Demolition magazine - Issue 7 by Mark Anthony

ISSUE 7

DEMOLITION The industry magazine like no other

insite

Climate of Fear This magazine is supposedly the first edition of 2014. But, based on some of the feedback we have been receiving over the past few months from sites up and down the country, it could just as easily be the first edition of 1814. Sad though it may seem, I have grown accustomed to reporting on site accidents; hardened to reporting on fatalities within the industry. But I was totally unprepared for some of the stories we received in the immediate aftermath of our Demolition is Broken editorial on the DemolitionNews.com website (http://tinyurl.com/pzp7pbt). All 120+ comments insisted on remaining anonymous for fear of reprisals from employers, clients and elsewhere. A few even went as far as starting their messages “without prejudice” to ensure that their words could not be used against them at a future date. And, having read some of the tales from what is supposed to be the modern demolition business, I fully understand their desire for anonymity. Those tales ranged from employers refusing to accept near-miss reports and accidents being covered up or explained away, through employees being moved to other sites or placed “on

punishment” for their “disruptive” safety conscious views. At least one was threatened with violence if he mentioned the fact that he had predicted a non-fatal accident two weeks before it occurred. Such practices should surely have died out about the same time we stopped sending children up chimneys. Yet here we are in the demolition robot age of laser guidance and microwave technology with parts of the industry still employing work practices straight out of the Dickensian workhouse. Pointing out the scant regard for safety on overseas demolition sites – particularly those in China - has become a stock in trade for DemolitionNews.com; and there is a constant temptation to look down upon the health and safety record of some countries; to regard their working methods with derision. But if some of our own workers are afraid to speak out about work practices and health and safety failings for fear of being branded a troublemaker or worse, are we really any better? Mark Anthony

Editorial Mark Anthony - Mark Anthony Publicity markanthony@markanthonypublicity.co.uk 07973 456 166

Management Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Mark Anthony Director Jamie Wilkinson

Business Development Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com 01903 777570

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Demolition TV

Bored with the so-straight-it-hurts Sochi Winter Olympics. The switch off the testosterone-fuelled butch-fest that is the men’s figure skating and watch something even more manly instead. Nothing good on TV? Then feast your eyes (and ears) on some of the finest demolition video footage known to man (and woman) kind: Oh My God – Breaking a tower block right next to a busy street packed with cars and pedestrians. What’s the worst that could happen? http://tinyurl.com/m7s4j2q The Eagle has landed - CDI fells refinery structures at Sunoco’s Eagle Point refinery http://tinyurl.com/k44ycle

Demolition TV is sponsored by

AR stalks its quarry Yet another epic video from the studios of AR Demolition http://tinyurl.com/kzv3zg2 Brazilian viaduct implosion Fabio Bruno masters the art of explosive height reduction http://tinyurl.com/nk75spw D&D does Downwell double It’s like Hitachi central around here http://tinyurl.com/prdwush The Rammer hammer symphony An ode to the Rammer hammer http://tinyurl.com/mdhfn7b

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4 1

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App Happy Video Sharing Apps With the press of a button, smart phones can shoot, capture, edit and share high quality video that can be used for internal communications and even external marketing purposes. But what are the best video apps for the iPhone and iPad? We trialled the best of the best to bring you our recommendations.

Vine – The success story of 2013, Vine is the video equivalent of Twitter, allowing you to capture and share films of just six seconds in length. While it is undoubtedly clever and phenomenally popular, it owes much of its success to enthusiastic teenagers and has yet to make any real impact in business. Best used for cats falling down stairs.

Ustream – Allows you to “broadcast” live to the world or to selected individuals. If you can find a decent Internet connection, this could be used to allow colleagues to virtually participate in a site walk around or a meeting.

Directr – Want to produce video on-the-go complete with musical soundtracks and cool animations and transitions? Then Directr is for you. It uses video from any other application, adding arty elements to produce near professional quality films with no time limits. Great for budding Spielbergs.

Glide – If Vine is Twitter video, then Glide is text video, allowing users to record short videos and share them instantly with anyone in their phone’s contact list. Glide could be invaluable when sharing a specific contract challenge or even machine fault with a colleague and is, therefore, our pick of the bunch.

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Labour Costs Could Rocket Agency warns that proposed changes to Government legislation on the definition of self-employed workers could be â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most significant eventâ&#x20AC;? in the demolition and construction market in a decade.

Industry recruitment specialist Number 8 Group is warning that proposed changes to the definition of self-employed worker status could result in a 30 percent hike in labour costs almost overnight.

While the consultation period will last until February, it is likely that the current set up of agencies and intermediaries supplying temporary self-employed labour will change fundamentally. Genuinely self-employed people will not be affected, but it remains to be seen exactly what the government define as genuinely selfemployed within the agency supply market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to say that construction companies of all sizes enjoy the flexibility of hiring self-employed operatives from agencies, both from a cost and employment status perspective. In our opinion, the industry would be in serious trouble if a significant proportion of the agency labour supplied came with the added cost of holiday pay, sick pay and employers NI not to mention maternity/paternity pay,â&#x20AC;? says Number 8 Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trevor Mills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This could add upwards of 25 percent to the actual cost of hiring in an operative, and this will have to

be borne by either the operative, agency, contractor or end client.â&#x20AC;? Mills reports that the new legislation is due to take effect from April 2014 in some shape or form that will be finalised after the consultation period has ended. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In four months from now, the way the industry hires in temporary labour could be very different and ultimately a lot more expensive,â&#x20AC;? he continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having said that, there is a huge amount of issues and concerns to resolve, and as the government went through a similar exercise four years ago, the result could still be very little change. We fundamentally understand that the recovery in the construction industry will only continue if a viable solution to this new piece of legislation is found; a solution that enables contractors to continue working competitively within the new rules dictated by this legislation.â&#x20AC;?

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STUFF

Objects of Desire Crisis? What Mid-Life Crisis?

Coiled Cobra

With the industry on the up, we decided that the time had come to try out a car from the more luxurious end of the market. And even for avowed non-petrol head Mark Anthony, it proved to be a near-religious experience.

In truth, the exterior of the Vanquish doesn’t really prepare you for what lies within. For while it is low and sleek, it suggests stripped down, raw power. Don’t get me wrong – It has power to spare. The six-cylinder V12 engine lurking beneath the elongated hood is like a coiled cobra, ready to strike and ready to roar through all six gears to a top speed of 188 mph. But airlinestyle dash and flappy-paddle gear controls aside, the interior could quite easily be from a high end Mercedes, such is the level of comfort.

Have you ever had that feeling? You’re in a topclass restaurant; you are suitably attired; you have brushed up on your cutlery etiquette; you have learned the menu in both English and French; and stuffed into your pocket is sufficient money to pay for the meal several times over. And yet, for some reason, you feel out of place; like the maitre d’ will suddenly twig that you don’t belong and lead you to the door, asking you never to return. Well, multiply that feeling by about a hundred and you have some inkling of how I felt climbing behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vanquish. It is like being handed the front door key for Buckingham Palace. It is quite possibly the most daunting and yet sumptuously inviting place I have ever been.

Even the driving position – sat erect rather than lying horizontal – speaks of a luxury car rather than a supercar. Where others make do with bare metal, Aston Martin has leather peeled from cows that have been to finishing school.

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But make no mistake. This car goes. And it keeps on going. The car goes from 0 to 60 in roughly the time it takes to utter the fourth syllable of “Dear Sweet Mother of God”. It is about the same time it takes to realise that – in addition to steering and providing a home for the flappy-paddle controls – the steering wheel serves a third, equally important purpose. It is something to hang onto while 550 horses and a huge dollop of G-Force is trying to suck you out through the rear window. And that feeling never subsides. With each gear change comes another burst of whiplash-inducing acceleration that pins you to the seat and squeezes the air from your lungs. Indeed, I have never felt more conscious of my chest than I did in the Vanquish. The acceleration works like a boa constrictor on your lungs, and when you apply the brakes, the seat belt catches like a swift kick to the sternum.

