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Executive Report : Executive News
Hilti’s hire locator
Hilti (Great Britain) Ltd has launched an on-line Hire Partner Locator as part of its web site, at www.hilti.co.uk/locator. It enables customers to find their nearest hirer of Hilti tools across the UK. The manufacturer says there are currently more than 1,000 locations listed within the database, which will be continuously expanded and updated.
Enquirers can search the database by keying in a postcode or town. The eight nearest Hilti hire partners within the selected area will then be displayed, giving details of the depot address, contact information, opening times, directions, and web site details.
Paul Errington, MD of Tadley-based County Hire in Hampshire, says, “I have tested the service using half a dozen locations within 12 miles of our premises, and we featured prominently in most of the searches. Once end users are aware of the on-line locator, I am sure it will result in an increased number of enquiries for our business.”
Success cascades for Sykes Pumps
Liverpool’s mechanical spider may have moved on but the city’s latest art project to impress visitors is a 40m-wide waterfall feature outside the Tate gallery at the Albert Dock.
The feature, called JSR-U51 and produced by Liverpool-based arts organisation, Jump Ship Rat, is described as the world’s first ‘infinity waterfall’. Built on a specially designed narrowboat, pumping equipment supplied by specialist hirer, Sykes Pumps, deliver 1.5 million litres of water per hour to create a continuous 40m wide waterfall that obscures the boat itself.
The vessel contains four modified GP 150M Hatz pumps, which were selected because they are quieter than standard diesel units but lighter than super silenced versions. The pumps’ integral wheels have been replaced with special castors, allowing them to be positioned easily on rails incorporated into the floor of the boat, facilitating servicing.
Hirelink makes Hire Network’s shortlist
Hirelink UK, which has depots in Smethwick and Sutton Coldfield, has been named as one of the shortlisted candidates for The Hire Network Award, which recognises staff excellence amongst independents. Two more hirers will be nominated in November and December, with the winner being announced at the Executive Hire Show in February.
“We work with a significant number of hirers in the West Midlands, but Hirelink stood out in October for its performance and commitment to service,” says The Hire Network’s Managing Director, Barry Dean. “They have been members for nine months and Directors Dave Green and Jason Leeney took the time to meet us all at our Royston head office, to help establish a good working relationship.”
HSS’ ladder business climbs
HSS has reported a significant increase in ladder sales as part of a joint ladder exchange campaign with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). To date, the 2008 ladders ‘amnesty’ has seen 77% more purchased than during the same period last year. HSS joined forces with the HSE for the second year running, to remove unsafe ladders and offering to reduce the cost of a new replacement by up to 50% in exchange. HSS also arranged for all of the old ladders to be recycled.
The hirer’s Head of Health & Safety, David Wilson, says, “This year has seen a surge in ladders being exchanged, thanks to all the hard work done by the HSE and participating hirers.”
Fix it with Freeze Master
Freeze Master’s patented Bundall clamp is a versatile alternative to cable ties, hook and loop straps, G clamps and elastic hook cords. It consists of a flat metal bracket. One side has two holes, through which the cord is fed to secure it. On the opposite edge, two specially shaped slots allow the cord to be pulled through when stretched and locked when released. “Two cords gives a much more secure fixing than a single strap or a single point of attachment,” says MD Trevor Hallet. “The Bundall is designed to be quick to fit and release. Strapping long items like pipes, conduit or timber to a toolbox handle makes them easier and safer to carry. You can hold items temporarily when gluing, screwing, drilling or cutting, or for more permanent fixing. Hirers can sell the Bundall to customers in many markets, and they can use it themselves to secure loose hoses, lines or cables.”
Husqvarna announces new UK MD
Husqvarna has announced the appointment of Sebastian Poccard as Managing Director of both the company’s Professional Outdoor Products and Construction Products divisions across the UK and Ireland.
Previously Managing Director for Professional Outdoor Products for Belgium and France, Sebastian brings 13 year’s worth of experience to the new role. “It is a very exciting time for me and I look forward to facing the new challenges that the construction market will bring and making a valuable contribution to the UK operation,” he says. For the Construction Products Division, he succeeds Marc Segers, who is now heading up a Husqvarna manufacturing operation in Xiamen in China.
CPA’s quick-hitch guidance
The CPA has published guidance on the safe use of semi-automatic quick hitches on hired excavators. This follows a voluntary agreement amongst manufacturers to cease supply of such hitches in the UK from last month, after consultations with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and industry.
A quick hitch enables attachments to be connected to the dipper arm of the machine and changed quickly. However, the HSE was alerted to several fatal incidents involving such equipment, and in all cases a common theme was a missing retaining pin or bar.
