Xwatch Safety Solutions joins Hexagon AB
Xwatch Safety Solutions is pleased to announce that we have been acquired by Hexagon, a global leader in digital reality solutions. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in improving construction site safety through innovative technology.
Our XW series has been leading the way in reducing risks on construction sites with features such as height control, slew control, and rated capacity indication (RCI) for construction plants and machinery. These technologies help operators establish safe working zones, significantly boosting safety measures around equipment
This strategic move comes after our successful collaboration with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, culminating in the innovative 3D Avoidance Zone system. This system represents a key step towards integrating our advanced safety solutions within Hexagon’s comprehensive suite of machine control solutions to enhance proactive risk management and decision-making processes for safer construction environments
Dan Leaney, Director of Sales and Operations at Xwatch Safety Solutions Ltd, commented: "Joining Hexagon represents a transformative opportunity for us to push the boundaries of safety technology in the construction industry. It allows us to leverage Hexagon's global expertise and reach, bringing our cutting-edge safety solutions to a wider audience and significantly impacting worker safety worldwide We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings to both our companies and the construction industry as a whole. Together, we are committed to driving innovation and embracing digital transformation to ensure safer, more efficient, and sustainable construction practices globally."
Dan concluded: "Xwatch will continue to operate and maintain strong partnerships with all our trusted dealers and installers. With the support of Hexagon, we will continue to deliver the high-quality service our customers expect, now with additional resources and support."
Chris Fitzgerald, Xwatch founder and MD of Fitzgerald Plant, commented: "This is a significant milestone in our company's evolution, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities this transaction will bring. We look forward to utilising the strengths of Xwatch and Hexagon to expand our capabilities and enhance our customer experience. Our commitment has always been to deliver the best customer experience and support our team members in doing so Joining with Hexagon is the perfect opportunity to continue achieving these goals
Xwatch leads the way Hitachi Construction Machinery’s preferred safety system in action with Synergy Hire
Synergy Hire, headquartered in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, and part of the renowned Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) group of companies, is a leader in the equipment hire industry.
With a strategic focus on leveraging technology for safety and efficiency, Synergy Hire's fleet has expanded impressively to nearly 1,000 Hitachi machines The fleet is boosted with the integration of Xwatch technology—170 units are equipped with advanced Xwatch systems, predominantly the XW4 and XW5 models, with the former making up 80% of the installations. This technology is a game-changer, especially for complex projects requiring high precision and safety standards. Some of the machines include the sophisticated Xwatch Leica 3D Avoidance system, providing an additional layer of safety by helping operators avoid potential hazards on-site above and below ground.
Looking to the future, Synergy Hire has exciting plans to expand its operational footprint further. The company is exploring the addition of two new key locations, which would enhance its ability to serve current and future projects more effectively and open new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
As Synergy Hire continues to expand its fleet and coverage, its collaboration with Xwatch Safety Solutions improves its commitment to safety and efficiency. By including Xwatch's innovative safety systems, Synergy Hire strengthens its role as a leader in providing reliable, technologically advanced equipment solutions tailored to the construction industry's needs. This partnership helps Synergy Hire maintain a competitive edge and meet the highest safety and operational excellence standards.
"We're very happy to see our Xwatch systems, including the XW4 and XW5 models, integrated into Synergy Hire's fleet Our technology is now in 170 of their machines, improving safety on major projects like HS2 and various nuclear sites."
Said Dan Leaney, Xwatch Safety Solutions Sales and Operations Director.
"This partnership allows us to demonstrate the real-world benefits of our safety systems, particularly the Xwatch Leica 3D Avoidance system, which helps operators avoid hazards during complex construction tasks above and below ground. It's all about making job sites safer and more efficient, which is core to our mission at Xwatch. Additionally, our long-term collaboration with Hitachi and Synergy reinforces our commitment to integrate with top-tier equipment manufacturers and enhance safety across the industry "
Xwatch Safety Solutions part of Hexagon AB
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Xwatch Safety Solutions partners with Next Gen Plant Ltd
We're pleased to announce a partnership with Next Gen Plant Ltd, a Newcastle-based company known for its aftermarket systems expertise. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to safety and innovation in the plant industry.
