Exclusive video footage of simultaneous tower implosion in Glasgow.

Our good friend John Woodward at C&D Consultancy has overseen another problem-free implosion in Scotland. Working in conjunction with the Glasgow Housing Authority and Coleman & Co, Woodward and his team brought the twin tower blocks down smoothly in front of hundreds of local people all eager to see the towers’ demise.

The following video comes courtesy of C&D Consultancy:

Coleman blowdown from John Woodward on Vimeo.

Demolition News is delighted at being Championed in the US.

We are delighted to report that our work here at Demolition News is gathering a growing following among demolition professionals in the US.

Ever since our “Why don’t Americans GET High Reach” story, the number of hits and comments originating Stateside has grown day on day. But we were especially delighted at this mention on the blog of Champion Environmental Services, Inc. in which Demolition News is described as a “fine and informative demolition news site”.

Without wishing to turn this into a mutual appreciation society, we’re equally impressed with the Chamion blog, particularly those posts on the importance of competence. If you’re in the demolition business, you should definitely take a look.

Kentucky’s world-famous Executive Inn will be deconstructed, not imploded.

We reported last week that the impending demolition of Kentucky’s Executive Inn, affectionately known as the Big E, was the subject of year another bidding war with some 14 contractors attempting to win the prestigious contract.

The contract winner and apparent low bidder at just over $1.02 million, is Denney Excavating. What is more surprising is the fact that the Denney has eschewed the traditional hotel implosion much favoured Stateside in favour of a controlled deconstruction. In fact, only two of the 14 companies bidding for the contract even mentioned the use of explosives, and one of those only as an option.

Read the full story, together with indicative bid prices, here.

Video showing the change of cables on a wrecking ball is far better than it sounds.

When someone sends you a link to a video that purportedly shows the changing of the steel cables from which a wrecking ball is suspended, the immediate reaction i not normally one of great excitement. I mean, how exciting can that be, right?

However, when the video comes from one of the foremost video camera crews serving the demolition industry, you know it’s likely to be something a bit special. So her,in all its glory, is that video which shows Testa Corp’s Gridiron Artisans changing the cables on a 1971 HC238 Link Belt truck crane. Watch as a team of four changes everything out and has the Wrecking Ball back in action in just 28 minutes.

Demolition contractor enlists help of NASCAR’s Jeff Burton at Michigan International Speedway.

Michigan International Speedway is currently in the process of redesigning its infield. To assist in the demolition of the current buildings, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton used some equipment from his sponsor Caterpillar to tear down the old suite building at MIS.

Read the full story here.

NFDC Convention chairman recovering after being swept out to sea.

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors Convention Chairman Patrick Williamson is recovering after a terrifying ordeal in which he was swept out to sea by a freak wave while fishing from rocks close to the venue for the 2009 NFDC Conention which starts today.

Williamson, who has fished from the same spot for more than 20 years, says that a freak wave caused a geyser effect between the rocks, the force of which swept him into the sea.   Thankfully, he was rescued after a terrifying (and extremely cold) 90 minutes in the water.

But in typical style, he is back on duty today, welcoming guests to the 2009 Convention, apparently untroubled by his ordeal.   “I was in intensive care for a while but the hospital staff took incredibly good care of me and, thankully, I am now back on my feet and able to take part in this Convention,” he says.   “The only downside is that I am on a course of antibiotics to protect against any infections that I may have picked up, which means I am currently unable to drink alcohol.   Mind you, there are plenty of people here that will gladly have my share.”

A well-known Australian contractor is teetering on the brink of liquidation today.

The Deen brothers, Brisbane’s most notorious demolition firm, boast: “All we leave behind are the memories.” But they may become memories themselves after creditors applied to have one of their debt-ridden companies wound up and liquidators appointed.

The Deens have a long history in Brisbane and were responsible for destroying some of the city’s best-known and loved buildings, including the grand Cloudland ballroom in 1982 and the Belle Vue hotel in 1979.

However, the Australian Business newspaper reports that creditors Timms Contracting Pty Ltd have applied to the Queensland Supreme Court to have Deen Bros Contracting Pty Ltd wound up.

Read the full story here.