The hire and wider construction sector has always been ... A-Plant already has an excellent track record for ... one of
Issue 4
Interact
Winter 2018
A - P l a n t C u s t o m e r N e w s l e t t e r • w w w. a p l a n t . c o m
New year… new equipment? A-Plant has 16 market leading divisions offering a range of the latest equipment, from the smallest hand-held tool to the largest powered access machine - all ready to hire from our national network of locations. One call and we will arrange it all 0370 050 0797.
WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
#BELIEVEYOUCANACHIEVE A
t A-Plant we are firmly focused on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and ensuring that our workforce is representative of the communities in which we work. With this in mind, we recently launched the A-Plant Female Leadership Group, led by our HR Director, Sara Saleh - a first for the hire industry. This team is made up of 12 A-Plant female managers from across all areas of our business. The hire and wider construction sector has always been perceived as a predominantly male environment, but at A-Plant we are proud to say that we already employ
Inside Interact • Safety First • Act now • London Supplier of the Year • Investment in Tower Lights • Powered Access Division Booming
above the average number of women in construction. The Female Leadership Group has been given a number of core objectives from the A-Plant Board, including attracting more females to join our business and ensuring that they want to stay with A-Plant to build their careers. The hire industry is an exciting place to be, offering a variety of career paths for everybody. We want to make sure we create visibility of our successful females at all levels and in all roles within our business.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR 2018 FROM ALL AT A-PLANT Welcome to the fourth issue of our customer newsletter, Interact. In this issue, we have shared a range of stories about safety, awards successes, investment in equipment and much more. If you have any feedback or stories about your own organisations that you think could be included in future issues, then please e-mail us at
[email protected] For day to day updates, don’t forget to follow us on social media. Asif Latief Marketing Director
@AsifLatief @aplant_hire
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Interact
Issue 4
Winter 2018
SAFETY FIRST
SAFETY WEEK 2017
People are at the very heart of our business and how you work today will affect your health and wellbeing in the future.
As part of A-Plant’s Safety Week 2017 we have compiled this handy guide to give you advice and information about: • Sleep • Stress • Safe Working
• Healthy Eating • Mindfulness
Your A-Plant journey to health and wellbeing
Douglas McLuckie, A-Plant’s Director of Risk Management said: “A-Plant’s commitment to health and safety extends to all parts of the business. This year’s Safety Week focused on key themes that are extremely relevant to today’s workplace, in particular how good mental and physical health is fundamental for a happy life and a thriving work-life balance.
From eating the right foods and exercising to getting a good night’s sleep and ensuring time for rest and relaxation, a mini guide entitled ‘Your A-Plant Journey to Health and Well-Being’ was produced and distributed to raise awareness about the importance of good mental and physical health.
A-Plant already has an excellent track record for our health and safety performance and we are committed to continually setting new standards not only for our employees and our partners, but also to the industries in which we operate,” he continued.
There was also advice and best practice guidance for colleagues working in repair and maintenance processes - which accounts for half of the A-Plant workforce. Hard-hitting information about the impact of driving when distracted by mobile
More than 10 years ago A-Plant was amongst the first companies of our kind to be SafeHire accredited by Hire Association Europe (HAE). Industry safety is our absolute priority and A-Plant won the Rental Safety Award at the
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
”
With the right amount of planning and a basic knowledge of the do’s and don’t’s, eating a balanced diet doesn’t have to be daunting or difficult.
LF
T YOURSE EA
“
!
Mental health and physical well-being were amongst the key themes for the A-Plant 2017 Safety Week. The five-day awareness campaign also featured advice and expertise on how to prevent injuries in plant, tool and equipment repair and maintenance processes, as well as the importance of driving safely which is particularly important in our business with a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles.
phones, satellite navigation systems and music was also featured during the week alongside driving safety tips. The themes complement our ongoing Work Safe Home Safe campaign, which encourages teams to take personal responsibility for the way they work.
