Voice of the “Evolution” – The Winds of Change by Jimmy Cook
When approached to write about changes that have taken place within this industry of ours over the years, I had to dive back in my memory to a given point when the real change came about. I am also aware that I do not want this to be an autobiography of my life! I can only describe,
therefore, my experiences in relation to these changes. So I go back to my apprenticeship days attending Birmingham Technical College three nights a week after work, date 1935-37. It was during this period that real change happened with the massive changeover from direct
current to A.C. alternating current through the grid system. You may ask why? Well the answer comes from the fact that in those far off days, large cities like Birmingham had their own supply stations and lots of towns the same, resulting in different voltages across the UK, so that if you moved to another area your electrical appliances were not appropriate. Manufacturers were therefore struggling to comply with demand. With a standard universal power supply of alternating current, power could be transformed up or down at will through sub stations etc and this then released the R & D people to improve our electrical appliances and electric tools. Since the construction industry at the time was very labour intensive with the use of hands on bolster chisels and hammers to chase out walls to accommodate pipes and conduits, it was time consuming and very hard work. Also rawlplug tools using a hammer to tap and turn at the same time for fixing purposes was very boring and hard work – this applied to all trades at that time. With the advent of new forms of electric drills/hammer drills, holes could be drilled in
seconds and the speed of operation resulted in cutting labour costs and was less labour intensive. All manner of tools began to be manufactured, cutting tools for chasing walls and cutting slabs, sanders, and planers – you name them. They are now common to all of
us so that large progressive companies like JCB are badging these products – Black & Decker, Makita, DEWALT and Hilti plus others. All this would not have been possible without this enormous change in our power supply system.
So, lets move on to Health and Safety. What has happened to make change possible is a big improvement in safety on site – less accidents, better facilities (e.g. portaloos), the wearing of protective clothing,
helmets, safety ladders and of course, hydraulic lift platforms, cranes, dumpers, excavators, loaders all come under their enforced legislation and woe betide anyone breaking the rules. Shoring of trenches, shortcuts by cowboy builders are a menace to safety and can cause loss of life. So beware! Being 40 years as the Midlands Branch Officer of the Lighthouse Club charity I have first hand knowledge of these happenings. So hats off, or should I say helmets on to the Health and Safety Executive.
Hand Tools What an improvement here. Peter Brett who independently tests your products will tell you how hand tools have improved. Ask him – I haven’t because I know
they have.
Plant and Machinery What changes here? Absolutely massive – from large caterpillar, excavators, graders, dozers and wheeled loaders to 360° excavators from MF, Hymac and our well
known and well respected JCB, who have been our frontrunner for many years and are still here. With the influx of foreign competition (Kamatsu, Hitachi, Volvo and many more) our own well known companies had to compete. Thwaites Dumpers and Alldig, Benfords (now Terex) dumpers, rollers, etc, all striving for a market share. At this time, a buoyant market. It is at this point I would like to make reference to small companies who have played a part in the development of the mini excavator. Richard Smalley graduated from
an agricultural engineering degree, developed his machine to dig graves and did very well. Power Fab, the brothers from Wales developed a mini digger and a micro digger, which they displayed at the now closed SED. At the time people laughed, but it was used in places no other digger could get. Laugh over. It is difficult to try and cover all these changes in the limited space available. It is a synopsis of what I have seen and reported on over 70 years in the business. I would
now like to refer to my brief and the changes remarked upon by me in the very opening of this story. Proof of my reference to a/c can be verified by the use of cordless drills and other appliances run by batteries. Being charged from 220-230 volt, three pin plugs to
14.4/18v/24 volt and so on downloaded from a small transformer. Other equipment downloaded to 110 volts/80 volts through again a portable transformer with built in safety/cut out devices. This in my opinion is one of the greatest industrial advancements of our time culminating in the wind of change we, as an industry, have witnessed. Incorporating computer technology, it is i truly mpossible to cover all the knowledge available to us.
Look through the pages of this magazine and see for yourself the multitude of new innovative products on offer – look through other media and the same will apply. AND NOW WE ARE ENTERING A NEW ELECTRONIC AGE OF CHANGE. ARE WE UP FOR IT? Jimmy Cook PR Services, are specialist to the Construction, Building and Farming Industries
4 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
Industry
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