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...
JCB takes next step on electric journey
JCB has expanded its E-Tech battery electric range, with the launch of the 403E compact wheeled loader. Dan Gilkes recently visited JCB’s HQ to...
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...
Clock is ticking on firms eligible for AIA tax relief
A new survey shows British plant firms are in danger of missing out on tax relief worth hundreds of thousands of pounds due to...
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...
New AB2T training site is ‘as good as it gets’
THE new AB2T training academy in Whitburn has been tipped to play a key role in helping to alleviate plant operator skills shortages in...
Getting to know… Mark Ormond
Mark Ormond was appointed managing director of Manitou UK last year, having spent the vast bulk of his career in the agriculture sector.
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...
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...
Andy’s on a Relentless pursuit for success
ANDY Black is fast becoming a huge presence in the Scottish plant industry – and not just because he stands 6ft 7in tall!
A former...
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.
No fair-weather friend: JCB Finance vows long-term sector commitment
IT goes without saying that a firm's ability to invest in plant equipment and associated products can play a crucial role in the creation...
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...
Getting to know…Gail McEwen
Gail McEwen is director and lead trainer at Setting Out For Construction. She was recently named as co-chair of the new SPOA Women in...
Brammer to sponsor Hillhead 2014
BRAMMER, a supplier of maintenance, repair and overhaul products and services, has confirmed that it will once again sponsor Hillhead 2014 – the world’s...
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…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...
Handle with care
AIRDRIE-based plant equipment supplier, A. T. Best Handlers, is the specialist dealer for Manitou in the west of Scotland.
The business is run by father...
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...
Live, Move and Fight: life in the Army Reserves Plant Division
HAVING started as a private soldier in the Army Reserves in 1994, Dave Hanley, now Capt. Dave Hanley, has managed to turn his beloved...
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...
Laying the groundwork for increased flexibility
GROUNDFORCE’S decision to align three distinct brands into one attachments division has been credited with bringing a range of benefits to customers.
Work started earlier...
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...
The director’s cut
THEY say a picture is worth a thousand words. In the challenging field of construction photography, when a perfectly timed shot of a standout...
Getting to know…Richard Denholm
RICHARD Denholm is sales and service director for Morris Site Machinery, a fifth generation family-run business which is continuing to see sales grow north...
Hard work pays off as Steelwrist marks milestone birthday
From humble beginnings, tiltrotator manufacturer Steelwrist has grown into a global powerhouse. To celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, CEO Stefan Stockhaus answered Project Plant's...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