HEALTHY
W
e recently hosted the annual A-Plant Safety Week with a series of briefings, digital presentations and activities for our 3,600 strong workforce across the UK.
Drink lots of water
“
(Source HSE)
Before you start work, be aware of any potential risks
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Stop work if it can’t be done safely
3
If safe to do so, intervene if the actions of others might be unsafe - don`t walk by
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Maintain a safe, clean and tidy working environment
5
Always wear the appropriate PPE
Eat no more that 6g of salt per day
Warning signs of stress
Workplace stress is now the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK.
1
Cut down on saturated fat and sugar Don’t skip breakfast
JF Kennedy
A-Plant’s five golden rules to follow:
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables Eat more fish and starchy carbohydrates eg bread, pasta, rice, potatoes
Low energy Upset stomach
Headaches Aches and pains
Insomnia Chest pain Feeling overwhelmed Work related illness affected 1.3m people last year with 26m working days lost. A massive 12m of these were due to workplace stress. Source: Healthy and Safety Executive
”
“Health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Source: World Health Organisation
First things first
YOURSELF HEALTHY ! SLEEP A good night’s sleep is essential because it promotes improved brain function, emotional wellbeing and allows your body to repair and restore itself. Top tips for a silent night
Health & Safety A ‘Safety First’ culture is ingrained throughout our business and our aim is to set industry standards when it comes to being innovative, adding value and ensuring health and safety at all times
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Create a sleep schedule and stick to it – even on weekends
2
Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual such as meditation or have a warm bath
3
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and eating before bed
4
Turn off all electronics, including your mobile phone if possible
5
Create a relaxing bedroom with an ambient temperature
Not getting enough sleep can lead to…
• heart
disease • kidney disease • high blood pressure immune system • stress • anxiety • depression
• stroke • obesity • weakened
European Rental Awards 2017. Our position as one of the safest rental companies in Europe was reaffirmed even further when A-Plant was declared a winner at the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2017. We have now achieved our ninth Gold Level Award from RoSPA, and our sixth consecutive Gold Level standard.
...we are committed to continually setting new safety standards
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CUSTOMERS Interact
Winter 2018
SAFETY
CUSTOMERS
In A-PLANT In 2016, 2016, our our Customer Customer Experience Experience Team Team handled handled more more than than A-PLANT GUARA GUARA We have beenand investing £150m year-on-year since 2014 42,000 42,000 telephone telephone calls calls and distributed distributed in in excess excess of of 17,000 17,000 Delivery Delivery Guarantee Guarantee new, brand-leading partefficiently. of a robust emails to toinensure ensure that customers customersequipment were dealt dealt as with emails that were with efficiently. We’ll We’ll deliver deliver within within 60 60 minu minu purchasing to and procurement strategy. Our responsiveness responsiveness customers is critical critical in aa business business Our to customers is in time time or or the the hire hire that that day day is is ff where where around around 70 70 per per cent cent of of orders orders are are placed placed for for delivery delivery The benefits of a young equipment fleet are widely within within 24 24 hours. hours. Service understood and the latest products are more innovative, Service Guarantee Guarantee We’ll productive, greener andpart sustainable. We’ll repair repair or or replace replace down down Complaint resolutionsafer, also forms forms key of our our customer customer Complaint resolution also aa key part of of of the the call call for for service service or or the the service service approach, approach, providing providing front front line line teams teams with with skills skills and and Wetowork collaboratively with manufacturers and knowledge manage customer issues as they arise. knowledge to manage customer issues as they arise. Availability Guarant customers to encourage innovation for the future so Availability Guarant We have invested heavily in new We have invested heavily in new If that the when weReturn buy more equipment, we can invest in A-Plant won won ‘Best on Customer Customer Service If aa guaranteed guaranteed stock