Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from
Greenshields JCB has taken a £35 million order from A-Plant for 1,200 machines. It is one of the biggest orders JCB has received this year but is not as big as A-Plant’s JCB order last year, which was a £50 million order for 1,500 machines. The 2016 order includes a
Canadian hydraulic skidding equipment manufacturer Hydra-Slide, represented in the UK and Europe by international partner Rapid Response Solutions (RRS), has received an award from equipment rental company A-Plant, which staged a week of innovation earlier this summer, including a series of workshops and discussions for supply chain partners. Representatives from A-Plant’s 16 specialist divisions joined leading plant, tool, and equipment suppliers for the five-day event, with manufacturers invited to present their latest innovative products, services, and software. Throughout the week almost 40 suppliers were invited to showcase their new kit to a panel of A-Plant colleagues, supply chain partners, and major customers. Only five companies were awarded, included Hydra-Slide / RRS. Janine Smith, vice president at Hydra-Slide, said: “It is truly an honour to be recognised by the industry we aim to serve—and it was unexpected, which makes it even better. We are thrilled to accept this award and will do our absolute best to merit the recognition.” Paul Barber, managing director at RRS, said that raising the profile of Hydra-Slide equipment is crucial to increasing usage. He explained: “Through exhibiting at trade shows such as LiftEx and Breakbulk Europe we are starting to get the range of available equipment known. The products sell themselves once the customer is introduced to them. We are close to concluding some big sales in the UK and next year looks even better. Having the backing and support of a hire company like A-Plant can only help.” Smith concurs: “Because there are so many industries that would benefit from skidding systems and related rigging equipment, raising market awareness remains a top priority.” RRS supports A-Plant by supplying Hydra-Slide products for its hire fleet – a more desirable approach for A Plant than acquiring its own inventory. “A-Plant wants to offer a complete service to customers and part of that involves knowing how and where to access specialist services. I have on several occasions attended customer meetings to offer such product knowledge and potential solutions” he added. Jacking load shoes The winning entry centred on the 250-ton capacity JLS250 jacking load shoes, a complementary product to the Hydra-Slide HT300 and HT500 Heavy Track skidding systems. Each shoe includes a 250-ton capacity double-acting lift cylinder that can be connected hydraulically with any number of other shoes increasing the overall system capacity while maintaining equal load support and weight distribution. As the judging panel heard, using four shoes will increase the HT500 system capacity to 1,000 tons (900 tonnes); using eight shoes will give the system a load capacity of 2,000 tons (1,800 tonnes). This is accomplished while maintaining a low working height; the safety of the high friction coefficient of the system; as well as the added advantage of compensation for poor or uneven ground support through a three-point suspension hydraulic connection between the shoes. Janine Smith pointed to further applications of the jacking load shoes, not only for moving large transformers, vessels and reactors but also great potential in the Tunnel Boring sector. She added: “Our goal is to be able to outfit an entire rigging department with all the equipment they need to complete a slide project, including custom-built components when a unique challenge arises. Our product development is powered by client feedback and new challenges. We see a trend towards implementing the most compact, efficient and versatile equipment possible.” Dave Harris, business development director at A-Plant said: “Not only is innovation essential to ensure we have a steady stream of new products or services to bring into to the UK rental market, but also to allow us to contribute to some of society’s bigger challenges relating to safety, sustainability, and productivity. All of the companies awarded have presented truly innovative products.” www.hydra-slide.com
Greenshields JCB has taken a £35 million order from A-Plant for 1,200 machines. It is one of the biggest orders JCB has received this year but is not as big as A-Plant’s JCB order last year, which was a £50 million order for 1,500 machines. The 2016 order includes a fleet of 13 tonne JS 130 tracked excavators along with Loadall telescopic handlers and mini excavators. A-Plant is also purchasing a fleet of JCB branded site dumpers. South East regional dealer Greenshields JCB is to supply all the machines. For the first time, A-Plant is also set to invest in in a series of UK produced generators for the rental market from JCB Power Products. The range – produced by the former Broadcrown business acquired by JCB last year – is fitted with the ‘JCB LiveLink for Power feature’. A-Plant has bought nearly 40 sets. A-Plant has now purchased over 11,000 machines from JB over the course of the last 25 years. Dan Thompstone, Sales Director at JCB UK & Ireland, commented: “JCB has a long-standing relationship with A-Plant and we are delighted to cement that with this huge order. Winning business like this is testament to JCB’s continued introduction of innovative products supported by unrivalled parts and service back-up from the JCB UK dealer network.” A-Plant marketing director Asif Latief said: “This order is part of our investment programme to ensure our customers continue to get the most advanced, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly equipment. This year’s investment also includes JCB generators developed by the former Broadcrown business, which is a first for A-Plant and recognises our commitment to offering quality new products to our customers. “Our investment programme is unrivalled in the industry and coupled with the high levels of customer support we provide, ensures we are firmly positioned to be the obvious choice for rental equipment whether our customers are local builders, events suppliers or national contractors.”
