UK Plant Operators Magazine. Home of UK Plant Operator of the Year.

One of the UK’s leading groundworks and civil engineering contractors, M&J Evans Construction Limited, has completed a deal for 56 x Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. excavators with the UK dealer, Molson Group.  This investment sees a split of the popular SK28SR-7, SK50SR-7, SK85MSR-7 and SK130LC-11 models added to their extensive fleet. To ensure the machines meet the high safety and quality standards set by M&J, the excavators have been supplied with Miller Groundbreaking #quickcouplers, a range of Strickland MFG #buckets and Trackunit vehicle tracking systems. Read the full story and find out what M&J Director of Plant Paul Allman had to say here: https://lnkd.in/ehS3Y6XD #construction #planthire #civilengineering #excavators #sales #constructionequipment #kobelco James Dodkins Brian Coogan Matt Jenkinson Liam Stretton Alice Roberts-Bowen Craig Britton Barry Robison Stephen Warden Arjan van Gangelen Xenia Kolijn

Thwaites Ltd Launches ROPS+, A Serious Safety Solution to the Feb 1st 2025 Changing Industry Standard. To comply with the standard, Thwaites 9-tonne Front Tip dumper will be offered fully cabbed only. The 6-tonne Power Swivel and Front Tip dumpers will now be offered with two fully compliant solution options. Option 1: A Fully Cabbed Dumper                  Option 2: Fitted with ROPS+. Introduction to #ROPS+ With many contractors and hirers preferring an ‘open dumper’ this designed and developed solution now offers an alternative option, ROPS+.   ROPS+ is an extension of the Roll Over Protection System, (ROPS). Made from the same high tensile steel, the wrap around design places the operator in the optimum position to minimise risk, should a machine roll over occur.   The ‘Halo’ latch bar is pulled over and locked into position in front of the operator. The seat must be sat on and the seat belt must be worn, with both having safety sensors that prevent any workarounds.   The machine will start, but not drive, until the ‘Triple Lock’ of: 1) Operator sat on seat. 2) Operators seat belt fastened across the waist. 3) Operator deploys the overhead bar. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/eQmXrxfv Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e6pMZ7JG #construction #planthire #sitesafety #safety #plantoperators

The DOE SHOW 2025: RETURNS THIS WEEK. With a dry weather week ahead over in Maldon Essex, why not take a trip to the 65th Annual Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd DOE SHOW, the UK’s largest #agricultural, #construction & #groundcare dealer show. From a construction perspective there are working exhibits and live demonstrations from the likes of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe Thwaites Ltd New Holland Construction BOMAG (GB) LIMITED Epiroc and Atlas Copco The event begins Tomorrow, February 4th and runs until Thursday February 6th, entry and parking is free with the event as always well attended and supported. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/egzh7jBm Hayley Hill Graham Parker

Nice touch JCB, as the company welcomed former employee, 100 year old Ken Harrison to the factory, in style, yesterday. Ken was guest of honour to mark the production of the company's 1 Millionth Backhoe Loader. Ken, who was part of the original manufacturing team that produced the first Backhoe back in 1952 (when only 29 people worked on the shop floor), earnt four shillings and sixpence an hour for his trouble, the equivalent of 22½ pence in today’s money. Ken stayed with JCB for 36 years before retiring in 1988. The Millionth Backhoe celebration featured demonstrations, presentations and a cavalcade of Backhoes, demonstrating the evolution of this product monolith. Check out the very latest Backhoe products here: https://lnkd.in/g-2A5Mnx Look out for a full 'timeline' feature on the Backhoe in the next edition of UK Plant Operators Magazine. Home of UK Plant Operator of the Year. Read more about Ken and the millionth Backhoe here: https://lnkd.in/ePzbSu-3 Nigel Chell Georgina Williams Brian Coogan #construction #planthire #constructionequipment #backhoeloader #jcb