Robbie Harding, Director at Next Gen Plant, shared his enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating, "Having already experienced working with their state-of-the-art safety systems, Xwatch were on our radar from the very start. We're privileged to be involved in their growth within the plant industry!"
Dan Leaney, Sales and Operations Director at Xwatch Safety Solutions, expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the expansion of the Xwatch dealer and installer network as a key component of the company's growth strategy. "This collaboration with Next Gen Plant Ltd will extend our reach within the industry and we are delighted to become 'official' partners."
Next Gen Plant Ltd is renowned for its expertise in aftermarket systems, including GPS, tiltrotators, and safety systems such as height and slew limiters and AI cameras. This partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies, offering clients first-class safety solutions tailored to their needs. Although headquartered in Newcastle, Next Gen's manufacturer-trained engineers cover the whole of the UK.
Dan concluded, "We look forward to a successful partnership with Next Gen Plant Ltd and are excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings to the wider plant industry. Together, we are set to redefine safety standards and continue to drive innovation."
RCI Lite: skimming complexity, not capability
RCI Lite is part of a range of safety products from Xwatch designed to deliver clarity and simplicity alongside accuracy and reliability, all while meeting the latest industry standards. It can be adapted for use on any hydraulic excavator, providing overload protection with optional motion control to enhance safety and enable full capacity use.
The system typically includes an external alarm, with additional options such as a supervisor key switch, external warning light, internal alarm, and telematics available. When not required for its primary function, RCI Lite serves as an effective basic digging system, perfect for accurately excavating level trenches and basements
Apart from regular inspections, RCI Lite requires no maintenance. Also, major components carry a five-year guarantee excluding mis-use and physical damage.
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The perfect partnership - MDiG and Xwatch building on safety and trust
Xwatch Safety Systems has been in partnership with technology solutions experts, MDiG, since 2022, marking the beginning of their role as official distributors for the Xwatch suite of safety systems. In a recent update, Ash Mills, Head of Sales and Operations at MDiG, revealed the acquisition of another batch of 27 XW5 Xwatch systems for a single client, adding to the 33 units already ready for installation. This brings the total to 60 systems awaiting installation across various brands and key clients soon. Mills said that MDiG had taken delivery of over 200 Xwatch systems since their partnership commenced.
The collaboration with Leica drove MDiG towards partnering with Xwatch Safety Solutions. MDiG's installation of Leica Geosystems MC1 machine control solutions, along with the integration of Leica's iCON PA80, VA80, and CAS safety awareness solutions with Xwatch, has created the perfect partnership.
The second quarter of 2023 saw the launch of the Xwatch Leica 3D Collision Avoidance system, further improving job site safety by integrating height control, slew control, and both 2D and 3D machine control solutions, including the innovative 3D avoidance system for managing underground and overground assets. MDiG was quick to adopt this new system and has already been installing the 3D Collision Avoidance system for several key customers.
Dan Leaney, Sales and Operations Director at Xwatch is very pleased with how the partnership has grown, he said, “MDiG has positioned itself as a frontrunner in providing a broad spectrum of digital construction solutions. Leveraging technology not only boosts productivity but also plays a vital role in safeguarding field operators and their colleagues. Our continued collaboration with MDiG and growth is something we are very proud of. Establishing an ideal partnership with all our distributors and installers is crucial.”
Ash Mills, Head of Sales and Operations "Since starting our partnership with Xwatch in 2022, we've seen a strong trust from our clients in both MDiG and Xwatch's capabilities. Adding 60 systems for a major clients, in the first months of 2024, highlights this trust. With over 200 systems delivered since we teamed up, it's clear that our work together is delivering the safety and efficiency improvements on sites that our clients expect. It's this practical impact that proves the value of our partnership."