stock item item is is A-Plant the ‘Best Return on Service systems delivery confidenceatensuring that we have the right products for Investment systems to to monitor monitor and and record record our our delivery from from an an alternative alternative Investment Award’ Award’ at the the UK UK Customer Customer Satisfaction Satisfaction Awards Awards your customer. in 2016, 2016, the beating off strong strong competition competition from from major major your site. site. customer in beating off customer service service levels levels and and we we have have consumer consumer brands. brands. implemented Our parent company, the Ashtead Group, provides implemented a a dedicated dedicated Customer Customer Out Out of of Hours Hours Respo Respo the reassurance of financial stability and has committed A Experience A member member of of our our team team will will Experience Team Team to to drive drive the the right right to a continual investment plan for A-Plant which will calls calls within within one one hour hour or or aa da da behaviours behaviours across across the the company. company. see further investments in safe, sustainable and market leading equipment, more niche businesses and the More than 10 years ago, A-Plant was among the fi More than 10 years ago, A-Plant was among the first toAs one of the leading latest technology.players in be SafeHire accredited and today it continues to m be SafeHire accredited and today it continues to meet the rigorous inspection standards set by Hire Assoc the rigorous inspection standards set by Hire Associationthe hire industry, A-Plant has an Europe (HAE) and Event Hire Association (EHA). Europe (HAE) and Event Hire Association (EHA). excellent track record for its health
INNOVATING TO SATISFY CUSTOMER NEED
SAFETY W
Committed to supporting our diverse client base of national, specialist and regional customers throughout the UK and Ireland, our customers tell us that their number one priority is reliability followed by availability and quality.
A-PLANT
Issue 4
A-Plant offers customers a wide range of services across its divisions. Our commitment Our commitment to to providing providing excellent customer service is Thanks to strategic acquisitions excellent customer service is demonstrated by the results and organic investments, we now demonstrated by the results of of our our 2016 customer survey. It showed that a broad range of equipment. 2016 have customer survey. It showed that 97 per cent of respondents rated 97 per cent of respondents rated our our service as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. service as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
A-PLANT
of the leading players in e’ve launched a brand newAs one initiative called Customers the hire industry, A-Plant has an ‘Act now’ which representsexcellent our track pledge record for to its health and safety performance with and safety performance with conducting responsible business and highlights our recognition from a wide range of recognition from a wide range of KEEPING OUR PEOPLE KEEPING OUR PEOPLE industry bodies. industry bodies. AND CUSTOMERS SAFE AND CUSTOMERS commitment SAFE to innovation, safety, environmental Every sustainability, community engagement and our role as ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY3 SECONDS a responsible and ethical employer. someone
£150m
97%
The company was also named Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of The Year at the Hire Awards of Excellence 2017 organised by the HAE.
A-Plant’s Chief Executive Officer Sat Dhaiwal said: “Act now embodies A-Plant’s commitment to responsible ways of working - it summarises everything we have achieved as a trusted company, an employer of choice and a valued member of our industry and the communities in which we serve.” MINIMISING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
In meeting the HAE EHA Code of Conduct, A-Plan committed to maintaining the highest standards ac premises, staff training, safety instructions, pre-hire and compliance handling.
SAFETY
In meeting the HAE EHA Code of Conduct, A-Plant is committed to maintaining the highest standards across its premises, staff training, safety instructions, pre-hire checks and compliance handling.
Chrisrespondents Ryan, A-Plant’s Head of Performance Standards said: of of respondents rated rated “The SafeHire certification reflects the integrity of A-Plant’s our customer service as our customer as exceptional processes and service procedures, and gives customers ‘excellent’ or the assurance that our actually practise them.” ‘excellent’ orstaff‘good’ ‘good’
The company was also named Plant, Tool & Equipm Hire Company of The Year at the Hire Awards of Excellence 2017 organised by the HAE.