In tests, the brakes have stopped a car from 100 mph in less than 50 metres. This is only marginally less efficient than hitting a wall. A comforting thought, until you realise that the person driving behind you is unlikely to be similarly blessed in the braking department.

Safety Features That said, facts such as these are reassuring, as are the heaps of safety features including a hardworking traction control system that makes the car more forgiving when you’ve been a little eager on the gas. In fact, although it is unquestionably exhilarating, I felt constantly secure, safe in the knowledge that this car had my wellbeing at heart. The same cannot be said of a Ferrari or, as I prefer to call it, a near-death experience. Does it have any drawbacks? Well yes, of course it does. First of all, it would be lousy on a demolition site. Also, you could buy Wales for less than the asking price of the Aston Martin Vanquish but believe me, you’ll never have this much fun in Wales. The Vanquish doesn’t so much use fuel as it inhales it. Then again, if you have spent that much on a car, the hourly visits to the petrol station probably hold very few fears for you. And think of the Nectar points.

A middle-aged man in a Porsche is Rod Stewart, milking past glories long after they ceased to be cool, even in an ironic way. “Do ya think I’m sexy?” No Rod, not for at least 40 years. Driving an Aston Martin speaks of aspirations realised, goals achieved, mountains scaled, a life lived. A middle-aged man driving an Aston is Keith Richards, still vital, still relevant, looked up to by his peers, and yet not caring a jot what others may think.

But all these are petty niggles; like discovering that your supermodel wife leaves the cap off the toothpaste from time to time.

So yes, it is expensive and yes, it will make you the envy of just about everyone you meet. But I assure you that driving an Aston Martin Vanquish is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Then, of course, is the fact that its sleek shape and outrageous speed scream midlife crisis just as loudly as a questionable tattoo or an ill-advised piercing. But, as a reformed Porsche owner, I disagree.

And if, like me, you’re in your 40s, it is as much fun as a good many of the things you can do with your clothes off too. So go on, treat yourself – You’ll thank me for it.

Driving a Porsche in your 40s – I now see - is a desperate and vain attempt to be young, carefree and careless one last time.

STUFF

Quickfire In honour of our unrequited love of Twitter, in each edition we will bring you a Tweet-style interview with a leading demolition personality. And they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come any bigger than Helina Stil; director of newly-crowned World Demolition Contractor of the Year, Nikau Contractors and the first QuickFire participant to mention lipgloss!

Favourite food? Freshly caught Snapper on a hot grill on the beach Nicest place you've ever been? Victoria, Canada and Wanaka, New Zealand What time to you start work? 8am usually LOL

What is the one thing you take with you everywhere? My wallet, phone and lipgloss

Do you have a morning ritual? Cup of tea, watch news and make children's lunches

Favourite gadget? My iPhone and Beats by Dre headphones

If you didn't work in demolition, what would you be? Either working for the Government or a struggling artist

Favourite or dream car? Maserati GranCabrio MC - LOVE IT Favourite book? Edmonds Cookbook - a kiwi classic

What aspect of demolition to you most enjoy? The machines

Favourite sports team? The mighty All Blacks of course

What aspect of demolition would you change? COWBOY CONTRACTORS

Last holiday destination? Wild West Coast, South Island, New Zealand beautiful

What would be the first thing you'd do if you were King/Queen for a day? Sleep In and turn my phone off

Favourite item of clothing? Everything I have by designer Karen Walker

New World Order 13

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

Commentary The demolition industry is at a post-recessionary crossroads. The path it takes now will shape the sector now, and for years to come. This starts as a bit of a ramble but trust me; there is a point to it.

This shift coincided with a wider embracing of new technology. In the union days, copy was handled by countless individuals, all with very small and very focused roles. Each of my articles went from me to a sub-editor who would make sure that my spelling was up to scratch. From there it would go to a designer who would use that article to make up a whole or part of a page. That page would then be sent to a typesetter who would repeat the process to make the whole shebang â&#x20AC;&#x153;print readyâ&#x20AC;?, before being passed to a printer who would actually put the ink on the paper. By contrast, the article that you are reading went from me to the printer, and to you.

When I first became a journalist, back in the 80s, publishing companies were still a union closed shop. I got my first proper job not because I was a gifted scribe and wordsmith but because my father worked for the same company. But all of that changed when Margaret Thatcher set about the dismantling the power of the unions. Say what you like about Maggie, but her impact upon the publishing sector was enormous and it put me on the path to where I am today.

Obviously, this meant job losses along the way. But with a better-educated workforce using technology to write directly into a print-ready design, sub-editors had no reason to doublecheck; typesetters were rendered obsolete. And, most importantly of all, the readers of Contract Journal never knew the difference.

First to go was the theory that nepotism was a sound means of selecting a workforce. I had sneaked through the back door with my college education while no-one was looking. A year after I started on the now defunct Contract Journal, an internal edict was passed that insisted that all future employees should be university graduates. Or, to put it another way, the company now had the opportunity to choose the best candidates out there, rather than the nephew of the guy that swept the loading bay in the warehouse.

And what does that rambling history lesson have to do with demolition, I hear you ask? The postrecession demolition sector is standing at a similar crossroads at which it can either repeat the mistakes of the past or carve itself a new future.

Or we choose an uncharted future in which traditional economic cycles may not apply. So which path do YOU choose?

Why are C&D & different to the rest?

CD To its left is a continuation of the road it is already on. The path is well-trodden, clearly signposted â&#x20AC;&#x153;boom, bust, repeatâ&#x20AC;?; its every up countered with an equal and proportionate down; and it is lined with the corporate corpses of Armoury Group, Border Demolition, Controlled Group, EDS and Lee Demolition.

l Approved trainers for NDTG, IOSH, and CIEH. l Over 70 different training courses readily available, including plant assessment. l Courses written to suit your training needs. l We train anytime, anywhere and any number. l All trainers PTTLS certified.

To the right, barely visible, is a second road. Few have been here before; it has no signpost to indicate its final destination; and it will require some brave and bold companies to pioneer a path to an uncertain future.

l Behaviour training is a speciality and we are Zero Harm approved trainers. l Industry leading Stress Management and Diversity courses. l We will manage your training records if required.

The choice is simple: we keep doing what we have done for the past 20, 30 and even fifty years, certain in the knowledge that, regardless of what we do, boom will lead to bust will lead to boom.

CD &

C O N S U LTA N C Y TRAINING DIVISION

01902 686363 www.demolishdismantle.co.uk www.demolitiontraining.com john.woodward@demolishdismantle.co.uk jill@demolishdismantle.co.uk

LOOKING FOR WORK? 15

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

The Children Demolition must attract smarter individuals into its lower ranks if it is to embrace change, fully address health and safety challenges, and build a sustainable business for the future. In career-selection terms, demolition is like the fat, asthmatic kid with the wonky eye, glasses and inexplicably sour odour when you were playing football at school: Only picked when all other options have been exhausted. Our schools are filled with children aspiring to be David Beckham, Beyonce, Steve Jobs or Oprah Winfrey. Unless they have a father or uncle in the demolition business, very few five, 10 and 15 year olds aspire to a career in demolition. The reason for this are many and varied, but I believe that for some it begins at a very early age when their primary exposure to the industry is one of fear.

Every demolition site – large or small – carries a multitude of warning signs reading Danger – Demolition in Progress. Many of those companies that have embraced community liaison - visiting schools and community centres and interacting with local children – reinforce that theme, asking local children to create their own Keep Out signs. Of course, children SHOULD be aware of the dangers of a demolition site. No-one wants kids using a site as an afterschool playground. But the current tone is so wholly and universally negative that demolition companies might just as well erect signs that proclaim “Here There be Sharks” and “Abandon Hope All ye Who Enter”.

