National Highways is an organisation that has a huge influence on the whole construction sector and is ultimately responsible for keeping the country moving through the management, development and maintenance of the strategic road network. And because of this, it has a major stake in innovations such as Digital Roads that are critical if we're to meet the challenges of climate change, carbon reduction and biodiversity.

In the latest in-depth edition of our Think Tank Series podcast, supported by 3D Machine Control and Surveying specialist Leica Geosystems, Malcolm Dare, National Highways Executive Director of Commercial, Supply Chain and Procurement, talks Peter Haddock through a whole range of subjects, mapping out the future direction of the organisation.

They talk about:

- Delivering Net Zero by embracing innovations across the board

- Tackling the skills shortage and attracting new talent 

- ESG and measuring social impact 

- Working collaboratively with supply chain partners and academics in research partnerships to deliver new materials and ways of working

- The need to accelerate change by testing and trialling new solutions and ideas

- The potential of technologies like the Cat Command Remote Control Station and autonomous drones  

- How carbon emissions can be reduced now and into the future using technologies like 3D machine control and switching to alternative fuels like Hydrogen

And throughout the podcast, Malcolm signposts numerous standards and future roadmaps that are already documented whilst also mentioning the imminent publication of exciting future plans. You might need to take notes on this podcast as there is so much information to take in over the 52 minute conversation.

A big thanks to Malcolm and the National Highways team for getting involved in this latest episode.  

Tier 1 contractor Balfour Beatty is transforming its operations by taking advantage of new equipment and technology. And this is reflected in its recently rebranded Asset and Solutions Division, which is already changing the future delivery of the 500+ project sites it mobilises every year.

To find out what the future looks like, Peter Haddock talks to Sean Scarah, Plant and Logistics Director for Balfour Beatty Asset and Solutions Division, for the latest edition of our Think Tank Series, supported by 3D Machine Control and Surveying specialist Leica Geosystems.

Think Tank is all about how we should think about getting the most out of the fuel in the Tank. So this episode is all about understanding the complexities of running complex job sites from one of the most experienced professionals in the business. And there are numerous insights that Sean shares with Peter in this episode.

Sean: "It's not all about diggers anymore... it's about a whole connected site where 3D machine control and, in the future autonomous plant help to deliver a project and help us on our journey to Net Zero.

And to succeed, we all must work more collaboratively together with industry solution and equipment providers as well as supply chain partners, IT specialists and, of course, clients."

Thanks for listening to this episode of our Think Tank series, supported by Leica Geosystems, the 3D machine control and surveying specialist.

If you like this one, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia.

To follow Peter Haddock, visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

Stage V engines are different, so how will they change the industry, and how can rental companies, in particular, benefit by investing in equipment powered by them?

Peter Haddock asks all these questions and more to Dave Stollery of Perkins Engines in the latest edition of our Think Tank Series, supported by 3D Machine Control and Surveying specialist Leica Geosystems.

Think Tank is all about how we should think about, in this case, getting the most out of the diesel or HVO fuel in the tank. So this episode is all about productivity, uptime, efficiency, and ultimately reducing carbon emissions by understanding the benefits of equipment using Stage V engines.

As Peter discovers in this podcast, a Stage V engine complete with after-treatment needs to be run harder. And thanks to the research and development of Stage V technologies, the increases in engine performance can even reduce the size needed to power a machine.

Knowing how to maintain Stage V engines is also important when delivering that vital uptime for rental fleets and end-users. So why not listen to Dave and Peter as they cover the topic in this in-depth podcast.

Thanks for listening to this episode of our Think Tank series, supported by Leica Geosystems, the 3D machine control and surveying specialist.

If you like this one, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia.

To follow Peter Haddock, visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

How do we solve the skills shortage whilst increasing productivity and reducing CO2 emissions? These are just some of the key topics Peter Haddock discusses with Peter Bell, MD of housebuilding groundworks specialist, Bell Contracting onsite at the new AccXel Construction Training School.

In this latest edition of our Think Tank Series supported by Leica Geosystems, Peter Bell talks about how the family business has created key relationships and partnerships with JCB and 3D machine control and surveying specialist Leica Geosystems to change the way the business operates. It's a process that has delivered significant benefits allowing Bell Contracting to grow whilst establishing itself as a key supply chain partner for some of the UK's largest housebuilders.

