Constructing plans to tackle mental health
Male construction workers are 1.6 times more likely to take their own life than the average UK male, according to research from the Office for National Statistics.
It’s all in the Wrist
A lifelong love of diggers and a desire to start his own business led Alan Gow to purchase his first machine – a used...
Murphy’s law
ADRIAN Murphy was appointed CEO at Blue Group last year, tasked initially with bringing increased coordination across the various businesses.
Having held senior role at...
Getting to know…Brian McGrane
BRIAN McGrane is area sales manager for southern and central Scotland for Liebherr, where he is tasked with selling a full range of products...
Training and exam facility gets pass marks
DEMAND for TT-UK’s Accredited Training & Assessment Facility has almost doubled in 12 months.
For more than the 30 years TT-UK has been in...
Honesty is best policy for Hardox Wearparts Stirling
“IT’S great to be part of an organisation that’s actively trying to grow and capture new opportunities as the mists of the recession start...
Staying safe while working at height in poor weather
Matthew Bailey, divisional manager for inspection and certification at HCL Safety, explores what those working at height, and those responsible for their safety, need...
Kubota enjoys last laugh with historic milestone
When mini-excavators were first introduced to the British market in the 1970s, some scoffed at the concept. As Kubota celebrates its 50,000th excavator sale...
Island stay provides a welcome antidote
ORGANISERS of FINROCK 2021, a live virtual exhibition for plant operators, construction professionals and heavy equipment enthusiasts, have hailed the event a roaring success.
Hosted...
Built to last: JCB in new 3.5-t offering
Dan Gilkes tests out the new 35Z-1 zero tailswing mini excavator, which is tipped to appeal to customers globally
WITH more than 15,000 sales a...
The sound of success
Mark Williamson, sales and marketing director at PH Media Group, looks at how plant hire firms can harness the power of on-hold marketing to...
Plant operators rise to Scotland’s peatland challenge
SCOTLAND’S plant operators have been praised for their role in the ongoing initiative to restore the nation’s degraded peatlands – with calls going out...
Anatomy of a quality steel
One breaker steel looks much like another, so it can be difficult to make sensible judgements about quality. Linlithgow-based Rock Force shared some of...
Getting to know…Will Redman
Will Redman is distributor manager (north) for dumper specialist Thwaites. He is responsible for managing the manufacturer’s supply of products to dealers in the...
Innovation is “part of JCB’s DNA”
Project Plant editor Gary Moug recently visited a JCB factory in Uttoxeter to see the manufacturer's latest excavator developments. Afterwards, he spoke to Nick...
New depot gives Scot JCB flexibility for future
SCOT JCB is confident the firm’s new Edinburgh depot will give the business an extra edge in an increasingly competitive job market.
The firm recently...
Perfect timing: Young Plant explains decision to expand in the north
YOUNG Plant Sales managing director Brian Young has hailed the firm’s new Inverness depot as “key” to growing the business in Scotland.
The Doune-headquartered firm...
Where Eagle dares
When many plant hire firms decided to scale back on investment during the recession, Eagle Plant adopted a different approach by seizing the opportunity...
Getting to know…Darragh O’Driscoll
WITH origins dating back to the 1950s, McHale Plant Sales is regarded as one of Ireland’s foremost machinery distributors. The firm’s portfolio of applications...
Getting to know… John McGrath
John McGrath recently retired from his role as senior lecturer in plant mechanics at Glasgow Kelvin College.
John, who’s also chairman of the Glasgow branch...
Reducing emissions from NRMM with alternative fuels
It is an uncomfortable truth that there is no single fuel solution to the air quality problem for the construction sector.
Departure from the norm helps breathe new life into trade body
Outgoing Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) president Callum Mackintosh reflects on his term in office and explains why the journey both challenged and exceeded...
Compressors on track to meet tough rail challenge
COLAS Rail is using Doosan Portable Power’s new generation of compressors to apply shotcrete to the interiors of French train tunnels.
Colas is the...
A towering success for XSPlatforms
XSPLATFORMS have Introduced the SafeTower, which they describe as the safest mobile scaffold for all heights.
To meet the growing need for safe working...
Getting to know…Harry Denholm
SCOTTISH plant sector stalwart Harry Denholm joined Broxburn-based Field and Forest Machinery earlier this year.
Boasting several decades’ experience in the industry, Harry took up...
Getting to know…Clive Montgomery
Clive Montgomery, founder of Castle-Douglas based family business CAM Engineering, launched the company with wife Jennifer in 2006, having decided to branch out on...
Mini machines fill the final gap in JCB range
JCB is expanding its Next Generation line of mini and midi-excavators, with the launch of two 2.5-tonne models. Here, Dan Gilkes gives his take...
A moment to ‘Take’ in 20 years of progress
Takeuchi UK has come a long way since establishing a home in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1996. Gary Moug reports on how the firm has become a...
Optimum bearing selection for mines and quarries
Mining and quarrying are among the toughest of industrial environments, with dust contamination posing a real threat to plant and machinery. David Oliver, channel...
Getting to know… Sandy Fairweather
SANDY Fairweather is one of the most admired and popular figures in the Scottish plant industry. He’s seen most things after a lifetime in...
