Industry stakeholders urged to consider CITB board role
THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has called for “influential” industry figures to apply to become a trustee of its board and help shape the future of the organisation. With three vacancies currently available, the Department for Education is seeking applications from experienced and knowledgeable...
JCB to create 600 new jobs to meet “unprecedented” demand
JCB has announced it is to create 600 new jobs in the next three months to meet “unprecedented” global demand for its equipment. The Staffordshire-headquartered plant giant described its order book as “very healthy” and is seeking over 200 operatives for an immediate start; including...
Hodge Plant’s new northern sales manager makes “flying start”
GRAHAM Stuart has been appointed northern Scotland sales manager for Hodge Plant, operating out of the firm’s site in Nairn. Graham, who has worked in machinery sales for more than 20 years, has already secured a number of deals including the sale of the first 721...
Mini excavator user is picture perfect with JCB
A Scots landscape business owner has won the use of a JCB for a year after triumphing in an online photography competition. Jim Anderson, who runs ‘Wee Jim Landscapes’ at Ballater, has taken delivery of a JCB 19C-1 excavator after posting a series of “incredible”...
Construction apprentice numbers rise again in Scotland
NEW research has shown that recruitment of Scottish construction apprentices has grown for the seventh year in a row. Figures released by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) revealed that last year, CITB Scotland directly trained 1930 new Modern Apprentices. That’s a rise of 7% on...
Terex Trucks apprentices complete “unique and invaluable” restoration project
APPRENTICES at off-road hauler manufacturer Terex Trucks have successfully restored a truck built in the 1970s back to its former glory. 17 young apprentices embarked on the project to restore the 13.5-tonne R17 dump truck in late 2016 and now the finished result has been...
ScotPlant to host European debut of “unbeatable” Hyundai excavator
SCOTPLANT 2018 will be the location for the European debut of the new Hyundai HX130 LCR crawler excavator. Taking pride of place on the Young Plant stand, the new machine is the third compact-radius excavator model in Hyundai’s HX series product line. The 13-ton machine is...
Landmark counterbalance beam introduced to UK market
LIFTING specialist GGR Group has launched what the firm claims is the UK’s largest counterbalance beam to the market. The 8000kg capacity Libro 8000 can be attached to mobile and tower cranes at height and is said to be capable of installing glass, cladding, curtain...
Banging the drum for another four years
GAP has announced it has extended its deal with HAMM for the supply of tandem rollers by a further four years following “favourable feedback” from customers. The contract means HAMM will supply the Glasgow-headquartered hirer with its range of double drum ride-on rollers until April 2022....
Hyundai appoints new European sales chief
HYUNDAI Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) has appointed Jean-Philippe Pollet as its new sales manager for Europe. He will be based at Hyundai’s new European HQ in Tessenderlo, Belgium, and is described as bringing more than 20 years’ experience in EMEA business development to the role. “We are happy...
Terex Trucks is boxing clever with latest sponsorship deal
TEREX Trucks has divulged details of a new sponsorship deal with Motherwell-based Cleland Miners Boxing Club. The support from the hauler manufacturer will help the club update equipment and allow members to compete in competitions across the country. Terex Trucks said it stepped in after...
A-Plant compliance officer shortlisted for international prize
A-PLANT compliance officer Jane Downey is in the frame for a major international award. Jane is one of 15 women from around the world shortlisted in the ‘Compliance Officer of the Year, Large Sized Company,’ category at the fifth Women in Compliance Awards. She joins...
Top plant apprentices to be honoured at national event
THE top apprentices in the UK plant sector will be honoured at the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future 2018 event. Now in its sixth year, Stars of the Future is a national awards scheme run in conjunction with colleges offering plant mechanic apprentice training...
Thirteen is the lucky number for GAP and Wacker Neuson after dumper deal
GAP has added to its fleet of swivel skip dumpers with the purchase of thirteen new 1.5 tonne machines from Wacker Neuson. The Glasgow-based hire firm’s head of procurement, Ken Stewart, revealed they’d spotted a ‘gap’ in the fleet of this particular size of dumper...
Blue Group appoints new finance chief
SUSAN Shardlow has been appointed chief financial officer at Blue Group. Susan has previously worked in a number of senior roles within the constructions sector for firms including Finning International, Hewden Stuart and Cogen. She will be responsible for all financial matters across the equipment supplier business...
Highland Hammer Hire named new Rototilt dealer
HIGHLAND Hammer Hire has been appointed the dealer for Rototilt in Scotland to serve the growing tiltrotator market. The firm, which is based outside Inverness, will be tasked with supplying and servicing the Swedish-manufactured Rototilt products throughout the country. Callum Mackintosh, owner of Highland Hammer Hire (HHH) said,...
New Hydrema sales chief targets Scottish growth
SANDY Fairweather has been appointed regional sales manager for Hydrema and aims to help drive major growth for the manufacturer in Scotland. Sandy, who was previously sales manager for Bell Equipment in Scotland, sees particularly strong opportunities to capitalise on the growing housebuilding sector by...
Action needed to address skills gap
THE president of the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has called on the nation’s plant firms and contractors to show patience and help provide sufficient opportunities to allow the next generation of industry workers to break through and prevent a future skills crisis. Graham Bow...
Optimum bearing selection for mines and quarries
Mining and quarrying are among the toughest of industrial environments, with dust contamination posing a real threat to plant and machinery. David Oliver, channel and platform development manager, bearings and units at SKF, focuses on quarrying and describes how bearings can be protected to enhance...
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 Grills, JCB’s General Manager, Excavator Global Business Growth, about the division’s major offerings INNOVATION is “part of JCB’s DNA”. That’s the...