Receptive Minds As an industry, we are missing an opportunity to engage with these receptive and impressionable minds on a positive level, preferring instead to “scare the bejesus” out of them instead. Would it really be so bad if some of that negativity was tempered with some positivity? Is this not an ideal opportunity to inspire a love for big diggers? Could we not explain that the house these children live in almost certainly came about as a result of demolition?

are our Future

That boy who is not too good at science but is a maths whizz - Couldn’t he be moulded into an estimator?

Should we not be telling them that our recycling methods are helping safeguard their future? Construction has Bob the Builder. Where is our Dave the Demolition Man? Having inspired them at an early age, the industry would then need to engage with them before they begin to choose their career paths. And in this area, we have much to learn from the Armed Forces. Careers advertising for the Armed Forces highlights the multitude of roles within each service, not just the one that involves marching into a dusty country you couldn’t previously find on a map merely to satisfy a politician’s bloodlust.

That girl who hates school but is really good at English – Could she not be trained to write bid documents? That kid that loves computers but hates gaming. Perfect for the BIM department that you’re likely to need going forward? And that bookish, methodical kid that is always there, always on time and leaves school with straight Cs – A risk assessment and method statement co-ordinator in the making?

They highlight engineering, IT and administrative roles; jobs that don’t involve danger or risk of death. Demolition has all of these in spades. So sure, maybe we do continue to take school leavers that didn’t bother with further education. But that doesn’t mean that future demolition sites need to resemble the set of Dawn of the Dead.

LOOK NO FURTHER WWW.DEMOLITION-JOBS.CO.UK 17

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r This is the real answer; not hauling a high reach simulator around educational conventions. If I am 16 years old and I am presented with a high reach simulator, I am not thinking “hi-diddleydee”, a wrecker’s life for me.” I am thinking “Sod demolition. Gaming is cool. I am sending my CV to EA Sports.”

With the benefit of hindsight, was it really such a great idea to invest in a device that – if we’re being exceptionally generous – might benefit less than five percent of the incumbent workforce at a time when site operative tests are being geared to be passable by the semi and fullyilliterate?

Limited Resources

Better and Smarter

The training sector within UK demolition has limited resources, made up of reinvested training fees and grant funding from a Government quango that lives under a seemingly constant threat of abolition. Against that background, surely it should be playing the averages.

During the recession, many companies were forced to lay-off members of their workforce (ironic given that the training group that purports to serve it was actually swelling in size at the same time).

Clever though it might be (and would it really have hurt to put a cab on it) the high reach simulator will impact upon – at best – a few hundred individuals, the majority of whom have been operating excavators and even high reach excavators quite adequately without this technological intervention. There are about 550 demolition companies in the UK at any given time, and not all of them run high reach machines. Let’s say that the simulator might benefit 500 individuals. As a whole, the UK demolition industry employs upwards of 10,000 individuals across a multitude of disciplines. Site operatives must surely outnumber high reach drivers by about 10:1 and, let’s face it, a high reach is of no use whatsoever on a bridge, a top down contract, an explosive contract or a multitude of other site situations.

With the economy having turned a corner, the industry now has the opportunity to rebuild those workforces with smarter, more articulate, enthusiastic, ambitious individuals; technologysavvy young people that have grown up with the Internet and see it not as a threat but as an integral part of everyday life; individuals for whom an iPad is as much a demolition tool as a hydraulic hammer; environmentally-aware young people for whom green issues are the norm, not just the domain of the tree-hugging community; insightful young people that will question the traditional processes and procedures and who might just come up with a better way. And this is not just about young people (although, as Whitney Houston once sang before her ill-fated, one-way trip to the bathroom, “I believe the children are our future.”) Although they have not arrived in the caravan convoy droves predicted by the Daily Mail, the UK is likely to see a new wave of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania.

as we want them to be, not to merely accept them as they have evolved. We have the chance to employ better, smarter more switched on staff who will push the company and the industry forward.

We can, of course, choose to get all Nigel Farage about it and bleat about how they will be stealing jobs from British workers, or we can face the facts proven by the influx of Polish workers just a few years ago. In my personal experience, those migrant workers tend to have a better formal education and a better work ethic than many of their British counterparts. Toolbox Talks, site briefings and safety notices might be a challenge at first but let us not lose sight of one irrefutable fact. Polish, Bulgarian and Romanian workers have already mastered their native language and are now applying themselves to learning ours. A good many British workers couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even be arsed to learn their own native tongue, cannot read or write and now communicate in a series of grunts.

Alternatively, we could just call the fat kid with the lazy eye.

CDM-C services & the for demolition industry

l CDM-C services for the demolition industry. l Demolition consultancy on projects of all types. l Method statements and H&S plans written. l ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 systems written. l Site safety audits undertaken by NEBOSH certified auditors. l A One Stop Shop for assistance with demolition projects.

Given the choice between a bi-lingual Bulgarian and an illiterate Brit, I know which way I am leaning.

01902 686363 or 07870 404906

In short, if we are to take any positives out of a recession that was deeper and longer than anyone expected, it is the possibility to rebuild workforces

CD &

www.demolishdismantle.co.uk john.woodward@demolishdismantle.co.uk follow us on twitter @johnwoodward

LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES? 19

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

Down Low, Too Slow UK demolition has been uncharacteristically and dangerously slow to respond to an upturn in demand and market sentiment. Now here’s a sentence I never expected to write: “The UK demolition industry is missing a chance to make money.” If ever there was an industry that defined the entrepreneurial spirit, demolition was it. Never mind “where there’s muck there’s brass” – In demolition circles, there’s brass where there’s muck, bricks, blocks, timber, glass, plastic, steel, iron, aluminium and, coincidentally, brass. The sector was the pastmaster at finding profit where none had previously existed; at riding the economic lows before being the first to seize the subsequent highs. And yet, this time around, the industry has been uncharacteristically tardy. The UK economy has been officially out of recession for well over a year now. Fuel prices, insurance premiums, Landfill Tax, employment costs and association memberships have all seen an increase. And yet here we are with tales of suicidal bidding and price undercutting still rife. Even in the midst of a recession, low-bidding is an act of short-termism and desperation. To continue when the market has picked up is nothing short of certifiable lunacy.

Certifiable Lunacy The comments we received upon the demise of both Lee Demolition and Euro Dismantling Services were split into two roughly equal categories. The first category was wishing the workers well and expressing sincere hopes that they would find alternative employment having fallen victim to circumstances beyond their direct control. The second, more vociferous group was the “they had it coming” category that was quick to detail the fallen companies’ reputation for “buying work” and (pardon my French) for “ripping the arse out of jobs”. Whether any of those comments was based on truth is something that only the former directors of each company and their respective clients will know (although Lee Demolition admitted that its downfall had been caused by “inaccurate costing and poor project management”). Regardless, there are certain companies with a reputation – earned or otherwise – for doing things on the cheap.

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

We all know who they are, and so do they. So, for them, let me paint a picture using a footballing analogy (and my apologies to any rugby fans out there – I don’t know the first thing about the sport and, therefore, have no direct comparison).

In footballing terms, they are Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. They may not win everything but they will be there or thereabouts and will be a genuine joy to watch.

Those companies that were among the most expensive before the recession were, most likely, the most expensive during the recession and are among the most expensive today.

Then there is a second group. In legislation, health and safety and training terms, they do just enough to get by without fear of prosecution. They do not believe in long-term partnerships, preferring the “get in, get paid and get out before anyone asks questions” style of working.

They have a reputation for doing things well and for doing things right. If the law dictates that they must do X, they do X and Y, just to be certain. They create long-term partnerships with their clients and take good care of their staff through training and ongoing career progression. They invest in the best and are on a course marked “continuous improvement”.

