaker unit that is tough enough to crack rocks underwater, but also easy to manoeuvre and work with. Fortunately, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 handheld breaker’s slim design and lightweight design offers a smooth user experience. “Mobility is one factor that is really critical to this operation; we are routinely diving into the water to remove rocks and debris from the seabed, then swimming back up to the surface again – all while operating and carrying our handheld breaker. The LH 390’s high power to weight ratio means we can get plenty done in a short space of time, improving our team’s productivity and enabling us to ‘crack’ on with our project with ease – pun intended” Serdar Yaygili, General Manager from PDIST Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Werner launches new product catalogue

Werner launches new product catalogue

Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue.   The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products including the LEANSAFE® X3 and Adjustable & Linking PRO Platform.   For over 100 years, the Werner brand has been revered across the industry for its broad product line and its commitment to placing safety at its fore. Its vast range of products have been designed with the user in mind, helping to make working at height safer and faster, whatever the job.  The catalogue includes Werner’s entire portfolio of extension ladders; stepladders; roof ladders; fibreglass ladders; aluminium ladders; telescopic ladders; stepstools; work platforms; access towers; loft ladders, and lock-in accessories such as paint cups and utility buckets.  Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, said: “Werner takes considerable pride in its continued investment in new products, markets and technologies. The Werner brand has achieved some exciting new developments and milestones over the past year, such as its 100-year anniversary and the launch of new innovative products such as the Pro Plus Tower, and we are excited to launch a new catalogue which reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation, and also its reputation as the number one choice for professionals.”   Featuring product specifications, designated usage and key benefits, as well as explaining European safety standards, the catalogue is the ideal tool to assist professionals with choosing the most suitable working at height equipment for their professions.   In addition to extensive information and guidance in the brochure, Werner’s recent campaign, Stepping Up to Ladder Safety, offers five individual guides highlighting how professionals can choose the right equipment for the job and how to undertake best practice when working at height.     To view Werner’s new product catalogue, visit www.wernerco.com/uk/literature.   To find out more about the products available from WernerCo, visit www.wernerco.co.uk  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Powerday continues to pioneer the UK waste management industry with investment in two Volvo Trucks electric skip loaders

Powerday continues to pioneer the UK waste management industry with investment in two Volvo Trucks electric skip loaders

After successfully trialling Volvo Trucks’ first fully electric skip loader, Powerday – London’s leading recycling and waste management company – has become one of the first companies in the UK to place an order for the Swedish manufacturer’s vehicles. Powerday currently operates a fleet of over 70 vehicles, servicing construction clients across the south east. The two new Volvo electric vehicles will come into service in September and are expected to save more than 30 tonnes in CO2 emissions per year. The new skip loaders will initially be based at the company’s Old Oak Sidings site, in north west London. Transition to electric The shift to using the electric skip loaders comes after Powerday launched its latest Sustainability Manifesto, which revealed its commitment to achieve net zero status by 2040. The annual report outlines the company’s targets for the year, and reports on progress for the previous year, under five sustainability pillars: employees, community, carbon management, clients, and procurement.  Powerday has been measuring its Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020. It has set the 2040 net zero target – relative to a 2021 baseline – with interim goals of a 20% reduction in 2023, 35% by 2026 and 50% by 2030. The commitment has been registered with SME Climate Hub to count towards the UN Race to Net Zero. A revolution in skip loading vehicles Driven by a two-speed transmission, offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience, the Volvo’s electric’s power is handled by a unique traction control system developed to master even slippery surfaces, while different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels. Equipped with four batteries, it offers a range of approximately 190km and can be recharged in just 2.3 hours using the 150kW DC charger that has been installed at Powerday’s Old Oak Sidings site. Chris Donnelly, Sales Director, Volvo Trucks commented: “Powerday conducted trials last year when we first launched our fully electric skip loader demonstrator, installing infrastructure at its own cost for the trial to take place.  This showed immediate commitment and we were very grateful. “The data following the trials was staggering. We had predicted returns of course from our Electric Range Simulator, however, the performance was far better than expected. We congratulate Powerday on its bold environmental targets and look forward to supporting them on its road to Net Zero.” Edward Crossan, CEO, Powerday, added: “In line with our net-zero roadmap, adopting these electric skip loaders into our fleet shows our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air and environment in London. “As a pioneer in the waste management industry, we proudly stand as the first company to embrace the future of sustainability. By investing in electric skip loaders, we lead the charge towards cleaner, greener solutions.”

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Meeting the challenge of increased demand for sustainable cleaning products

Meeting the challenge of increased demand for sustainable cleaning products

By Nick Winstone, Co-Founder & MD of Biovate Hygienics Sustainable cleaning plays a major role  in supporting a company’s overall sustainability goals. It creates a good brand image for your company, slashes energy costs, promotes green procurement as well as care for the planet and its people. According to a 2021 consumer intelligence survey report by PwC, 76 percent of consumers are likely to stop buying from a brand that doesn’t practice sustainability. From the same report 84 percent of employees prefer to work for a company that cares for the environment. (¹) One of the ways a facilities management team can boost sustainability efforts is to adopt a green cleaning strategy. Unfortunately, using traditional cleaning chemicals poses a health risk, whilst sustainable cleaning products will take greater care of your employees and the environment. The best way to clean green is to use a cleaning product that will biodegrade completely within a short time frame, within 28 days. The way the products are packaged is also really important to think about. For commercial cleaning products these should be as concentrated as possible. For example, a multi-purpose 1.5 litre pouch uses 90 percent less plastic than a jerry can and makes 275 spray bottles, massively reducing the carbon footprint and plastic waste generated. Recyclable components Fitting products with trigger heads that are made from 33% PCR plastic with no metal parts, and are fully recyclable, as some of our products are, also helps with sustainability. Their use stops 7.5 tonnes of virgin plastic from entering the supply chain, with CO2 emissions reduced by 13% and wastewater by 17%. Responsible sourcing of cardboard packaging also reduces our CO2 emissions by 25%. Another important factor to consider is the impact a product has on the user. Basically a green cleaning product should not be classified as an irritant to skin or corrosive  in its diluted state. Sustainability high on the agenda Sustainability is high up the agenda for businesses across most sectors, with environmental impact becoming a major driver in procurement decisions. This is sure to accelerate in a post pandemic world. In the liquid product cleaning industry, this is reflected in demand from customers and their distributors for chemical-free and plastic-free cleaning products. They are mindful of the fact most commercial cleaning products are in a ready-to-use format, increasing plastic waste and carbon footprints. Others contain traditional chemical actives which are unkind to the environment, while inhaling some chemical cleaning products is simply unhealthy, especially for cleaners using the products all day. We’re on a mission to establish our company as the UK’s go-to sustainable brand offering a carbon neutral range of liquid cleaning products that will change the way Britain cleans. We’re looking to ensure that all our products are carbon neutral and sustainable inside the packaging, the way they’re packaged, the way they’re produced and the way they’re transported and stored. All our products are designed with these goals in mind – and we like to think we’re leading by example, setting standards for the rest of the sustainable cleaning industry to follow. https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/consumer-and-employee-esg-expectations.html https://www.biovatehygienics.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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