Peter Bell: "The group has a turnover of around £90m, which is made up of three divisions, Bell Contracting, Bell Plant and Bell Homes. Our growth has accelerated dramatically over the last decade as we have changed the way in which we approach working with our customers, who are some of the major housebuilders in our region.

"Those customers wanted more of a partnership approach, so we recognised we had to solidify our own approach to partnerships within our core supply chain and, in particular, the plant we use. So we started to work with our local JCB dealer, Holt JCB and JCB Finance to look at how we could manage our fleet and get the right equipment matched for the jobs onsite.

"The aim was to develop a better approach to managing the movement of muck that was safer and more efficient. This also involved changing our methodologies and how team members worked together, from engineers to surveyors, site managers and operators. As part of this process, we created another more technically orientated partnership with Leica Geosystems, combining surveying, 3D modelling and machine control as one seamless delivery model.

"It has been a revolution for our business. You know, I never believed that you would get 55 year old excavator drivers to buy into a machine control solution within 24 hours, but it happened to us. And the productivity of the jobs we are now doing is off the scale. We don't bang pegs in the ground anymore. Everything's built on a 3d model, and it's effectively plugged into the machine.

"My excavator drivers and my foreman can actually physically see what they're actually trying to achieve right in front of them. And now they don't have to be close to the machine or climb into trenches anymore.”

Thanks for listening to this episode of our Think Tank series, supported by Leica Geosystems the 3D machine control and surveying specialist.

If you like this one, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia.

To follow Peter Haddock visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

For our Bauma 2022 show special, supported by 3D machine control and surveying specialist, Leica Geosystems, host Peter Haddock talks to Mark Crawford, the Digital Plant Manager for leading UK Tier 1 contractor, Balfour Beatty. This episode was recorded at Hexagon Live in Las Vegas following the launch of new surveying and construction sector technologies. 

Mark joined Balfour Beatty in his new role during the pandemic and has been heavily involved in accelerating the digital roadmap for the business. 

Mark: "The digitalisation of the mobile plant sector is all about the connectivity of the plant itself, the available technology and what capability that can deliver for our clients."

Mark is also heavily involved in the National Highways (the organisation that looks after the UK's motorway network) Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP) Group, which works together to revolutionise the construction sector. Mark: "Working with the CAP group National Highways has set out a roadmap for the future delivery of projects, and this has influenced our own roadmap to deliver projects for the organisation. It has already led to us accelerating programmes that include the interlinking of telematics data from across our fleet and supply chain. 

"This includes how we move data from the office to the field, and the creation of our own digital toolset. Through collaboration and training across our business and supply chain we are ensuring everyone is now working on a consistent platform, with one version of the truth, so that we can ultimately achieve our Net Zero aims. And as a leading contractor, it is our goal to develop a roadmap that is capable of achieving the needs of all our customers. 

"For example, in order to support National Highways, we need to work a couple of years in advance to ensure the whole supply chain and technology is available, tested and ready to deliver. This requires us to walk back from the date of compliance with everyone involved and to challenge the OEMs and technology providers to have solutions available for our supply chain to adopt. So it's a complex and continuous process that will require investment in both equipment and people to deliver."

Thanks for listening to this episode of our Think Tank series, supported by Leica Geosystems the 3D machine control and surveying specialist.

If you like this one, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia.

To follow Peter Haddock visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

How can the plant sector plan for a digital journey whilst focusing on the bigger Net Zero picture by reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions?

These are some of the questions Peter Haddock asked Sam Mercer, COO of leading plant hire specialist Plantforce. In this Think Tank podcast, they talk about how the business has moved forward, forging key industry partnerships whilst taking a transparent approach to working with clients to deliver projects like HS2. 

Whether it's working with OEMs like Kobelco to introduce semi-automatic machines with Leica Geosystems 3D machine control, used with an SMP Parts tiltrotator. Or looking at data-led insights with telemetry partner MachineMax, the business continues to grow and challenge itself. 

But it's the people that matter. Here, training partnerships with Weston College and LP Training are making that all-important difference in upskilling existing operators and managers, whilst supporting new operators into the workforce through apprenticeships and specialist training. 

In addition, Sam gives us an insight into how the business will be expanding its national footprint and how all of its fleet of over 2000 units is HVO ready. 

