VOLKSWAGEN SEEK 60-YEAR-OLD TRADESMEN TO SHARE TRANSPORTER VAN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Volkswagen has launched a search for the nation’s hardest-working 60-year-old tradesman to share the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Transporter commercial vehicle.

Since the Volkswagen Transporter was first introduced in the UK March 1950, the vehicle has undergone five generations of body-style and more than 10 million have been produced, making it one of the most popular vans on the country’s roads. To mark the Transporter’s 60th anniversary, Volkswagen is searching for tradesmen with the same staying-power as the Transporter.

Simon Elliott, director of Commercial Vehicles said: “1950 marked an important era for the automotive world and the Volkswagen Transporter has become one of the most iconic vans on the road today. We are looking for local tradesman who can boast the same – they’re hard-working, enduring, they’ve evolved through the decades to become better at what they do and, above all, they’re 60 this year.

“We know there are lots of tradesmen of that age in the UK and we want to recognise them. We’re asking anyone eligible to contact us and tell us what they do, how long they’ve been doing it and why they believe they’re the hardest working tradesman in the area. We’ll pick a winner and they can share in the Transporter’s 60th birthday celebrations, complete with a cake!” added Simon.

The first generation of the Transporter, known as a split screen or camper van, was an instant success amongst Britain’s motorists. Since then, the Transporter has been through various stages of development; seeing a diesel engine introduced in 1980, and a four-wheel-drive version in 1985. Later models have received a host of awards including the Van of the Year accolade by What Van? in 2004. The latest Transporter model, T-5, arrived on forecourts earlier this year, offering lower CO2 emissions, improved torque and a wide range of standard safety and optional features, including industry-leading Lane Change Assist. However the design has evolved over the years, the first and the latest Transporter share the same badge on the front and the same design principles - a generous load-space and an enviable reputation for quality and durability.

Anyone wanting to nominate a candidate can do so by contacting us at transporter60@connect-group.com or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/volkswagen-cv by July 31st.

ARCGEN HILTA SHINES WITH SMC ACQUISITION

ArcGen Hilta has acquired the business and trading assets of lighting tower manufacturer Sandhurst Manufacturing Ltd (SMC) for an undisclosed sum that will secure a bright future for both businesses.

SMC is the UK’s largest manufacturer of portable lighting towers and is a planned strategic addition to Arc Gen Hilta’s product portfolio.  The SMC brand name will remain and the company will continue to operate and manufacture from its base in Gosberton, Lincolnshire. Since being acquired by Morris & Co in 2006 ArcGen acquired pump manufacturer Hilta two years ago and has subsequently extended its range of products from mobile generators and welder generators to include lighting towers, variable messaging boards, water pumps and pressure washers.This latest deal will see ArcGen Hilta increase its turnover by 30 per cent and profitability by 25 per cent and increase staff from 36 to 45 across both sites.

Chief executive Mark Hodgkins said: “Even though our sector has been hard hit during the economic downturn we have had a long held focus on a strategy for growth and development which includes investing in our product portfolio to meet the needs of our customers.  Offering quality products and service are the key priorities for Arc Gen Hilta and SMC shares those values so will fit well with our current product portfolio. 

“The SMC business has been developed over many years under the ownership of Sandhurst, owned by Tim Dean, and under the guidance most recently of Nick Hodges the Managing Director. That team developed a high quality lighting tower product and a strong brand presence in the UK market. Both those individuals have agreed to make themselves available and assist with the transition.   

 “I am delighted that international sales and UK account sales manager Iain Curran will become general manager of the site at Gosberton and will join the Arc Gen Hilta management team.  He has been with SMC for 10 years and has in-depth knowledge of the industry which will be of immense value for the business as a whole. The rest of the SMC team will also be staying on to become the core of the effort to increase the development of the SMC business worldwide.”

SMC provides portable lighting towers for the construction, events management, quarries and petrochemical sites in the UK and oversees including Australia and New Zealand as well as supplying power generation equipment across a range of industries and customers.   Similarly ArcGen Hilta provides on-site equipment to the rental, construction, rail, petrochemical, water and other related industries.