Chris Ryan, A-Plant’s Head of Performance Standa invested in in new new invested “The SafeHire certification reflects the integrity of equipment annually annually hires from us equipment exceptional processes and procedures, and gives cu since 2014 2014 the assurance that our staff actually practise them. since
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2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Awards
W ACT NO MITMENT TO 16
Based on the cost of living, the Real Living Wage is a voluntarily paid minimum hourly rate of pay, which is significantly higher than the government’s minimum wage. Living Wage employers report a more motivated and
productive ess: workforce. a responsible busin
Sat Dhaiwal, Chief Executive Officer of A-Plant, said “We feel it is extremely important to take care of our colleagues and in recent months and years, we have made great strides forward in our aim to become the employer of choice in our sector.
ted workforce intaining a motiva attracting and ma
“We will also be working with our suppliers to see how they can make a stand and adopt the Real Living Wage.”
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2014
2015
2016
2017
our Purchasing Team will challenge all suppliers to state Used equipment is evaluated so it can be redistributed their environmental policy. EMISSIONS within the hire fleet, offered to manufacturers for resale or WE BASE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL ETHOS ON: We actively support the Carbon Disclosure Project in the sold to known third parties We work collaboratively with manufacturers and • Prevention of pollution including waste, management of CO2 emissions. customers to secure the optimum balance between fuel emissions and noise Machines beyond economical repair are dismantled and performance and environmental considerations. components reused while collaboration with key suppliers, • Minimisation of energy, material usage and the By working smarter and more efficiently, we are reducing consecutive A-Plant drivers A-Plant drivers our emissions by creating on-siteRoyal hire facilities at large, now allows some engines to run for 1000 hours before an production of waste TRANSPORT AND FUEL Society forto the long-term construction sites reduce vehicle movements. oil change instead of the 250 hours. trained intypical Safe trained in Safe Our delivery fleet is operated on a four-year cycle to • Effective and responsible waste management and Prevention Accidents Urban Driving Urban Driving ensure we continually meet the latest European emission disposal NOISE CONTROL (RoSPA) standards. Gold Awards We have introduced to our hire fleet many of items of • Continually improve performance and energy equipment which aim to reduce or completely eliminate management We also work in conjunction with our customers to ensure noise pollution, including super silent generators, hybrid 17 transport is maximised in bulk loads to save on fuel. and battery power solutions and acoustic quilt / blankets.
1,100
PEOPLE
Six
1,100
Our plant delivery vehicles are fitted with the new cheesewedge design, which is 38 per cent more fuel efficient and we are trialling the use of electric and gas vehicles such as the Edison electric van which is fully Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation THE LIVING APPRENTICES Katherine Chapman, Director,WAGE Living Wage Foundation APPRENTICES CONSTRUCTION PLANT battery 2powered making it exempt from the London said, “Weinare to benefits welcomeofA-Plant to the A-Plant has become the first major We believe in the merits and said, “We are delighted to welcome A-Plant to theequipment rental We believe thedelighted merits and investing in Congestion Charge. APPRENTICE: PAIGE CART growing movement of accredited Wage employers company to adopt Living the Real Living Wage. young people and A-Plant cu growing movement of accredited Wage employers young people and A-Plant currently Living has a thriving who are voluntarily going and further than the statutory apprenticeship programme, a who are voluntarily going further than the statutory apprenticeship named in the • OCRS Scoresprogramme, - Green across allhas 8 Obeen Licence Areas A-Plant apprentice Paige Carter was the win minimums to ensure their employees can earn a wage, Top 100 Apprenticeship Emp Basedtheir on the cost of living, the Real Living Wage is a minimums to ensure employees can earn a wage, Top 100 planned Apprenticeship Employer list.vehicles • £50m investment on new in the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at the Constr which is enough to live on.” paid minimum hourly rate of pay, which is which is enoughvoluntarily to live on.” next 5 years Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future Awar We have five primary Appren significantly higher than the government’s minimum wage. We have five primary Apprentice streams Plant A-Plant generated Our new ‘cheesewedge • All new vehicles are Euro 6 Standard EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Maintenance, Customer Serv EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Maintenance, Service, Driver, Electrotechnical