Finning throws down service gauntlet…

Finning has announced that it is to credit customer parts and service account to cover the cost of hiring or replacing a machine, if it is not repaired within 48 hours.

The UK Caterpillar has announced what it claims to be the biggest service and support shake up for excavator sales the industry has ever seen. Set to dramatically change and challenge the way the plant sector operates, the bold move to guarantee excavator uptime for new customer purchases from September 2008, is the first time ever a plant equipment supplier has made such a confident statement about its service and support offering.
The new ‘ Guaranteed uptime’ deal is aimed at increasing customer uptime for the Cat D-Series excavator range throughout the machines warranty period and covers the Cat 319D to Cat 329D models. As part of the deal, no matter where the location of the excavator, Finning’s nationwide support team, will assess the breakdown and either repair it within 48 hours, or credit the customers parts and service account with the fee to cover the cost of hiring a replacement machine.

Commenting on the new guaranteed uptime package, product marketing manager for Finning, Tim Ballard said:“ We are so confident with the performance of Caterpillar excavator range and our service support team, that we have taken this major step to put our money where our mouth is. We know especially with the effects of the credit crunch that, yes our customers want a great machine, but more importantly they want to make sure it is working as hard as it possibly can.”

“This is why as part of our ‘Support that works as hard as a Cat’ campaign, we have put together this package to show customers just how much we place a value on their uptime. With this new guarantee we will have an excavator back working onsite within 48 hours, beginning at the start of the working day after a breakdown call has been taken. If this is not possible, we will credit the customers parts and service account for the cost of a hired replacement, by doing this we are giving every customer an added value service that they know will save them money, time and stress.”

“With this deal we are taking the hammer to downtime and rewriting the rulebook, laying down a challenge to the rest of the industry to follow suit and support customers where they really need it, on the job and in the pocket.”

The guaranteed uptime applies to the Caterpillar range of Cat D-Series excavators including the impressive new Cat Smart20, the Cat 319D, Cat 324D, Cat 325D and Cat 329D. The guarantee applies throughout the machines warranty period, with the 48 hour period beginning at the start of the working day after a breakdown call is taken.

For more information on the new ‘Uptime Guarantee’ deal and the full Caterpillar equipment range from Finning visit www.finning.co.uk.

Interbuild ’08 special offer

Demolition News has secured a special offer arrangement with the organisers of the Interbuild 08 exhibition which is scheduled to take place at the NEC in Birmingham from 26 to 30 November 2008.

Anyone pre-registering via this website will get a free entry ticket which is normally priced at £20 per person.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer should click here to pre-register for the show.

Another high reach accident…

Just over two years ago, when I helped the National Federation of DemolitionContractors launch their guidance on the safe use of high reach excavators, I stated that “thankfully, there has never been a fatality that could be directly attributed to a high reach machine”.

Watching this video (and the numerous others that are widely available on the Internet), I cannot help but wonder how long this wil be the case.

Demolishing misconceptions

The US’ National Demolition Association has addressed 10 of the most popular demolition misconceptions including “demolition is a dangerous business” and, my personal favourite, “demolition contractors blow buildings up”.
Personally, I’d have included “demolition always involves bulldozers” but that’s just a personal gripe.
You can read the full 10-point list here.

High Reach accident…

I wouldn’t claim to be a demolition expert and neither am I in any way psychic. But even I spotted the outcome of this six minute video after just 22 seconds.

I just wish I knew the name of the operator – I’d love to mail him a copy of the NFDC’s High Reach Guidance Notes.

A blast from the past…

For anyone that still hankers for the days or crawler cranes and wrecking balls, this video is just for you. It features the demolition of Nottingham’s Victoria railway station and was shot during the 1960s.

Ripped from cine film, it runs like a silent movie. But if you are a demolition veteran, this will give you a welcome reminder of the “good ol’ days”. And if you’re a young upstart, it will prove once and for all that you have never had it so good.

Red Rhino seminar a crushing success…

Compact crusher manufacturer Red Rhino recently hosted a seminar on the increasingly important subject of construction and demolition waste, with a number of guest speakers in attendance.

Details of the seminar can be found here.

Manual Handling Awareness…

Long-time friend of Demolition News, C&D Consultancy, has news of a new Manual Handling Awareness course that is scheduled to take place on 10 September.

For further information and booking details, please click here.

National Geographic implosion series…

The world-famous National Geographic Channel has recently completed a new series called “Blowdowns” and the first of these is scheduled to air soon.

Details of when these programmes will air around the world can be found here.

Historic building mistakenly demolished…

A property developer has mistakenly demolished an historic building in New Jersey.

Quite how such a thing happens is beyond me but you can read all about it here.