They see their staff as mere commodities that can be picked up, put down and treated poorly because, ultimately, they are all replaceable. And they are quite willing to take a financial hit on the chin in exchange for that one fleeting moment in the spot light. In footballing parlance, they are Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal vs Blackburn

In the 1994-95 season, backed by a huge personal investment from steel stockholder Jack Walker, Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League title before commencing a slow, inexorable decline. During that same period, Arsenal amassed three Premier League titles; four FA Cup trophies and four Community Shield wins.

There is an entire generation of clients out there now that believe that those prices quoted during the recession are the norm. More worrying still is the fact that there are individuals within UK demolition companies that believe the same.

At the time of writing, Arsenal are at the top of the English Premiership; Blackburn Rovers are 9th in the English league’s second tier. Demolition contractors can choose to take the Blackburn Rovers approach for one shot at the big time; or they can up their game; be an Arsenal; and enjoy long-term success.

^ĂĨĞƌ ĞŵŽůŝƟŽŶ WƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĞǆƉĞƌƚ ŐƵŝĚĂŶĐĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĞŵŽůŝƟŽŶ industry, including:

Knee-Jerk In truth, the industry already has its fair share of Arsenals; those companies that do things so well and so right that even their competitors treat them with a grudging respect. Unfortunately, they are greatly outnumbered by Blackburn Rovers companies. And such is the disparity between the two that the industry – even the better parts of it – are being tarnished with a whiff of Rovers. When the recession hit, much of the demolition industry switched into default mode and cut prices without a second thought. That knee-jerk reaction has now come home to roost.

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N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

Name & Shame The demolition industry must embrace openness and transparency if it is to shake off its reputation for cloak and dagger deals and staff too scared to voice their valuable opinion. Over the course of a working year, I am given a multitude of reasons that people within this industry won’t or can’t speak to me. There is the rare “we don’t speak to/trust the press”. There is the (rare outside of Silverdell circles) “no comment”.

I received over 50 emails and text messages and all but two demanded anonymity.

Two even went as far as to start their message with the phrase “without prejudice” to ensure that their words could not be used against them in the future. What kind of industry has its employees so fearful of speaking up that they remain tight-lipped before, during and after fatal accidents? What kind of industry has its employees so fearful that they dare not “rock the boat” for fear of recriminations?

There is the (more common than you might think) “we have been told by a higher authority that we are not allowed to speak to you”. And then there is the biggie – an inability to speak up for fear of reprisals. You might think I am joking but I can assure you I am deadly serious. In the 24 hours following the online publication of an article entitles Demolition is Broken (http://tinyurl.com/pzp7pbt),

What kind of industry repeatedly acquiesces to the unreasonable requests of clients - even though that request is contrary to best practice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for fear of being blacklisted? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll tell you. That is not an industry; that is a police state.

Speak Up The issue, of course, is one of supply and demand. Although there are exceptions, demolition companies are generally afraid to speak out against clients for fear of being

replaced on a current contract and future works. Likewise, demolition workers are afraid of speaking out to employers who see them as expendable and easily replaced. That such a climate of fear even exists in this day and age is, however, a scandal. It would be even more of a scandal if it were allowed to continue.

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r The time has come to make a stand and to speak up, anonymously if necessary. And since no-one else seems willing to take up the mantle, we (Demolition magazine and DemolitionNews.com) will be your mouthpiece if you wish.

Now I was working with the Federation when the site audit scheme became a pre-requisite of membership and so I know that non-compliance comes in many forms.

If your employer is asking you to do something that you believe to be unsafe, report it to us anonymously and we will investigate it and report it. If your client is insisting that you do a job in a way that goes against best practice and your own gut feel, report it to us anonymously and we will investigate it and report it. And if you have lost out on a contract based purely on price, report it to us anonymously and we will investigate it and report it. For the record, there is no point in investigating lost contracts out of spite and sour grapes. But if a company has won a contract by bidding, say, 20 percent less than the next lowest bid, we want to hear about it.

Cuts Both Ways If the industry is to embrace transparency, however, it MUST be a two-way street; we must engage in the same levels of honesty and integrity with which we would like to be treated. Case in point. I recently had cause to visit the Federation website and was a little surprised to find that around a dozen of its current members were listed as suspended, non-compliant or yet to complete a site audit.

Sure, there are still sites that auditors find to be below par from a health and safety, risk assessment standpoint. But there are also those that do not comply for little more than poorly maintained site paperwork. And there are those smaller companies that fall foul of the scheme simply because they do not have an auditable site in the prescribed timeframe.

That, however, is not my gripe. For while a dozen companies had a black mark against their name for non-compliance. I knew of at least two that were under ongoing investigation over a site fatality but whose name was accompanied by a nice big tick of compliance. And there were even more that I know to be investigation for non-fatal accidents also wearing their tick of quality.

Yes, a system like this WOULD favour the likes of Erith Group and Cantillon, both of which have amassed more than one million man hours without a reportable incident. But if the UK demolition industry is serious about safety, would that be such a bad thing? And if other companies want to compete, then they will have no choice but to invest in training and safety; not the worst imaginable outcome.

If, as the Federation would have its members believe, the website is a shop window for clients and their buddies in the UK Contractors Group, then surely a heads up on a fatality or questionable safety records would not be out of place. As it stands today, the website seems to suggest that a failure to comply with Federation rules is a worse crime than killing or maiming a worker. Of course, the Federation cannot pre-empt or prejudice the findings of a criminal court, and nor should it. But maybe, just maybe, this is a time to accentuate the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Instead of painting a red cross on the entry of a company that has suffered a site accident and declaring them â&#x20AC;&#x153;uncleanâ&#x20AC;?, what about scoring companies on the number of man hours worked without a reportable incident. Of course, any such system would need to be geared by, say, per 10,000 man hours to ensure that smaller companies were playing on a level playing field with their larger, multi-site counterparts.

N e w Wo r l d O r d e r

Taking Respon And we live in a world in which employees within the demolition industry have become so mollycoddled that they have largely surrendered responsibility for their own personal safety, content in the knowledge that any accident that befalls them will almost certainly be accompanied by a cash pay-out.

A growing blame culture has been allowed to take a foothold in the UK demolition industry. And it has been largely to the detriment of the sector. Mark Anthony reflects.

Why else would they need to be constantly reminded to wear hard hats, high visibility jackets and vests, safety gloves and glasses, all of which are for their OWN personal protection? Why else would demolition contractors be issuing sunscreen to workers during the brief British summer time?

My increasing age has brought with it a growing tolerance. I no longer suffer from road rage; I can usually read the newspaper without the urge to hunt down and kill a politician. And even the latest West Ham defeat is generally greeted with a shrug of learned indifference.

Why else would demolition contractors be investing thousands in on-site health checks to fill the gaps in the medical care of their workers? And what do demolition contractors get in return? They get the kind of loyalty that sees staff heading for the exit if they are offered another £5 per week by a competitor.

There are, however, some things that still rankle. Radio presenters that use the term “the N word” like their listeners are four years old; TV newsreaders that are incapable of tying a tie properly; and – my personal bugbear – the culture of blame in which everything is somebody’s fault (usually so that a financial claim can be made).

If the problems of self-responsibility are bad at the bottom end of the business, they are considerably worse (and Government-backed) at the top where clients are legally absolved from all liability even if they chose to use a “demolition contractor” who is actually a plumber by training and who then causes an accident.

We live in a world where someone stupid enough to trip over a paving slab can blame and then sue the local authority responsible for the path’s upkeep. We live in a world in which, apparently, inclement weather can be attributed directly to some shortcoming at the House of Commons or the Environment Agency.