greenhouse gasCustomer design’ Paige plant said:delivery “I’m overjoyed. I’m a specialist in Our recycling The online Advantages Scheme is open to allstreams. A-Plant Living Wage employers a more motivated and and Mechanical Engineering The online Advantages Scheme is openreport to all A-Plant and Mechanical Engineering plus other smaller and what I love about this job is that it’s alw emissions in 2016 vehicles are rates are workforce. colleagues and offers discounts on over 5,000 products colleagues and productive offers discounts on over over 5,000 products always challenges you mentally and physical We are pleased that our effor from 1,500 retailers, including holidays, electrical goods, Wefrom are 1,500 pleasedretailers, that ourincluding efforts toholidays, increaseelectrical diversity goods, foodthat andadrink, fashion motoring. mean that a quarter of our ap Dhaiwal, Chief Executive Officer of A-Plant, said “We food and drink,Sat fashion and motoring. mean quarter of ourand apprentices are female, which “When people ask how I feel about working compares very favourably wi feel it is extremely important to take care of our colleagues compares very favourably with the 90% male apprentices dominated industry, I say that the men I wor MODERN ACT average for the construction and in recent MODERN SLAVERY ACT months and years, we have made great average for theSLAVERY construction industry. Our apprentice have been more welcoming; I felt that I fitte A-Plant is committed to ensuring strides to forward in our aim to become scheme also has an impressiv A-Plant is committed ensuring transparency in its the employer of scheme also has an impressive 76% transparency retention ratein its day one”. than inand2013 businessto its approach to circa tackling modern slavery in our to sector. compared to the industry rate business and inchoice its approach tackling modern slavery compared theinindustry rate of 65%. through its supply chains. through its supply chains. “We will also be working with our suppliers to see how A-Plant was also named ‘Larg A-Plant was also named ‘Large Employer of the 21 22 Wage.” they can make a stand and adopt the Real Living Year’ at the North West regio Year’ at the North West regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards. Apprenticeship Awards.
-CO
THE LIVING WAGE A-Plant has become the first major equipment rental company to adopt the Real Living Wage.
PEOPLE
2013
Environmental Sustainability
OUR COM SIBLE WAY OF A RESPON FOR OUR PEOPLE, WORKING RS, SUPPLIERS, CUSTOME ONMENT AND THE ENVIR COMMUNITIES Our focus for being
2012
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Six
PEOPLE consecutive Royal
Safety
14 Sustainability plays a major roleADDITIONALPROCUREMENT MATERIALS WASTE & RECYCLING 14 Our Purchasing Strategy is to select brand leaders and Preferential agreements with manufactures clearly state Our registered waste carriers segregate and collect oils, in our business and A-Plant is proud build responsible relationships to ensure our products meet that we do not accept the use of packaging harmful to filters and batteries for recycling or licensed disposal. all quality and health and safety requirements, continuity to be creating a positive impactthe environment, and to accept only a minimal amount of supply and technical back up. of packaging. We also buy OEM parts for our spares A total of 85 per cent of our general waste is diverted through a range of environmental and consumables ensuring we have a streamlined away from landfill to aid recycling. Our selection criteria includes environmental standards and initiatives. procurement process. A-PLANT
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2012
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CUSTOMERcusStomer need
92% 24% LESS
35% MORE FUEL EFFICIENT
People and Ethics
isfy innovating to sat
SAFETY
and keeping our people
customers safe
70 705,000 150
5,000
NTAL ENVIRONMEIL ITY B A IN A Training Days ST SU entfor act on the environm minimising our imp
Training Training Courses Days for A-Plant employees offered to A-Plant in 2016 employees in 2016
A-Plant employees in 2016
IES COMMUNIT need
Training Courses A-Plant offered to A-Plant Apprentices in 2016 inemployees 2016
76% 150 25% Apprentice Retention Rate in 2016
A-Plant Female Apprentices Apprentices in 2016 in 2016
(Industry average 65%)
Communities
in supporting those
6 changing needs of lps us satisfy the This approach he lise our goals to rea to us d enables our customers an yer of choice plo company, an em become a trusted try and the us ind r ou of er and a valued memb ich we serve. communities in wh
6
Last year we raised £10,000 for our nominated charity Cancer Research. We support CRASH, the construction and property industry’s charity for the homeless
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Visit www.aplant.com/actnow to download a copy of the Act now document
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Winter 2018
SPOTLIGHT ON FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Taking Climate Control Hire to Another Level
A