Its connected site approach was also recently highlighted at the Futureworx show, where real-time data from a site was beamed into the event, you can see video interviews at this site in this playlist on YouTube: 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCLBoV6tjTs_4LUummupvlBBbGytWXmhG

If you like this episode, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube archive channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia.

To follow Peter Haddock, visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

Want to know what the future looks like for National Highways? 

Then this is the podcast for you as Muneer Akhtar talks to Peter Haddock about the challenges the sector faces and how National Highways is on the road to Net Zero. 

Through his work with the Connected Autonomous Plant Group, Muneer talks about technology adoption, innovation, people, skills and much more. 

This is a real insight into how National Highways is looking to work with businesses to deliver better outcomes for those using its infrastructure and those building and maintaining it. 

It's another Think Tank episode from our series supported by Leica Geosystems, where Peter looks into how we can get more from every drop of fuel. 

If you like this episode, please listen to our other podcast episodes and check out our video interviews from sites and events on our YouTube archive channel at youtube.com/contentwithmedia. 

To follow Peter Haddock visit his profile on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhaddock

For this special National Apprentice edition of the Content With Media podcast, supported by the Construction Equipment Association, host Peter Haddock talks to two apprentices Jack and Sam at British Steel about their experiences.

Peter also talks to Tony Malone and Andy Clark who are part of the apprentice training and support team, mentoring those working at its Northern Mills. Both Tony and Andy also went through the apprentice scheme and with over 40 years of experience each, it is great to see them giving back to the next generation.

Finally, Peter closes off the podcast by talking to Suneeta Johal the CEO of the Construction Equipment Association about why skills development and apprenticeships are so important to the industry and its members.

In our final episode of the 'Think Tank' Series for 2021, Peter Haddock talks to Alasdair Reisner, CEO of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). 

Alasdair talks about the new 'Industrial Skills Plan for the UK Construction Sector 2021 - 2025', launched earlier this year, and available from the Construction Leadership Council's website at this link https://bit.ly/3pX1LA0

Peter and Alasdair also discuss diversity and inclusion as well as a focus on respect in the industry to ensure we can both attract and keep talent. 

Alasdair: "Why wouldn't you want to be in the construction industry when you can fundamentally be part of a digital industrial revolution in a sector that's got so much potential to change people's lives for the better."

Thanks again to our sponsors Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, for supporting our podcast series. If you want to know more about how its surveying and 3D machine control equipment and software solutions can help you be more efficient and productive, visit www.leica-geosystems.com

The topics covered in this podcast are going to be a big part of our content creation in 2022, so watch this space and the content we post on our social media channels by connecting with us through the links below

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THINK TANK SERIES EPISODE 4: Joining host Peter Haddock for the fourth in our new 'Think Tank Series', sponsored by our friends at Leica Geosystems, the 3D machine control and surveying specialist, is James Cadman, plant sector expert for the Sustainability Supply Chain School.  

In this special COP26 (Climate Change Summit) episode, James returns to the podcast to talk to host Peter about all of the challenges the industry faces to play its part in tackling climate change. They discuss what has changed in the industry since the Sustainability Supply Chain School Plant Charter was launched last year. 

They also talk about what the industry needs to do to reduce emissions by being better custodians of the environment and delivering social value to the communities in which we all work.

James: "You only have to look at the recent announcement from the Construction Leadership Council in its 'Construct Zero Performance Framework' to see that we have some major milestones to reach. They stated that the framework wanted to reduce diesel plant onsite by over 70% by 2035. 

"That is a big task and not one we are going to solve overnight. But we can already see innovations coming to market and the rapid adoption of technology like 3D machine control. And there will be more technological advancements coming down the road. To meet these stringent targets, the answer is never going to be a one size fits all solution. We already have HVO biofuels, electric and now hydrogen advancements."

It's a huge subject to tackle in a podcast, but we hope it will help listeners think about how they can play a role in delivering better environmental outcomes, both locally and globally. 

The Sustainability Supply Chain School also offers the industry a huge amount of resources free of charge to support learning, and you can access its library by visiting its website. You can also find out more about the plant charter in the link below: 

www.supplychainschool.co.uk/partners/groups/plant-group/plant-charter/

We would like to thank our sponsor, Leica Geosystems, for supporting this 'Think Tank Series' episode. You can find out all about how its surveying and 3D machine control equipment and software solutions can help you reduce emissions and more at leica-geosystems.com