Executive Report:

PSE proves positive

EHN reports on the PSE’s recent Expo event, which showed that the portable sanitation industry continues to expand and to offer good hire opportunities.

Members of Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE), including both hire companies and suppliers, were in positive mood at the association’s Expo event in March, held in Stoke, reporting that the market continues to grow. “The vast majority of our members report they are working flat out,” said General Secretary Phil Mist, “owing to the continued strength of the construction industry. The events market is also growing, with many organisers specifying more toilets for their sites to ensure adequate levels of provision. Visitors expect facilities to be of a decent standard, and there is higher demand for products in the more deluxe segment. PSE would estimate there are now more than 100,000 plastic toilets available for hire in the UK, as well as trailer mounted units.”

New from Satellite Industries, which last year acquired the Thal organisation, is the High Tech II, which is described as filling a niche between portable site toilets and luxury trailer units. Designed for maximum room, it has a freshwater flush system, a stainless steel bowl and a solar powered light. A hand wash basin is incorporated. The product is designed for robustness and ease of handling.

Twin-sheet thermo-formed walls allow for colour separation from the exterior, and the roof incorporates four handgrips for manoeuvrability. Ten washout ports are fitted for quick draining and easy cleaning, while interior features include a 200-litre foot operated flushing tank, a wall mounted waste basket, five-roll toilet paper dispenser, mirror and a corner shelf.

Satellite-Thal UK Sales Director, Jon Trelfa, contends “the High Tech II is ideal for top end functions and events. It offers greater flexibility than the traditional 4+2 and luxury trailer units and has the fittings and accessories that the market demands. We are also working hard on new products and upgrades to existing ones, and there are exciting new developments in the pipeline in the Safe-T-Fresh range of deodorisers.”

Shorelink International reports strong demand for its Meridian toilet, and has just launched a new version of the hand wash basin for the unit, in which the user can immerse their forearm. The redesign means it can be produced more quickly.

Demand from tool hire customers

One new Shorelink customer is Alide Plant. The hirer has just opened a new facility at Keynsham in Gloucestershire, which will serve its tool hire outlets in Bath and Bristol with specialist items, including portable toilets and compact plant. “We bought 142 Meridian toilets for the new operation in February, and very quickly they were nearly all out on hire. Most are in our corporate red colour but some are finished in green for environmentally sensitive locations,” says Director Gareth Hayward. “We can now satisfy demand from our existing tool and equipment hire customers working in construction. Business has been excellent, and we have not even begun targeting the events market.”

As well as promoting a range of toilet cleansing and sanitising hygiene detergents, such as its Blue Magic and Bio Blue formulations, Quill International Industries gave details of its Barrier Shine product. This is a transparent lacquer that can be applied to machinery to give up to 16 weeks’ protection against rust, salt, paint drips and concrete splashes. Sales Executive Richard Scutts says customers include Hewden, and access equipment hirers such as Nationwide. Quill also supplies pressure washers and dustless blasting systems.

Italian manufacturer Armal promoted its new Top Line portable toilet. Mike Narracott, from UK distributor, Convenience Services, says the unit is particularly tough, features hidden rivets for smooth internal surfaces and has a strong door latch. Available in nine colours, the Top Line has skids under its platform to facilitate loading onto vehicles, as well as lifting hooks. An innovative feature is that the panels can be impregnated with scent.

Avant Tecno’s exhibit at PSE Expo included a new version of the 520 multi-purpose tool carrier, incorporating features from the popular 600 series. It has a telescopic boom that is placed off-centre to give better forward vision, and a self-levelling system is incorporated. Lift capacity of 750kg. It is expected that, like its predecessor, it will be popular for manoeuvring toilets around hire yards and on to vehicles when fitted with forks. The smaller 216 machine, whose footprint is similar to that of a toilet cubicle, can be loaded onto a delivery vehicle and used for off-loading on a site. Avant Tecno UK MD, Jukka Vaatovaara, says much of the demand for the machines is driven by the need to comply with manual handling regulations.

inspHire’s software systems are used by many portable sanitation hirers, including A1 Loo Hire, Convenient Conveniences, Elliott Loo Hire, Garic Plant Hire, Mobiloo, Simply Hire, Site Welfare and Tardis Environmental. During the Expo, the company sold an Express system to Loos for Do’s, based in Alton. As well as using the software for daily management operations and reporting, it can incorporate additional features like the new WebPortal, which enables customers to access information round the clock about equipment they have on hire. Invoice details can be viewed, and clients can browse information about other products available for hire, together with prices. inspHire also gave details of its new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Mobile Working modules.

Accurate cutting

DeWalt’s stand featured tools from its cordless 18V and 28V ‘nano-technology’ Lithium-ion battery systems along with mains powered products. Machines demonstrated included the manufacturer’s latest plunge saws, such as the cordless DC352KB, which have been developed to enable users to perform a wide range of applications that are usually done with a table or mitre saw, and requiring less work space in which to undertake them. They can be used with an aluminium track cutting system, designed to provide total accuracy.

Arthur Marsh & Son, an independent broker that specialises in placing insurance for the waste and recycling industry, promoted a wide range of services. It is currently working with PSE to develop a package specifically for members. Commercial Account Handler, Henry Gallacher, says “demand for such cover is increasing as tighter legislation is introduced and as more sophisticated waste collection and management methods are used. PSE members could, for example, need cover against pollution incidents and related clean-up operations following an accident involving vehicles carrying waste.” Marsh’s other services range from dealing with motor insurance for such specialist vehicles, as well as property and liability policies.

Another issue affecting PSE members is to avoid incorrect vehicle loading or weight distribution. In a seminar held during the Expo, Iain Moody, Senior Sales Engineer with Red Forge, explained his company’s on-board axle load indicator systems that are designed to display a vehicle’s status, thereby removing the need to go to a weighbridge. Readings of the weight distribution are shown on a display in the cab, and a vehicle’s load condition can also be monitored remotely via telemetry systems.

PSE’s next challenge is to seek greater uniformity amongst regional bodies concerning the ways in which waste products are defined and dealt with. The association says that, in many cases, individual water authorities have different policies and procedures for the same type of waste, making it confusing for operators whose companies serve clients in various locations. PSE is maintaining dialogue with the Environment Agency and hopes that the situation can be standardised as far as is practicable. •

T 0121 694 881
W www.pse.org.uk

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