Volvo Construction Equipment re-brands its compact equipment division within the U.K.

Reflecting the growth in its product offering and the Group’s overall strategy to focus on specific industry segments, Volvo Construction Equipment has re-branded its compact equipment division within the U.K with immediate effect.  
The division will now be known as Volvo Utility Equipment and include the distribution and support of its extensive range of compact excavators, compact wheeled loaders, backhoe loaders and compaction equipment. This growing range of products has many applications in building, landscaping, public works and road maintenance. In the U.K the plant needs for the majority of these segments is supplied by the plant hire sector and the Volvo range of products and after market support is geared to meet the needs of this demanding industrial sector.

“We are constantly improving our offering to our customers in terms of products, coverage and after sales support,” said Director, David Munns. “This continuous improvement will ensure that we remain the partner of choice.”
Within the U.K., Volvo Construction Equipment’s network of specialized utility dealers play a vital role in providing customers with a wide range of services before and after the sale. These services include advice on the selection and application of a product, financing, maintenance and repair and the trading of used equipment. “Over time, we have developed an outstanding utility dealer network with a significant investment in training to develop a common understanding of what it takes to provide the best in customer service,” continued Mr Munns. “Our utility dealers are supported locally by our own customer support centres and product specialists. The name has changed, but our commitment to our growing family of customers remains our No. 1 priority.”
Volvo Construction Equipment Division markets wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, graders, Volvo Utility and Road Equipment products in the U.K. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.

Interbuild Onsite Shapes Up for Action in 2010

Interbuild Onsite (Hall 4, Birmingham, NEC,17-20 October) will provide a clear focus for exhibitors and visitors this year, thanks to the creation of six specific new zones dedicated to important product and business areas for the building trades.

“Interbuild Onsite is the number one national platform for the building trades, providing them with all they need so that they can get the job done well on-site” says Event Director, David Pierpoint. “Commercial Vehicles and Tools remain a stand-out attraction for the show, as they were in 2009. But our aim in 2010 is to make Interbuild Onsite an even better, more productive and complete experience for exhibitors and visitors alike. That’s why we’re re-defining the floor plan to create more clearly themed zones for new products, demonstrations, training, information and debates”.  

In addition to Commercial Vehicles and Tools, the principal featured zones at Interbuild Onsite now include Kitchens & Bathrooms, Painting, Decorating & Finishing, Installer (plumbing, heating and electrical), Flooring, an FMB Zone (Federation of Master Builders) and an Outdoor area for specialist construction site equipment, such as, bulldozers, excavators, scaffolding, etc.

Each product area will be home to the latest vehicles, equipment and innovations from the major brands in these respective sectors. They will also provide focused opportunities for relevant workshops, tests and educations sessions. The FMB Zone meanwhile will occupy an area that will include exhibition space for FMB partners to offer free workshops, seminars and business critical advice. Visitors will be able to engage with insurance, accountancy, legal and other professionals who specialise in supporting small businesses.

Already, key exhibitors taking advantage of the range of value for money stand packages at the show include Ford and Renault in Commercial Vehicles and Irwin Industrial Tools in Tools. To book a stand in your specific area, please contact a member of the sales team on 020 7728 4511 or email interbuildonsite@emap.com.
Once again, Interbuild Onsite will co-locate in Hall 4 with Glassex, the premier event for the windows, doors and glazing markets. Glassex traditionally attracts installers and fabricators who are also major purchasers of trucks, tools and other on-site equipment and services.

Alongside Interbuild Onsite in Hall 5 is BEST - Built Environment Solutions & Technologies - the new built environment exhibition where innovative products offer practical solutions to real challenges.BEST will span a wide range of market sectors including education, private housing, affordable housing, hotel & leisure, infrastructure, retail, community and amenity, health, industrial and offices showcasing construction excellence across the entire built environment.