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Safety in unity - a modern-day love story of Flannery, Molson, and Xwatch
Flannery Plant Hire was the first major Plant Hire company to back Xwatch Safety Solutions when the new company started its operations in July 2019. Up to now, Flannery has purchased over two hundred Xwatch XW4 height and slew control systems along with XW5 total protection RCIs (rated capacity indicators). Recently, Flannery received a shipment of Kobelco excavators from Molson Group, adding to its already modern fleet The latest additions have been equipped with the XW5, installed by Xwatch's technician, Adam Guilfoyle.
Chris Matthew, Head of Business Strategy at Flannery Plant Hire, shared why Xwatch is their go-to supplier for height, slew, and RCI systems He remarked, "Having tried various systems before, the introduction to Xwatch's systems made it clear that they were crafted to meet the diverse needs of today's construction site excavators. They offer simplicity for the operator. We aim to provide an RCI that ensures operator safety and delivers ample information without causing distractions. The Xwatch system fulfils these requirements effectively."
The innovative 3D avoidance safety solution first tested and adopted by Flannery Plant Hire, was developed in partnership with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, and Xwatch Safety Solutions. This system, which has received a Tech award for its contribution to improving safety and well-being on construction sites, features an advanced design that allows the creation or importation of 3D avoidance zones, both above and below ground, directly into the Leica Geosystems MC1 3D machine control software.
Molson Group, the supplier of Kobelco excavators to Flannery and an approved Xwatch partner, has collaborated with Xwatch since its inception. They find Xwatch systems to be reliable and userfriendly, offering compatibility with telematics, GPS, and proximity warning systems.
James Dodkins, Group Marketing Manager at Molson Group, stated, “Molson is committed to innovation, providing our customers with the latest machinery technology. This includes working with preferred partners like Xwatch – our strong collaboration is strengthened by a dependable system and outstanding post-sale service, which is why we recommend Xwatch to our clients ”
Dan Leaney, Xwatch's Director of Sales and Operations, mentioned, “Xwatch units have been successfully fitted, tested, and approved for use on the majority of the UK's largest infrastructure projects. An increasing number of clients now specify Xwatch as their chosen safety system supplier. The partnership between Flannery, Molson, and Xwatch is ideal, as safety is the paramount concern for all of us ”
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Safety in size - ensuring even the smallest machines are secure with Sunbelt Rentals and Xwatch Safety Solutions
In 2021, Sunbelt Rentals formed a partnership with Xwatch Safety Solutions to deliver the best in highperformance safety solutions. This collaboration highlights Sunbelt Rentals' commitment to safety, an important priority for the firm. The integration of Xwatch Solutions strengthens the company's efforts to supply the safest and most innovative equipment to customer sites throughout the UK.
The recent installation work by Xwatch engineers Billy Hughes and Ryan Tudor for Sunbelt Rentals involved four JCB 8026 CTS (2867kgs) mini excavators. This highlights the continuous efforts to maintain high safety standards even on smaller excavators.
Dan Leaney, Xwatch Sales and Operations Director, said, "Every piece of equipment, regardless of its size, must meet the highest safety standards. Over my years in the industry, I've witnessed firsthand that even the most compact machines can lead to significant issues if they lack proper safety features. This reality drives home the critical need for us to equip every machine with the appropriate safety solutions.
It's not just about compliance or ticking boxes; it's about real-world impacts. Ensuring the safety of all machines is crucial to protect workers, bystanders, and the surroundings from potential harm. At the end of the day, our goal is to create a workplace where everyone returns home safely, and that starts with making sure every piece of machinery, no matter how small, is as safe as it can be."
Dan added, “This commitment to safety is why Sunbelt Rentals has been the ideal partner for us. They share our vision of ensuring every machine is as safe as possible, making our partnership a perfect match in working towards and ensuring a safer workplace.”
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