AT THE


HEART OF HIRE


G R E EN I S T H E C O L O U R


Although most of the editorial pages in this issue are predominantly white, there is a distinctly green quality about many of them - not in terms of colour, but because of their subject matter. Greenness, in the sense of not damaging the environment, is now a major consideration in equipment procurement.


Of course, green products are not new. In fact, EHN was highlighting them as a future trend as far back as April 2008 when we started a short series of ‘Green Zone’ articles. These highlighted embryonic equipment designed for environmental sustainability and examined how the green agenda might shape how the construction industry works, as well as the wider supply chain.


In the intervening years, however, take-up was somewhat slow. In many cases, end users were deterred by the higher price tags attached to some products compared against their conventionally powered counterparts. Development was also hampered by technological limitations: in particular, the earliest batteries offered reduced running times and long recharging periods.


CREATING HIRE DEMAND


Nevertheless, as technological advances have been made, interest has steadily grown to the point that these products are now being taken very seriously indeed by contractors and environmentally conscious procurement managers, creating hire demand.


Showing how far the technology has advanced, starting on page 13 we have an article with a hands-on evaluation of JCB’s new 19C-1E, which the manufacturer claims to be the first full electric 1.9-tonne mini excavator to go into production. Interestingly, in his assessment of the machine against its diesel counterpart, EHN’s Consultant Plant Editor Nick Johnson finds the electric model’s digging capacity “certainly up to that of its diesel stablemate.”


On page 22 we begin our review of the recent Plantworx exhibition which was held in Peterborough, and there were a surprising number of new products and prototypes incorporating green technology. As you’ll read, these included solar-powered mobile lighting and portable toilets, site lighting powered by generators using hydrogen


3


fuel cells, and compact plant such as mini excavators and tandem rollers driven by LPG. This shows just how broad the spectrum of green products now is.


In addition, this issue contains a Market Report on Site Welfare and Security products, beginning on page 32, which also shows how green technology is making an impact. GAP Group, for example, recently became the first hirer to adopt the Ecosmart Zero from AJC EasyCabin, a solar and hydrogen powered welfare unit.


ADDITIONAL BENEFITS


Besides being environmentally friendly in terms of emissions, battery and hydrogen powered machines bring the added benefits of giving operation free of noise and fumes, making them suitable for work in residential areas and sensitive locations, as well as for operation indoors or in confined spaces.


Green technology is reaching other operational areas, too. At a macro level, it was reported recently that Transport for London has ordered 20 hydrogen-powered double decker buses to go into service next year, having already been operating single-decker models. Also, the Scottish government is even said to be considering electric aircraft for short flights between the Highlands and islands as a greener link between communities. This is part of what has been called a ‘third revolution’ in aviation.


More immediately, however, an article beginning on page 28 focuses on plant hirer Selwood, which has been adding an increasing number of hybrid and pure electric company cars in its own vehicle fleet. It is also installing charging points at its depots, as are some other hirers.


Given the recent upsurge in public concern about the pollution of our planet and the need to combat environmental damage, more machinery users are seeking greener products. This issue of EHN shows how this demand is driving the development of new equipment. As always, hirers are vital links in the supply chain between manufacturers and end users, and so the need for all stakeholders to keep abreast of the latest green advances is clear.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44