Higher Concept Software Press Release

Book your place for Syrinx® at Vertical Days 2010

Higher Concept Software is looking forward to exhibiting for the third consecutive year at Vertikal Days, which will be held at Haydock Park Racecourse on 16 and 17 June.

The Syrinx® Hire Management System is used by over 550 companies throughout the UK and Ireland and has become a popular choice in the powered access and crane sector. It is utilised by companies such as Lifterz Ltd, Horizon Platforms Ltd, Powered Access Services and NMT Crane Hire Ltd.

As in previous years, during the Vertikal Days exhibition, Higher Concept’s customers will be given the opportunity to attend complimentary training workshops, to learn more about the CRM and Workshop /Servicing modules of Syrinx®. In addition, technology seminars are being organised, with topics including Electronic Document Scanning, Telephone Integration and Web Based Customer Access.  There will also be a separate seminar for a special preview of the latest features in the new Syrinx® update.  These will be held in the Newton Stand.

For more information on the training workshops and seminars, and to secure your place, which will be on a first come first served basis, please contact Higher Concept Software on 0118 947 6669 or email info@higherconcept.co.uk

TRACKED ACCESS TAKES THE PAIN OUT OF GLASS FITTING

When Coppard Plant Hire was asked to specify equipment to assist with the installation of large glass panels in a new school building it included one of its CTE Traccess CS135 tracked access platforms as part of the overall package. The Traccess CS135 worked alongside a Unic 506 crane also supplied by Coppard to provide the building contractor with a complete one stop shop solution to fulfil the job requirement. The crane lifted the panes to the correct height and construction staff used the 13m maximum working height and 6.5m outreach of the CS135 to access the building frame and fix the glass into position.
Coppard Plant Hire offers a unique one-stop-shop service that enables customers to hire a complete range of machinery including cranes, access, forklifts and other equipment from a single source. The company operates from three locations in the South East and serves customers including local authorities, construction companies, utilities, and aviation and transport infrastructure companies.

The company purchased its first CTE Traccess CS135 track mounted access platform during 2009 to enhance its overall portfolio offer and now has two of this model. The unit was an ideal solution for the main contractor at St Andrews and Cannon School when it needed to install some heavy glass panels in a new door canopy structure. Working in conjunction with a mobile crane which lifted the panels into position the CS135 allowed installation engineers to fit the panels safely and quickly. The basket can accommodate loads of up to 200kg, enough for two average people and 40kg of tools, which made it ideal for the glass fitters to work side-by-side to complete the installation.

The CTE Traccess CS135 is a compact and highly versatile mobile tracked access platform for off-road, rough-terrain and other narrow access applications where conventional mobile and vehicle mounted equipment cannot be used. It has 13m maximum working height and 6.5m working outreach (the larger CS170 offers 17m working height and 7.5m outreach). Traccess offers a versatile boom configuration with non-continuous rotation up to 330o for easy access to the working area. Telescopic extension and flyboom combine to offer class-leading performance which, together with the ingeniously designed demountable basket, allow the unit to fold down to a compact closed dimension. This ensures it can be manoeuvred through extremely narrow gates and doorways, around tight corners and carried on conventional plant trailers or inside light commercial vehicles. An innovative umbilical cord remote control unit with simple and intuitive controls allows the Traccess to be driven on and off transportation, moved across the ground and put into position while the operator remains at a safe working distance at all times.

Simple basket-mounted controls allow the unit to be operated easily from the working position with minimal training which is ideal for hire customers. Reliable load sensors provide users with a warning if the maximum load limit is exceeded. Interlocks prevent further operation until the loading is brought back within safe working limits. Interlocks and safety cut-outs prevent operation of the access platform until the outriggers are fully deployed. All hydraulic services are designed for failsafe operation with check valves on all cylinders. During normal operations the access platform is controlled from the basket using simple controls. Proportional controls ensure all movements, including lift, outreach and rotation, are smooth and precise at all times. There is full manual override at ground level for all functions.

