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Executive Report: Westerly direction Demand for Western’s specialist products is increasing following legislation governing storage and transportation of fuel, and on-site dust control. Alan Guthrie reports. Tighter regulations concerning Health & Safety and increased environmental awareness place greater responsibilities on hirers and their customers. Western, based in Yate near Bristol, is helping such organisations to meet their obligations regarding the transportation and storage of fuel, water and other liquids, with a comprehensive range of containment products. The company was founded in 1963 as Western Trailers, based in Stoke Gifford, north of Bristol, making tanker trailers. This steadily expanded with the production of bunded tanks to satisfy escalating environmental and road transport legislation, and the company claims to have been the first UK manufacturer to design a fully bunded intermediate bulk container (IBC) to the UN 1202 standard for diesel transportation. Particular expertise was developed in this area, reflected by the company’s change of name to Western Environmental several years ago, although the simpler Western name has now been adopted. Two years ago, the business moved to larger premises in nearby Yate, and is headed up by founder Roger Davies’ sons Neil and John, who are Joint Managing Partners. Increased outsourcing “Construction has always been a major market, and with contractors increasingly outsourcing, we are supplying the hirers who serve them,” states Sales Manager, Murray Leflaive. Western’s mobile fuel containers range includes the Transcube IBC, available in capacities of 959-3000 litres. Double-walled for environmental compliance, it is approved for road transportation to UN requirements. It is also designed to maximise use of space during transportation and storage, and can be stacked three-high when empty and two-high full. Forklift pockets and lifting eyes are incorporated. The new-generation Global version is offered, with protective galvanised framework. The Abbi IBC is offered in capacities of 500-2,000 litres and in skid, site-tow or road-tow versions. It features 110% bunding and the hand or electric pump can be operated from ground level. The Easycube is a compact wheeled model with a 105-litre capacity, featuring a plastic inner tank within the steel outer bund. Only 510mm wide, it fits through doorways and in lifts, and the pump does not need to be removed for transportation. A larger version, the Easycube 400, has just been launched, aimed at service contractors. “After five years, a conventional steel tank has to be carefully pressure tested and, if necessary, repaired but the Easycube 400’s plastic inner can simply be replaced,” contends Neil Davies. “The feed and return valves are conveniently located and the unit can be locked with the hoses in position.” The Transtainer is a 20,000-litre, 20ft-long bunded container that fits to a standard lorry chassis and has space for integral storage of pumps, hoses and other equipment. Western’s Marketing Manager, Neil Jones, states “the Transtainer is popular with specialist generator hirers who fill it in their yards and then transport it to site for easy refuelling.” Western’s static fuel storage range includes the Envirobulka, available in capacities of 1,100-27,000 litres, with numerous pump options. Pipework and fittings are housed within the lockable bund or cabinet and are top-mounted to prevent fluid loss. The company also offers items like drip trays and spill kits. For
safe
transportation
and
remote
supply
of
water,
Western
manufactures
the
Poly
range
of
polyethylene
water
bowsers
featuring
internal
moulded
baffles
to
reduce
movement
of
the
contents.
Skid,
site-tow
and
road-tow
versions
are
available,
with
capacities
from
500-2,700
litres.
Practical solution to work-related dust The need to control dust is also behind one of Western’s latest introductions. Working with Speedy, the company has developed the Dust Buster, a portable device designed as a practical solution to work-related dust. It enables operators of cut-off saws to control dust as they work, without restricting their location or relying on a constant water supply. It incorporates a 105-litre tank to enable a full day’s use on one fill, and the 35m hose allows the user to work within a 70m radius. The machine can provide water suppression to several cut-off saws at once and its integral petrol engine means it can be used anywhere on site. A lockable compartment allows the saw and other equipment to be stored safely. Speedy’s Senior Supply Chain Manager, Andy Connor, states “The cut-off saw is one of our most popular tools, yet most operators either do not use dust suppression because they do not know it is available, or they use a garden-type sprayer that is often impractical. The most common problem with other water suppressors is access to water. Saw users tended not to bother, because the water would run out quickly and the container would get in the way.” The product, which has been launched in conjunction with Speedy’s ‘Let’s clear the air on dust control’ initiative, can also be used with diamond drilling rigs and concrete cutting chainsaws, and is currently exclusive to Speedy. “Projects like this show our understanding of hirers’ needs and our ability to work closely with them,” says Murray Leflaive. “We can provide products in corporate colours, customer liveries and with welded fleet numbers, and being able to incorporate different fittings to individual specifications, we are a one-stop environmental containment solutions provider.” • T
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227277 Executive Hire News › Archives › October 2007 › Executive Report › Westerly direction
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