Clients claim to judge bids based upon a variety of factors, only one of which is cost. And yet by some strange quirk of coincidence, the lowest bid invariably wins. And why shouldn’t it?

sibility

Unfortunately, thanks to the Nanny State in which we now live, this would almost certainly mean a mountain of paperwork, bureaucracy and, of course, cost.

If a low-ball bidder wins the work and then can’t complete it at the price, the client might face a minor inconvenience or time delay. Meanwhile, the demolition contractor that won the bid will be forced to cut corners to make ends meet and could be driven out of business while the losing contractors that were better equipped to do the work are left in the cold.

Can anything done about clients’ willingness to put cost above all other factors? There is a temptation to “name and shame” clients that consistently take the cheap option, but then there is the fear of earning a reputation as a whistle-blower and being blacklisted for future work. But if “proper price” contractors are already being excluded by a skin-flint client, would they really make so much of a difference?

And what if the client’s “price is everything” mantra results in an accident or worse, a fatality? Well, apparently, that is the contractor’s fault as well. I cannot recall a single case in which a client’s willingness to buy its demolition services “on the cheap” have been cited as a contributory factor in an accident. And yet we all know that it can play a key role.

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Somehow, the demolition sector has landed the role as the construction industry’s whipping boy; the doorstep at which all blame is laid. And it is here where the wider industry has demolition over a barrel. If ever the industry were to set aside its differences and unite outside institute and federation lines, it would be accused of collusion. Is there an answer? Well, at staff levels, there certainly is. With the introduction of tighter contracts of employment, demolition contractors could certainly protect themselves – to a degree – from the lack of loyalty and crass stupidity of their staff.

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On SITE

Cuddy Makes

Situated in the shadow of Chartist Tower, the ninestorey Capitol Car Park was built in the 1960's but closed in 2010 after a period of rapid deterioration to the fabric of the building.

A Sunday morning blast changed the Newport city skyline as Cuddy Group demolished a familiar multi-storey car park.

The demolition crew drilled 750 holes in strategic positions all over six floors of the car park. A charge was inserted into each hole, over 35Kg of detonating cord explosive in all, and delay detonators set off over a one second period.

The ÂŁ90 million Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme started with a very loud bang on Sunday 12th January, when team of demolition experts consisting of Cuddy Group, IndEx Ltd , SES Contracts Ltd, Stellabrook (Drilling Contractors) & Bingham Hall (Structural Engineers) took the Capitol Car Park in Newport City Centre down by the use of controlled explosives.

After a series of warning sirens and a rocket, it fell to 13 year old Ellis Moore from Blackwood, to press the button. "I was nervous", he said, "But it was very exciting to see the building come down".

Parking Space

The design of the collapse was to pull the car park away from the remaining attached structure and the live gas main which was just seven metres from the building. The corner nearest to the gas main was left to ensure that the vibration was minimised.

"Demolition is a very serious business and safety is always the number one priority. It may only take a second or two for the building to fall but the amount of preparation and co-ordination that goes into an event like today is vast. We were keen to ensure minimal disruption for local businesses and the surrounding community and have ensured there has been ongoing consultation at every stage in our planning and preparation,â&#x20AC;? concludes Cuddy managing director, Mike Cuddy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am delighted that the explosion went according to plan and that the clean down programme can now begin in earnest."

Councillor Ken Critchley, Newport City Council's cabinet member for infrastructure, said: "The removal of the car park represents a significant stage in the demolition programme and construction of the eagerly awaited Friars Walk leisure and retail development will begin shortly." Cuddy Group won the contract for the demolition work on John Frost Square following a tender process and the removal of Capitol Car Park is the final piece of work to be completed on the demolition.

To view a video of the implosion, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/pwd2zd5

on site

Thoroughly Modern Metro

Metro Deconstruction is embracing new technology and transparency to enhance its efficiency and to win and retain the confidence of its clients. Mark Anthony reports. We all know what to expect from a typical demolition site office: health and safety reminders on the wall; muddy footprints; a discarded copy of The Sun still open at Page 3; and a collection of coffee-cups-cum-penicillin-experiments gently fermenting in the corner.

particularly around London and the South East of England,” says managing director Mark Taylor. “We have built and maintained our reputation by going that extra mile to ensure that our customers are not just satisfied, but delighted by the standard of our work.”

The health and safety posters are on the wall of Metro Deconstruction’s cramped Wigmore Street site near Marylebone in Central London. But the other industry staples are strangely absent, replaced by an almost clinical cleanliness; a single laptop where the discarded newspapers should be; a dust, vibration and noise monitoring station occupying the small area of floor space usually reserved for muddy boots.

It is a policy that is paying dividends. In addition to the tricky and complex contract at the Wigmore Street site, Metro has a further 6 operational sites within a short walk. And the current Wigmore Street project – part of the Howard de Walden Estate’s planned upgrade of most of Marylebone - actually abuts another Metro Deconstruction contract completed last year.

Culture Shock And if the company’s site management style is a surprise, then the finish quality of its internal stripout activities on the site are a full-on culture shock. Despite the fact that the retained buildings themselves are several hundred years old, inside they are pristinely clean almost to a builder’s finish on a new build. “The demolition industry is extremely competitive,

On SITE However, while Mark Taylor now knows this particular part of London like the back of his hand, nothing could have prepared him for the access headache presented by the Wigmore Street contract. The site is fully enclosed, bordered along all four aspects. To the front there is a four-storey concrete framed residential block and a busy pub that is to remain open for the duration of the demolition works. To the rear is a new hotel that is also to remain open and undisturbed. Along one side is a building occupied by a firm of solicitors. And to the other side is a row of terraced retail outlets with accommodation above to three storeys where Metro has flexed its strip-out muscles. The only way into the site was a small undercroft leading to an equally small courtyard, but this was scarcely large enough to accommodate a mini excavator, let alone a full-scale demolition machine.

was the safest and most efficient alternative,” Taylor says. “But even this came with its challenges. We had to liaise with the local council and the Highway Agency to agree a temporary road closure to allow us to crane the mini excavators onto the roof.” Even with the mini machines in place, the complexity of the contract remained. “We had no way of taking material off site and we are not allowed to crush here either,” Taylor explains.

Frontal Assault The only viable solution open to Metro Demolition was a front assault, using top down methods to remove the four-storey concrete framed residential block alongside the pub facing the busy Wigmore Street elevation of the site. “We looked at the challenge from every angle but taking out the residential block to gain access to the main site

“So as the mini excavators gradually brought the building down, skid steer loaders were pushing the material back towards the rear of the site.” In other circumstances, this approach would be akin to removing one obstacle and replacing it with another.

But Metro’s approach had taken this into account. As soon as the four-storey block was down to ground level, a complicated temporary works scheme was designed and installed by Metro to back prop the slab and allow the larger excavators onto site to begin the real demolition work. These larger machines were also used to bulk move the debris, arranging it as a working platform from which to demolish the remainder of the structures. “Even though we had very little choice, I am very proud of the method that we developed for this complex little contract,” Taylor adds. “Working this close to busy, neighbouring properties, we needed to keep disruption to an absolute minimum. And our top down approach achieved just that.”

Transparency Policy Mark Taylor believes that a key to his company’s success on this project and others is its policy of transparency and communication with local residents and stakeholders. “Before work even started, we met with local residents to tell them exactly what we were planning to do and the likely impact this would have on them,” he recalls.

“Then, from the moment the project started in earnest, we have produced a weekly newsletter which keeps them informed and warns them of road closures and noisy working periods. And to date, we have not received a single complaint.” The company is equally communicative with client Howard de Walden Estate. “In addition to the standard council noisy working restrictions that allow us to work from eight till ten, 12 till two and four till six, we have an additional set of restrictions at the pub end of the contract where we are only allowed to work from nine till 12 and three till five,” Taylor says. “Noise, dust and vibration is all monitored on a live feed to the site office and back to our head office, together with GPS-based building movement monitoring on the party walls. Once a fortnight, this information is compiled into a report for the client.” The highest praise from Metro Deconstruction’s client is the autonomy with which it is allowed to work on such a high profile development. “We have established an excellent rapport with our client and they trust us to work safely, efficiently and to not disrupt our neighbours, most of whom are Howard de Walden Estate tenants,” Mark Taylor concludes. In fact, they generally negotiate the subsequent construction contract while we are in the demolition phase because they trust us to hit our deadlines and leave the site fully construction-ready.”

