MARKET REPORT WELFARE UNITS
Mobile Groundhogs are designed for fast deployment on site.
Welfare benefits
GenQuip’s on-going development of a comprehensive range of Groundhog site welfare units shows the diversity of the market and its hire potential.
Health & Safety regulations concerning the provision of adequate facilities for site workers has meant continued interest in appropriate products to enable managers to comply, in terms of sanitary facilities, washing areas, eating space and the like. As well as static units, demand has proved particularly strong for mobile solutions that can be installed quickly for shorter term work contracts, doing away with the need for Hiab enabled lorries or cranes to manoeuvre them into position.
This is a market that has been successfully targeted by GenQuip, which was originally established as a sister operation to the
Cabins provide a variety of facilities for personnel. generator
supplier, GenSet, and which became a separate company in 2009. From the outset, GenQuip formed a strategic alliance with another south Wales-based business, Groundhog, which manufactures secure containers and trailers in both static and mobile formats. GenQuip has used its sales and marketing experience to develop new markets, including the hire industry, and to identify additional product opportunities to meet the changing requirements of hirers and their customers.
Positive hire opportunity
“Demand has remained strong, even throughout the economic downturn,” GenQuip’s Sales Director, Peter Beach, told EHN. “The market is as positive as ever and shows no signs of weakening. The Health & Safety Executive continues to monitor work sites closely, and we understand that it is now increasing its focus on sub-contractors and smaller tradesmen to ensure they have adequate welfare provision, especially with regard to toilet and hand washing facilities. Moreover, although parts of the construction industry, such as the building of news homes, have been affected, contractors working for clients in the utilities, railways and other infrastructure markets have remained very busy, and so overall this still represents a positive hire opportunity.”
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GenQuip provides a comprehensive line-up of Groundhogs. The GP360 model has a 3.6m long cabin, accommodates up to six people and can be towed into place by a Transit-type vehicle or a pick- up. It provides various amenities, including a sink for elbow to wrist washing, clean drinking water, a re-circulating toilet, heating, lighting, a drying room, an eating area and a facility for changing clothing. Larger, double-axle units are also available, in the form of the GP420 and GP500 models, which have 4.2 and 5m long cabins respectively.
The Fusion F360 incorporates on-board batteries, enabling all systems within the units, including the water supply, heating and lighting, to run off the 12V system without the need of the engine driven battery charger. Additional facilities offered by the Fusion+ version include a flush toilet and rainwater harvesting, whereby water is collected from the roof and stored for use in the toilet, again enhancing the product’s green credentials and reducing the frequency with which the main water tank has to be refilled. Also available is the Fusion 12, which has an intelligent battery monitoring system that is designed to optimise power usage, and which indicates when re-charging is required.
Fast deployment
The mobile cabins incorporate a retractable axle for fast site deployment and security, and static versions are also available. Standard Groundhog units have diesel engines, but systems powered by LPG can be specified for clients who place a particularly high priority on environmental friendliness.
An all-terrain version of the Groundhog has been developed.
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