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Summer 2022 09 www.hae.org.uk www.eha.org.uk Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s use of JCB technology to fix potholes quickly and permanently has won two prestigious industry awards. JCB and Stoke-on-Trent City Council won the Judges Merit Award and were also highly commended in the Safety and Innovation Project of The Year category at the annual Institute of Highways Engineering (IHE) Mercia Branch awards. JCB’s Pothole Pro machine has been deployed on streets across the city and has completed more than three years of pothole repairs in just four months. JCB Pothole Pro Manager, Ben Rawding, said: “We are thrilled that the Pothole Pro has won these prestigious awards. Our work with the council is already having a very positive impact on improving the city’s road network, meaning more maintenance can be carried out more quickly, improving road safety for all road users.” In awarding the Merit Award, the judges said the high quality and innovation of the Pothole Pro meant the machine deserved special recognition. They said the innovative use of machinery to carry out multiple functions and tasks offered improved safety, while enhancing the experience of all road users during works. Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor Daniel Jellyman, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Heritage, said: “JCB is one of our area’s most innovative businesses, and our highways teams have been working hand-in-hand to trial this brand-new machine on our city’s streets. It is a partnership that is reaping rewards. These awards are further recognition of the industry-leading significance of this work.” DOUBLE DELIGHT AS POTHOLE PARTNERSHIP LANDS TWO AWARDS Rose Builders of Manningtree, Essex, a fourth-generation family-run house building company, recently won a five-star award from the House Builders Federation for customer satisfaction, and says its fleet of Kubota mini excavators has helped it achieve the accolade. The company, which combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs, has its own groundworks division, complete with skilled operators, and believes in keeping the same operator on each of its excavators of eight tonnes and over. Its mini excavator fleet comprises a total of 17 Kubota models now supplied by local dealer HOS Plant, including six of eight-tonne KX080 models, a further five KX030 three- tonners and four short radius U17s. In addition, Rose Builders operates a five tonne U48-4 and a K008 micro excavator. Operations and Fleet Manager Daniel Frost said: “Running our own groundworks division instead of hiring in contractors, brings an additional element of quality control and time management to the business. As a result, we’re in a far greater position to control and manage our quality control processes by having our own fleet of excavators.” He said the firm’s excavator replacement policy is five years, in which time the Japanese machines are likely to have clocked up around 4,000 hours. “But just as importantly, we aim to keep the same operator on all machines of eight tonnes and above. This gives each operator responsibility and pride in the kit they use – and that is also reflected in residual values,” he explained. The firm also operates a further 12 larger excavators, comprising 14 and 21 tonne machines for heavier work and bulk excavation during the early phases of site development. AWARD WINNING FAMILY BUILDERS RUNS OWN MINI EXCAVATOR FLEET JCB’s Ben Rawding (left) and Daniel Jenner celebrate the JCB Pothole Pro’s double award success. <<