Best foot forward
A.T. Best Handlers Ltd. has opened a new depot in Tranent, East Lothian after telehandler manufacturer Manitou extended the company’s area at the start of this year.
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...
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...
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...
“People will put their money where it makes sense”
ACCORDING to Andy Black, founder of Relentless Plant Services, breakers now make up about 40% of the flourishing firm's business.
This is partly due to...
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...
A passion for heavy lifting
Ahead of International Women in Engineering Day 2018, FLG service centre manager, Jo Stamp, reveals why heavy lifting is the only career for her.
Q)...
Patience pays off for Lomond Plant
Lomond Plant has taken huge strides since being founded in 1988. The firm was significantly impacted by the recession but is back on track...
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...
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...
Big money deals secured at record-breaking Plantworx
ALMOST 350 exhibitors attended Plantworx 2015, with many of the biggest names in the construction equipment industry in top form.
The likes of JCB, Volvo,...
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...
“Price alone should not be king”
Brian Young has been managing director of Young Plant Sales for over 20 years. Based in the outskirts of Doune, Stirlingshire, the business was...
Family values remain at the heart of Young Plant
BRIAN Young has revealed it’s been very much business as usual at Young Plant Sales despite selling to the Molson Group.
Brian, who has agreed...
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...
Kiltrotator: the rise of Steelwrist in Scotland
STEELWRIST has been making waves north of the border this year, with a number of clients spanning from the Borders to north of Aberdeenshire.
Project...
King of the assists
LIEBHERR has revealed it is at the forefront of the shift to assistance systems that make everyday tasks safer, convenient and more productive.
The T...
CDE champions female engineering heroes
Ahead of International Women in Engineering Day, CDE shines a light on the contribution made by women within the business.
INTERNATIONAL Women in Engineering Day,...
No job too big or small
Gary Moug reports on the Glasgow firm making waves in the hydraulic problem-solving industry.
TWO years ago, Annabel Allam and Craig Pottie took the bold...
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...
Good energy: Scottish market embraces solar solutions
Rail and social housing projects are helping to drive growth for Garic in Scotland.
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...
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...
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...
Getting to know…Kenny Price
Rokbak is the new name for Terex Trucks after the Motherwell-based articulated hauler specialist rebranded recently. The business, which is part of the Volvo...
Getting to know…Jason Periam
Jason Periam was appointed head of sales at Takeuchi UK late last year. The experienced plant sector stalwart has been tasked with helping to...
Are you really ready for winter?
Brendan Aherne, GRITIT’s regional director for Scotland, explains that taking on adverse weather conditions in increasingly litigious times takes careful planning and meticulous execution.
It’s...
Charging forward with electric mini
Dan Gilkes tests out the new JCB 19C-1E electric mini excavator.
Getting to know… Tim Wadsworth
TIM Wadsworth is sales director of Hydrema UK, having initially joined the business to work with his father some 33 years ago.
Since then, he...
On the Hunt for ‘durability and service’
HUNTSMANS have chosen another Atlas Copco HB 5800 breaker for primary breaking in its Cotswolds quarry.
The quarry has been operating since 1918 and now...
