CPN spoke to Flannery Plant Hire to examine how fleet/plant hire is changing, and if so, in what ways?
Last month CPN looked at Barbour ABI’s report into the plant hire industry that outlined how the UK construction industry, facing mounting cost pressures, tightening legislation, and accelerating decarbonisation targets, is choosing plant hire as the preferred route for accessing vital equipment. This month we thought we’d find out how one plant hire business is reacting. We talked to Flannery Plant’s Gareth Corbett , director, and Andy Byatt, head of technology, innovation and sustainability.
How has the composition of Flannery’s fleet changed in the last ten years?
The fleet has significantly evolved over the past 10 years with an emphasis on safety, sustainability and technology. The expansion has seen the addition of hybrid excavators and dozers, the integration of advanced telematics reporting systems, 3D GPS machine technology and a broader range of machine types across all categories.
Within each machine category ie. excavators, has the mix changed ie. more mini/midi excavators?
The fleet today comprises of a complete range across each category, excavators wheeled and tracked ranging from 0.75- tonne micro excavators through to 110-tonne long reach excavators, D2 – D9 dozers, ADTs up to 45 tonnes and a complete range of telehandlers, rollers, cabbed dumpers, tractors and trailers, tracked dumpers and the widest range of attachments available in the UK.
Equally what impact are batteryelectric machines having within fleet composition, and what categories if applicable?
As battery electric machines are released to market, we are actively conducting trials and demonstrations with customers, adding to the fleet ever increasingly. We have added compact excavators in 1.5/2 tonne size, the first 20- tonne battery electric excavator working on a UK site, 6m and 17m telescopic handlers along with dual energy rotating telescopic handlers.
What are the current drivers in the market?
Cost as ever is a determining factor along with driving efficiency and productivity improvements. Carbon reductions are ever increasingly being included in tender requirements and a factor in contract award. Safety continues to be a key focus, seen in a recent drive to improve the people/plant interface through systems such as human form recognition through AI cameras and radar.
What are the hirers’ attitudes to battery-electric machines?
Flannery is always at the forefront of adopting new technologies and innovations, and the drive to lower carbon and ultimately achieve net zero is no exception. We do not believe that there is a silver bullet as to which technology will be required to achieve net zero, it will require a mix of technologies dependent on the machine type and specific application. Battery electric, cable/tethered electric and the differing hydrogen technologies will all have a place. Flannery Plant is in favour of any net zero emission machines but there is still someway to go before machines are commercially viable and the infrastructure is in place to support charging/fueling.
Looking at the last 10 years, how will the next 10 years pan out?
There will definitely be greater use of technology, autonomy, data and AI. Machine control will likely become adopted on a wider scale, increased amounts of data will be available on a larger scale and will be more focused and acted upon by our customers/clients. Autonomous operation will increase but only in repetitive, consistent operations where people and plant interface can be managed. Increased amounts of net zero emission equipment will be launched to market and over the next five-10 years hopefully the relevant infrastructure will be in place to support this. Grid availability, mobile charging solutions, hydrogen supply at a commercially viable price will be critical to achieving net zero ambitions.
How has Flannery positioned itself as a leading plant hire firm?
Flannery Plant Hire has invested in a large fleet of construction equipment, with the latest innovations to cover our clients’ requirements. We offer a complete solution to our customers including operated plant, operator training and digital solutions. We are ideally placed to assist our customers in reducing costs, achieving productivity, improving safety and minimising the impact on the environment.
More information on Flannery Plant Hire