On site

School for

J Freeley chalked up ÂŁ1.0 million of school contracts in under two years with the completion of its latest project.

l's Out Freeley The Manchester-based company demolished the former Stamford Community High School in Ashton under Lyne, Tameside, Greater Manchester – its sixth contract in the sector since spring 2012. The client was Inspiredspaces Tameside, a company set up to deliver the government’s Building Schools for the Future programme in the borough. The demolition was delayed for a year due to the discovery of a bat colony in one of the school blocks and because the site had been booked for the filming of episodes of TV comedy drama Shameless. Once the work finally got under way, however, Freeley completed it in 18 weeks, a fortnight ahead of schedule. “Education is a strong growth sector for the business and we are delighted to have successfully completed another major contract for a key public sector client,” says managing director John Freeley.

Freeley worked with ecologists to ensure the demolition work did not endanger the bats. Bat boxes were put up in trees around the school grounds to provide a safe shelter before demolition, and the company arranged for high-intensity lighting

ON SITE

to be installed and focused on all sides of the building to deter bats from roosting inside. Four buildings were demolished as part of the scheme, with only an electricity sub-station retained on the site. Restrictions in place covered the protection of cables from the sub-station, and the monitoring of noise. At the height of the works, Freeley had 12 people on site. The firm mainly used mechanical means to demolish the buildings, with some hand demolition carried out using a Genie Z45-25 cherry picker to separate the live sub-station from one of the blocks. Excavators with selector grabs and pulverisers were used for most of the dismantling while a 50-tonne excavator with a shear was used on the steel-framed buildings.

The excavators were a Kobelco 480, a Komatsu 210, a high-reach Hitachi EX270LC and a CAT 320. A Pegson XR400 crusher was used to crush concrete and masonry onsite, which produced 15,000 tonnes of recycled aggregate. Freeley removed 34 tonnes of asbestos materials from the site before starting the demolition.

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on site

Coleman Targets Safety 40

Following an extensive study, Coleman & Company plumped for JCB skid steer loaders to tackle a mixture of tricky and mammoth works. Midlands-based Coleman & Company Ltd initially ordered a single JCB 135 skid steer loader to work on its intricate demolition projects where space is confined - such as within tight city centre sites - or where there are weight restrictions on suspended floors. The company was so impressed with the machine that it has since purchased a further four JCB skid steers - a 155 and three 135 models. All have been put to work on high profile demolition projects across the country including Didcot Power Station, St David's Shopping Centre in Swansea and Birmingham New Street Railway Station.

As well as the performance of the machines, Coleman & Company highlights the health and safety features of JCB skid steers compared to competitive models as fundamental to the purchasing decision. "We work in increasingly hazardous spaces, so ensuring our operatives can work in safe conditions is of primary importance. As such, we continuously look to manage and mitigate risk where possible. The JCB skid steer models have a number of positive safety features that impressed us," says Coleman & Company contract support manager, Malcolm Hurst. "These include far better all-round visibility and safer access to the cab which in turn allows a demolition guard to be fitted at the front of the cab. This is something unique to JCB's design, it is very different to any other skid steer on the market. We are also very impressed with the build quality along with the flexibility of the JCB skid steers. Given the complex, technically challenging and high-risk nature of the work Coleman & Company undertakes, we felt JCB was best placed to meet our needs.

on site

The machines have excelled in these conditions and the support we receive from our dealer Gunn JCB is superb. We are also proud to support a fellow Midlands and UK-based firm." As the only manufacturer to produce a single-sided Powerboom loader arm, JCB provides operators with a full opening door on the side of the machine. This means that there is never a requirement to climb over large, cumbersome attachments or tools, improving safety for the operator. This design also enables the JCB models to be fitted with a level of cab protection that surpasses any other skid steer.

The skid steers will be used on a wide variety of tasks and locations including: working in tight and compact areas such as confined spaces in variety of environments where Health and Safety considerations are paramount.

The Coleman & Company skid steer loaders have been further adapted to the demolition environment with additional features including: an alarm that is triggered if the door opens whilst the engine is running, solid puncture resistant rubber tyres and a grapple bucket that 'clamps' a broad range of materials moves from its sites.

Typically the machines are used in the early stages of the demolition process removing soft strip materials from within buildings. It is essential they are safely manoeuvred in and around confined spaces where floor loading needs to be kept to an absolute minimum.

To view an exclusive video of one of Coleman & Company's JCB skid steers in action, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/qejrz6u

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on site

Connell on the Buses Preparatory works have been taking place over the last few weeks, and Connell Brothers is now getting the site ready for the main demolition works. Work to remove the two ramps to the car park above the old bus station will start in late February ahead of the main demolition works starting in early March.

Rochdale town centre is set to transform beyond recognition in the coming months now that contractors have been appointed to start the demolition of the old Municipal Offices and Bus Station.

When the main demolition gets under way the Multi Storey Car Park and old Bus Station will be the first area to be demolished followed by the old Municipal Offices. The demolition of the old black box will be a delicate task for Connellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s which will have to first internally strip out the building before covering it with scaffolding and dismantling it from the top down because of its proximity to Metrolink and other buildings in the town centre, as well as pavements and roads.

The demolition will clear the way for Genr8â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed new mixed use retail and leisure development in the heart of the town centre close to the new Transport Interchange which opened in November 2013, and town centre Metrolink stop, which is on track to open in spring. The task of demolishing the structures that have dominated Rochdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline since the 1970s will fall to Connell Brothers Ltd, of Salford, which expects the project to take around nine months to complete.

Hoardings which are being placed around the demolition site will soon be decorated with colourful designs promoting the town centre and giving people directions to key locations.

The webcam which was previously stationed on top of the old municipal offices has now been moved to the Number One Riverside to give people a unique insight into the next stage of work in the town centre. The webcam images can be viewed at: www.rochdaletowncentre.com As part of the transformation, work will also soon begin on a new entrance for The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre on Baillie Street which is expected to be completed by the end of November 2014.

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“This is a big step forward in the regeneration of Rochdale town centre,” says Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Rochdale Borough Council. “It’s the end of an era for many well-known buildings but is also a much needed move into the 21st century which I’m sure will be welcomed by many.”

A memorable song from the 1960’s Musical ‘Half a Sixpence’ by the happy go lucky all singing, all dancing Tommy Steele.

This is a view shared by Connell Brothers’ operations manager, Steve Balyski. “The team who will be working on the Rochdale project has been responsible for the virtual re-modelling of large parts of the city centre of Manchester including Mosley Street where we successfully demolished Elisabeth House, the former Royal Bank of Scotland and Eagle Star House,” he concludes. “We have a wealth of experience working in restrictive city centre environments throughout the UK. This experience means we’re in a really good position to make the huge changes required in Rochdale while minimising disruption for the public and keeping them safe.”

Sadly in our industry it can often be a case of

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Photo: Las Vegas New Bureau

k i t ta l k

Viva Las Vegas 46

From 4 to 8 March 2014, the eyes of the demolition equipment world will turn towards Las Vegas and the year’s largest equipment exhibition – ConExpo 2014. Mark Anthony picks out some of the new machine highlights that will make their global debut at the show. According to the legend, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. While that might be true of visits to seedy clubs and gambling horror stories, the same cannot be said of the exhibits at the ConExpo exhibition. In fact, what happens equipment-wise in Vegas tends to set the tone for what happens across the entire demolition plant world. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the focus of this year’s show is the switch up to Tier 4 engine technology; and the major manufacturers will be falling over themselves to highlight how they have embraced the new emissions standard. But there will be plenty to see for those more interested in the power, productivity and profitability end of the equipment with the likes of Caterpillar, Doosan, Hyundai and Bobcat unveiling entire new ranges of machines.