t A-Plant, we work alongside a wide range of industry sectors to supply rental equipment and expertise, and one of the most popular sectors for our Rapid Climate Control division is the facilities management market. In fact, it’s become such a crucial part that we have a dedicated Facilities Management Control Centre supplying portable cooling, heating, drying and humidification hire service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Facilities managers usually have responsibility for ensuring that the required services are implemented and regularly maintained. This includes organising the installation of services, designing maintenance schedules and dealing with day-to-day operations to ensure that businesses runs smoothly and also comply with the law. In terms of services, facilities managers ensure provision is made for temperature, ventilation, humidity, cleanliness and many other areas. Supplying equipment quickly is key in the facilities management sector, as rental can be for both planned hire or emergency requirements. With one of the most extensive portable climate control
hire fleets in the UK, we offer unmatched levels of stock strategically located. Our customers are guaranteed product availability and fast response times. Fully optimised temperature solutions also help minimise running costs and maximise performance. In many cases, climate control hire companies simply deliver equipment to the client’s front door and drive away. We differ in that we offer much more than a standard equipment provider - we provide a three-stage hire process covering delivery, installation and demonstration of equipment. Our engineers manoeuvre equipment to exactly where it is required, ensuring that it is positioned in the most effective location for optimum performance. They carry out a faceto-face demonstration, making sure that clients fully understand how equipment works and how they operate it. This helps to reduce the need for troubleshooting telephone calls further down the line.
powered access and low level access equipment, tools and back-up temporary power from sister division Mather+Stuart Power Solutions. Facilities managers need a range of tools and equipment for daily maintenance activities and/or long-term projects and by looking to a rental equipment provider like ourselves, facilities managers can ensure workers have the right equipment to hand. Safety, efficiency, reduced capital expenditure and eliminating the need for long-term equipment storage are all common reasons why our customers rely on equipment rental companies. Tasks such as refurbishment work and routine maintenance all require specialist equipment to get the job done, and the cost of purchasing equipment can be cost-prohibitive. For example, the outlay on a powered access machine is significant and for many would not justify the outlay for occasional use, so by relying on a rental equipment provider such as Rapid Climate Control, facilities managers can manage their budgets and time much more effectively.
Rapid Climate Control also supplies temporary chillers, boilers (providing heat and hot water), plus the range has been extended to include
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warm+dry O
ur Rapid Climate Control division is expanding at a fast pace both in terms of investment in our fleet of climate control equipment and expansion of the depot network. We now have ten Rapid service centres strategically located across the UK and Ireland, in Belfast, Dublin, Newport, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Chessington, Thurrock and Southampton. We’ve recently invested £1.1 million in new packaged boilers and energy efficient heating equipment so our customers are fully prepared for the cold snap this winter. A total of £600,000
has been invested in new 300kW package boilers, as well as £0.5 million in new El-Björn electric heaters. The investment will support customers in the facilities management sector for a wide variety of environments from healthcare and retail to transport and leisure, as well as clients in the mechanical and electrical engineering sector. With 24-hour cover, Rapid Climate Control can support critical response requirements with a four-hour, same day and next day delivery and installation service.
Dave Matthews, Director of Rapid Climate Control, said the investment ensures the division is ideally placed to meet the needs of customers during the winter months.
“By regularly investing, we can ensure continuity of supply and technical back-up at all times to meet emergency situations, whether that’s providing back up during breakdowns and repairs or providing temporary support during a sudden icy blast,” he commented.
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THE RIGHT LIGHT M
any of our customers need to keep sites bright and illuminated over the long winter months and we’re pleased to confirm that we have invested £2.4 million in brand new mobile lighting towers.
efficient alternatives. Fuel savings of up to 50% can be made and special features such as an auto start/stop facility allow users to minimise fuel consumption by a further 30%, whilst still maximising efficiency.
