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...
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...
Getting to know… Geoff Smith
KUBOTA is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary as the UK and Ireland’s ‘number one supplier’ of mini-excavators. A whole year of activities to...
Demolishing challenges for five decades
777 Group, one of the UK’s largest and most successful demolition companies will be celebrating its 50-year anniversary throughout the course of 2014.
From humble...
Quick off the mark: latest X-Series model treads well-worn path
JCB has expanded its X-Series crawler excavator portfolio with the launch of the 145XR – a second reduced tailswing model. Here, Dan Gilkes gets...
Hyundai sets sail for harbour work
AN Isle of Bute-based boat builder has recently completed work on a canal dredger custom fitted with a 22-tonne Hyundai excavator, which is now...
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...
Getting to know…Adam Bruce
ADAM Bruce, managing director of AB2000, founded the plant hire company back in 1995. Despite vowing at the time to have a fleet of...
Empteezy does it
Livingston-based spillage containment firm Empteezy recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Project Plant’s Fraser Rummens met with founder Bruce Wishart to discuss the history of...
New division will lift Hodge to new heights
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
HODGE Plant has launched a new Lifting Solutions division to provide customers with quality, versatile and safe solutions for all their lifting requirements.
The...
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...
Getting to know…Tim White
TIM White is MD of Pinnacle Platforms, the exclusive GB distributor for Sinoboom aerial work platforms. The business was founded three years ago and...
Pursuit of quality pays off for Loc Hire
A recent £3.5 million investment in mobile welfare highlights how far Bonnybridge-based LOC Hire has come in a short space of time.
The firm, which...
New SPOA President wants to “better the intake” into Scottish plant industry
Fraser Dykes is the new President of the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA). His day job is running Dumfries-based heavy equipment contractors AMD Contract...
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...
Landmark recycling plant is Brew-ing up opportunities
BREWSTER Bros, a third generation family business, recently opened what has been hailed the largest recycling plant of its kind in the UK, in...
Converted ADTs propel groundworks specialist forward
A duo of Hydrema articulated dump trucks have been converted for use as binder spreaders by a Whitburn-based ground engineering contractor, which has proved a...
Getting to know Alistair Hodge
Alistair Hodge founded Hodge Plant 30 years ago with just one machine. Today the business has a substantial fleet of premium equipment for sale...
Breaking new ground: a year with 71 Engineer Regiment
71 Engineer Regiment is made up of three Squadrons including Paisley-based 102 Field Squadron, which specialises in construction plant and combat infrastructure.
They’ve had a...
Getting to know…Tim Ferwerda
Tim Ferwerda, sales, marketing and distribution director of Finning UK & Ireland, is by his own admission relatively new to the plant industry, having...
JCB on the charge to an electric future
Dan Gilkes gets behind the wheel of the new JCB 525-60E electric Loadall, launched as part of the manufacturer’s expanding portfolio of electric solutions...
A powerful partnership
Kubota UK joined forces with engine and transmission specialist Mitchell Powersystems (MPS) in 2016 in a strategic partnership that established MPS as the official...
Getting to know…Stephen McMahon
STEPHEN McMahon is sales manager for Scotland and the north east of England at attachment specialist Miller.
He’s worked in the plant industry for almost...
Getting to know… Russell Conn
RUSSELL Conn was appointed Scottish sales manager at Bell Equipment UK earlier this year, having worked for the manufacturer in South Africa for almost...
Callum Hammers home the message
CALLUM Mackintosh, owner of Highland Hammer Hire, is aiming to become THE one-stop destination for attachments in the north of Scotland.
It may seem like...
Raising the safety bar in Edinburgh
THE Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, attracts massive crowds on an annual basis.
Seating for spectators is provided by...
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...
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...
New blood vital to the SPOA
Jim Houstoun, Past President of the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA), currently involved with training for members, explains why the organisation remains in robust...
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...
