Astrak steps up “ambitious” expansion plans
SUPPLIER of excavator undercarriage parts, Astrak UK, is gearing up for “ambitious” growth in the coming years with the expansion of its Kirkcaldy headquarters and a raft of recent appointments. The firm, which is part of the Europe-wide Astrak Group, is doubling its warehouse size...
Brexit secretary seeks to reassure JCB suppliers over EU talks
BREXIT secretary David Davis has visited JCB’s world headquarters, where he sought to reassure some of the manufacturer’s British suppliers that the interests of business are at the heart of the country’s negotiations to leave the European Union. The Minister spent more than two hours at...
Second Case excavator gets into the swing of things
A second Case CX130D excavator, fitted with a Rototilt R4 tiltrotator, is hoping to perform above par at golf course specialists John Greasley Ltd. The Uttoxeter-based firm, which builds new golf courses and helps reshape existing ones, decided to make the purchase after being impressed with the performance...
Streamlined CITB to stop direct delivery of training
THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced it is to stop direct delivery of training as part of a series of “really tough decisions” the organisation has made in the wake of calls to reform. The proposals also include plans to move the CITB’s head...
Volvo excavator ticks all the boxes for wood firm
A Balfron-based woodchip and firewood producer has taken delivery of a new Volvo ECR88D reduced swing excavator that will be put to work on material processing. WoodForFuel.com produces hardwood and softwood logs for wood burning stoves and biomass boilers, along with woodchip for biomass boilers...
Finning introduces new mobile parts team
FINNING UK & Ireland has announced the launch of a new mobile parts team. The firm said the move was aimed at supporting customers with tailored parts, technology, service, and support solutions for individual machines or plant fleets. Abhishek Tanwar, director of aftermarket and digital...
CPA launches new forward tipping dumper safety guidance
The Construction Plant-Hire Association (CPA) has released new operational safety guidance for forward tipping dumper operators. ‘Staying Safe When Operating Forward Tipping Dumpers’ is principally aimed at operators for refresher training purposes and its release follows a number of incidents involving tipper dumpers. Key factors...
JCB team helps create WW1 tank tribute
A team from JCB recently helped in a tribute to the crucial role played by tanks in the First World War. The story of the tanks’ role will be featured in a Channel Four documentary starring TV personality Guy Martin. He wanted to produce a...
Keltbray service offerings are piling up
KELTBRAY has announced the launch of a mini piling service after seeing an increase in demand for the technique. Keltbray Piling operations director, Lee Cain, will oversee the new offering, which will be provided both as a stand-alone service and as an integrated part of...
Seven metre Bobcat to give users a lift
BOBCAT has unveiled the newest addition to its telehandler range – the TL30.70. With a maximum lift capacity of three tonnes and lift height of almost seven metres, the manufacturer said the machine has been designed for a “wide range of applications” found in the...
Equipment hirer nominated for trio of business awards
GAP Hire Solutions is in the running for three prizes at the Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2017. The rental equipment specialist has been shortlisted in the categories of Business Innovation Award, Scottish Family Business of the Year (Large) and Green Family Business of the...
CITB sets out six-point ‘Agenda for Change’
THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced a six-point Agenda for Change in the wake of calls for reform from the industry and government. The organisation has vowed to to be more accountable, representative, relevant, responsive, innovative and influential. Addressing recommendations stated in the...
UK equipment sales up 6% so far this year
CONSTRUCTION equipment sales in the UK increased by 6% in the first nine months of 2017 when compared with the same period last year, according to new research. The findings were revealed as part of the Construction Equipment Association’s (CEA) quarterly market updates. However, sales...
Compact Volvos are ‘Taylor-made’ for Fife firm
A Glenrothes-based groundworks specialist has confirmed he’s sticking with Volvo compact excavators, having switched to the manufacturer a year ago. Brian Taylor, proprietor of B G Taylor Groundworks, made the decision to purchase an EC27C and an ECR50D to replace a two-and-a-half and a five-tonne...
Saltire Awards fly the flag for Scottish civil engineering projects
Energy and transport projects scooped top gongs at the recent Saltire Civil Engineering Awards 2017. The awards, run by the Institution of Civil Engineers in association with the Saltire Society, seek to recognise excellence and innovation in civil engineering and celebrate its contribution to quality...
Piling equipment specialist launches new attachments business
PILETEC has announced the launch of a dedicated attachments business. The piling equipment specialist said there is increasing demand for multi-purpose attachments and explained that the move is partly designed to give the business access to new sectors, with the aim of becoming the industry’s...
Perthshire firm gives thumbs up to new Volvos
BRYAN Contractors has taken delivery of two new Volvo excavators, having had positive experiences with the manufacturer’s machines over the past decade. The firm, based in Caputh, Perthshire, has snapped up an ECR88D reduced-swing excavator and a 14-tonne EC140E for use in its contracting and...
Study shows growth slows among Scottish construction SMEs
NEW research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Scotland has revealed that growth among smaller building firms north of the border has slowed for the second consecutive quarter. The findings came from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, which also showed that just 41% of construction...
21-tonne Doosan marks a first in Scotland
THE first Doosan DX210W-5 wheeled excavator in Scotland has been bought by Banffshire-based road construction and recycling specialist Currie Contractors Cullen Limited. The 21-tonne machine was purchased from local dealer Balgownie and has already earned praise from the firm’s most experienced operator, who used it on...
JCB celebrates 40-year Loadall milestone
JCB has celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Loadall telescopic handler, having sold more than 220,000 machines since the initial launch in October 1977. The manufacturer has generated sales of over £7 billion with the product and output of JCB telehandlers is currently at its highest ever...