The investment includes the purchase of 300 of the very latest LED mobile tower lights which are specifically designed to maximise light coverage and reduce ‘lighting waste’, ensuring brighter, safer and more productive sites. LED lighting generally consumes far less energy than less
Now available to hire from our service centre network across the UK and Ireland, new models in the A-Plant fleet include Trime’s X-ECO model, Generac’s V20 units and TL90 tower lights from Morris Site Machinery.
A-Plant’s Procurement Director Andrew Winlow said: “We are committed to providing the right equipment to get the job done. It’s essential that we have a good supply of the very latest and most appropriate equipment over the winter to keep sites bright and illuminated when reduced daylight hours and low levels of visibility can significantly impact on projects and timescales. We have invested in brand leading tower lighting units that provide crisp, clear light over a wide area with maximum fuel efficiency, low emissions and long running times.”
LONDON SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
W
e are absolutely delighted that A-Plant has been named Supplier of the Year at the prestigious London Construction Awards 2017. The glittering awards ceremony was held at London’s Royal Garden Hotel and formed part of London Build 2017, a leading construction show for London and the South East. The London Construction Awards celebrate innovation, achievements and developments in London’s construction industry. With a network of 24 service centres within the M25 including our supersite in Barking, we are well placed to support major infrastructure projects in London such as Crossrail and Thames Tideway. We have the resources to
make rapid deliveries across London, plus four on-site stores offering a wide range of equipment that is serviced and ready to go. A-Plant Strategic Accounts Sales Director Steve King picked up the London Supplier of the Year accolade. He told us: “We are thrilled to have been named Supplier of the Year at the London Construction Awards. A-Plant has a proven track record of delivering on both major projects and fulfilling the rental equipment requirements of thousands of small and medium sized construction companies in the capital.” The award also recognised our commitment to working safer, smarter, more efficiently and sustainably, as well as investing in people and expertise.
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ON TOP OF THE WORLD T
equates to 67 Shards and the combined reach of our booms equates to over 350 football pitches!
We now have a fleet of almost 5,000 powered access machines and even though we are only part way through our 2017-2018 financial year, we have already invested £14 million so far in new powered access equipment. Continual investment in our fleet and strict maintenance regimes ensure that the average age of our access fleet is just three years, which is one of the youngest in our industry. So extensive is our fleet that the combined height of our scissor lift fleet
As one of the leaders in the powered access sector, we believe we have a responsibility to help reduce the risks that our employees, customers and the general public are exposed to. Our responsibility extends way beyond the supply of equipment and we have produced a 138-page Working at Height Technical Guide which is readily available for use by anyone working at height. This covers legislative requirements, best practice, do’s and don’ts of working at height, ladder safety, reducing the risk of entrapment injury and more. To ensure optimum safety, secondary guarding is fitted as standard on all electric and diesel boom lifts. We have also implemented an advanced access control system to prevent unauthorised use of access equipment, verify operator competencies such as
he last 12 months have proved to be exceptionally busy for our Powered Access division. We’re firmly established as one of the UK’s market leaders in the hire of powered access equipment and safety training for working at height. With Powered Access locations all around the country, our range of equipment for hire includes scissor lifts, telescopic booms, articulated booms and much more.
IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) certification, confirm pre-use checks and to track and trace equipment in the event of theft. In order to enhance site safety, wi-fi enabled IPAF card readers have been installed on over 1,000 machines in our fleet. Complementing our access equipment, we offer a wide range of accredited working at height courses, including IPAF and PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) certified training. Time-served professional instructors deliver over 70 courses from 22 Training Centres of Excellence nationwide and we are proud to be one of the UK’s top IPAF course providers.