The fully steel chassis, sub frame and boom superstructure ensure maximum strength for robust performance, reliability and stability. Hydraulic tubing and electric cables are housed inside the boom sections to offer protection from accidental damage and a “clean” top boom. This is particularly important for arboriculture and similar applications because there are no external services or caterpillar type track to snag on branches.

ARCGEN HILTA DIGS DEEP FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST

ArcGen Hilta’s national key customer manager Andy Thompson is pictured planting the first of 20 trees with the National Forest’s chief executive Sophie Churchill.

For the second consecutive year the company pledged to buy a tree for every sale generated at the Executive Hire Show as part of its campaign to off-set some of the carbon footprint used in the manufacture and subsequent use of its machines.
ArcGen Hilta has now planted 45 trees in the National Forest which spans 200 acres of Central England.  Established in 1995, The National Forest has planted more than 7 million trees and seen woodland cover increase from from 6% to nearly 18%.
Andy Thompson said: “We are delighted to be associated with such a fantastic initiative, which is returning hundreds of acres of countryside back to its woodland roots.  By donating trees we are, in a small way, doing our bit to support the environment.” 
Over the last couple of years, ArcGen Hilta has been investing in ‘environmentally sympathetic’ machinery such as its Weldmaker 300AVC – which won the 2008 Green Zone Award – solar powered Addco messaging boards and the latest new comer, the EcoWeld 200. 

A dual operator 200 amp current / constant voltage diesel welder generator, the EcoWeld was a finalist at this year’s Executive Hire Show.  It has the unique ability to start and stop automatically, so when an operator has finished using the machine it shuts itself down and restarts at a touch, saving fuel.
It’s dual operator welder function allows two people to weld simultaneously from a single machine up to 180amps with 4mm electrodes, with only one engine running.  All these features, means fuel savings over 20 litres per day can be achieved in comparison to running two separate welders with only traditional auto-idle facilities.
It also benefits from the latest noise reduction technology and is extremely quiet, reducing environmental noise output.
ArcGen Hilta is the premier provider of on-site equipment providing messaging boards, mobile generators, welders, lighting towers, plasma cutters, water pumps and pressure washers to the rental, construction, rail, water and other related industries.

GT Trax Line Up A New Website

GT Trax, the Hertfordshire based plastic ground protection and event seating specialists, have launched their brand new sales website – www.gttraxsales.co.uk.

“We have already noticed encouraging sales opportunities since the turn of the year, with an apparent increase in confidence returning,” explained GT Trax managing director, Trevor Tinker. “Our hire revenues were actually raised during 2009, but as we saw a levelling off in purchases, we decided to promote the products we offer for sale through this brand new website,” added Trevor.

The website contains all the equipment that GT Trax currently rent to outside event and construction contractors, plus a line of ground reinforcement products manufactured from recycled plastic. Also listed are the popular Foldtable and the exciting new temporary outside structure – the Mega Sol.

“Event organisers, construction contractors, landscapers, Government bodies, factories and individuals are all welcome to browse the website, which includes specifications, material composition and in many cases the purchase price,” continued Trevor. “We are still encouraging the potential purchaser to speak to one of experienced sales people to finalise each order, because we want ensure that they get exactly the right product for their application,” stated Trevor.

GT Trax was incorporated in early 2005 and is the sole UK supplier of GWW PRO plastic ground protection and temporary roadways, used by many of the top UK events and construction organisations. In addition, GT Trax is the UK dealer for Foldtable and Mega Sol, two Dutch manufactured products, which are very popular with the outside event markets. The company also intends to extend its range of modular marquee flooring during 2010.

The company places a great emphasis on environmental issues. All GT Trax products are manufactured from either recycled material or with wood from managed forests and their cleaning process is completed using filteres, recycled rainwater, through an individually designed automatic washing machine.

“We believe that it is important to help conserve the earths’ natural resources, so we ensure that our products and working practises are inline with modern methods,” concluded Trevor.