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So regardless of whether you’re planning to attend the show or if you have decided to give Sin City a swerve this time around, check out what we believe to be the show highlights over the coming pages.

Stage IV Cats The new Caterpillar 374F and 390F hydraulic excavators, which replace their D-Series predecessors, feature fuel-efficient Cat ACERT engines - the C15 in the 374F and C18 in the 390F - that meet EU Stage IV emissions regulations.

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k i t ta l k

Compared with Stage IIIA predecessor engines, 374F and 390F are more fuel efficient than their D-series predecessors, thanks to a 10 percent fuel consumption decrease on 374F, and 390F improved productivity performances.

With maximum operating weights of 75,170 and 92,020 kg respectively, the 374F and 390F feature heavy-duty main structures, a choice of front linkages and work tools for optimum versatility, and available grade-control and telematics systems.

Two power modes - standard or economy - allow the operator to select an engine operating speed to match the application, resulting in further fuel savings. In addition, an on-demand-power system adjusts engine speed to match the machine's operating load, and an engine-idle-shutdown system stops the engine after it idles a pre-set interval.

Clean and Green With respective net power ratings of 352 kW and 391 kW (ISO 9249) the C15 and C18 engines use a combination of proven emissions-control technologies, including electronic management of fuel-injection/intake-air systems and Caterpillardesigned exhaust after-treatment systems.

These systems not only save fuel and reduce emission, but also significantly extend service intervals.

A choice of sticks is available to match booms for meeting required digging depths, reaches and breakout forces.

The 374F and 390F implement hydraulic systems are designed with major components in close proximity, an arrangement that allows shorter connecting tubes and hoses to reduce frictional losses and pressure reductions, resulting in reduced loading on the system for added fuel savings. New for the F-Series models is the Cat Adaptive Control System valve, which electronically manages flows and restrictions to exactly match hydraulic response to joystick movement.

Structural durability is ensured by the proven heavy-duty construction of the mainframes and undercarriage, with the upper frame incorporating special mountings to support the heavy-duty cab, and the lower frame heavily reinforced for longterm durability. A long-track, variable-gauge undercarriageâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;featuring massive track roller frames and high-tensile-strength-steel componentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;provides a wide, stable working basis, while adjusting to reduce shipping width. A new counterweight removal device is available to allow easier and more cost efficient transports.

This fuel-saving feature smoothes hydraulic functions and adds to overall hydraulic efficiency. The new models can be equipped with auxiliaryhydraulic circuits, allowing the use of powered work tools that can be easily attached with a hydraulically activated coupler.

Routine maintenance points - grease fittings, fuel and oil filters, fluid taps - are conveniently grouped on the F-series and safely reached behind wide service doors from wide, slip-resistant catwalks.

For further fuel savings, electrically controlled regeneration systems in the boom and stick circuits move oil between the cylinder ends to reduce the load on the main hydraulic pumps.

In addition, a fuel-tank drain cock simplifies evacuating water and sediment to protect the fuel system, and an integrated fuel-level indicator reduces the prospect of overfilling.

Structural Strength

Spec Check 374F

The 374F and 390F are available with a range of booms and sticks fabricated with heavy, premiumsteel plate and using high-strength castings and forgings in high-stress areas. All are stress-relieved for durability and inspected ultrasonically for quality. Heavy-duty reach boom and General Purpose boom are designed for general excavating and loading, and a mass-excavation boom delivers high production in large-scale earthmoving and heavy-material applications.

Engine Cat C15 Net power ISO (kW) 352 Max dig depth (mm) 9,650 Max fwd reach (mm) 14,230 Max Operating weight (kg) 75,170

390F Cat C18 391 11,800 17,250 92,020

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Clean & Green Doosan The Doosan stand at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibition will provide the launch-pad for the company’s latest excavators and wheel loaders. The line-up of new Final Tier 4/Stage IV compliant machines on the Doosan Booth No 1501 will be revealed on the first day of the show, but the Doosan booth will also feature a number of recently launched interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB compliant excavators and wheel loaders being shown for the first time at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, including the new DX140LCR-3 crawler excavator, the DX190W-3 wheeled excavator and the DL2003 wheel loader.

Reduced Radius The DX140LCR-3 reduced swing excavator is powered by the Cummins QSB 4.5 common rail 4cylinder turbocharged diesel engine featuring the latest evolution in maintenance-free Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) after-treatment technology to meet Stage IIIB engine emission regulations. The engine runs at 2200 RPM and delivers 11 percent more power (81 kW) and 10 percent more torque (49.8 kgf.m) compared to the previous Stage IIIA compliant DX140LCR model. Arm and bucket forces have been increased by up to eight percent along with the travel speed which can now reach 3.2 and 5.3 km/hour in the low and high range, respectively. Owing to the incorporation of a 400 kg heavier counterweight (3,500 kg), the lifting capacities for the new DX140LCR-3 excavator have also been boosted

by up to seven percent.

Performance Increase With operating weights varying from 18.4 to 20.3 tonnes, the new Doosan DX190W-3 wheeled excavator is a true 18-19 tonne class machine. Powered by the well-proven Stage IIIB compliant Doosan DL06KB 6-cylinder ‘common rail’ diesel engine, fitted with a waste gate turbocharger with intercooler as standard and developing 129.4 kW at 1900 RPM, the DX190W-3 model offers more power than other machines in this class. This is combined with a huge hydraulic capacity to produce the highest arm and bucket forces together with the highest traction force on the market. The new DX190W-3 wheeled excavator provides much higher performance than the Stage IIIA model: l Engine power sharply increased by nine percent while torque is up by 4% l Traction force increased by six percent while swing torque is boosted by 16% l Digging forces increased by three percent (bucket) and 13 percent (arm)

on the mode selected and the work being done.

Operator Comfort Like all Doosan new generation machines, the DL200-3 wheel loader features a new cab design offering better visibility thanks to a wider front glass section and an extended wiper blade area. Now that the reservoir for the wiper water is located on the outside of the cab, space inside has been increased, providing more foot room. The air conditioning system is regulated automatically by a temperature sensor. A new instrument panel has an integrated VCU (vehicle control unit). The control panel has been redesigned for more convenience, allowing the operator to choose the information they wish to have displayed. Using the Main Menu, the operator has access to several functions and machine information. Data such as pressure, temperature and engine speed can be monitored in real time. The operator and service staff are able to get detailed information via the Special Menu. New ZF limited slip Type II differential axles provide more durability and a longer lifetime. Rolling resistance for the axles is reduced, improving traction and decreasing fuel consumption. As an option, customers can choose ZF axles with a hydraulic differential lock. This function is engaged via the operator pedal or in automatic mode, depending on the torque resistance in 1st and 2nd gear. The hydraulic lock system offers less rolling resistance than the limited slip system.

l Lifting capacities are sharply up in both the monobloc and articulated versions l Monobloc – Three percent increase over the front, 24 percent over the side l Articulated – 53 percent over the front and 22 percent over the side l In-cab noise levels reduced to 71 dBA (from 74.9 dBA) l Up to 12 percent fuel consumption reduction The DX190W-3 model is also a very efficient machine, with factory tests showing up to a 12 percent reduction in fuel consumption, depending

Powered by the Doosan DL06K ‘common rail’ 6cylinder turbocharged diesel engine delivering 119 kW at 2,100 RPM, the DL200-3 wheel loader combines high engine power with a number of new features to minimise fuel consumption and provide better operator comfort, exceptional performance, ease of