THE COMBINED HEIGHT OF OUR SCISSOR LIFT FLEET EQUATES TO
67 SHARDS
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ACCESS ALL AREAS
E
quipment supplied by GB Access is being used to facilitate construction of a student accommodation village on the University of Northampton’s new £330 million purpose-built Waterside Campus. Kier Construction is currently in the process of building the student accommodation and has hired a total of five Goods Only 1200kg SWL Hoists from GB Access on a long-term contract to transport building materials and waste. Scheduled to open in September 2018, the accommodation village will become home to 1,000 students living in five-storey flats and four-storey townhouses with landscaped courtyards. The Waterside Campus has seen the regeneration of a 58-acre brownfield site close to Northampton town centre. The project involves the construction of a total of seven different buildings, some of which are located side by side. Due to the close proximity of the buildings and the fact that there are four levels at different heights, it makes it difficult to transport building materials and to dispose of waste. Kier Construction already had a good concept of the hoisting requirements and GB Access worked closely with Kier to provide the best solution for the job in hand. These were
set up to allow materials to be transported to multiple levels and they were positioned to minimise disruption on site. Equipment deliveries were made at the weekends to minimise disruption even further. Guy Osborne, Construction Manager at Kier Construction said: “This is a complex and challenging project. A total of five hoists from GB Access are being used to distribute materials to four different floors across seven buildings. We are also relying on the hoists to remove all the waste from the site as well.” Derek McAvoy, Regional Operations Manager at GB Access added: “Working together with Kier Construction and the designers of the buildings, we have been able to supply the correct machines for the job. In certain locations two buildings are
directly side by side with four levels at different heights. As a consequence the hoists have been set up back to back in some areas, with the cages feeding floors at different levels.” The hoists are being heavily utilised and are allowing Kier Construction to rapidly and efficiently deliver materials to all areas across the site, as well as collect waste. The project is on schedule and Kier Construction are absolutely delighted with the high quality of equipment provided by GB Access, as well as the technical back-up service. Health and safety is paramount at every stage of the installation of a hoist and GB Access has been able to offer hoist operator training to allow hoist operators to carry out daily pre-operation checks prior to the use of the hoists.
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STAR OF THE FUTURE A
t A-Plant we do all we can to support young sporting talent and we are currently supporting a very promising motorbike rider called Jeremy Knight. Aged just 13 years old,
Jeremy is a British Mini GP 70 rider who has competed in the Cool Fab British Championship sponsored by British Superbikes. Cool Fab Racing is all about helping young riders from the grassroots level to the Grand Prix. This year Jeremy has had some great races on bigger tracks, starting the season on a Metrakit 70 bike before switching to an Aprilia 125. He’s had some fantastic results - finishing the Darley Moor Formula 125 Championship in 2nd place, the EMRA Formula 125 Championship in 3rd and Thundersport Superteens in 18th. Jeremy is spending the winter training and testing ready to compete in the British Motostar Championship Moto3 which pits riders against European rivals and continues to produce some of the UK’s most promising talent. We’re sure you’ll agree that Jeremy’s A-Plant branded bike and gear look very smart.
A-PLANT SPONSOR GOLFER ALFIE PLANT
P
lant, from Bexleyheath in South East London, recently turned to the professional ranks of golf following an impressive amateur career that saw him win the coveted Silver Medal at the Open Championship this summer. This accolade coupled with two wins on the amateur circuit has seen Plant have an excellent 18 months, capped by his selection to represent GB&I in the 2017 Walker Cup. Asif Latief, Marketing Director of A-Plant, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Alfie and we wish him all the best with his career.” Alfie added: “Partnering with A-Plant is such a cool opportunity and I’m really pleased to be announcing them as my first official sponsor since turning pro. To have the support of a company that is growing very quickly is great and gives me a huge boost – hopefully I can do them proud on the course.”
#TeamAlf
ie
23rd - 25th Jan 2018
5th - 8th Mar 2018
21st - 22nd Mar 2018
ExCel London
ExCel London
NEC Birmingham
D AT E S FOR THE DIARY We’re showcasing our products and services at the following exhibitions in the coming months. Come and say hello - our teams will afford you a very warm A-Plant welcome!
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