UK Power Networks partners with Falco Construction LTD in e-digger rollout UK Power Networks, who maintain the electricity networks across London, the Southeast and East of England and groundworks contractor Falco Construction have collaborated to bring all-electric excavators to projects across the region. A duo of environmentally friendly Takeuchi UK TB20e fully electric mini excavators will be rolled out in a trial over the next two years, working on excavation work across the network. Both UK Power Networks and Falco are working towards a greener and cleaner future, and this transition will help local communities as well as sustainability ambitions for both companies. Upon a successful trial, Falco will invest over £6million in replacing their 120-strong diesel-powered fleet of excavators with fully electric Models. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dDQ9DNgA #electricmachines #electricexcavators

Many congratulations to John Moran FCILT of Flannery Plant Hire on this achievement. #construction #planthire #FORS

To all our UK friends in the #planthire & #toolhire markets. This annual survey by KHL Group provides a fascinating understanding and insight into many key industry metrics, and when published is always an interesting and informative read. Details below if you would like to contribute and receive the report. #construction #rental

Now this is interesting... A new live initiative is enabling fully trained Army reservist Plant Operators, from AmeyBriggs, made available to work on #construction projects right across the UK. This team of reservists are now being made available, via flexible licence, for periods from a few weeks to six months, to UK hirers and contractors to supplement their existing work force. AmeyBriggs Services Ltd, has been contracted since 2022 to manage and maintain plant and equipment, in addition to providing trained plant operators to the Ministry of Defence, wherever British troops are deployed around the world. These 70 reservists are in a 2-year fully employed program with AmeyBriggs and trained to industry standards. Should you wish to know more...The project is being managed jointly by Adam Raybould MD over at 365 Recruit and Neil Liley Director of Hawkstone Plant Services Ltd. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eVa4DEDW The situation has arisen, as demand for the reservists has reduced, due to operational deployment of plant and equipment in areas of conflict such as Ukraine, where the Royal Engineers or ‘Sappers,’ are working full time, thus reducing the demand for the reservists. This is clearly a win, win, with the plant operator reservists furthering their skill set and experience, whilst demand from the armed forces is low. In addition, hirers and contractors around the country can tap into this ‘regimented force’ of experience to support their projects, safe in the knowledge that this well trained, experienced team will be an asset to their business. At the same time companies that do engage will be doing good, by supporting this group of plant operator reservists who will, in time, be back on the front line, armed with the experience they will have gained from working on civilian projects within the construction and plant hire industry across the UK. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eeUcxPjf MV Kelly Jake Nicholls Christopher Bushell Collins Earthworks Limited Flannery Plant Hire L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage Plantforce Tru7 Group Tony Marshall Aaron Davis Merrill Lynch Gez Bonner Chris Matthew Samuel Mercer M O'Brien Group Of Companies Dan O'Brien UK Ministry of Defence British Army #plantoperators #construction #planthire #recruitment #training

Onward and Upward for SUNWARD Europe with Warwick Ward Machinery Ltd Dealer Agreement. Warwick Ward (machinery), has signed up with global machinery manufacturer Sunward, to stock its range of mini excavators. Warwick Ward executive chairman Ashley Ward said the partnership would give the company, which also operates an extensive hire fleet, access to new markets and a differentiated customer base. Rick Still, Sunward country manager for the UK and Ireland, said: "We are delighted to bring Warwick Ward on board and welcome them to our ever-expanding dealer network. The positive attitude and the ‘can do' approach of the Warwick Ward senior management team has been very impressive." Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gCrFyf4c Gary Vernon Simon Causier #construction #machinemanufacturing #constructionequipment #planthire #toolhire

The 'Whims of Nimbys'...Is Starmer Getting Ready to Get Tough? Following the recent example of a £100m 'bat tunnel' need on HS2, Keir Starmer has vowed to curb what he describes as the excessive influences of local opposition groups, by restricting legal challenges to major building projects. It's a really interesting read, if implemented it will surely speed up starts on site and reduce planning approval costs...what do you think? Let us know in comments. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g4yzum7c #construction #planthire #contractors #planningapproval #building