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Case Unveils Large Loader Case Construction Equipment will use ConExpo to introduce the new CASE 1221F wheel loader, the newest and largest model in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s F Series wheel loader line. Designed with an 11.9litre Tier 4 Interim-certified engine that delivers up to 265 kW, the CASE 1221F is built for heavy loading applications. Enhancements to the engine and transmission at maximum travel speed allow for increases in productivity of at least 18 percent and fuel efficiency of at least eight percent. The Case 1221F is powered by a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) engine with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). This provides clean burning power and increased torque compared to previous models. Improved side panel air flow and cleaner direct air flow combine to ensure extended service intervals and component life. A new power shift transmission with transmission mode settings allows the operator to set the transmission to the specific application for optimal productivity and performance.

l Four programmable power modes to save fuel and increase available power. A dual-mode shutdown feature helps maximize fuel economy and monitor vital engine components. l Standard four-speed transmission with manual kick-down for maximum traction, as well as superior bucket penetration. Also available is a five-speed transmission with a lockup torque converter, open-differential axles and advanced system programming for additional fuel savings. l Open rear-axle and locking front-axle for outstanding traction. A new coupler system that pulls the bucket closer to the machine for enhanced breakout force. It also includes the CASE SmartFitTM bucket tooth system that provides stronger, more durable teeth and adapters, and hammerless reusable locking pins to improve digging performance.

The 1221F wheel loader has an operating weight of 30,300 kg and comes with a range of buckets from 4.8 to 5.9 m3. With a 4.8 m3 bucket, the breakout force with tilt cylinder is 25,278 kg. The machine is available in standard Z-bar and extended-reach (XR) configurations. Other key features include:

Bobcat Bobcat’s first Tier 4/Stage IV final compliant compact loaders will be making their official global debut at ConEXpo 2014. The new Tier 4/Stage IV 500 platform loaders feature a non-diesel particulate filter (DPF) engine solution and provide operators with all of the same performance benefits of the previous interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB models launched at the start of 2013. The Tier 4/Stage IV Bobcat non-DPF solution was achieved by designing an ultra-low particulate combustion (ULPC) engine.

The ULPC is accomplished through a specially designed engine combustion chamber that significantly reduces the amounts of particulate matter created during combustion.

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k i t ta l k In addition to eliminating the need for a DPF, the engines used in the new 500 platform loaders provide a 4 to 12 percent increase in torque. This increase in torque is produced over a wide range of engine rpm, allowing operators of all skill levels to better utilise the machinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; maximum performance. Another new feature of the skid-steer and compact track loader line is cold weather protection. Whenever the engine temperature is too low, the loader will temporarily limit the maximum engine speed (rpm) to prevent premature component wear or failure.

The new Tier 4/Stage IV S510 and S550 skid-steer loaders have a radius lift path, providing operators with the reach and visibility they require for dumping over a wall, backfilling or loading flatbed trucks. The new S530, S570 and S590 skid-steer and T590 compact tracked loader models feature a vertical lift path, providing operators with the ability to lift heavier loads higher, making it easier to clear high-sided truck boxes and hoppers, as well as placing pallets The new Tier 4/Stage IV compliant loaders feature a machine protection system that monitors, manages and shuts down the engine if needed. This system monitors engine coolant and oil temperatures and will manage engine systems to reduce the potential of these fluids reaching a point where the machine has to be shut down. This minimises potential damage to the engine, stops unnecessary engine wear and keeps operators working.

Engine idle speed is also raised slightly to help the engine reach its operating temperature faster. As soon as the engine warms up to a predetermined temperature, the protection mechanism will deactivate.

Hyundai Hyundai has announced the introduction of its newest crawler excavator, the R220LC-9A. This new mid-size excavator provides operators with a certified Interim Tier 4 engine upgrade, improved hydraulics, increased operator comfort and added durability.

This model is ideal for mid-size excavating projects, road and utility work and demolition. The R220LC-9A will join Hyundai’s new line of 9A series excavators, all of which meet Tier 4 Interim standards. Powering the R220LC-9A is a low emission, low noise, 117 kW Cummins Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB, QSB6.7 engine. This engine is complemented by a patented VGT Turbocharger, which continuously varies the airflow boost to precisely match engine RPM and load demands for optimal performance.

To achieve optimum precision, Hyundai redesigned the R220LC-9A’s hydraulic system to provide the operator with super fine touch and controllability. Improved hydraulic valves, precision-designed variable volume piston pumps, fine-touch pilot controls and enhanced travel functions make for smooth operation regardless of the operator’s experience level. Other innovations include a new auto boom and swing priority system for optimum speed, a new auto power boost feature for additional power when needed and an improved arm-in and boomdown flow regeneration system for added speed and efficiency.

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Confined Space, Robotic Demolition and Concrete Cutting Specialists

The engine also features the Cummins Direct Flow™ air filter which delivers better performance with faster cycle times and improved fuel economy over previous models. The R220LC-9A’s variable speed fan clutch, twostage auto decel system and the economy mode help to conserve fuel and reduce environmental impact. Plus, operators can choose between three unique engine modes – Power, Standard and Economy – which enable the machine to switch between full power and reduced fuel consumption according to the user’s preference.

GNATUK - Cost Effective Solutions for Robotic Deconstruction and all aspects of Concrete Cutting, Diamond Drilling & Sawing Projects -

The R220LC-9A boasts an operating weight of 22.5 tonnes, a maximum dig depth of 6.2 metres and a bucket breakout force of 13.6 tonnes.

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Genesis Expands Range With the number of models now at 12, the XT Mobile Shear line fits 12 to 82 tonne excavators. Shorter in length and height and lighter in weight, the GXT features a centre of gravity that is closer to the excavator, enabling models to mount on excavators that previously could only carry smaller, less powerful shears. The GXT also features an apex, where most cutting is done, that is closer to the back of the jaws, improving material gathering and increasing cutting performance and efficiency while reducing maintenance. Additional GXT models are planned, and the complete line will fit excavators in the 9.0 to 113 tonnes operating weight range.

Genesis Attachments has announced the introduction of the new GXT 335 and GXT 995 straight and rotator models.

Make an Impact.

www.bretec.com

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Rotar in a Rush Sloyan Doyle Demolition completed a 17-week project in Blackburn in just 14 weeks thanks to the purchase of a Rotar RDP42 pulveriser to use on its Volvo EC700 excavator.

Liverpool-based Sloyan Doyle Demolition recently completed the demolition of a 24,000 m2 concrete multi-storey structure, formerly the Blackburn Central Markets. This was a high profile project, located in the town centre and made more complex by a very tight timescale, with the first phase of the project being handed over just eight weeks into the overall programme to allow construction of a new bus station. The contract also required the protection of an 8 metre wide culvert running down the centre of the site, carrying the River Blakewater underground. Sloyan Doyle also had to contend with an unusual 32 metre span concrete shell roof covering the main market hall, comprising precast, pre-stressed hyperbolic parabaloid units. The project was set to take 17 weeks in total to complete but was completed in just 14 weeks thanks to the purchase of a new piece of equipment which helped make the job easier, saving money and allowing their team to move on to the next job earlier than previously planned. Sloyan Doyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest investment is a brand new Rotar RDP42 pulveriser that are sold in the UK exclusively by Worsley Plant.

With over 28,000 tonnes of concrete to process, recycling was key to the success of this project. By pre-processing, crushing and screening on site, Sloyan Doyle was able to produce high quality sub-base material suitable for re-use in follow-on construction works, eliminating over 3,000 lorry movements through the busy town centre. As with all their projects, Sloyan Doyle looked to reuse or recycle as much as possible of the materials arising from the works, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and maximising the reclamation of materials. By careful stripout, processing and segregation, over 95 percent of demolition arising on this project was recycled.