A-Plant, the UK’s largest equipment rental company, hosted a week of innovation from 2nd-6th July, providing a series of workshops and discussions for many of the company’s forward-thinking supply chain partners.
Representatives from A-Plant’s 16 specialist divisions joined brand leading plant, tool and equipment suppliers for the five-day event, with manufacturers invited to present their latest innovative products, services and software.
Throughout the week almost 40 suppliers, including Armorgard, Never Let Go, Hypertherm and Hilti, were invited to showcase their new kit to a panel of A-Plant colleagues, supply chain partners and major customers.
Dave Harris, Business Development Director at A-Plant, said the event presented the perfect opportunity for both current and new suppliers to present their most innovative products for potential investment from the company.
He explained: “Innovation is at the heart of A-Plant. Over the last two years we have invested over £300 million in new equipment and we are constantly looking at new ways to expand our hire fleet and services.
“Innovation Week allows us to demonstrate how adding new products to our fleet can add value to the company’s proposition and also enables us to help customers work smarter and more efficiently.
“We host many innovation events throughout the year, collaborating closely with customers and suppliers to ensure our hire fleet comprises the greenest, safest and most efficient products in the industry.
“It has been great to have an opportunity to assess and discuss topics such as battery and solar technology, asset management and telematics, as well as hear how manufacturers are responding to customer and A-Plant feedback on their existing products. The innovative evolution of existing products is equally as important as the launch of a completely new product.
“This year we were thrilled to welcome Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Ringway, Network Rail and other major customers to the event.”
Stand-out products from the week included a new Solar Hybrid Tower Light from Trime UK Ltd and the Dual View Dumper from Wacker Neuson, which allows operators to rotate their seat console by 180 degrees, to face the direction of travel with the tipping skip at their rear.