“It is important, however, to be aware that semi-automatic hitches are not illegal and can still be used safely when used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions,” Kevin Minton, CPA’s Senior Technical Manager, told EHN. “Because there are so many in hire fleets, CPA has produced a guidance document aimed at members’ customers, explaining their correct and safe operation.
“In addition, CPA has produced a warning sticker that can be fixed to a cab window or dashboard to remind the operator to ensure that the retaining pin or bar is in place. We are also devising a half-day training course on these hitches in association with ConstructionSkills.”
Kevin Minton adds that CPA continues to express concern over the Greater London Authority’s stipulation that diesel particulate filters (DPFs) should be fitted to plant and equipment of more than 50hp capacity on certain high-profile sites, to reduce emissions. “DPFs are expensive and can be difficult to retro-fit without causing visibility or fire hazards,” he said.
“The GLA’s guidance in this regard is effectively an interim measure before new regulations concerning the manufacture of machines with lower emissions come into effect in 2011. We have engaged in dialogue with the Department of Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding our concerns about suggestions that the GLA’s requirements could be adopted nationally, and they seem sympathetic to our point of view. CPA will continue to talk to central government and other concerned parties on this matter.”
Executive Hire Show action hots up
With more than 100 days to go until the 2009 Executive Hire Show opens its doors on Wednesday 11 February, the Executive Hire Team reports that Show action is really starting to hot up on several fronts.
NEW EXHIBITORS
The Show continues to attract new exhibitors that represent a number of product categories which further enhance the Show’s appeal. For example, Pfaff-silberblau Ltd, describing itself as the UK and Ireland's leading supplier of materials handling equipment, hand pallet trucks, electric chain hoists and hand winches, is exhibiting for the first time, as is Swansea-based Lyte Ladders and Towers, which is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of aluminium and glass-fibre ladders, step ladders and towers.
One of the best-known suppliers of pneumatic tools and light construction plant, Oswald Record, is the sole UK importer of Sullair equipment. Its stand will highlight the new PAC 80 Evolution, which is a compact and lightweight low pressure breaker system, said to provide almost all the benefits of a conventional 7-bar compressor/breaker combination. Also on show will be a family of ‘smart pressure’ tools for use with the PAC 80 Evolution including the MX22 concrete breaker, the SX5 chipping hammer and the SX10 pick. More are expected in time for the Show.
LARGER STANDS
Another feature of next February’s Show will be the number of existing exhibitors that have significantly expanded the size of their stands. Currently, this list comprises Arc-Gen and Hilta, Avant Tecno, Bosch Power Tools, Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, Sandhurst Manufacturing, Sumner UK and Tacklestore.
Some may have done so to take full commercial advantage of a competitor’s decision not to exhibit, whereas others simply need more space to showcase their expanding portfolio of equipment and to continue to support its hire industry customers. Wacker Neuson is typical of this latter group, having doubled its stand size to 200m2. MD Andy Howells explains, “there are several factors in our decision to book substantially more space at the 2009 Executive Hire Show. At the heart of our reasoning was the success of the last two events, which had proved to be excellent showcases for an important market. We also needed more space to display the expanded product range offered by the company, as well as new products expected for early 2009. At a time when some companies have been forced to reduce their activity, Wacker Neuson, having the confidence of a global company with long term strategies, is happy to continue to promote its brand and support our hire industry customers.“
Bolton-based Gordons Ford is another exciting exhibitor that has more than doubled its stand size to 100m2 to accommodate two specially fitted out Ford Transit vehicles. The first unit is a drop side delivery vehicle, developed in conjunction with PPS Commercials, and purpose-built for the tool hire industry. The vehicle is fitted with a 500kg column tail lift with built-in safety gates for safer loading and unloading of equipment. A special securing device with integral winding gear can also be added for over-cab loads such as ladders and staging boards. The second Ford vehicle is a long wheelbase Transit panel van, fully equipped with Sortimo van racking equipment as a mobile fitter’s workshop.
NEW PRODUCT ZONE
To highlight new products that meet the hire industry’s specific needs, the 2009 Show will feature a large New Product Zone, centrally located at the front of the exhibition hall.
Each exhibitor has been invited to submit details of relevant products to be considered for inclusion in the New Product Zone, which is sponsored by Speedy Hire. Entries will be judged by an independent panel of leading hirers and those selected as ‘Finalists’ will be exhibited in the Zone at the Show. Hirers visiting the Show will be invited to vote for their favourite product by simply leaving a business card in the ballot box beside their chosen item.
To highlight all innovative suppliers exhibiting at the Show, we have added ‘See us at the Show’ flashes to the advertisements of all exhibitors and added Show logos to all editorial articles that feature Show exhibitors.
You can now pre-register to visit the Show at www.executivehireshow.com |
