SPECIAL FEATURES

Focus on the Telescopic Handler Market

Let’s be honest: the telehandler market is not enjoying the best of times. After several years of record sales across the north and south of Ireland, there’s now a marked slowdown in line with the rest of the industry.

Hunt continues for Stolen Plant

As the hunt continues for an Hitachi ZX200 excavator, complete with rock hammer and valued at £45,000, and stolen from a construction site in Lurgan, Plant & Civil Engineer’s David Stokes has been finding out what can be done to beat the thieves at their own game.

SED – it really was bigger and better!

It may be a well worn cliché that is often not deserved, but in the case of SED 2008 it really is true – the show WAS bigger and better than ever before!

Skills for Logistics gearing up for the future

The UK logistics sector is estimated to be worth some £74.45bn to the economy and here in Northern Ireland its activities are vital to the well being of the entire population, not only in terms of employment, but in every other aspect as well...

Sun Shines on Balmoral Show

There was certainly plenty to see at this year’s Balmoral Show, with around two dozen exhibitors from the plant and construction sectors.

SED – it really was bigger and better!

It may be a well worn cliché that is often not deserved, but in the case of SED 2008 it really is true – the show WAS bigger and better than ever before!

Wheeled Loaders: Limited Market, But Great Potential

The first wheeled loader made its appearance more than half a century ago, essentially as a development of the farm tractor, and today it has become something of a necessary piece of equipment on any medium-sized construction project.

Excavators Positive outlook in an uncertain climate

With a year that ended strongly for most behind them, dealers and manufacturers retain a positive outlook for the year ahead, despite the current economic climate.

Skid Steers enjoy steady sales success

Over the last few years, the Skid Steer has been attracting an increasing level of interest from the construction and house building sectors, already having conquered the agri market where sales continue to be buoyant.

Excavators: Another major year for the mini

Despite talks of a slowdown in the construction industry in recent months, the market for mini excavators apparently remains as buoyant as ever, with many dealers reporting healthy volumes.

Balmoral Round-up

Great weather, quality stands and good attendance all combined to make Balmoral ‘07 the place to be. Cathie Blackwood captured the movers and shakers in our pictorial round-up.

Looking back at a highly successful SED 2007

Visitor numbers at SED 2007 just fell short of the 20,000 mark, with the organisers more than happy with the turn out – and the dry sunny weather. Last year’s teething problems were a distant memory as visitors sailed into the SED site and into the show without delay, among them the team from Plant & Civil Engineer magazine.

Full speed ahead for SED 2007

SED is in top gear and going at full throttle in preparation for the forthcoming show at Rockingham Motor Speedway at Corby in Northamptonshire from 22nd – 24th May 2007.

Asphalt kerbing used here for first time

Gibson Quarries (Banbridge) Ltd have used asphalt kerbing during the £1/2m contract to resurface the A27 Auglish Road in Tandragee - the first time the kerbing was employed in Northern Ireland.

Concrete: An industry meeting a vital need

With more than 100 million tonnes of concrete being used annually in the UK and Ireland, the cement and concrete industry clearly has an important role to play. Over the following pages,
Plant & Civil Engineer takes a closer look at this vital industry

All aboard for Bauma 2007

The scene is well and truly set Bauma 2007, with all the big names in the industry preparing to head for Munich this April. As one of the world’s biggest trade fairs in the construction machinery sector, Bauma will be showcasing all that’s new and innovative, and many of the products will be getting their first public outing.

Telescopic Handler market remains buoyant

The market for telehandlers here continues its upward trend, with many distributors reporting ‘steady’ or ‘above average’ sales over the past 12 months, but some complain about continuing problems over availability, although at least two manufacturers are increasing their production capacities. Plant & Civil Engineer has been looking at the state of the market

New Year date with Volvo FE

Volvo’s new FE truck has created quite an interest in the construction and quarry sector and it should be making an appearance here early in the New Year, according to dealers Dennison Commercials.

Highways: An Uncertain Road Ahead

As the construction industry celebrates another busy year, it can look back on a number of outstanding successes, but the future is not so clear, with good news clouded by uncertainty on several fronts.

Highway Management construction powers ahead on Westlink

Highway Management Construction (HMC) is powering ahead with work on the Westlink, the largest civil engineering project ever constructed in Northern Ireland.